HDB apartments are the most popular and widely available accommodation in Singapore, with almost 80% of the population residing there.
However, if you're living in one, you know that some drawbacks when it comes to renovations are the lack of space to accomplish your dream interior design and adhering to the constraints of HDB guidelines.
Mr Shopper has been helping hundreds of clients make their HDB homes truly theirs through bespoke interior design style that balances aesthetics with functionality.
Looking to renovate your HDB flat but unsure where to start?
Get inspired by our beautiful and practical interior design ideas for 4-room and 5-room HDB units below!
4 & 5 room HDB design ideas to try
Space-saving solutions
HDB flats come in various layouts, generally including a master bedroom, a kitchen space, a living area, a dining area, a service yard and bathrooms.
However, you don't have to be limited by a cookie-cutter floor plan!
Here are some of the ways you can maximise your compact space:
Try an open concept
Joo Seng Green - Open Concept Interior Design
Instead of dividing your home and designating each room for a specific function, open up your HDB flat for a dynamic space that can accommodate different activities such as playing, exercising, lounging, hosting guests, and more.
But, if you're concerned that things will look cluttered without dividers, you can use patterned and textured rugs to create the illusion of zones without cramping up available space.
Installing sliding doors and interior windows can provide a similar effect if this still feels too "open" to you.
Transform your home layout
You don't have to follow the number of rooms that come with your 4 or 5-room HDB.
Want to have a mini library? Have you been dreaming of a walk-in closet? All these are possible with a bit of imagination.
Hack down walls, move your dining table to your living area, remove partitions, and go crazy reinterpreting your spaces!
Make full use of your vertical space
Waterway Brooks - Feature Wall with Floor-to-Ceiling Shelves and Mirrors
When designing spaces, our focal point tends to be limited to eye level. But there's so much more you can do by accentuating the length of your space!
The easiest way to maximise your vertical space is by using display shelves that stretch up to the ceiling. Floating shelves are also a good idea for that modern look that's easy on the eyes.
Aside from practicality, vertical elements also create the illusion of more space and a taller ceiling.
Style-transforming solutions
If you're satisfied with your home's spaciousness, you can change your space via interior design and styling. Check out these easy and transformative tips:
Add more VISUAL depth
Dakota Breeze II - Layered Interior Design Style
5-room HDB units are definitely more spacious and can easily accommodate larger households with 4 to 5 family members.
However, your interiors can feel a little sparse and flat with a larger floor plan.
To avoid this, layer furniture and decorations of different sizes and textures for visual contrast, creating more depth for a sophisticated aesthetic.
For instance, you can use fluffy rugs for your sleek leather couch or get metallic accents to elevate textured wood.
If you have a lot of angular furniture, contrast it with round, organic shapes in your decor, like curvy mirrors, circular throw pillows and irregularly-shaped carpets.
GO EASY WITH dark colours
Fern Grove - Light Neutral Colour Palette
Dark colours can make your space look and feel restricted.
Instead, use lighter colours, such as pastels and neutral hues, to create an airier, brighter room that is easier to style.
Of course, you can add pops of colour to add creativity, but don't overdo them; otherwise, you risk overwhelming the space.
Bring the outdoors in
Toa Payoh Apex - Bedroom with Natural Elements
The most straightforward way to incorporate the beauty of nature into your home is to bring in some greenery.
Indoor plants are low-maintenance options that instantly freshen up your spaces and double as statement pieces.
The organic shapes add visual interest, creating the contrast we mentioned earlier.
Theme-focused solutions
Designing according to specific themes is a good idea if you want a total home renovation. Some of the most well-known interior design themes you can cop include:
Minimalist
Dover Minimalist - Modern Minimalist Interior Design Style
If you love having open and airy spaces, a minimalist-themed home is for you.
This theme celebrates simple, uncluttered space and is characterised by the following:
Clean lines
Monochromatic colour palette
Use of bare essentials that double as display and function
Scandinavian
River Vista - Scandinavian Interior Design Style for Resale HDB Unit
Simple and functional yet vibrant and distinctive, Scandinavian interior design is Singaporeans' top choice when styling their homes.
I
f you are looking to have this Nordic-themed home, here are some of the characteristics to nail:
Light, muted colours
Furniture and decor that is both functional and decorative.
Use of natural elements such as a wooden coffee table and greenery
Natural lighting
Eclectic
Botanique II - Red and Emerald Eclectic Interior Design Style
Want to try something different?
An eclectic-themed interior design is all about presenting your fun and adventurous personality front and centre.
The key to nailing this theme is creating harmony amid different motifs and disparate colours, textures, patterns, and proportions to create a unique aesthetic that is truly yours.
The defining characteristics of this theme include the following:
Mismatched furniture
Ambient or warm lights
Contrasting styles and design elements
Conventional and 'straight' elements to bring balance and cohesion to the chaos
The sky is the limit when you choose Mr Shopper Studio for your HDB flat renovation!
At Mr Shopper, we have helped deliver clients' visions regardless of budget, space, and accessibility limitations.
With over 180 successful interior design projects, you can trust our experienced interior designers to work around limitations while adhering to HDB regulations to create your ideal living space.
Come home to the house of your dreams.
Book a consultation with our interior designers today!
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