Ten homes, ten renovation budgets, all 4-room BTO flats!
In more ways than one, renovating a 4-room BTO flat (or just about any HDB flat, for the matter) can feel challenging. First, you’ll have to decide on a reasonable renovation budget – expected to average between $49,500 to $62,800 for a 4-room flat – and next, find design ideas that best align with your idea of a dream home.
To help you out with both of these tasks, we’ve put together a list of ten inspiring 4-room projects completed in the last two years that cost between $28,000 to $90,000 to renovate; just note that with increased material and labour costs, you would have to fork out more for the same works in 2023.
With that in mind, read on and discover a look for your BTO flat that’s also within reach!
1. 4-Room BTO flat at Tampines GreenVerge (Renovation cost: $28,000)
On a tight budget, there is a limit to the works you can get done, so relying on opt-in OCS components like floor finishes and sanitary fittings can help keep costs low, like in this 4-room Tampines GreenVerge flat.
The same applies if your flat was built via the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method – that is, they come ready with wall and floor finishes, internal doors, window frames and sanitary fittings.
Skip non-essential carpentry and opt for loose furniture in the living and dining spaces, which frees up the budget for built-ins in the kitchen where you can’t do without countertops and cabinetry. To spruce up the look, this kitchen is outfitted in a nature-themed backsplash.
As we’ve mentioned, minimising carpentry in spaces like the living room is a prudent choice to keep costs low, but you wouldn’t want your home to lack character either.
This 4-room Bedok Beacon BTO flat demonstrates how you can balance budget and looks: the living room uses a mixture of soft furnishings and loose furniture that break up the sharp lines in the space, and give the space a modern touch.
The highlight, though, is the master bedroom, with a wall partially hacked to connect to the junior bedroom-turned-study. Instead of doors, a curtain closes off the connection between the two spaces when necessary – definitely handy for privacy when the study doubles as a walk-in wardrobe.
You might find that this cosy home at Bedok South Road, with its warm browns and soft furnishings, looks extra spacious. The trick? Going as high – and low – as you can go.
Here, the built-in cabinetry goes all the way to the ceiling while the furniture is lower than usual, creating the illusion that the space is taller and roomier.
Playing with shapes like this half-glass wall is also an option – the bottom section features a wooden fluted panel design that anchors it to the ground for an uninterrupted visual flow, while the glass window lets light through for an airy and ‘light’ space.
You can achieve this effect with lighting too, like these pendant lights that mimic classic pleated shades: just make sure they don’t drop too low from the ceiling.
Contact Anhans Interior Design
4. 4-Room BTO flat at Northshore Drive (Renovation cost: $50,000)
This flat at Northshore Drive swaps out a bright interior in favour of decorating in black, white and soft shades of grey between. The result is a stylish and timeless interior with metallic gold accents for a touch of luxury.
There’s not a moment to be bored either, since this home is full of textured delights at every corner, like the sophisticated microcement look in the living room that gives way to a sleek and glossy backsplash and smooth flat-front cabinets in the kitchen.
The fluted glass doors leading to the service yard are frosted for a neat aesthetic while kitkat subway tiles line the common bathroom for contrast.
Straying from the usual light themes, this Bedok South flat incorporates deep, moody hues of blue and green. The clever use of colour isn’t just aesthetic – it also helps to visually separate the living and kitchen/dining spaces in this open-concept layout.
At your dry bar or pantry, pocket doors like so can be neatly tucked away to maintain the uncluttered look – goodbye awkward swing doors!
Even the bedroom is painted a deep maroon, completed with warm pendant lights and matching curtains that give it a luxurious and comfy vibe. The decor is kept to a minimum, since clutter in a dark room could make it look crowded instead.
6. 4-Room BTO flat at Bidadari Park Drive (Renovation cost: $58,500)
As this soothing 4-room BTO flat shows, curves go a long way in framing your interior and interrupting the rigid quality of straight lines. Besides the ceiling that curves towards the windows, the furniture – like the sofa and the oval coffee table – also feature curves.
At first glance, the dining room looks more structured – but if you observe for a while longer, subtle curves can be found in both the dining table and the chairs, while the pendant light is made of downward-facing concave rings.
The curves don’t stop in the communal spaces: even the bathroom has a quirky mirror, backed by textured large-format tiles that ‘soften’ the look.
7. 4-Room BTO flat at Bidadari Park Drive (Renovation cost: $60,000)
If there’s a home that fully embodies the idea of ‘monochrome cool’, it’s surely this one. Located at Bidadari Park Drive, this modish pad is effortlessly snazzy with its black-and-white palette and sleek interiors that aren’t the least bit boring.
Take for instance, the double doors facing the dining area, which make for a suitably dramatic entryway to the master bedroom – a striking space in its own right, thanks to features like a see-through walk-in wardrobe and a handsome herringbone floor.
8. 4-Room BTO Flat at Senja Valley (Renovation cost: $70,000)
At this chic apartment in Senja Valley, the two junior bedrooms were merged to set up the new living room, while the former living room space was converted into a bedroom. This sets the living room at the centre of the house, with two bedrooms on either side of it.
With this refreshed layout, the kitchen now connects seamlessly with the rest of the communal area for an open-concept space true to the industrial style.
If you take a closer look, you’ll find that the ceiling and flooring are reminiscent of raw materials while bare lights add warmth to the cool-toned spaces.
Taking on a minimalist approach at its core, this home embraces a streamlined design with no clutter in sight – but it’s worth noting that achieving such a ‘clean’ look usually costs more because of the renovation works required, like carpentry and re-wiring.
Contact The Local INN.terior 新家室
9. 4-room BTO Flat at Lorong Limau (Renovation cost: $80,000)
With cream-coloured cabinetry lined with a gold trim greeting guests at the entrance, this living room looks straight out of a hotel. It is, in fact, a 4-room BTO flat in Lorong Limau with a luxurious finish and fun design elements like repeating picture frame moulding.
If you were wondering where the household shelter is, it’s actually hidden behind this movable section of cabinets!
The bedroom features soft pastels and ‘bay window’ seating, complete with velvety throw pillows. The built-in wardrobe in front of it can comfortably fit a TV and features twin displays for showing off luxury bags.
The bathroom is just as opulent, with glossy marble tiles and gold accents in the trim and towel bar. The vanity cabinet and mirrors stretching the width of the bathroom emphasise the space enough that you might wonder if this truly a BTO flat.
10. 4-room BTO flat at Bidadari Park Drive (Renovation cost: $90,000)
This Bidadari Park Drive BTO flat takes rest time very seriously – as evidenced by the sizeable and plush space for lounging. Collections are also a highlight in this space; the cabinets along the entryway are accented with gold and brightly lit, elevating the look.
The open-concept kitchen boasts a marble look that is consistent throughout, from the backsplash to the peninsula and the dining table that extends from it. What results is a lavish look, emphasised by the cool light from the twisting pendant lamp.
Veined tiles define the clean and sharp lines in the bathroom, with the full-width mirror bouncing light and creating an illusion of depth to make the bathroom look bigger than it actually is.
Your dream home is just a few clicks away!
Tell us your renovation requirements and we can get you personalised renovation quotes from five local interior design firms for free! You will also be eligible for the Qanvast Trust Programme, which includes the Qanvast Guarantee that safeguards your deposits.
This article was originally published on 29 July 2021 and last updated on 16 February 2023.
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