<a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/life/home-design/how-one-singaporean-turned-her-familys-service-yard-into-her-own-cosy-bedroom">Some people have turned their service yard into a bedroom</a>, and honestly, 100% respect. But if you’re not quite ready for that level of commitment and keeping yours as primarily a laundry zone, here are a few practical upgrades worth considering.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>1. Add a laundry drop chute</h3>Consider a small cut-out that lets you toss laundry straight into baskets tucked inside your cabinetry. You can even do separate baskets for lights and darks. It’s a small thing, but makes sorting so much easier.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/65244586-5697-46c3-8536-8834eb3327c9-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/d7747c4b-6bd0-4ce3-8a72-5b33f36c6adf-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: Carpenters 匠&nbsp;<h3>2. Make room for a pet corner</h3>If you have pets, your service yard can double up as a mini grooming or potty zone for cats or small dogs. Think a low-profile pet bath, a litter box tucked into a cabinet and hooks for leashes and cleaning supplies. Just make sure the area’s well ventilated and easy to clean.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:901/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/5232d99d-3ae5-4489-ba8b-6c7998070466-blob" width="901" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-interior-lab">The Interior Lab</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:791/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/6b2d95f6-5f51-407a-89c9-83020d002db3-blob" width="791" height="1200"></figure>Design: Intheory Design&nbsp;<h3>3. Install a utility sink</h3>A compact utility sink can be a game-changer for soaking stained clothes, handwashing delicates, or scrubbing down mop heads without dirtying your bathroom or kitchen sink. Choose a compact, durable model with good drainage and splash protection.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:857/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/69b0691a-1613-4b64-9135-185444edb583-blob" width="857" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/6amspaces">6AM Spaces</a>&nbsp;<h3>4. Hide the chaos with clever concealment</h3>Service yards are often cluttered with detergent bottles, pegs, hangers and half-dry laundry, so why not keep it all out of sight? A full-height storage system concealed behind sleek bi-fold doors does the trick. Keep them open for ventilation while the laundry’s running, then shut everything away once you’re done, particularly handy when guests are over.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you prefer exposing your machines for easier access, then do up a ventilated cabinet (made up of ratten doors!) for the rest of your laundry essentials.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/d41737fa-16f9-4752-acdc-09b268e55cf3-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/charlottes-carpentry">Charlotte’s Carpentry</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1200/800;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/3d9b3f1b-516f-47b7-ae4c-6f1ec978d073-blob" width="1200" height="800"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-interior-lab">The Interior Lab</a>&nbsp;<h3>5. Turn it into a waiting spot (coffee included)</h3>You don’t have to just stand around waiting for the laundry to finish. A narrow bar ledge or small table by the service yard window makes for a surprisingly pleasant coffee corner, especially if your yard gets natural light and has a nice view. Time to get that kettle going!&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/cf8a0f68-b881-471a-94cb-76e1d9352c08-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-local-inn.terior">The Local Inn.terior</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1200/800;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/c18444fa-a657-477c-bf26-73950e6d834d-blob" width="1200" height="800"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/projectguru">ProjectGuru</a>&nbsp;<h3>6. Install a pop-up table for folding or sorting</h3>A fold-down table (like those mounted to the wall) gives you an extra work surface for sorting, folding, or even ironing, but can be tucked completely out of the way when not in use. Great for tiny service yards where every square inch counts. This is also a great, budget-friendly option to upgrade your service yard. &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/eb73d023-3416-4f17-8e78-d1bcfff55302-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/yang-s-inspiration-design">Yang’s Inspiration Design</a>&nbsp;<h3>7. Use it as an overflow pantry</h3>If your kitchen's bursting at the seams, the service yard can quietly take over pantry duty. Add sealed cabinetry or open shelves for backup groceries, small appliances or even bulk buys from Don Don Donki. Just make sure to keep it dry and pest-proof.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:901/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/f7df4367-5fc6-4d0c-b19f-8acf212a358b-blob" width="901" height="1200"></figure>Image courtesy of @nurfish&nbsp;<h3>8. Add a hanging rod for drying</h3>A simple rod (get it mounted or consider a solid tension rod) above the sink gives you the perfect spot to hang freshly washed clothes or air-dry delicate pieces that can’t go in the dryer. It’s also handy for smoothing out creases straight from the wash so there’s less ironing involved.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/4635e7b2-e0c5-4681-bac0-7b289a052eaa-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: Carpenters 匠&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:960/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/98c7e6b7-2a5d-48a8-84e4-3f89ca73f614-blob" width="960" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/sumspace">Sumspace</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>9. Keep it vertical (everything in one clean line)</h3>For ultra-squeezy service yards, try stacking everything in a single vertical column. Tuck your washer or washer-dryer combo at the bottom, then go upwards with a slim pull-out table for sorting or folding, and finish with closed cabinets for detergent, pegs and other essentials. It keeps things compact and clutter-free, without needing extra floor space.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/9c8f7dc0-d00c-4eec-845c-d69e5e033cf1-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/635396a4-c7dd-4073-882b-4a08a9465d49-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/starry-homestead">Starry Homestead</a>&nbsp;<h3>10. Blend it seamlessly with the kitchen</h3>Combining your kitchen with service yard is a great way to have a larger cooking space. Consider using matching cabinetry colours and finishes so the two zones feel like one cohesive space. Making sure your washer and dryer fit perfectly without jutting out helps keep things visually tidy (give your measurements to your ID early!). Vertically challenged? A pull-out step stool built into your base cabinet makes it easier to reach for that washer opening.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1200/812;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/c5f451bf-3316-4d51-ad26-ee1e4542c3de-blob" width="1200" height="812"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/starry-homestead">Starry Homestead</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:800/1200;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/e1be8a77-8beb-4fa3-81c1-93522bc78e4e-blob" width="800" height="1200"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/chalk-architects-and-chark">Chalk Architects</a>

10 Practical Service Yard Upgrades (No Bedrooms Here!)

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