Tiny but Mighty: Smart Tricks to Make Your Small Villa Feel Spacious

Are you a full-time homeworker? Or you probably are the one who occasionally needs to conduct work in the evenings or during weekends? Either one of these types of workers, having a “Home Office” is both perfect for you to work in home comfortably and a great way to utilize an extra room.

1. Finding A Good Office Chair.

In order to have a comfortable working space in your own home, A nice and ergonomic chair is essential, since you will be spending most of your time sitting in it. Therefore, purchasing one with the ability to adjust the chair fitting your posture and body shape is a way for you to avoid hurting your back.

2. Adjusting Ideal Lighting.

Fluorescent lighting has been proven to be hard on the eyes. Switching to LED or Halogen light bulbs will give your home office enough lighting without sacrificing your eyes’ health. Moreover, it is recommended that your room should allow as much natural lighting as possible and finding an additional desk lamp will reduce headaches and eye strain.

3. Store Essential Items Within Your Reach.

A clean and neat working space will improve your productivity. Select a desk with a lot of storage or install creative shelving to keep items like pens, pencils, extra batteries, calculators, notepads, and more stored within arm’s reach.

4. Decorate Your Room with Bright Colors

Having a working room, yet painted and filled with your favorite color will also help you avoid boredom on finishing your work before the deadline comes. It is recommended that you pick light and refreshing colors like cheery yellow or red, or you can also choose relaxing tones such as green and blue, instead of beiges and browns.

5. Place Your Working Desk Aiming the View.

If possible, place your desk in the spot where you are facing a window instead of a blank wall. This provides you with 2 advantages; to be able to get optimal natural light and also giving your eyes and a mental option to have a short break when necessary by looking at the outdoor views.

On the Island of Gods, we can find different types of villas with different styles. The three main styles are Balinese, Joglo and Modern. Each of these styles presents some advantages and inconvenience and choosing which one suits you the most can be somehow difficult.

Balinese Style
First of all, there are the Balinese villas. The Balinese traditional house refers to the traditional house of Balinese people in Bali. The Balinese traditional house follows a strict ancient architectural guide which is a product of a blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs resulting in a house that is “in harmony” with the law of the cosmos of Balinese Hinduism.
The traditional villa is separated into different blocks, usually one for the kitchen/living-room, and one for the rooms. The traditional property is also made up of a gazebo and Pelinggih (small temple). The house is organized as a square in such a way that you can gain benefit from the space in the center of the building to make a garden. 

Joglo Style
The second style is the Joglo one. The word Joglo refers to the roof of the accommodation. The Joglo house is a Javanese traditional building that refers to the traditional houses of Javanese people on the island of Java. The architecture of a Javanese house is characterized by its dominant hierarchical rule reflected in the form of its roof and the organization of its layout. Javanese traditional houses may have a very similar layout, but the shape and the height of the roof determine the social and economic status of the house owners.
The Joglo roof is the most complex of all Javanese roof types. The Joglo roof consists of columns that become higher as it goes to the center. The four main columns of the house are often the tallest, while the outer columns are the lowest. These four columns, innermost in the house, support the roof that is the steepest of all types of Javanese roof; almost forming a pyramid, expected that there are two tops rather than a single one.

Modern Type
In Bali, you can find modern style villas with a Balinese touch. Modern style was imported by Western people in Bali. They brought it on the island of Gods and mixed it with the Balinese traditional style. You can find different modern styles: minimalist, contemporary and industrial. If you want to build your house in a modern style you must put a Balinese touch in your villa. For example, it can be in the garden.

Nowadays, local people build their houses according to their typical styles (Balinese and Joglo) for the outside, but the inside of the building is conceived following modern architecture. Mixing tradition and modernity allows for keeping the spirit of Bali.

(Image by Joaquin Corbalan on Canva)

Sustainability has been a prominent theme in the construction industry since 2024. The goal of sustainability is to ensure that present and future generations can meet their needs without harming the well-being of our planet. It aims to establish a harmonious balance between environmental protection, economic growth, and social equity. 

Eco-friendly materials have been a primary aspect of supporting sustainability goals. Eco-friendly material is the type of building materials that are safe for the environment, whether the production or disposal can be recycled. Building a villa or renovating a villa in Bali doesn’t need to be a challenge to be sustainable. 

Here are our top 5 sustainable construction materials for your villa in Bali.

1. Bamboo

(Image by clarabsp from Pixabay)

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable construction materials, capable of growing up to 3 centimeters per day. Though bamboo is a type of grass, its strength is equal to wood, and it has extra flexibility, making it suitable for your villa in Bali to add a natural touch. 

Bamboo is an excellent sustainable construction material for your villa in Bali. It offers strength, durability, and natural beauty. Bamboo promotes eco-friendly building practices as a rapidly growing, renewable resource that absorbs large amounts of CO2 and is locally sourced, making it environmentally and economically beneficial.

2. Stone 

(Image by jeonsango from Pixabay)

Stone occurs naturally on the earth and can be used as construction materials and home furnishing. Stone is a durable, low-maintenance material that is highly versatile, resulting in minimal to no waste during construction projects. 

Since stone occurs naturally, it doesn’t need factory production, which can reduce the cost efficiently. In Bali, stone is used as decor to add a natural accent to the villa or house. Besides that, the stone's durability makes it a low-cost investment for a long time.

3. Cork 

(Image by StockSanp from Pixabay)

Cork is typically made from the bark of cork oak trees. The material is harvested by hand; most importantly, this process does not involve cutting down the tree. This makes it highly sustainable and durable, suitable for building your dream villa in Bali.

Cork originated from Europe and is now used in the United States to insulate homes and other buildings. Cork is a sustainable choice for constructing a European-style villa in Bali. This renewable and recyclable resource is an excellent alternative to traditional insulation and offers mold-resistant properties.

4. Cob

(Image by Liufuyu on Canva)

Cob is a mixture of soil, straw, sand, and lime. It is usually used to construct residential buildings or replace concrete structures. 

Producing a cob is less expensive than producing concrete, making this material suitable for your villa in a high-humidity area. It prevents heat transfer, helping to lower heating and energy costs while reducing the home’s carbon footprint.

5. Clay Brick 

(Image by mcmr on Canva)

Clay brick is a natural construction made from water and clay. It is fully recyclable, eco-friendly, and does not release any toxic chemicals when disposed of in a landfill.

Clay brick is an energy-efficient material that keeps a house cooler during Bali's hot days and retains warmth longer during cooler nights, making it an ideal sustainable material for your villa in Bali.

The Benefit of Sustainable Construction Materials

Applying sustainable construction materials in your villa in Bali helps the earth and your surroundings. Using sustainable materials to build a villa in Bali offers numerous benefits, including reduced carbon footprint and resource conservation, better insulation for lower energy consumption, improved indoor air quality, long-term cost savings due to durability and low maintenance, and enhanced harmony with Bali’s natural landscape and cultural heritage. 

Additionally, sourcing materials locally supports the local economy and creates jobs, while the durability of sustainable materials ensures they can withstand Bali’s tropical climate. Overall, sustainable materials provide environmental, economic, and health advantages, making them ideal for villa construction in Bali.

Embracing sustainable construction can benefit the planet and future generations by meeting their needs. It's crucial to be environmentally conscious, especially with the rapid development in Bali. Therefore, you are highly encouraged to use sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials when building your villa in Bali.