Making a House Your Home—Maximise Your Long-Term Rental Stay in Singapore
7 Tips for moving into a new home in a new place.
Moving to a new place is a huge milestone. Whether you’re a local about to embark on a journey of living alone or an expat looking for new opportunities in Singapore, you deserve a pat on the back. Starting a new life is never easy. But at the same time you’ll be learning a new culture, meeting new people, experiencing new things, tasting new food, and all the good perks you can think of.
This big decision alone can change your life tremendously – but in positive ways. The hardest part, however, is the transition phase. Adjusting can be daunting, especially if you’re not used to being away from your loved ones for a long time. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to find a room for rent in Singapore that you can call your own. A place where you can be transformed into a home away from home and a haven where you can retreat at the end of a tiring day at work.
Table of Contents
- Tip #1 – Find a place that suits your lifestyle
- Tip #2 – Schedule your move-in tasks
- Tip #3 – Invest in good furniture
- Tip #4 – Accessorise
- Tip #5 – Mind the lighting
- Tip #6 – Add greeneries
- Tip #7 – Personalise the space
- MetroResidences Singapore Serviced Apartments—Your Home Base for Travels Beyond
Tip #1 – Find a place that suits your lifestyle
First things first. Let’s say you just got a new job opportunity in Singapore and will move in a few months. It’s advisable to familiarise yourself with Singapore’s legislative requirements governing apartment rentals before beginning your property search. In Singapore, renting out residential premises for brief periods is illegal, not even one night. The standard Singapore condo or serviced apartment rental duration is at least three months.
If you’re planning to stay long-term, you must be a Singaporean citizen, a permanent resident, or a long-term resident to rent an apartment for an extended period. You need to have one of the following passes: Employment Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, Dependent Pass, and a Long-Term Social Visit Pass. In addition, you must opt for a long-term lease in Singapore, which usually amounts to 6-months rental in Singapore
Now, where do you start searching for a long-term condo rental in Singapore? Browse through property rental websites in Singapore for the best rental property. Of course, there’ll be thousands of options out there, but the last thing you want is to get stuck in an analysis paralysis situation.
What you need to do is to create a list of the features and living spaces that you want to have in a rental unit. Is this place near your workplace? What are the nearby establishments? What amenities does the building have? Is it near an MRT station or at least a bus stop? All these considerations will help you narrow your search, and you’ll be able to quickly pin down that particular unit that suits your lifestyle and preferences.
Tip #2 – Schedule your move-in tasks
Plan when you are going to be moving. From the moving day, allocate at least a week of preparation and adjustment. You’ll need to familiarise yourself and get used to the place, including locating the elevators, the nearest exit, garbage disposal, gym, coffee shop, etc. On top of that, it is also important to know how to navigate the city and locate business establishments for convenience. Who knows, there’d be a cool heartland mall around the corner.
Tip #3 – Invest in good furniture
This tip will depend on your choice of a Singapore condo rental. If you rent a fully-furnished Singapore serviced apartment, you most likely don’t need to buy furniture. On the other hand, if you rent a semi-furnished apartment rental in Singapore you might need to buy a few. And if you rented an empty unit, of course, sprucing it up with furniture pieces should be the first thing on your to-do list.
There are a few options if you plan to buy furniture. You can browse marketplaces for second-hand furniture, rent furniture from a rental company, or purchase new ones. The last choice is the most expensive and not so practical, especially if you’re not staying for longer period of time. The cheapest option would be to buy second-hand furniture or rent it because it is efficient, hassle-free, and convenient. Renting furniture is the best alternative for people who prefer to travel light and don’t want to carry heavy items when moving from one place to another.
Tip #4 – Accessorise
How your home is designed affects your mood and overall well-being. Make it more homely by decorating it. But before doing so, check with your landlord about how many modifications you can make to your rental unit to avoid getting in trouble. Some landlords allow the repainting of walls, though most do not.
You can make it look homely and inviting by incorporating accent pieces like artwork on the wall, a few vases, chandeliers, area rugs, accent chairs, and soft furnishings. This year, it’s all about the soft-modern look, where earthen tones meld with warm metallic accents.
Tip #5 – Mind the lighting
Lighting is crucial in interior design. Lighting can either make or break an interior space. In addition to affecting the room’s atmosphere, lighting can make living spaces or working spaces appear bigger or smaller. Maximise natural light during the day by applying light window treatments to save on electricity bills. Hang sheer white curtains to allow daylight to flood through the space. You can also install window coverings like horizontal or vertical blinds to protect your space from the sun if the weather becomes too hot.
When it comes to artificial light, ensure that the three types of lighting fixtures are present in your space. These include ambient, task, and accent lights. Not only will it brighten your space, but it will also add personality and character to your otherwise dull rental unit.
Tip #6 – Add greeneries
It’s all about biophilic design, and it’s one of the top interior design trends of 2023 too. Incorporate nature into your rental unit by adding plants in small pots, hanging baskets, or vases. If you’re not much of a green thumb, choose plants that are low maintenance and easy to care for, such as succulents. Succulents are great for decorating coffee tables, side tables, home offices, and bathrooms.
Plants are probably the simplest and most affordable décor element you can easily add to your space. Plants can literally provide a splash of liveliness to your space. Moreover, plants absorb carbon dioxide, keeping your air clean and fresh.
Tip #7 – Personalise the space
Lastly, don’t forget to add your personal touch to your rental unit. This is one way to truly make the space your own and make it feel more like home, whether it is your favourite artwork, poster, or family photo.
Adding your own touches to your home can be a way to express yourself. Your home should be where you are. So, work on your surroundings and make each space uniquely your own. A little of your flair will go a long way in helping you feel like you’re not far from home.
MetroResidences Singapore Serviced Apartments—Your Home Base for Travels Beyond
Looking for your home away from home? Our Singapore apartment rentals and serviced apartments are perfect for a longer period of stay. We have properties in luxury developments across Singapore’s most coveted addresses: Bugis, Bukit Timah, Shenton Way, and Novena.
And, you can rest easy at any of our properties. We adhere to our strict Property Standards that account for the comfort and cleanliness of all our serviced apartments. Our fully-furnished apartments come with amenities like wi-fi, air conditioners, and a fully-equipped kitchen.
