Room Tour: A Sunny Extension for the Living Room
Adding a sun roof over the balcony of this HDB maisonette gives this home a fresh and cheerful cosy corner to chill in
With a living room that’s mostly muted neutrals in palette – plus a wood-finish laminate on the TV feature wall – designer Mariam Husin of Tulus ID decided to add a bright touch by transforming the balcony into a sun room.
“Before renovation, the space was very dark and not well-utilised. The balcony was used as a storage space. As the balcony was near to the living area, any guest who came by could see the clutter. It was an eye sore,” Husin says.
“Before renovation, the space was very dark and not well-utilised. The balcony was used as a storage space. As the balcony was near to the living area, any guest who came by could see the clutter. It was an eye sore,” Husin says.
“The owner loves to hold family gatherings in her home. She has quite an extended family. So with more seating, she could accommodate more guests,” Husin says.
The additional seating was provided by building a bench in one corner of the sun room, and putting an outdoor table-and-stools set in the other corner. With wooden decking as flooring, and a sun roof, it has all the comforts of the indoors, while enjoying an outdoor feel.
There’s also space between the two corners for the family to set up a treadmill, so they can exercise while looking out to the green outdoors.
The additional seating was provided by building a bench in one corner of the sun room, and putting an outdoor table-and-stools set in the other corner. With wooden decking as flooring, and a sun roof, it has all the comforts of the indoors, while enjoying an outdoor feel.
There’s also space between the two corners for the family to set up a treadmill, so they can exercise while looking out to the green outdoors.
To contrast with the soft blue area rug in the living room, pops of yellow and orange were introduced in the sun room: a yellow-and-blue painting, golden-yellow wire pendant lights and orange cushions.
Sliding casement windows give the owner the option of enjoying the space air-conditioned or alfresco. The windows also have invisible grilles.
Sliding casement windows give the owner the option of enjoying the space air-conditioned or alfresco. The windows also have invisible grilles.
“We made sure there are invisible grilles installed to keep the owner’s kitties safely indoors,” Husin says. “She says her cats are super happy as she has made that area her ‘Kitties Hang-out Space’. They do a lot of sunbathing there especially during the hot afternoons.”
See more of this project
TELL US
Have you done similarly dramatic transformations to your balcony? Show us by posting a photo in the Comments section.
See more of this project
TELL US
Have you done similarly dramatic transformations to your balcony? Show us by posting a photo in the Comments section.
Room at a Glance: Sun Room
Who lives here: A family with two teenage daughters and two cats
Location: Ubi Estate
Designer: Tulus ID
Husin’s client asked for “a fully functional and additional entertainment space, which becomes an extension of her living [room],” the designer says.
Reclaiming the under-utilised balcony, Husin created a cheery 11-square-metre sun room.