If you think decorating and designing an older apartment is hard, these homes will show you that there’s nothing a bit of clever renovating can’t fix. Resale HDB flats and condo units are really just diamonds in the rough. And although they might be more expensive compared to BTO flats, they tend to have more square, less awkward floor plans.
Take a tour of these 12 stunning resale homes after renovation and get inspired to update or refurbish your own space:
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This spacious-looking 3-room apartment along Kim Tian Road is a shining example of how you can greatly alter the sense of spaciousness by opening one bedroom to enlarge the living area. Here, the space is converted into a dining area framed by a dry kitchen.
Pops of colour add visual interest to an otherwise neutral-toned living room, while built-in shelves at the corner help streamline the space.
How cosy does this look? The dark blue cupboard panels are definitely a contributing factor.
It’s hard to believe that this gorgeous living room belongs to a snug 2-room flat in Marine Crescent. Soft fabric furnishings, indoor plants and Nordic-inspired furniture pieces make it look straight out of a magazine.
Plus, the homeowner hacked down a wall separating the kitchen from the main living area, a move which dramatically transforms the entire space.
A bar counter adds charm, style and a sense of warmth to the space. It says that the homeowners enjoy having a good time and entertaining guests.
A grey tiled backsplash and simple wood cabinetry add a homey, country-style finish to the whole place.
By sticking to bare essentials for the home refurbishment and leaving all the walls intact, the owners of this 3-room Kang Ching apartment managed to keep their renovation costs down to $15,000(!). Some of it went to the customised shoe cabinet, which is cleverly placed to create a homely hallway entrance and give the living area more privacy.
A clever vertical storage system ensures that no space is wasted in this petite kitchen.
A lovely feature wall in the bathroom is all it takes to make it unique and not bland.
Love to entertain? Transform your HDB apartment into an opulent abode like this St. Michael’s Road home by cladding the walls with glossy marble (or lookalike laminates). Match it with a stone dining table and chandelier to anchor the commanding look.
If you’re getting a wall-mounted TV, consider how you want the wall to look. We’ve got some brilliant ideas here.
We love how the dry kitchen area is flooded with natural light – perfect for all those food pictures!
While most HDB dwellers prefer concealing the ceiling cable tracks and plumbing, this homeowner in Hougang chose to highlight them instead by using black for a contrasting effect.
The raw concrete finishing in the kitchen and subway-tiled backsplash add to the, non-conformist, industrial effect.
This McNair Road apartment could belong in a classy boutique hotel, what with the luxurious furnishings and decor pieces. Recessed lighting and a calming, earth-toned palette is soothing to the eyes as well.
This bedroom begs to lull you to slumber. Pendant lights bring in that expensive look, while the carpeted floor and dark curtains elevate a warm, cosy feel.
READ MORE: The One Trick To Make Your Bedroom Feel Like A Luxurious Hotel
From the standing basin to the soft lighting and neutral palette, this bathroom will make you feel like you’re on holiday.
If you enjoy changing the look of your home every now and then, stick to simple built-in structures and style up the area with furniture and accessories like a bold-coloured sofa and rug instead.
This Adam Park bedroom looks inviting, doesn’t it? It could be due to a combination of a few things – a large cosy bed, grey feature wall, unique lighting fixture and the fact that it lets lots of natural light in while retaining a sense of privacy with blinds.
If you desire a more welcoming feel for the common area, consider hacking the walls of the adjacent bedroom to free up floor space like this Toa Payoh home.
This allows for more creativity when designing the living or dining area, and enables the extra footprint to be used for entertaining large groups. Plus, a vertical striped feature wall visually heightens a room and creates the illusion of a higher ceiling.
READ MORE: Clever Ways To Create More Space In A Small HDB Home
Keep the dining area clutter-free if you love having guests over – it makes for a more comfortable experience. Click here for fast tips to declutter your home!
A window in the kitchen lets you keep an eye on what’s going on in the main living area, and lets those on the outside have a peek at what you’re whipping up for dinner.
Urban and resort design influences are gracefully fused in this living room of a The Sterling apartment, which pairs smart-looking sofas and armchairs with the warmth of the wooden panelled feature wall.
The open-plan kitchen is equally alluring, and has the perfect layout for those who enjoy socialising while prepping for dinner parties.
If your home has an unconventional shape, such as this apartment on Woodlands Ring Road, you might be in luck. This home plays around with audacious design choices such as a Macaw green and grey textured walls opposite each other, simply because there are plenty of nooks and crannies to style.
The green walls add a botanical feel, which is super on trend. Plus, green relaxes the eyes!
Lots of see-through panels makes the entire home looks more spacious, as they allows more light to pass through.
Japanese influences are everywhere in this Seletaris condominium unit, creating a zen-like vibe. From the light wood panelling to the peaceful earth-coloured palette, this home design is perfect for those who appreciate that no-fuss look.
The entertainment room’s Japanese tatami treatment imbues a humble warmth to the space. You’ll feel like you’re in some part of Osaka!
The homeowners elevated the master bedroom’s chic factor by literally raising the bed, lending it a grandeur akin to royal palaces.
The bathroom is simple yet stunning, as light emanates from behind mirrored cabinets and the shower area features a textured wall that adds character.
A wonderland of décor ideas, this brazenly-designed Avalon condo apartment manages to pull off the mismatched look with an acute sense of style which darts from industrial to retro to country aesthetics in a modern interpretation of eccentricity.
It’s a fun-loving interior that uses a mishmash of interesting, yet minimal furnishings that highlight the homeowner’s eclectic taste.
Can you count how many patterns and textures are in this one bathroom alone? Yet it works! The trick is to anchor with minimal colours, such as a monochromatic black and white scheme.
READ MORE:
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7 Must-Dos To Keep Your HDB Renovation Process As Painless As Possible
10 Dreamy HDB & Condo Bedrooms You’ll Want To Fall Asleep In
Design: Museum Homes, Source: Qanvast
Text: Qanvast / Additional Reporting: Elizabeth Liew
This article first appeared on Qanvast. Qanvast connects homeowners and home professionals via a trusted mobile platform, and can help match you with up to five designers that suit your style preferences and budget. Download the free app (available on the App Store and Google Play) for details.