Last month, I went to visit a client, Maggie, who had just finished renovating her home. She spent nearly 800,000 HKD on a 500-square-foot unit for a complete renovation, and the designer helped her create her dream home, blending 'Scandinavian' and 'MUJI-style' designs. But when I stepped through the door, I saw her looking helpless: 'The designer said this open kitchen is beautiful, but when I cook, the whole place smells of grease... The marble countertop is also very easy to scratch, and now I don’t even dare to cut vegetables forcefully.' This scene is actually not uncommon in the Hong Kong property market. Many people think that renovation equals 'spending money + a designer = perfect home,' but the truth is: a home is not just made from renovation, but from living in it.
In today's article, I will share with everyone from the perspective of a real estate columnist why 'living comfortably' is more important than 'having a beautifully decorated home,' and how to create a home that truly suits you in the realistic environment of Hong Kong's property market.
Core Concept: Renovation is not the end, life is the beginning
The essence of renovation is 'to serve life,' not 'to serve for check-ins'
Many people, when renovating, are often misled by 'influencer homes' on Instagram or Xiaohongshu, thinking that simply copying those designs will give them their ideal life. But the reality is: Hong Kong's living environment, lifestyle, and family structure are completely different from those 'showrooms.'
:::tip Expert Opinion I have seen too many clients spend a lot of money on open kitchens, only to find that Hong Kong people habitually cook with high heat and strong aromatics, making it impossible to solve the problem of oil smoke. Or they pursue a 'minimalist style' and hide all storage spaces, only to find that everyday items have nowhere to be placed, and it eventually becomes a 'very messy style'. :::
Truly good renovation should be:
- In line with your lifestyle: For example, if you often cook at home, you need a separate kitchen + a powerful range hood
- Adapted to Hong Kong's climate: It's humid and rainy, so moisture-proofing, ventilation, and natural lighting are more important than "Instagram spots"
- Leave flexible space: Family members may change (getting married, having children, living with parents), so renovation should consider the needs for the next 5-10 years
Data Speaks: The Real Pain Points of Hong Kong Families
According to a 2023 survey by the Hong Kong Estate Agents Association, over 60% of homeowners regret their renovations two years after moving in, with the main reasons including:
- Insufficient storage space (42%): The per capita living area in Hong Kong is only 161 square feet, but many designers sacrifice practical storage space for "visual effects."
- High maintenance costs (28%): "Premium materials" such as marble, solid wood floors, and special coatings have staggering maintenance costs in Hong Kong's humid environment.
- Unreasonable layout (18%): For example, bathroom doors facing the kitchen, or bedrooms that cannot accommodate a double bed.
:::highlight Insider Tip In Hong Kong's property market, entry-level units where buying is cheaper than renting are usually smaller in size (300-500 square feet). The focus of furnishing such units should be on "maximizing space," rather than "maximizing style." For example, make good use of custom-made furniture, choose multifunctional furniture (such as sofa beds and foldable dining tables), and use mirrors to enhance the sense of space. :::
'A Home Lived In' vs 'A Home Decorated to Impress'
| Comparison Item | Staged Home | Lived-in Home | |---------|-----------|-----------| | Design Focus | Visual impact, Instagram-worthy aesthetics | Living flow, practical functionality | | Material Choice | Pursuit of a high-end feel (marble, solid wood) | Consideration of maintenance costs (moisture-resistant, durable) | | Space Planning | Fixed layout, difficult to modify | Reserved flexibility, adjustable according to needs | | Post-Move-in Feeling | Initial wow factor, inconvenient in the long run | Initially plain, comfortable in the long run |
Case Studies: Three Real Stories, Three Different Endings
Case 1: Maggie Who Pursues the 'Influencer Style' (Failed Case)
Background: Maggie is a 30-year-old car pick-up who bought a 450-square-foot second-hand building in Tseung Kwan O and spent 80 yuan on the renovation of the whole house. She referenced a lot of "Nordic" designs on Instagram, asking designers to create open kitchens, white throughout the house, and marble countertops.
Results:
- The open kitchen has led to serious oil fume problems, and she now only dares to cook simple Western dishes.
- The white walls and white furniture, in Hong Kong's humid environment, started to yellow and mold within six months.
- The marble countertop is easily scratched, and now she has to use both a chopping board and a protective mat even when cutting vegetables.
Lesson: Don't blindly pursue 'style'; first understand your own lifestyle habits. If you often cook Chinese cuisine, an open kitchen is not suitable for you; if you don't want to spend time on maintenance, then don't choose 'high-maintenance' materials.
:::warning Common Misconceptions Many people think that 'open kitchen = modern = high-end,' but in the Hong Kong property market, an open kitchen is actually a 'double-edged sword.' Unless you rarely cook, or only cook Western cuisine, an independent kitchen with a powerful range hood is a more practical choice. :::
Case 2: David, who focuses on "practicality" (successful case)
Background: David is a 35-year-old professional investor who bought a 500 sq ft bargain flat in Kowloon Bay, planning to live in it himself and rent it out in the future. His renovation budget is only 400,000, but he is very clear about his needs:
- Needs an independent workspace (because he often works from home)
- Needs plenty of storage space (because he has many books and documents)
- Hopes that when renting it out in the future, tenants can easily use it as well
Approach:
- Abandon "stylized" designs and choose a simple and practical decoration style
- Custom-make furniture for the whole house to maximize storage space (including under the bed, windowsills, corridors, etc.)
- Choose durable and easy-to-maintain materials (such as moisture-resistant flooring and easy-to-clean wall paint)
- Set up a foldable work desk in the living room, which can be tucked away when not in use to save space
Result:D Although Avid's home is "not influencer enough", he is still very satisfied after living there for 3 years. He said: "I work from home for 8 hours a day, and the most important thing is comfort and convenience. Those 'check-in spots' mean nothing to me."
:::success Experts recommend If you are a first-time homeowner with a limited budget, it is recommended to prioritize investment in 'practical features,' such as custom-made furniture, a powerful range hood, and moisture-resistant flooring. Although these investments may seem 'unremarkable,' they can significantly enhance the quality of life. :::
Case 3: Karen Who 'Lived It Out' (Best Case)
Background: Karen is a 40-year-old middle-class housewife who bought a 600-square-foot three-bedroom apartment in Sha Tin. Her renovation strategy is very special: first renovate simply, then adjust after living there for a year.
Approach:
- Phase One (When moving in): Only basic renovations were done (painting, flooring, kitchen and bathroom), with a budget of only 250,000
- Phase Two (After living for 1 year): Based on actual living experience, 'precise adjustments' were made:
- Noticed insufficient kitchen storage space, so added overhead cabinets - Found the master bedroom too dark, so installed ceiling spotlights - Realized the children's room needed more toy storage, so custom-made a multifunctional storage cabinet
Result: Although Karen's home was 'renovated in two stages,' the total budget was only 400,000, yet it suited her needs better than a one-time renovation. She said, 'Only after truly living in it do you know what you need.'
:::tip Insider Tip This "staged renovation" strategy is especially suitable for first-time home buyers. Since you may not yet be clear about your own living habits, instead of spending a large amount of money on a "perfect renovation" all at once, it is better to first do basic renovations, and then "fine-tune" after living for a period of time. This way, it saves money and better meets actual needs. :::
Notes: How to Avoid 'Renovation Regret'
Misconception 1: Overly pursuing 'style consistency'
Many people think that a 'uniform style throughout the house' is high-end, but the reality is: different spaces have different functions and should have different design focuses.
For example:
- Living room: Can pursue aesthetics, because this is the "front face"
- Kitchen: Should pursue practicality, because this is the "work area"
- Bedroom: Should pursue comfort, because this is the "rest area"
:::warning Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls Don't sacrifice practicality for the sake of 'stylistic consistency.' For example, some designers, in the pursuit of a 'minimalist style,' may suggest hiding all appliances, but this can lead to inconvenience (for instance, you would have to open a cabinet door every time you use the microwave). :::
Misconception 2: Ignoring 'maintenance costs'
In the Hong Kong property market, many owners only pay attention to "renovation costs" while neglecting "maintenance costs." In fact, maintenance costs may be higher than renovation costs.
For example:
- Marble countertops: Initial cost is about $3,000-5,000 per square meter, but they require waxing and polishing every year, resulting in high long-term maintenance costs.
- Solid wood flooring: Initial cost is about $200-400 per square foot, but in Hong Kong's humid environment, it is prone to warping and mold, requiring regular maintenance.
- Special paints (such as chalkboard paint, magnetic paint): The initial effect is very cool, but they are easily scratched and faded, and repainting costs are very high.
:::highlight Experts recommend If you don't want to spend too much time on maintenance, it is recommended to choose 'low-maintenance' materials, such as moisture-resistant flooring (like SPC flooring), easy-to-clean wall paint (such as anti-mold paint), and artificial stone countertops (more durable than marble). :::
Misconception Three: Not Reserving 'Flex Space'
Many people, when renovating, only consider the "current needs" and do not leave room for "future flexibility." But the reality is: family structures change, and living needs also change.
For example:
- Single car commuters: May get married or have children in the future, requiring more storage space and a nursery
- Newlywed couples: May have parents living together in the future, needing an extra room
- Middle-class families: As children grow up, they need an independent study room and play space
:::success Experts recommend When renovating, it is recommended to leave 'flexible space,' for example:
- Choose 'movable' furniture (such as folding screens and foldable dining tables) for easier adjustments in the future.
- Avoid 'fixed layouts' (such as solid walls or fixed furniture) and retain the possibility for changes
- Reserve a 'multi-functional space' (such as study + guest room, dining room + workspace) to increase space utilization.
:::
Summary: Home is a 'dynamic' concept
Returning to the question at the beginning of the article: What exactly is home?
My answer is: A home is not a "finished product," but a "work in progress." It does not take shape the moment the renovation is completed; rather, it continuously adjusts and evolves with your life, your needs, and your family structure.
In the Hong Kong property market, many people treat 'buying a home' as the ultimate goal in life, thinking that once they purchase a property and finish decorating it, everything will be settled for good. But the truth is: buying a property is just the beginning; the real challenge is 'how to live comfortably.'
So, if you are considering renovation, my advice is:
- First understand your own lifestyle habits, and don't blindly chase the 'trendy influencer style'.
- Prioritize investing in practical functions, such as storage space, kitchen equipment, and moisture-proof measures.
- Choose materials with low maintenance costs to reduce future troubles.
- Reserve flexible space so that the home can adjust according to your needs.
Remember: A home is not just decorated, it is lived in. Only by truly living in it can you know what suits you best.
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Keywords: Hong Kong property market, real estate investment, property buying guide, renovation design, interior design, home makeover, first-time buyers, bargain properties, cheaper than renting