From drab to fab Malaysian influencers jazz up modest homes for clicks and income

KUALA LUMPUR – For many Malaysians, the phrases “low cost” and “public housing” conjure up images of shabby buildings, poorly maintained lifts and the lingering smell of trash thrown straight out the window.

But a recent trend of influencers sharing stylish makeovers of tiny, affordable homes on social media has earned them followers and a steady income stream in the process.

On the outside, all is drab, with peeling paint on the walls marked with mould and permanent water spots. But inside is a haven done up English country style, in soft pale hues with wood accents.

This is the cosy nest that office assistant Ku Noorshahida Isa has made for her husband and three young children, in a two-bedroom flat purchased for RM80,000 some 11 years ago, in the suburbs of Selangor state about an hour’s drive from capital Kuala Lumpur.

Madam Ku Noorshahida, 37, began decorating the 560 sq ft low-cost housing unit soon after receiving the keys. What began as a hobby eventually became a way to promote products on her Instagram account, bringing in a modest sum to supplement the household income.

“I started my account three years ago, initially sharing recipes and then branching out into home-decorating tips, DIY projects and second-hand furniture finds,” she told The Straits Times.

She has not done any renovation work on her home, preferring instead to find good deals and unique items at thrift stores, such as second-hand furniture and vintage knick-knacks, in tune with her taste and budget.

Her Instagram account, with 41,300 followers, features reviews of household and lifestyle products such as fans, curtains and watches. She earns commissions from the products sold online, and fees for brand collaboration and product promotion, “which helps me pay the utility bills, and for my children’s school necessities”.

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