How To Hang Plants, Pictures and Bicycles, Indoors And Outside - Lesson Learned From The UK and Singapore

Hanging plants and bicycles in a residential block of flats in Singapore.

UK Picture Hanging Joys

In London, England, we have brick walls and indoors they are often covered with plaster so it is easy to hang plants and pictures. Just pick up a hammer and with a trio of sharp taps you can knock in a nail.

Numbers, signs, house names, bells, are all easily added.

Singapore Tasks & Solutions 

Alas, this is not the case in Singapore. Most people like in blocks of flats or condos, built of impenetrable concrete.  Indoors, to hang a picture, you don't buy a long thin nail but a white plastic button with three tiny thick points on the back.

At the HDB black above in Singapore, I asked a Singaporean, 'How you get the nails into concrete walls?'

He replied, 'You need a drill'.

'A hand operated drill?'

'No. An electric drill.'

"I don't have one. If I did, I would be afraid to operate it and injure myself or damage the wall.'

'An electrician will do it for you. If you have called him for something else. It only takes him a minute to do each one. So get the whole lot done at once.'

'What will it cost?'

'If you live in an HDB (Housing Development Board, subsidized public housing in which most Singaporeans live) about 50 dollars. (Singapore dollars.) But if you live in a condo (rented or privately owned private housing for permanent residents from overseas) the price will be double. If you live in a bungalow (detached house, also called landed property) the price will be triple!'

Hanging Bicycles

Bicycles are often left outside the doors of flats. (In Singapore they are called units.)

The management might ban the parking of bicycles on the public corridor. Why? They claim that bikes obstruct wheelchairs and prams or strollers and prevent cleaners from washing the floor. Plants can attract insects  breed mosquitos in water collecting in saucers. One solution for the home owner is to make use of space overhead

The latest trend, encouraged by the Singapore government is to grow edible plants, fruit and vegetables and herbs. You can use the ground level, walls and overhead space.when it comes to plants and pictures  the more, the merrier.

Read more of my posts about people and places, scenery and statues, trails and tales, what is handy and dandy. After reading my travel posts, look at my blogs Dress of the day with Angela, and comic poetry with Hazel nutter.

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