Thomas Ong, 57, downsizes from 5-room to 2-room HDB flat in Canberra as he retires from acting

Former actor Thomas Ong is settling into a smaller home as he prepares for life after acting.

The 57-year-old Singaporean bought a 409 sqft (38 sqm) two-room Flexi flat near Canberra MRT station for S$140,000, he told Lianhe Zaobao.

Ong's downsizing strategy

Ong previously lived in a five-room flat in Toa Payoh, followed by a three-room flat in Kim Keat.

He obtained his latest home through the Sale of Balance Flats scheme and spent under S$80,000 on renovations.

"This must be the smallest flat in Singapore; there's no smaller one. This is the last time I'll ever move in my life. I'll probably live here until I die, haha. I've lived here for about two months, and it's very comfortable, and I'm very happy,” he told Zaobao.

Ong explained that downsizing meant less housework and fewer possessions.

He shared that while spare rooms in his previous homes were filled with clutter, his smaller home now keeps everything within easy reach.

Designed for health

Beyond convenience, Ong’s health also shaped his choice of home and its design.

He said he has struggled with insomnia for years, with lingering respiratory problems after the Covid-19 pandemic further disrupting his sleep.

He chose darker interiors to create a calming space where he could unwind, explaining that bright, white surroundings would leave him worrying about dirt and stains.

He said: "I'm the kind of person who would go crazy if I saw a single hair on the floor. I'm also afraid that a space that's too white will easily get dirty, causing me unnecessary psychological stress and burden. So why bother?"

His efforts to simplify his lifestyle extend beyond his home.

Ong has also sold his car and now takes public transport.

Switching from acting to content creation

Ong said health concerns prompted his decision to retire from acting.

Moving forward, he hopes to support himself through social media content and plans to document a two-month solo trip around Japan beginning in mid-October.

In an Oct. 8 social media post, the 57-year-old shared more photos and details of his cosy little apartment and how he acquired it.

Applied for Sale of Balance Flats scheme

He revealed that he bought the unit through the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) scheme and was surprised his application was successful as there were only two units left.

"Perhaps this is just a little bit of heaven’s favor shining down on Old Wang," he wrote

He also mentioned that his flat is close to the MRT station and shopping malls, which makes it convenient for him to access amenities.

He also shared a photo of kindergarten children down his block and said they were a reminder of the hustle and bustle outside his quiet sanctuary, writing: "These very down-to-earth, everyday sounds actually infuse the home with a sense of living — a reminder that while the world outside bustles on, I can go about my own life in peace and quiet."

Ong's post also shared that the Chinese media visited him at his place to "experience the charm of this compact space".

Not dim at all

Ong also mentioned his home's "Korean-style" vertical blinds — in response to comments previously that the interior of his flat was too dim based on the photos he shared — which he said allowed him to control how much natural lighting entered his home depending on how each panel is positioned.

He said whimsically that he would be watching television and would occasionally be drawn to the rays of light at dusk that enter and find himself caught up in his thoughts.

He also clarified that a plant seen in his home did not belong to him.

This was after he was asked where he got it.

He explained that it belonged to a friend and he put it in his house for the purpose of taking photos.

He added that the plant will likely die if he took care of it.

Ong's post won praise, with many commenters praising the compact practicality of his apartment and saying that the size of his home is only as big as his heart.