9 One-of-a-Kind HDB Maisonettes That Will Make You Look Twice

Unicorn properties with unique designs to boot.

Following their discontinuation by the HDB in 1995, Executive Maisonettes have since become a rare property type in Singapore, coveted for having two storeys and being significantly larger than the average HDB flat. Additionally, the added square footage provides homeowners with more room to play around with design ideas and features that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

In this article, we explore 9 such HDB maisonettes with unique designs that will make you want one even more. Let’s go!

1. This Jurong East maisonette with an indoor jungle gym

One reason why maisonettes are so appealing is that the communal area on the lower level has ample space for a living area, dining area, large kitchen, service yard, and then some.

In this example, the owners decided to use the extra space for an indoor jungle gym (the size of a standard BTO living area, if we might add), intentionally made colourful to stand out from the white-and-wood interior.

Their young ones aren’t left out either, as the makeover consists of a kids-only hideout/play area carved out from under the staircase, cleverly utilising otherwise dead space.

Fun much?

2. A retro-style Bishan maisonette that looks right at home in 2025

Pairing features that were popular in the early/mid-1900s (think breeze blocks and antique/vintage pieces) with contemporary furnishings, this maisonette in Bishan is a nod to the past without looking out of place in today’s world.

As a maisonette, it also comes with a skylit access balcony sporting Spanish-inspired tiles and colonial-style blinds, as well as 3 bathrooms to play around with in the design department.

Our favourite? The opulent one above with a tropical motif that’s giving The Great Gatsby meets The Jungle Book.

3. This maisonette along Lorong Ah Soo with a sneaker ‘museum’

Built in the 1980s, maisonettes along Lorong Ah Soo come with a rounded, double-height alcove that may seem like an awkward space to some – but a standout feature in the hands of the right homeowner and designer.

In this instance, this alcove was converted into a curved display (and storage area) for the owners’ impressive sneaker and Bearbrick collection, which can be viewed from both the first and second storeys.

It’s also the only light-coloured area in a home that otherwise boasts a dark, luxe look, making it stand out even more.

4. A Lorong Ah Soo maisonette with a 5.5m tall Harry Potter-inspired library

Meanwhile, the owners of another maisonette in the neighbourhood decided to use this alcove to build an equally eye-catching 5.5m tall library, which they share was inspired by the Harry Potter films.

That’s not the only reason why this home had one of our most popular home tours to date, though. The rest of the interior absolutely nails the industrial-chic aesthetic, with exposed trunking/wiring and a mix of furnishings that are equal parts rugged and classy.

5. A modern ‘ryokan’ maisonette in Hougang

Timeless and cosy, Japanese-inspired wood-look interiors remain wildly popular in Singapore – like with this maisonette in Hougang that has a raised tatami-style platform and walls clad with fluted panels for a contemporary twist.

Moving upstairs, a backlit headboard in the master bedroom pays homage to circular windows (marumado) in traditional Japanese houses, while the en suite bathroom’s entrance is concealed with carpentry for a clean, minimalist look.

Explore: HDB Maisonette Renovations: 7 Interior Firms That Specialise in Them

6. This Serangoon maisonette that’s a dream home for children

Imagine how fun every day of your childhood would have been if your home were a playground.

Well, the kids living in this Serangoon maisonette won’t have to imagine anything, because one side of their staircase has been overlaid with a slide, turning their home into a literal playground.

Design wise, its base uses the same terrazzo-patterned vinyl as the surrounding floor area for a cohesive look, while its wood-look laminates on the side help to camouflage the storage cabinet under the stairs.

Plus, there’s even a tippy tent behind the staircase for the owners’ kids to have indoor ‘camping’ adventures!

7. A Tampines maisonette with a balcony-turned-basketball-court

Adopting a similar approach of having fun in the safety of home, the owners of this maisonette in Tampines turned their double-height balcony into a basketball court for their kids.

Here, you’ll find splashes of yellow, mint green and pink for fun vibes without looking childish.

Foldable windows have also been installed between the kitchen and balcony to keep fumes in when cooking is in progress, while jalousie windows on the upper floor’s family library block out any noise coming from below.

8. This modern Victorian-esque maisonette in Tampines

Like a modern Victorian home you’d find in the English countryside, this HDB maisonette in Tampines features classic elements like wainscoting, arched glass door cabinets and an electric candle chandelier.

Notably, the boundaries between its open-concept kitchen, dining area and living room have been blurred, making it ideal for hosting large groups at once. Meanwhile, arched double doors are also used for its rooms, ensuring continuity in the home’s design language.

9. This maisonette in Simei with a striking half-and-half kitchen

You should have also noticed by now that maisonettes come with kitchens significantly larger than that of the average HDB flat. The owners of this one in Simei certainly leveraged this, working with their ID to create an attention grabbing open-concept kitchen with the ‘dry’ half in white and the ‘wet’ half in a peachy hue.

The pièce de résistance? A massive island with fluted details that would attract hoards of Instagrammers if it were found in a cafe.

Which of these HDB maisonette designs do you love the most? Tell us in the comments below! 👇