3-Room Resale HDB Flat Renovations: From $35K to $115K

Inspiration for your own 3-room resale flat renovation.

It’s a well-known fact that a resale flat renovation generally costs more than that of a BTO flat. And since that’s the case, planning your budget beforehand is extremely important – especially considering that the expected renovation cost for a 3-room resale flat in 2025 is expected to range from $51,000 to $61,800.

Of course, if the average range is too steep for you, it’s definitely possible to carry out your renovations for less. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 9 beautiful 3-room resale HDB flat renovations costing $35,000 to $115,000!

1. 3-room resale flat in Clementi | Renovation cost: $35,000

3-room flats can be small, so we understand the need to utilise built-ins to maximise storage space. But if you’re looking to keep costs low, try minimising the amount of carpentry in favour of loose furniture.

For instance, the homeowners of this 3-room resale flat in Clementi chose to only use simple built-ins in the necessary spaces (i.e. the kitchen, living room, and bedroom), with loose furniture filling up the rest of the spaces.

Aside from that, they’ve also kept other renovation works to a minimum, with little hacking work done.

Contact Elique.Co

2. 3-room resale flat in Jurong East | Renovation cost: $40,000

Like the previous home, this retro-inspired 3-room flat in Jurong East is mainly filled with loose furniture, with minimal carpentry involved.

However, there’s a bigger emphasis on accents, patterns, and materials used. Rather than just simple paint, the homeowner opted for a cement finish on their walls and ceiling – with a separate green colour-drenched living area adding a bold contrast.

In terms of flooring, the homeowner chose to go with a variety of different tiles that delineate spaces while keeping the space open.

Contact Jialux Interior

3. 3-room resale flat in Kallang (Renovation cost: $50,000)

Looking at this 3-room flat, it’s clear that there is a fair amount of carpentry work done, especially along the kitchen and bedroom walls. But since carpentry works usually contribute a huge chunk to the total renovation cost, how did the homeowners keep it relatively low at just $58,000?

For one, they mainly used loose furniture to fill up the space. For another, they opted for vinyl flooring and plain backsplashes over tiles – the latter of which is a much more labour-intensive choice that is often more expensive than homeowners expect.

Contact R Interior

4. 3-room resale flat in Ang Mo Kio (Renovation cost: $60,000)

In this minimalist 3-room resale flat, the liberal use of limewash paint in the living room and bedroom creates a warm and uniformed appearance that is extra cosy.

Note that the higher price point (compared to the previous 3 homes) is probably because of the labour-intensive application process needed for limewash, which makes it more expensive than regular paint.

Another reason is likely the reconfiguration of the master bedroom suite, which likely involved tearing down the walls before carving out space for a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and study area.

Contact H Design

5. 3-room resale flat in Bendemeer | Renovation cost: $66,000

Charming with tons of natural light, this 3-room resale flat is everything you want in a bright and airy home.

While it may appear simple, achieving this level of seamlessness requires a high amount of precision. Works include ensuring that the false ceiling (appears to) blend seamlessly with the walls, and designing storage cabinets that offer ample space without making the already-small space feel cramped or boxed-in.

Contact Flo Design

6. 3-room resale flat in Skyville @ Dawson (Renovation cost: $70,000)

If you have room in your budget, you’ll have more room for decorative detailing on top of essential renovation works for a fabulous-looking home.

In this elegant, hotel-like 3-room resale flat at Skyville @ Dawson, you’ll find features like a fluted glass divider functioning as an entry partition, as well as a panelled feature area above the bed.

For a more seamless look throughout the space, the entire house (save the bathrooms) are decked out with cement screed flooring. When paired with sleek black and dark brown laminates, it adds a refined feel to the overall look.

Contact MAD About Design

7. 3-room resale flat in Tanjong Pagar | Renovation cost: $78,000

Having a bigger budget can go a long way into transforming your 3-room resale flat into something warm and characterful – just take a look at this one if you need some inspiration.

Despite its compact size, the home feels open and expansive thanks to creative details like awning windows and a half-wall divider that demarcates the kitchen from the dining room.

And the small table you see there? It’s actually a flip-down table – a clever little detail that can provide additional tabletop space when needed, or be stowed away to save space/when not in use.

Contact Authors Interior • Styling

8. 3-room resale HDB flat in Little India | Renovation cost: $80,000

Houses with awkward layouts require creative solutions to make full use of the space. Given this 3-room resale flat’s unique triangular layout and the position of the structural walls, segregating the space into the usual squarish rooms is just not feasible.

As such, PRDT Interiors carried out extensive work to not only make full use of the space, but also to ensure that the home’s layout fits the homeowners’ lifestyle.

Notable changes include:

• Shifting the kitchen out of its original position to allow for a clean segregation between the communal area and private space
• Triangular rooms with walls built to conceal the oddly-angled structural beams

Given the extent of the changes, it’s no wonder that the renovation cost is a hefty $80,000 despite this home being just 67 sqm.

Contact PRDT Interiors

9. 9. 3-room resale flat in Queenstown | Renovation cost: $80,000

If you were surprised that this particular home is a 3-room flat, trust us – we were too.

Featuring an open and airy space, this home utilises smaller-framed furniture that highlights the surrounding negative space, avoiding the visual clutter that bigger furniture pieces can bring.

To create a seamless, cohesive space, full-length, flush-mount carpentry were erected to supply ample storage space while maintaining a clean, streamlined look.

Meanwhile, the glass block-breezeblock combination built atop a half-wall (a feature that can contribute to extra renovation costs) keeps the bathroom well-lit and ventilated.

Contact Ovon Design

10. 3-room resale flat in Changi | Renovation cost: $115,000

With a myriad of curved surfaces, recessed niches, and floor-to-ceiling limewash finishes, this 3-room resale flat is the epitome of quiet luxury.

While there are tons of things to point out, we’d like to draw your attention to the master bedroom. Using some of the existing bedroom space, the bathroom was reworked to include a small open bathroom and the homeowner’s wardrobe, thus creating a dressing room that’s distinct from the sleeping area.

With all the major changes, as well as the fact that this HDB flat is over 40 years old, a significant amount of work was required to transform the home to its current state – so it’s no wonder that the total renovation cost is at a whopping $115,000!

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