If clothes make the man, a good renovation makes his home.
At Qanvast, we are constantly blown away by the ever creative spaces featured in HDBs. Whether they are old resales or brand new BTOs, local home interiors have definitely raised the bar in terms of innovative ideas and aesthetics.
While it's all nice and perfect at the end, ever wondered how these gorgeous homes first began? We're all suckers for a good old, dramatic makeover, so here are 5 stunning, before-and-after home transformations to check out!
1. Ace Space Design: Queen's Close
Renovation Cost: $85,000
Its warm, inviting atmosphere and trendy vintage/industrial decor is a world apart from what this resale HDB initially looked; Dim, dingy, and to top it off, retro for all the wrong reasons.
Dining Room
Before: Feeling claustrophobic? We are - the partitioned sliding doors aren't doing the house's narrow layout any favours. Instead, it blocks away sunlight and makes the space more cramped and gloomy.
After: The sliding doors were taken out to let more light filter through the windows. A good call, as it also makes the room look instantly longer!
Kitchen
Before: As if the L-shaped layout isn't odd enough, the outdated porcelain tiles and stark white lighting remind us of either a butchery or someone's home in the sixties. Very unappetising.
After: Without straying too far from the original layout, mirrored panels not only conceal the store-room door, but also help to reflect and mask the kitchen's irregular shape.
Bedroom
Before: Thankfully, beyond the difficult pink walls, the bedroom doesn't have any in-built cabinetry that could be a pain to dismantle.
After: Undone walls give you free rein to configure your very own customised storage solution! This home opted for practical floor to ceiling wardrobes in a wooden finish.
2. Bowerman: Dakota Crescent
Renovation Cost: $80,000
No, this isn't some brand new condo, hotel or serviced apartment - but an old-school resale flat done up in luxurious fashion. Little would you realise that this achingly cool abode began with a decor stuck in the 1970s; Talk about a total time warp!
Living Room
Before: Outdated brick floor tiles, gaudy cornices and diagonal window grilles are giving us total throwback vibes. Another major problem: Five doorways are squeezed into one corridor, making it confusing and cramped.
After: The clustered doorways were spaced out by hacking and opening up the kitchen wall along with another room. Meanwhile, the entire space is given a modern finish, with minimal wall treatments and trendy cement screed flooring.
Bedroom
Before: While the room is supposedly bigger than it lets on, clashing colours of yellow, blue and brown create a visual overload that's hard on the eyes.
After: A classic, cream-and-brown palette is used to transform the bedroom into a welcoming, hotel-like suite. Details like the checkered built-in wardrobe feature and day bed further add an air of refined glamour to the space.
Kitchen Area
Before: Tucked away at the end of a corridor, the kitchen is hardly noticeable at first glance - with just a small opening, no surprise here that the area doesn't get as much light as needed.
After: The newly refurbished kitchen becomes the main highlight conjoining the communal area. For a seamless transition. white subway tiles were selected as a wall finish and convenient backsplash.
3. Meter Square: Compassvale Crescent
Renovation Cost: $60,000
From glass partitions, bright, cheery colours to chalkboards, this open concept living space is the very definition of fun. However, its transformation was no walk in the park, as enclosed features brought about extensive structural changes for this new BTO unit.
Kitchen Area
Before: Located by the main door, the walls enclosing the kitchen not only made it look smaller, but also created a dark recess by the doorway.
After: Yes, an open concept kitchen might cause unwanted smells to spread around, but hacking those obtrusive walls down have helped to maximise this home's available space and evoke an illusion of vastness.
Bathroom
Before: Nothing to shout about in this bathroom; With it's plain tiles and basic sanitary ware, the only thing you'd be noticing is how dull and tight the area actually is.
After: Trying to widen up a space? Here's a trick that won't require costly hacking or building of walls. It's all in the details - install eye-catching fittings, like this bathroom's glossy door and glass partition to distract the viewer from the restrictive layout.
4. Mr. Shopper Studio: Yung Loh
Renovation Cost: $105,000
This tranquil, Japanese tea-room style HDB is a complete overhaul from how it first looked; A conventional, albeit dated house with burdensome pillars and (the horror!) wired window grilles that bring to mind security fences.
Living Room
Before: Pillars, protruding beams and ceiling fans frankly look passe; Plus, they make the space look shorter than it really is.
After: To achieve that minimalist/Zen style, the fancy wall and ceiling embellishments were taken off, leaving only the structural beams. Unsightly details like the switch box and wiring were also concealed with an in-built cabinet.
Dining Area
Before: What's most concerning here is the narrow arch into the kitchen. It hardly lets any light in, making it look like a literal hole-in-the-wall.
After: Separated by a glass partition, the kitchen and dining areas are now combined to form an brighter, uninterrupted space. Kitchen countertops are also smartly extended to form an island-style dining table.
Bathroom
Before: With worn fittings and grimy, porcelain tiles, the bathroom is functional, but not something to you'd look forward to entering.
After: Don't want the years of wear and tear to show? Choose a darker scheme instead. Brown tiles in all colours and textures are used to dress this luxurious bathroom, replete with a built-in bathtub!
5. Starry Homestead: Anchorvale Crescent
Renovation Cost: $50,000
Squeaky clean and spanking new, this BTO flat has got the essentials down pat. But like most homeowners, you wouldn't want to settle for basic, won't you?
Living Room/Study Room
Before: Adjoining the living area, the study area was initially enclosed with 4 solid walls that prevent light from filtering in.
After: Consequently, the wall between the two spaces was partially hacked and replaced with a glass partition. Not only does it act as a stylish barrier, it also makes the study look like a continuous extension of the living area.
Kitchen
Before: A long, narrow space leading to the service yard, the kitchen is filled with uneven walls all around, plus a random louvred window on the side.
After: Bumps and recesses were tapered out with galley-style countertops - perhaps the best solution for an elongated space. White finishes are a good choice for creating that illusion of width.
Dining Area
Before: Here, the supposed dining area is still a clean slate; What will they have up their sleeves for this bare space?
After: Using its length to their advantage, the walls are converted into a showcase feature that also doubles as storage cabinets; Small cubbyholes are used to place the homeowner's alcohol collection.
Amazed by these 5 inspiring transformations? Your house could be like them too, with the right interior professional. Send in your request and we will match you with 5 trusted interior firms for free. All recommendations made by Qanvast will be protected under the Qanvast Guarantee scheme, up to S$50,000.
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