8 Maisonette Designs That Are a Step Up from Your Usual HDBs

With their spacious rooms, tall ceilings, and indoor staircases, these homes show why maisonettes are everyone’s dream HDB flat.

What’s there not to like about HDB maisonettes? They’re airy, huge and most importantly, really big (oops, did we repeat ourselves?). But you get the point, these homes stand out from the crowd because of their size, and with two entire floors worth of space, it means there’s plenty of room to realise your wildest interior design dreams.

Sadly, these 150 sqm (1,600 sqft) homes are now a thing of the past when HDB stopped building them after launching executive condo (EC) units in 1995 (which also means your chances of getting a completely brand-new maisonette are zero).

So if you own one of these huge homes or have recently bought a resale, lucky you! As for the rest of us, we’ll just have to be content with admiring these 8 wonderfully renovated flats that show why maisonettes are the best HDB homes ever built.

1. A totally-clean, minimalist abode

Built by local architectural firm asolidplan, this elegant home has a general profile that’s best summarised as ‘clean’. Here, an all-white palette combined with sleek lines gives the surroundings an understated look that’s also unexpectedly striking.

Staying true to form, the flat’s bedroom and bathroom similarly feature a fuss-free colour scheme, accented by natural greenery and warm wood tones for a touch of warmth.

2. A colourful home with eclectic influences

With its collection of vibrant furniture that stands out against a backdrop of neutrals, this maisonette home sits squarely in the middle of the minimalist-maximalist spectrum – and we absolutely love the balance!

Take a closer look and you’ll notice that every room in this apartment is delightfully decorated, but hints at an underlying sense of orderliness, thanks to simple, but meaningful decorative details that don’t add unnecessary clutter.

3. Monochrome + industrial decor = an edgy, but stylish dwelling

The idea of combining industrial-style features and a black-and-white palette may seem jarring, but hey it works!

Bringing all of these elements together is this maisonette home that puts an unconventional spin on the classic monochrome look with its polished concrete floor and an attention-grabbing staircase, fronted by an assortment of accent tiles.

4. Cosy lighting + classy accents is another great combination!

Whether you’re living in a regular 3/4/5-room HDB flat or a chic maisonette apartment (like this one!), proper lighting is key.

Aside from ensuring a home’s living spaces are properly illuminated, light sources are also important because they draw attention to the right spots, such as (bookmatched marble) feature walls and (floor-to-ceiling) display corners.

5. Open spaces for an even ‘bigger’ home

Having an open-floor concept isn’t just useful for small homes, it can also be used to show off how large a home (read: maisonette) really is.

In the case of this stunning example, an open kitchen is joined by an equally spacious living area in emphasising the overall length of the apartment’s ground floor. On the other hand, several smaller rooms upstairs, such as a cosy corner and a walk-in wardrobe, serve as personal spaces that provide privacy.

6. Have vertical room to spare?

One of the best parts of living in a large home is the amount of space to play with, and we don’t just mean in the horizontal sense.

Because of their high ceilings, there’s plenty of creative freedom to be exercised in maisonettes – you just have to look upwards. Try your hand at decorating with a vertical garden, or have skylights built in the balcony to make it the perfect daytime relaxation spot.

7. It never hurts to have things planned out

Maisonettes may be spacious and all, but well-organised spaces and efficient storage solutions matter all the same in these houses.

To keep their home neat and tidy, the owners of this apartment chose to equip it with an array of efficient features, ranging from a stairway bookcase to a concealed laundry area that keeps clutter out of sight.

8. Make it a tropical retreat!

With its abundance of natural light and well-ventilated spaces, the insides of this relaxing home looks more like a tropical resort than an HDB flat. And the best part about it? It’s a look that any homeowner can steal (even if you don’t have a spacious maisonette to call your own).

Just make sure to include plenty of organic elements, such as touches of greenery, earthy colours and furniture made from wood or rattan, which will put you right in the centre of a tropical paradise!

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