8 Fab Interiors That Breathe Life Into Old Tiong Bahru Homes

Revamping homes in old estates may pose a bit of a challenge but these residences prove that the end result is mighty rewarding!

Dated, weather-beaten and more of a challenge to renovate – these are the drawbacks that are commonly associated with resales or older estates despite the endless list of perks that come with the territory of living in one.

While you may be hesitating over taking the plunge, these homeowners bit the bullet, proving it's entirely possible to make old homes look and feel as good as new (if not better)!

1. Go timeless with clean lines and natural elements

Despite its white and wood palette, this home is anything but typical thanks to clever space planning. The owners first kept the taller, slatted windows to keep things bright and clean then modernised the interiors with an open concept layout coupled with modern-contemporary furnishings to give it that light, airy and chic aesthetic.

2. Old meets new in this modern-colonial apartment

Why not take a stab at guessing where this hip-looking apartment is located? Wrong, it’s not the latest BTO or condominium launch. In fact, it’s part of a heritage building that’s over 80 years old! While it has undergone some layout plus fitting changes, there are still plenty of original features that were kept including encaustic tiles and its black-framed windows. The result? A true contemporary modern-colonial home that reminds us of bungalows of yesteryear.

3. Fashionably fresh with new fittings and fixtures

There are plenty of design trends making themselves known in the interior design scene and this once-dated home borrows quite a few, starting from its full-height cabinets to its subway tile backsplash and glass partitions. Charlotte Carpentry manages to fuse all the different elements for a look that’s both cohesive yet novel.

4. Keeping things rustic and integrating the outdoors

If you’re not huge on a complete overhaul, you could always go with the natural flow of the home. Think a pared-back look with exposed brick walls and conduits alongside a cement screed flooring. Furnish with rustic pieces and plants for a cosy, lived-in yet modern touch that’s sought after by many on the likes of Pinterest and Tumblr.

5. Update your colour scheme to change the mood of the home

White’s simple, clean and easy to use but it doesn’t necessarily say much or add to the space for that matter. Imbue a sense of personality into your apartment with a palette of shades. Say for instance, black fixtures set against dark cabinetry to bring out that modern-luxe feel or a pale mint green in your bedrooms to imbue a restful air.

6. It’s in the little details

Aside from the pops of colour that break up the monotony, this home by Linear Space Concepts employs plenty of vogue textures that keeps things visually interesting: a series of black and white graphic tiles greet you at the doorway, followed by wooden slat cabinets, chic light fittings, topped off with accent walls in the bathrooms.

7. Play off the home’s history and heritage

Restoration may take a bit of time but when it’s done well, it’ll help you maintain the integrity of the home. While the layout may not change much, other details are all fair game – this couple swapped out old tiles for green ones to make a bolder statement in the bathroom, furnished their home with trendy pieces and chose shaker-style cabinet doors!

8. Come at it from a different perspective

Drawing inspiration from her job as a French art curator, this homeowner wanted her apartment to double up as a partial gallery which led to a rather unconventional approach. Instead of adding more to the home, the team at asolidplan decided to rework the existing physical surfaces, stripping off plaster to get the raw look. That, combined with the black cement screed floor gives the bygone home a hot new update, one that reminds us of a swanky NY loft.

Take your resale units to flashier heights AND redeem a Philips Home Starter Kit (worth $600)!

Connect with up to 5 design firms for non-obligatory quotes, redeem a Philips Home Starter Kit worth $600!

All you need to do is submit your renovation details via this link here and engage a firm through Qanvast before 21 October 2019! Find out more about the kit and redemption details here.

Renovate with assurance, only on Qanvast. Find and meet interior designers verified by homeowners, with no hidden costs and no commissions involved. Find an ID