5-Room Resale HDB Flat Renovations: From $25K to $120K

Whatever your budget, there’s always an achievable look for your 5-room resale HDB flat.

Barring XL-sized units like 3Gen flats or maisonettes, 5-room resale flats are often one of the largest HDB properties available on Singapore’s housing market. With floor sizes ranging from 107 sqm to 123 sqm, these units have plenty of room on the inside, making them suitable for larger households of 4 to 5 people.

However, due to their size and the amount of work required to restore them to tip-top shape, the cost of renovating a 5-room resale HDB flat is often fairly steep. Based on the latest estimates, you can reasonably expect to fork out between $68,000 to $80,000 on average to get one of these spacious homes fully revamped.

Still, there are 5-room resale HDB flats that have been renovated for less than the average cost (but also some for much more), so keep scrolling for a look at some examples!

1. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Punggol Walk (Renovation Cost: $25,000)

A full-scale revamp of a resale HDB flat usually equates to a hefty bill, but there are ways to save if a no-fuss, pocket-friendly renovation is what you’re looking for. For example, in the case of this 5-room flat at Punggol Walk, its existing flooring (which is in decent shape) was kept to keep costs low.

Likewise, the living room features a no-frills look with only essential add-ons, like a new TV wall, overhead lighting, and fresh coats of paint.

But go further indoors, and you’ll find a (much) fancier bedroom/walk-in wardrobe, fully kitted out with a pair of barn doors as well as wall-to-wall storage compartments that make full use of the space afforded by a 5-room resale flat.

2. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Sembawang Crescent (Renovation Cost: $38,000)

Even at a cursory glance, there’s plenty to like about this 5-room resale flat at Sembawang Crescent – not least its budget-friendly renovation cost of $38,000. For instance, the use of classic broken mosaic flooring along with soft, muted neutrals gives it a warm yesteryear vibe.

Also taking cue from this concept of “retro warmth” are the kitchen as well as the bathroom, which respectively feature cosy cove lighting as well as colourful terrazzo accents juxtaposed with pristine subway tiles for an eye-catching look.

3. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Ubi Avenue 1 (Renovation Cost: $42,000)

If there’s one thing that can be said about MUJI-style homes, it’s that they’re minimalist without being devoid of character. This resale HDB flat at Ubi Avenue 1 achieves just that, seeing as to how almost all its clutter is (cleverly) tucked away within the confines of a home office.

A pair of wood folding doors can be used to shield off the home office and its contents when the situation calls for it (e.g., when guests are over) or fully opened to maximise natural ventilation on sunny/windy days

4. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 (Renovation Cost: $55,000)

Costing $55,000 to renovate, this pastel-filled 5-room resale flat at Ang Mo Kio has a variety of interesting features going for it. This includes a cosy nook, located just right beside a set of generous windows, which allow natural air and light to enter unimpeded.

Space was also set aside for a communal meal area that’s fully capable of functioning as an entertainment space – all thanks to a transformable dining table that can be used for pool sessions.

5. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 (Renovation Cost: $66,000)

Retro details galore, this 5-room resale HDB flat (which is also located in Ang Mo Kio) features a more colourful take on the mid-century modern look. Aside from old-school furniture pieces, such as pencil-legged chairs and rattan seats, this flat also has vibrant accent colours like bright yellow and blue that give it life.

Decorative accents – such as faux wood beams and strong patterns – also bring significant character to once bare spaces around the house, including the kitchen, which definitely has plenty of personality with its traditional graphic tiles.

6. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 (Renovation Cost: $70,000)

“Immaculate” is the one word that we’d use to describe this sleek 5-room resale HDB flat, which honestly, wouldn’t look one bit out of place in the pages of a slow lifestyle magazine.

Revamped to the tune of $70,000, every inch of this white-and-wood home is uber sleek, but at the same time, isn’t devoid of character. Layered with throws, rugs, and subtle textures, its neutral-filled communal areas are simple, yet charming.

The same can be said about other parts of the house, including the entryway, which features a clean-lined storage cabinet/nook, as well as a serene master bedroom where there’s a private changing area located just behind the headboard.

7. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Punggol Central (Renovation Cost: $75,000)

Like the #3 entry on this list, this 5-room resale HDB flat in Punggol Central has a hidden door leading into the rest of the house, or more specifically, its internal walkway which in turn branches into other rooms.

A concealed passageway is a handy feature to have in a home to keep your public and private spaces separate – especially if you intend to have a tranquil bedroom that offers interruption-free respite from the daily grind.

8. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Bright Hill Drive (Renovation Cost: $81,000)

A palette of white, black and grey takes centre stage in this monochrome 5-room HDB home located at Bright Hill Drive. While its interior may feel dreary to some, it more than makes up for the lack of visual interest with its open-concept layout and daring ideas.

Just right outside the kitchen is a generous island that pulls double duty as a food prep and dining area. Whereas inside the main bedroom, an open-concept bathroom with an external vanity creates an almost seamless flow from one end of the space to another.

9. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Redhill Lane (Renovation Cost: $98,000)

How about a home that’s a lot darker, daring and different? What’s unique about this 5-room HDB resale flat at Redhill isn’t just its green-on-green colour scheme, but also its reworked layout and new fixtures (just take a look at that gorgeous concealed pantry in the kitchen).

And while we certainly could tell you more about this one-of-a-kind HDB flat, how about going on a home tour instead to see how its (impressive) renovation budget of $98,000 was spent?

10. 5-Room Resale HDB Flat at Serangoon Avenue 3 (Renovation Cost: $120,000)

Last on this list of 5-room resale HDB flat makeovers is this contemporary home in Serangoon. Its renovation cost? A hefty $120,000, which is $22,000 more than the second-last home featured here.

However, there’s good reason for the price of its makeover, seeing as to how every room has tranquil vibes.

Other than a well-appointed, open-concept living area and kitchen, there are also various storage options like wall-to-wall cabinets and custom shelving, which aid in keeping any clutter corralled within.

All of that is on top of a highly-consistent design aesthetic that ties every room together visually. So, if that isn’t money well-spent, we aren’t sure what is.

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