S'pore woman converts HDB flat service yard to own room after sharing room with sister for 24 years

After 24 years of sharing a room with her sister, a woman documented her journey of carving out the service yard of her family's Housing Development Board (HDB) flat.

Sasha shared on TikTok that she had wanted her own personal space for a while, so when her family bought a new three-room HDB flat, she decided to seize the opportunity.

Space of her own

Speaking to Mothership, Sasha shared that it took about a month to transform the 256cm by 140cm service yard into her own room. For about S$1,000, she got a loft bed with a desk, four drawers, and a wardrobe.

She also purchased a little butterfly carpet from Shopee and some curtains to separate her room from the kitchen.

She also made the window looking at the washer and dryer opaque and changed the tile floor using stickers that she cut and pasted herself.

However, her biggest challenge was not decorating and making everything fit.

"The biggest challenge was actually choosing to block out the noise of what people were saying and they had their comments. Even my own family did not really have the biggest hope that it was possible to fit the bunk bed into the room.

It took a lot of choosing to ignore and keeping and sticking to the plan to prove them wrong."

Numerous people commented on her video, questioning her decision.

Her friends were also initially sceptical about her idea, but they commented on how cosy and comfortable her room was.

Sasha shared that her family suggested she take the service yard. She had previously asked if she could have her own room, as she needed it for healthier boundaries.

Since living in the service yard, Sasha said it has been more useful, helpful and peaceful for her and her sister.

She also felt more independent, as she could decorate the room in the style she wanted and did not need to share items with her sister.

Top photos via sashamarietiktoks/TikTok