HDB maisonettes: 10 refreshingly stylish renovation ideas

1. Rustic flair

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This homeowner and his wife used lots of rich wood textures and a red brick feature wall to create a warm, homey feel in their four-room HDB executive maisonette in Pasir Ris. 

For instance, ash-wood veneer is used on for the TV console.

Design: Akihaus Design 

Source: Home & Decor 

1. Rustic flair

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Distressed handcrafted walnut flooring is used throughout the lower floor. 

Opening shelving adds personality to the home and makes the space feel airier.

Design: Akihaus Design 

Source: Home & Decor 

1. Rustic flair

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Another impressive nature-inspired space in the home is the cosy family room, next to the dining area.

Illuminated by sunlight, the space almost seems to glow, as all its walls - as well as floor and ceiling - are decked out in golden bamboo strips. 

Design: Akihaus Design 

Source: Home & Decor 

1. Rustic flair

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The dining set consists of mismatched seats - a customised wooden bench, and chairs from Om and Marquis. 

Design: Akihaus Design 

Source: Home & Decor 

2. Unique accents

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This resale executive maisonette in Mountbatten is home to a young couple with two kids, and the husband's parents.

The ID proposed a major renovation for the two-decade old flat, ripping off its flooring, transforming the kitchen and bathrooms and reclaiming the balcony footprint to enlarge the living room.

A Peacock chair adds curves to the room's strong, clean lines.

Design: Blupin ID

Source: Home & Decor 

2. Unique accents

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The flat is peppered with unique accents that showcase the homeowner's tastes and personality. 

Design: Blupin ID

Source: Home & Decor 

2. Unique accents

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Gold accents of the Beat lights complement the wooden legs of the Eames chairs, jazzing up the austere scheme of the dining room.

Design: Blupin ID

Source: Home & Decor 

3. Keep it swanky

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This maisonette in Pasir Ris features a marble and wooden feature media wall in the living room.

Illuminating back lights add a warm touch to the subtle colour scheme. 

Design: Darwin Interior

Source: Qanvast

See also: 6 decor tips to turn your 4-room HDB flat into a luxe abode

3. Keep it swanky

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A see-through staircase leads to the family's sleeping quarters upstairs.

The starcase's full glass panels enhance the sense of light that's usually limited in these "corridor" units. 

Design: Darwin Interior

Source: Qanvast

3. Keep it swanky

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The red dining chairs add a pop of vibrancy to an otherwise neutral, softly lit dining room.

Design: Darwin Interior

Source: Qanvast

1. Rustic flair

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Natural light filters in from the balcony area to illuminate the interiors of the master bedroom; herringbone-patterned wood flooring adds character to this space. 

Design: Akihaus Design 

Source: Home & Decor 

4. Vintage vibes

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Grouped art frames make for simple yet stylish wall decor, and the track lighting gives it a cool gallery finish.

Design: Design 4 Space

Source: Qanvast

4. Vintage vibes

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The trick of this apartment in Toh Yi Drive is to set small patterns against large ones, and include big solids such as the sofa, white country-style kitchen cabinets and subway tiles (in the following images).

Design: Design 4 Space

Source: Qanvast

4. Vintage vibes

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The glass panels lend a spaciousness to the entire ground floor, perfect for entertaining large parties!

Design: Design 4 Space

Source: Qanvast

See also: Hipster chic! 10 ways to give your new home a cosy cafe vibe

4. Vintage vibes

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Vibrant Peranakan floor tiles bring excitement into the black and white space in the hallway and kitchen.

Design: Design 4 Space

Source: Qanvast

5. A stunning view

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For this maisonette in Serangoon North Ave 1, the two walls dividing the living room from the kitchen and balcony were torn down, creating one large open-plan kitchen-dining-living concept. 

Design: Distinct Identity

Source: Qanvast

5. A stunning view

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Clever use of floor-to-ceiling storage flushed to the wall saves space and doubles up as a display case as well.

Design: Distinct Identity

Source: Qanvast

5. A stunning view

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What stole the show though, was the skylight that was installed where the old balcony was, creating a classy, breezy dining area that lets in the sun, sky and stars. 

Design: Distinct Identity

Source: Qanvast

6. Monochrome madness

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Black and white is a classic colour combination that makes any room sophisticated, timeless and chic.

This maisonette in Jurong West, which brings to mind Singapore's heritage black and white bungalows, shows its possible to form a balance of old English charm with modern comforts. 

Design: Dyel Design

Source: Qanvast 

6. Monochrome madness

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A cosy dining area is ideal for hosting dinner parties and long conversations over a glass of red.

Design: Dyel Design

Source: Qanvast 

6. Monochrome madness

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The chalkboard wall and easel lend some fun and creativity to the large entranceway. 

Design: Dyel Design

Source: Qanvast 

7. Raw neutrals

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In this Serangoon home, primary elements such as steel, cement screed floors and walls, and a simple monochromatic colour scheme extend to the clean lines and geometric silhouettes of the interior.

Design: Free Style Intent

Source: Qanvas

7. Raw neutrals

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A large area rug soften up the look, while a unique low coffee table with a concrete top makes the room look larger.

Design: Free Style Intent

Source: Qanvas

7. Raw neutrals

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The palette flirts with organic colours - browns from the caramel sofa and the teak dining table (see next image), and splashes of greenery - but is predominantly neutral.

Design: Free Style Intent

Source: Qanvas

7. Raw neutrals

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Concrete and lush botanical plants create a really modern and chill interior! 

Design: Free Style Intent

Source: Qanvas

8. Eclectic and fun

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If you're a fan of the industrial look, take inspiration from this Bedok Reservoir road maisonette. 

The brick wall, timbre floor and decorative pipes gives this apartment a strong character and a lived-in, homey vibe. The juxtaposition of the sloping ceiling above the brick wall creates stricking architectural interest in this urban living room.

The addition of exposed light bulbs ties the design together.

Design: Space Sense

Source: Qanvast

See also: Industrial-themed homes! 5 inspiring interiors for your new residence

8. Eclectic and fun

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Play around with unique light features that reflect the kind of personality you want your home to have.

Design: Space Sense

Source: Qanvast

8. Eclectic and fun

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The open-concept kitchen with black cabinets is simple, modern and totally practical.

Design: Space Sense

Source: Qanvast

9. Modern chic

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This maisonette in Jurong West boasts a Spartan, almost contemporary simplicity of line and texture, and a narrow material and colour palette which creates a robust, yet pretty backdrop.

Design: Space Concepts Design

Source Qanvast

See also: 5 easy ways to turn your HDB flat into a sleek, minimalist apartment

9. Modern chic

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The full-length bookshelf is smartly erected on the blank wall that separates the kitchen and living area, and makes for a good focal point.

Design: Space Concepts Design

Source Qanvast

10. Contemporary cool

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While the homogenous floor tiles and minimalist cabinets in this Bishan maisonette lacks zing, character comes to the rescue in the form of decorative accents. 

These include a vintage room divider, relics from the past, and plush cushions that reflect the homeowner's personality.

Now their treasure pieces blend comfortably with new pieces in a mix that's part vintage, part contemporary.

Design: Space Define

Source: Qanvast

10. Contemporary cool

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Keep things interesting with lots of comfortable seating areas, like the cosy niche on the left side, bench by the windows, bar stools and dining area. 

Design: Space Define

Source: Qanvast

10. Contemporary cool

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Having a bar area is great for entertaining guests and still having space in the kitchen to do proper cooking and prep work! 

Design: Space Define

Source: Qanvast