Five HDB home renovation ideas that are under $80k

Redesigning a 5-room Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Singapore can be an exciting endeavor, but HDB home renovations also come with their fair share of challenges.

Limited space and layout constraints

One of the primary challenges of renovating a 5-room HDB flat in Singapore is dealing with limited space and layout constraints. HDB flats are known for their compact designs, and careful planning is required to make the most of every square meter.

The challenge lies in optimizing the available space while accommodating the homeowner’s desired layout, functionality, and aesthetic preferences. From fitting furniture and storage solutions to ensuring proper traffic flow, finding creative ways to maximise space becomes crucial.

Renovation restrictions and regulations

Another challenge faced during the renovation of an HDB flat is navigating the various restrictions and regulations imposed by HDB. Singapore’s HDB has guidelines in place to maintain the structural integrity and overall uniformity of the public housing estates.

These regulations cover aspects such as hacking walls, modifying structural elements, changing window configurations, and even the duration and timing of renovation works.

It is essential for homeowners to understand and adhere to these rules, which may require seeking necessary permits and approvals, working within specific timeframes, and engaging licensed contractors.

Noise and disruption to neighbours

Living in close proximity to neighbours is a characteristic of HDB living, and home renovations can potentially cause inconvenience and disruption to others in the building.

Singapore places a strong emphasis on community harmony, and homeowners are expected to be considerate towards their neighbors during the renovation process.

Strict rules and regulations exist regarding noise pollution and working hours to minimize disturbance. Renovation activities that generate excessive noise, such as drilling or hammering, may be restricted to specific hours of the day.

It is important for homeowners to communicate with their neighbors, manage the noise levels, and maintain a harmonious environment throughout the renovation journey.

Renovation cost

Finally, the hefty price of renovation in Singapore. Whether manpower, raw materials, etc., the cost of renovation has been increasing year on year. I recently got a tiler to redo my HDB flat’s tiles and the workmanship itself cost me $350 a day!

Now, costs increase exponentially for larger flats such as 5-room HDB BTOs and resale flats. You can easily spend $50,000 and upwards for such renovations. I have a neighbour who spent $150,000 on renovation for his 5-room BTO!

If you have an $80,000 budget for your 5-room HDB home renovation, here’s how some homeowners did it.

Punggol 5-Room HDB BTO

Credit: Home & Decor

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Renovation cost: $65,000

Homeowner Jessica Koh was inspired by the home’s proximity to nature, and requested for interior designer Eloycois Er of Erstudio to create the clean and bright design, with its white walls and wooden surfaces.

View the full house tour here.

Choa Chu Kang 5-Room HDB

Credit: Home & Decor

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Renovation Cost: $70,000

Architectural assistant Amoz Boon and his wife wanted their five-room HDB BTO (Built-To-Order) flat in Choa Chu Kang to be “something spacious, sophisticated and easy to clean”.

Credit: Home & Decor

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Black fittings, fixtures and accessories provide marked contrast against the otherwise all-white master bathroom.

View the full house tour here.

Sengkang 5-Room HDB

Credit: DESIGN BY WYNK COLLABORATIVE

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Renovation Cost: $75,000

The use of sea and sky shades, as well as a play on geometry, give this home a nautical-inspired look with a stylish modern twist.

Credit: DESIGN BY WYNK COLLABORATIVE

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Colour dramatically enhances a space, and in the home of Si Jian Wen and Sharon Teo, the calming cool shades of blues and greens define the interiors.

View the full house tour here.

SkyTerrace @ Dawson 5-Room HDB

Credit: DESIGN BY HABIT

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Renovation Cost: $80,000

The design of this monochromatic five-room HDB BTO flat at Dawson Skyterrace relies extensively on one laminate finish — but applied in different directions to mix things up.

Credit: DESIGN BY HABIT

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The vanity counters, in front of the sliding glass panels of the master bedroom, feature glass insets on the surface for a boutique-style display of accessories.

Sophisticated contemporary interiors were achieved through the use of clean lines, thoughtful details and simple materials applied creatively.

View the full house tour here.

5-Room HDB BTO

Credit: Home & Decor

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Renovation Cost: $80,000

The homeowners of this five-room HDB BTO flat swopped their living room with their master bedroom space — throwing conventionality out of the window.

This decision was based on maximising the space and making it more functional, with a larger living space at the back.

Credit: Home & Decor

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This fascinating home shows how being bold, experimental and different can be a very good thing.

View the full house tour here.

This article was originally published in Home & Decor.