Let's start by saying: our new HDB homes are so tiny. With very little space to work with, the last thing you want is to clutter your home with unnecessary items.

Instead, you want to invest in things that take up minimal space and have multiple uses. 

We put together a list of household items that in Marie Kondo's words, don't 'spark joy' anymore, especially in our new abode, so you don't have to waste money purchasing them.  

TOASTER

Who needs a toaster when there are other ways to toast bread? 

I usually toss the bread on a pan over the fire to toast it to a golden brown, which can be done in under three minutes.

Since the pan is already on the stove, you can fry up an egg to complete your meal too.

A colleague of mine even toasts bread in the air fryer. Try it and let us know if it works for you! 

WAFFLE-MAKER

Whipping up a stack of maple syrup-drizzled waffles together with your partner in the morning sounds romantic. 

But ask yourself this: How many times will you actually wake up early on a weekend and use the waffle-maker?

A colleague of mine said hers is now a white elephant sitting in the corner of her kitchen cabinet wasting space, and you'd be better off running to the nearest cafe (or neighbourhood bakery) to satiate your cravings. 

Maybe make pancakes instead, because all you need is a pan and spatula, cutting down the hassle of cleaning the pockets of the griddle. 

DEEP FRYER

Long before the air fryer, there was the deep fryer — a less healthy version of the air fryer, where food is submerged in oil to cook.

With the increase of people wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, it's safe to say the air fryer has replaced the deep fryer in most households. 

SANDWICH-MAKER

The sandwich-maker was once a staple in my house. My mother was obsessed with it because of how convenient it was to make us breakfast before sending us off to school.

Though it is easy to use, I had never once thought I was missing out without a sandwich-maker after shifting into my own 3-room HDB flat — it wastes space, and did I mention how it makes the bread crust rock hard?

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Unless you live in a resale HDB, the new ones have limited space to house a treadmill, an exercise bike or even a gym bench.

Though you could still have a selected few exercise equipment if you convert one of the rooms into a dedicated gym room.

I have a yoga mat, a set of dumbbells, a skipping rope and resistance band, and already they are sitting in different parts of the house, filling up the awkward crevices of the flat's protruding pillars. 

AIR COOLER

Air coolers were used in old HDB flats that didn't allow the installing of air-conditioning units in the living room. Now that the new HDB flats allow it, I can see how it's becoming obsolete.

Unlike a fan or air-conditioner which can be installed on the ceiling or the walls, the air cooler takes up floor space. You'll also have to top the machine up with water for it to work. 

MASSAGERS

Having a massage chair in a new HDB flat is a luxury — in terms of the price and space required.

However, we find that over time, it'll most likely be used as an extra chair more than for massages, until your relatives come by and use it during Chinese New Year.

Even though the newer models are less bulky, it still takes up quite a substantial amount of space.

I've had portable handheld massagers before, but they too were tucked away in a drawer after using it for at most three months as the novelty factor wore off quickly. 

RAIN SHOWER

I've always wanted a rain shower in my home, but after much dissuasion by my interior designer, we decided to do away with the plan.

If you're staying on the higher floors, the water pressure might be too low for a rain head. Lesser pressure means more water usage; this translates to a higher water bill and being environment-unfriendly.

I like the water pressure in my shower to be strong, so if this is an issue for you too, discuss this with your partner to avoid unnecessary expenditure during your renovation.

What other household items do you think is a total waste of space at home?

melissagoh@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.