Old & Wet Kitchen No More: Meet our New Bright & Airy Service Yard

1487

Contemporary
HDB (Maisonette)
≥1,500 sqft
4 br
Couple Living with Kids

Transforming the existing old, wet kitchen area into a functional service yard was both a practical and aesthetic decision that addressed several challenges in our home layout. We aimed to maximise the utility of the space while giving it a fresh, modern touch. By creating a dedicated service yard, we’ve freed up our balcony from laundry duties, making it available for more enjoyable activities.
By repurposing the space, we eliminated one of our biggest concerns: the awkward placement of the guest bathroom right in the kitchen. It always felt uncomfortable and embarrassing for our guests, and the risk of lingering odors was something we wanted to avoid too.
Since the entrance to the service yard from kitchen is wide enough, we took the opportunity to build a tall cabinet to store our kitchen needs, and customised a two-panel glass sliding door. When fully open, it conveniently hides behind the tall cabinet, keeping the space open and airy while maintaining a sleek, modern look.
We also fitted the area with an automatic laundry system and a tall cabinet that offers plenty of storage while cleverly concealing the large water pipes. This cabinet design helped streamline the space, giving it a clean and organised feel. To maximise storage, we chose a 2-in-1 washer dryer, as the automatic laundry system is efficient enough to handle drying most of the time.
One of the most transformative changes was removing a half wall and replacing it with glass bricks, allowing natural light to flood both the service yard and the adjacent living room. This simple addition brought a fresh, bright atmosphere to the entire space. We also removed the wall and door separating the service yard from the balcony, further enhancing the openness and airiness. This not only brightened the area but also visually extended the service yard, making it feel like a seamless extension of the balcony, creating a larger, brighter, and more inviting space.
We chose KompacPlus for the countertop to keep costs down. It's durable, low-maintenance, and has a non-porous structure, making it a practical choice. Plus, it comes in a variety of design options to suit different styles. This little hanger organiser helps to store our hangers neatly when not in use.
To further visually enlarge the area, we chose the same patterned tiles as our balcony. This create a seamless flow that makes the service yard feel like an integrated part of the balcony.
The drop-down level in our balcony ensures that water doesn’t flow into the service yard (during heavy rainfall and water-play etc), protecting our washer-dryer and cabinetry from potential damage. This thoughtful detail not only protects our appliances and carpentry from water damage but also adds an extra layer of durability to the overall space.
Turning the old wet kitchen into a service yard has been a rewarding upgrade. With smart storage solutions, improved lighting, and practical features like the automatic laundry system, the space now serves our daily needs while enhancing the overall layout of our home. The transformation has not only added functionality but also created a clean, modern area we enjoy using!