Best HDB Renovation Ideas in Singapore 2024

It is no longer news that the Housing and Development Board oversees a network of public housing in Singapore known as HDB housing. Great homes at reasonable prices are available for rent or purchase. In addition to owning almost 90% of Singapore's residential dwellings, the HDB also offers rental flats to over 700,000 households.

This has made HDB home renovation ideas in Singapore on the high side as the users have to customise the flats to their taste for a comfortable and charming space. Finding a 4-room HDB renovation idea or an HDB 3-room flat renovation ideas is frequent on the internet searches by Singapore homeowners. The process of picking an HDB interior design style can be both fun and challenging. We have compiled a list of the most famous and classic HDB interior design ideas to help you with your home improvement project.

Why You Should Renovate Your Singapore's HDB Houses

People often move out of their HDB flats when they get tired of living in small, difficult spaces. What’s the good news, though? Renovations can raise the standard of living for everyone, even people who live in homes with a lot of people. For example, if you can't add a huge room or a floor to your house, you can still make it your own by changing the flooring, paint colours, and other interior design elements. You can also add or change light fixtures and ceiling fans and replace the kitchen island with bar stools.

sinaran drive entrance

Some other renovation ideas to HDB to make it feel like yours are; paint images on the walls that show who you are.  If you make the right changes, it could turn into a beautiful place to relax where you can happily host dinner parties, barbecues, movie nights, or even Sunday morning sunrise viewings.

Be aware that you can make changes to your flat without going into debt or turning it into a five-star palace. You could bring life into a room with some plants in pots or hang drawings with a different pattern for each month of the year to feel like you're seeing something new every day.

Improvements can raise the rental rates or sale price of your home if you plan to rent it out or sell it in the future. However, because of the lack of improvements, Singaporeans can't move up to a bigger flat, which keeps many of them stuck in their old flats.

If you want a room that reflects your own style, an experienced interior designer can make it happen. Parents should be concerned about the spaces available for their children. A house renovation can improve your comfort, health, and self-confidence in your home.

Singaporean designers pay close attention to both how useful the space is and how it can be best used to make sure that their clients get the most out of their HDB makeovers. When you're making modern, stylish rooms that make you feel like you're always in a five-star hotel, think about lighting, mirrors, and glass. Having an extra bedroom or study nook will let you spend more time with your kids and give them a quiet place to study or play.

 Top Singapore HDB Renovation Ideas

bidaddari living room

1.   Space Optimization for The Living Room

Utilising your existing space is crucial to saving money on renovations, especially if you are considering 3-room HDB renovation ideas. This can be done by carefully considering how things work and eliminating unnecessary items. Built-in cupboards and shelves can help organise and beautify a place. Buy multipurpose furniture like a sofa bed or a dining table with drawers to conserve space.

Not all renovations involve buying new. Instead, homeowners can find new uses for what they have. This eliminates waste and helps the place feel more homely. Old bricks can form a lovely accent wall, or wooden pallets can make rustic bookcases or coffee tables. Being inventive and open to new solutions can save homeowners money without sacrificing elegance or personalisation.

Smart design for economical renovations includes using natural light. Let as much natural light into your home as possible to save energy and money. Artificial lighting is expensive. Place windows and skylights to bring natural light in. Painting the walls and ceiling light colours lets outside light in and makes the room appear larger and brighter.

Lastly, when you're planning an HDB renovation that won't break the bank, don't forget to leave some room for movement. This means that the area should be planned so that it can easily handle future changes or additions without needing a lot of repairs. Moving dividers or furniture that can be arranged in different ways can help a place adapt to changing needs or tastes. Pre-wiring for more electrical outlets or plumbing connections or making room for possible growth or improvements can save you time and work in the long run. People who are renovating can make better financial decisions if they think about the future and plan ahead.

2.   Use Modern Interior Design Themes

yung loh rd living room

As the year goes on, new styles in modern interior design show up. To keep up with the newest 4-room HDB renovation ideas, 5 room HDB renovation ideas, or condo interior design for the inside of your next home, the first thing is the use of natural materials. When it comes to interior design, eco-friendly materials are still very popular. Even though Singapore is surrounded by greenery, many people still want to connect with nature. By using eco-friendly materials like natural wood and rattan furniture, you can add natural colours and elements to your home that support the environment without changing the room's overall style.

Add greenery to your home by making a colourful plant wall or putting small plants all over the place. This helps us feel more connected to nature, especially when plants make us feel less stressed, which is especially helpful in small areas where we need to recharge.

Each room in your HDB flat should feel like it's related to the others and go well with the rest of the building. When you're seeking HDB flat renovation ideas and putting together your furniture, make sure that the pieces match. Use a colour scheme that goes well together to get a nice look that isn't too hard on the eyes. As you choose the mood for your home, this could be anything from light and open to dark and dramatic.

3.   Renovate Your Kitchen With An Island

yishun st 44 kitchen island

Finding the perfect HDB 4 room kitchen renovation ideas or HDB kitchen renovation ideas is not easy. Most HDB kitchens are small and plain unless they were just redone. Most HDB kitchens have the same plan and style. This is probably because more than 70% of Singaporean homeowners choose an open-concept kitchen.

HDB properties can undergo renovations at any time, as long as the modifications adhere to the HDB renovation rules. Kitchens are a common target for renovations, so it's important for homeowners to know that only contractors listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) may work on kitchen remodels.

The HDB must be consulted before any renovation work can begin, and they have a policy against specific kinds of renovations that are either not allowed or would have their applications denied. You should determine your goals for the new kitchen before anything else. Is the functionality improved? Do you want it to have more of an aesthetic impact?

Once you know why you have a kitchen, making it work for you is easy. Before starting to search for suppliers, contractors, etc., it is necessary to set a budget. After that, you can brainstorm potential styles and materials within that budget. The use of an interior designer to expertly manage a kitchen redesign is becoming increasingly popular in Singaporean HDB homes.

Consider installing an island to have the look and functionality of a spacious kitchen without breaking the bank. It offers a place for the family or friends to gather while snacking or preparing food, plus it has a tonne of extra storage space. For a rundown of the top kitchen islands and other home renovations, check out these renovation services in Singapore. If you're interested in learning more about HDB renovations, book a session with us and we can help you with every information you want on  HDB kitchen renovation ideas.

4.   A Luxurious or Spa-inspired Design for the Bathroom

northshore drive sink

One great way for homes to keep up with HDB toilet renovation ideas trends is to update their bathrooms with new styles, colour schemes, and design ideas. Before they start remodeling their bathrooms, homeowners should make a detailed plan that takes into account their needs, wants, and income. Another great way to make sure everything goes as planned and follows all laws and rules is to talk to renovation pros with a lot of experience.

Many homeowners renovate their bathrooms to improve their appearance. To look modern and relaxing, the bathroom may need new tiles, fixtures, and fashionable design features. One of the main reasons people update their bathrooms is to get better fixtures and equipment. Installing modern taps, energy-efficient water heaters, or smart bathroom technologies can make a home a better place to live.

A common reason for renovations is the need for more useful changes. Over time, toilets can become damaged due to humidity, old fixtures, and regular use. Renovations can fix these problems by fixing leaks, changing worn-out parts, and making the bathroom last longer in general. It may also be necessary to update the bathrooms so that family members who are older or have trouble moving around can use them. Grab bars and floors that don't slip are two of these mobility features.

You can consider the idea that HDB bathrooms can now have two washbasins.  Does your toilet have a lot of space? Put the sinks apart. People will no longer fight over the bathroom mirror or the water tap. Also, be sure that everyone has a place set aside for their personal care items.

Create Good Lighting and Ambiance

sinaran drive living room

When you need to incorporate natural light into your home or are looking for a 4 room HDB resale renovation idea, the colours and textures will stand out. Use the natural light that comes into your home to its fullest if you're lucky enough to live there. Artificial lighting is something that some people have to do to keep their homes well-lit. Use window blinds to spread out the light from outside. This will make the natural lighting more even and soft, improving the room's look.

Wide window edges can let lots of natural light into a house. That way, you'll be able to start your day with lots of light! Mixing and matching different textures and designs can make any room look better. This natural light would be the last thing your warm and simple room needs. So, it is essential that you consider adding natural light to your 4-room HDB resale renovation ideas.

Final Thoughts

You have to be creative and resourceful if you want to redesign the inside of your HDB flat or house. You can look through many of our images to get HDB BTO renovation ideas for decorating the inside of your HDB flat. And even though your HDB home is small, we have many HDB interior design options for you. We offer a variety of choices, such as kitchen and bathroom renovation deals. If you need help creating your dream home, our design team will give you the advice you need. Contact the best interior design company to help you find your home's most befitting HDB renovation design ideas.

At Swiss Interior, we believe your home should reflect your unique style and functionality. Whether you’re looking to renovate a charming 3-room HDB design or a spacious 5-room HDB BTO or resale design, our expert interior design team is here to guide you through the entire renovation process. Explore our extensive resources, featuring innovative condo design ideas and practical tips for HDB renovations. Together, we can create a living space that is both beautiful and practical, perfectly suited to your lifestyle.

About Swiss Interior

Swiss Interior is a leading interior design company in Singapore since 2012. Led by founders Jason and Ronnie, the Swiss team serves customers from all walks of life, delivering bespoke and dream interior design and renovation services to all homeowners in Singapore.

Accreditations & Awards:

  • Singapore outstanding enterprise award (2013)
  • HomeRenoGuru Most Trusted ID (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • First ID firm to win 1 Week Kitchen Challenge by HomeRenoGuru (2019)
  • Featured in NOC RenoKing (2020)
  • HomeRenoGuru Top 10 ID Firm (2020, 2021)
  • Featured in CNA Lifestyle Making Room (2021)
  • Qanvast SuperTrust (2021, 2022)
  • Featured in HomeStyle Magazine Year End Cover Page (2021)
  • Featured in Sheikh Haikel & Anna Belle Francis DreamHome (2022)
  • Sidac Accreditation (2022)