If you live in a small apartment, light is your best friend. Plenty of natural light and colour schemes in light, neutral shades work wonders to make a small space look roomier.

The use of glass dividers in the balcony and kitchen not only aids in visually expanding the limited space, but also allows more sunlight to enter the living area, keeping everything bright and airy.

Add comfy seating in the balcony to make your home even more warm and welcoming!

Location: Parkland Residences (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $52,000

This gorgeous apartment sticks to a simple two-toned colour palette of browns and white to achieve a unified, clutter-free look.

The see-through folding partition separating the living room and the study is also extremely handy, letting the space look bigger than it actually is. The apartment also looks bright and breezy when the curtains are drawn.

Location: Upper Serangoon Road (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $37,000

This apartment attains its spacious vibe by doing away with walls and partitions where possible, opting for an open concept layout. The homeowners’ love of geometric designs also shines through, from the floor tiles to feature walls.

Geometric designs continue in the kitchen, as seen in the 3D-style flooring and backsplash. The use of white on white enhances the clean and bright look, and makes the space look bigger.

The cosy bedroom is kept simple and modern with a monochromatic colour palette and black frames on the door, wardrobe and windows.

READ MORE: How To Decorate Your Bedroom Like A Boutique Hotel

Location: Hougang (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $70,000

This 85-sqm home may be tiny, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to making the best use of a limited space.

The open concept kitchen and dining area proves to be an excellent design decision as it makes the home look bigger than it actually is. The strategically placed mirror behind the dining table helps to give the illusion of spaciousness too.

READ MORE: One Trick To Make Your Dining Area And Kitchen Look Bigger

Location: Punggol Place (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $30,000

Live in a small space, but fancy dark colours? Fret not! There are things you can do to make an apartment in dark hues look roomier than it actually is. For instance, this cool enclave in The Peak manages to pull it off by keeping its furnishings simple and minimal (yet still showcasing a sense of personality), escaping the cramped look that plague overcrowded apartments.

Platform beds are a great way to incorporate hidden storage spaces and the elevation can make a room look more spacious. The bay window is also minimally decorated and can serve as extra seating.

READ MORE: Clever And Stylish Bay Window Design Ideas To Maximise Space

Extremely clutter-free, this apartment does it right when it comes to keeping furnishings to the bare essentials.

The built-in mirror with the dual-function seat is also strategically located, ensuring that you never leave home with a strand out of place. We love how simple and clean this apartment looks.

A bed with built-in drawers are a must-have, so is a bathroom mirror that doubles up as a cupboard for all your vanity needs.

Location: Tiong Bahru (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $28,000

Without any physical barriers between the living and dining areas, this small space appears elongated and more spacious than it really is.

Here’s how it looks as you enter the home.

Also, who needs a chair when you can sit on a bed? The work desk positioned right before the bed is a perfect excuse for homeowners to stay in bed all day, and the headboard comes with storage compartments too; handy for a small apartment like this.

Location: Sengkang (condo)
Cost of renovation: $25,000

Earth-toned colour palettes are extremely small-space friendly, and also easy to execute. Room dividers that double up as storage spaces are also something to look out for too.

Don’t be deceived by the seemingly small kitchen, as the wet kitchen is cleverly separated from the dry kitchen with a framed glass divider.

READ MORE: What’s Your Home Design Style? Here Are The Top 5 Singaporeans Go For

The glass divider is New York-chic and lets more light into the kitchen so it doesn’t feel too claustrophobic. Plus, built-in cupboards cleverly keep clutter at bay!

Location: Punggol (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $35,000

Living small doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with it. This apartment in Costa Ris is playfully eclectic, opting for different designs that are practical yet give each room its own distinct look and personality.

Perhaps the secret is this – keep the apartment fun and quirky, and guests will be too distracted to notice its size.

Just like the previous home, this homeowner chose to use a glass door for the kitchen. A soothing neutral palette keeps it elegant.

Location: Pasir Ris (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $36,000

A bay window that doubles up as comfy seating is super space-saving1

What’s cooler than a swivel TV? Nothing. Perfect for people who share a small living space with others, this swivel TV ensures that everyone gets their TV time without having to move to where the TV is at.

This tiny apartment also utilises plenty of built-in shelves where possible to make the best out of its limited space.

Location: One Shenton (condo)
Cost of renovation: $25,500

Design: Liid Studio, Source: Qanvast

READ MORE:
8 Beautiful BTO Flat Designs You Must See
8 Modern HDB Maisonettes You’ll Want To Live In
10 Beautiful And Functional Ideas For Tiny HDB Kitchens

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.