three-room HDB flat<\/a>, recently revealed on Facebook that he has downsized to a 38 sqm 2-room Flexi unit \u2014 and has already been living there for more than a month.<\/p>\nBack in 2024, Thomas, 57, shared that he planned to apply for a two-room Flexi flat.<\/p>\n
After waiting a year and a half and trying twice, he had finally secured a Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) unit this year.<\/p>\n
He called it \u201cthe happiest thing\u201d to happen to him this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the smallest type, but it\u2019s just right,\u201d he wrote, joking that for someone who is \u201ctoo lazy to clean\u201d, a tiny flat actually suits him better.<\/p>\n
Over the past few months, Thomas has been sharing snippets of his new home on social media.<\/p>\n
An earlier pic of his bedroom showed dark green wall panelling, dark bedding and warm lighting, while a shot of his kitchen featured dark wood cabinetry and a dramatic marble-look backsplash and countertop.<\/p>\n
And judging from the latest pic of his living room, the moody aesthetic continues throughout the home.<\/p>\n
Decked out in dark wood, warm lighting and built-in cabinetry, the space has an almost hotel-like feel \u2014 quite a departure from his previous flat, which featured lots of white and lighter wood tones.<\/p>\n
He has also made clever use of the limited space, with a cushioned bench by the windows providing extra seating.<\/p>\n
A large TV is mounted against the wood-panelled wall, while books, ceramics and other knick-knacks add character to the space.<\/p>\n
According to Thomas, who refers to himself as \u201cLao Wang\u201d on social media, 38 sqm (409 sqft) \u2014 almost half the size of a typical three-room flat \u2014 really is as compact as it sounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe moment I step through the door, two steps and I\u2019m in the bedroom; another two steps and I\u2019m in the kitchen; another two steps and I\u2019ve reached the toilet,\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really isn\u2019t much space at home to move around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas, however, sees that as a good thing.<\/p>\n
He said having less space \u201cforces\u201d him to get out more. When he\u2019s hungry, he heads to a nearby mall for food, though he occasionally cooks simple meals at home. When he wants some exercise, he goes for a workout or a walk.<\/p>\n
His home, he said, has become simply \u201ca place to return to, rest, relax and quieten down\u201d.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s another major perk to living in a small flat: Cleaning is a breeze.<\/p>\n
Vacuuming? Done in no time. Mopping? Less than 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
With a quick wipe here and there, Thomas reckons he can get his entire home neat and clean in under half an hour.<\/p>\n
Not bad at all.<\/p>\n
Thomas also reflected on how moving into bigger homes is often seen as a sign of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I can say is, Lao Wang is naturally lazy and doesn\u2019t have what it takes,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n
Ironically, while his smaller home was supposed to encourage him to get out more, Thomas may have made it a little too<\/em> comfortable.<\/p>\n\u201cAfter experiencing it for more than a month, it turns out I renovated the place to suit myself too well!\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, whenever I get home, I don\u2019t feel like going out at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thomas has filmed a video about his renovation and is currently editing it, so we’ll have to wait for the full house tour.<\/span><\/div>\n