Posted by
solomani
17 yrs ago
In the past month we have looked at about 20 apartments. All the ones that had a maid room (including the one we settled on) were TINY. They were also all identical sized and configured the same way. A few questions:
1. Is there some law that specifies a minimum living space requirement for a human being?
2. Helpers actually live in these tiny rooms? Where do they put their clothes?
We don't have a helper so currently using the room for storage. We may get one down the track but if that happens, if I can afford it, I would rather give her a proper room. Then again my wife tends to think - when in Rome, do as the Romans. What, if anything, do other with helpers do?
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unfortunately, that is a fact of life in hong kong. maid's room equals storage area and for most developments, a maid's room is really an afterthought
you may have luck at more high-end properties
there are many households in hong kong that do not have the luxury of a storeroom/ helpers room - so helpers sleep with the kids, some sleep in the kitchen ...
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cd
17 yrs ago
If you do use it for the helper, put in a high bed as it frees up all the floor space, our helpers room is pretty small (although I've seen much smaller), he has a high bed with a wardrobe and a bookshelf underneath, also some plastic drawers, a tv, a wicker chair, and a fold down table on the wall. We tried to make it look halfway decent, new bedding, nice picture on the wall etc.
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OUr helpers room is very tiny, but we put up a lot of shelving on the walls above her bed (not too low though as she'd bump her head all the time). We also went to Ikea and bought some cute storage boxes for under the bed, nice linen etc. It's too small to have a TV but we bought her a portable DVD player so at least she can watch DVD's when she's finished for the day. Yes, it's small but when all done up it's pretty cosy and at least it's her private space. I personally would prefer my own space no matter how small rather than having to share with someone else's children. I wish I could give her a huge room but it's just not possible. I do the best I can for our helper and I'm sure she knows that.
I think a small room and a great family to work for would be better than a huge room and worked/treated like a dog. I think the way you treat your helper is the most important thing in the end!
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Hi solomani, we were shocked too with how tiny the maid's room was at first, no windows, it was not enough for a storage room either! I thought it was even inhumane. So when we decided that we are going to hire a DH, we showed them their potential room during the interviews and some said no, some said can they stay with the baby in the baby's room ( which was unfortunately not an option) and some said it is fine, actually, it is better that they have their own privacy in a remote area from the family.
One thing that amazes me about Hong Kong is that since space is so limited, the local people living here always come up with space saving solutions. We went to a furniture shop for advise with the exact measurement and structural problems and they came up with a clever solution matching the lay out of the room. There's always solutions so not to worry!!! - Though, I still cannot figure out how she will shower in her tiny bathroom...........
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We felt exactly the same and swore that we wouldn't hire a helper. Well, we have a helper and she is in the tiny room. We had a bed fitted to the measurements of the room and she makes the most of the small space, it really is incredible what they can do with a small area. At her last employer she slept on the children's floor, so she is quite happy with her room now.
As for putting her in a bedroom in the house/apartment, do whatever works for you, but just remember it is your private home and as much as our helpers are wonderful, and make our lives so much easier, it is nice to have your own private space. You will also find that the spare room is needed for visitors, if you put the helper in there, where will friends and family stay?
I agree with your wife, when in Rome... You will get used to it, just like you will get used to all the weird and wonderful things in Hong Kong.
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merm
17 yrs ago
Most HK children grow up sharing a 40 sq ft room, sleeping in bund beds, with a living room that doubles as the dining room and the entire flat is just 400 sq ft. So if a domestic helper who isn't paying rent or food gets her own room, it's a luxury.
Most of the maid's rooms you've seen are more likely to be storage rooms and not meant to be lived in. Not all small rooms are automatically for the maid but if you decide to put somebody in it... On second thought if you find the room too small for your maid, why not swap?
If the maid shares a room with one of the children this goes to show how well the maid is treated.
When in Rome, take a walk around Rome, talk to the Romans and not only the expats.
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As noted by cara, the size of the room is less important than treating the helper with respect.
"2. Helpers actually live in these tiny rooms? Where do they put their clothes?"
As has been noted, helpers don't typically spend a lot of time in there apart fro, sleep.
There are many ways to use the space effectively. Get a bed with drawers under it (try Modern House on Java Road), then hang closets on the wall above the bed. IKEA has some good ones. Another option is a high bed with a desk and closet under.
Also, make sure to add homey touches. Many helper's rooms only have a neon fixture. Buy a floor lamp from IKEA. Get a small colorful rug, a bedspread, maybe even a picture. Heck, take her to IKEA or give her the catalog and have her pick out something she wants.
Get her a second hand laptop so she can surf on your wireless and/or a TV or a portable DVD player.
Air conditioning is an option but like dadda I have noticed it is seldom used.
"At her last employer she slept on the children's floor, so she is quite happy with her room now."
Indeed. Having us try to make it comfortable and cozy was much appreciated by our helper.
"One thing that amazes me about Hong Kong is that since space is so limited, the local people living here always come up with space saving solutions. We went to a furniture shop for advise with the exact measurement and structural problems and they came up with a clever solution matching the lay out of the room."
Indeed. Very good at space saving.
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merm said:
"Most of the maid's rooms you've seen are more likely to be storage rooms and not meant to be lived in. Not all small rooms are automatically for the maid but if you decide to put somebody in it... On second thought if you find the room too small for your maid, why not swap?"
Actually no. Its a small room. Has its own bathroom/shower/toilet combo. Its a purpose built room for a maid not a bare storage room or anything.
I think giving her a budget and taking her to ikea is a good idea. As is the laptop.
Thanks all.
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Hi
I am actually in Paris (an Australian) but your conversation about the maids room interests me. I won't go into all the details but the basic thing is I have been offered what is a French Maids Room for free. To own. It will be a legal transfer of the property. So Iwill actually have my own place in Paris! I have not seen it yet so it may be 6 sq metres up to 13 sq metres. I would be delighted with 13 sq metres but suspect it will be smaller. 13 sq metres I understand and can imagine how I would furnish etc but 6 sq metres I cannot yet comprehend. What size are these Maids/ Helpers rooms you speak of? Doany of you have photos you might share with me? I want to decorate it well and to the best advantage. And I thought that looking to Hong Kong or Japan might offer solutions. My email is susanjanetking@gmail.com
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The maid's rooms in HK tend to range from 2½ to 4 square meters. Note that this does not include bathroom.
The one in our place is 197 x 186cm and pretty "large" by HK standards.
The room in Paris is probably more of a micro-apartment. A HK maid's room is just that, a room.
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Hi again
I am actually really expecting mine to be 6 sq metres. I have lived in Paris for 2 years and know many Parisian people who own their apartments and have been inside them and I know these types of rooms. They are always just one room. Generally Paris owners use them for storage or sell them off for between 37,000 euros up to 100,000 euros. It helps thempay their mortgage.
And the description of the HK rooms are the closest thing I have found to them.
The maids rooms in Paris are the top floor rooms you see in Hausemann Buildings. The ones with the little attic windows. Often their windows can't be seen fromthe street if they are set back high on the roof.
They usually have a sloping or attic style ceiling which means you can't stand up straight in all areas of the room. They are on the 6th or 7th floor, usually no lift, often with a share bathroom for the whole floor (though modern renovations by owners sometimes, but not always add a bathroom area to the room)
I have stayed in 13sq meter rooms and find these quite good - I actually really feel very happy living in this size space....6 sq meters is a bit of a worry- as my permanent home - but it is free and I am a musician who plays a rare type of music that doesn't bring in a high income. And to have a place of my own will be great.
The people offering the room to me have 3 small top floor rooms associated with their apartment. This is why I don'tknow the size. And yes, one of the rooms is 4 sq metres - I hope thats not the one on offer but if it is I will make the best of it.
So I am looking for whatever ideas there are for such small "homes. There is a website that sells such properties and you can see pics of them there. I have forgotten the address and will post it in another reply if you are interested to see.
Thanks for your reply
Susan
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Hi one more time
Look at this
http://www.pap.fr/immobilier/?mode=recherche&action=recherche&produit=vente§ion=offre&lieu=france&typebien%5B0%5D=studio&localites%5B1%5D=75%3B%3B&onglet=1&page=1&tri=prix_asc
And look at the 3rd ad down (for example) The room is 6 sq meters.
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Wow, a true Parisian artist's garret! My friend lived like this for a year when she was a live-out au pair, she loved it - but she was about 22 at the time! That one's in a great location by the look of it.
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Well I am certainly not 22. In fact I sold my house in Australia and came to Paris 2 years ago. I had to rationalise what I owned and now everything I possess fits into one suit case plus my instrument. I can no longer see the point in owning more than that especially living in Paris when I can walk down the road treasures of 1000 years and more are in the Louvre for me to admire.
I have already found some fantastic furniture -one by a Japanese company. The kitchen folds up into a cube as does the bed. And an English company does a fantastic fold away bed and storage space combination.
Anyway, if anyone has any pics of their 4 m sq rooms I would be very interested.
regards
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