Bachelor Turns Old 4-Room HDB Flat Into a Sleek Nanyang-Inspired Pad

Rustic yet modern.

After years of sharing a room with his siblings, Zaiver was ready to carve out a place of his own. His pick: a 30-year-old 4-room HDB flat in Yishun, which is not only close to his family and his workplace, but also boasts ample space for him to do as he wished.

With the help of interior designer Jason from ELPIS Interior Design, the once-dated flat was completely reworked into a bold Nanyang-inspired bachelor pad — complete with clever storage solutions and a large master suite that you’ll want for yourself.

The entryway and dining area

Stepping into Zaiver’s flat, one is greeted by the entryway that is a harmonious blend of practicality, warmth, and aesthetics.

Here, black-and-white floor tiles give off a nostalgic charm. While potentially overwhelming if used in excess, they instead are balanced by the warm wood storage cabinets flanking the space, creating an overall harmonious look.

From here, the eye is naturally drawn to the dining nook – a cosy corner anchored by rattan-accented furniture and soft lighting, giving off a warm, resort-like feel.

The living room and altar

Designed to be calm and clutter-free, the living room furniture is kept simple to maximise walking space. Rather than a bulky TV feature wall or console, the space is anchored by a limewash wall that introduces depth and texture to the space.

On the right, what used to be a store room has since been transformed into an altar – which was one of Zaiver’s must-haves. Suggested by Jason, this approach keeps the altar private without disrupting the overall aesthetic of the living room.

The kitchen

Though Zaiver admits that he doesn’t cook much, he still wanted a kitchen that feels open, with generous amounts of storage space. Without a bulky hood or heavy fixtures – things that Zaiver knows he doesn’t need – the space is streamlined and fuss-free.

To echo the Nanyang-inspired look he was going for, he opted for black-and-white floor tiles – the same ones used in the entryway. This introduces a visual link between spaces – and when paired with marble-look backsplash, creates a space that holds a rustic, refined charm.

The master bedroom suite

Comprising two bedrooms merged to become a single space, Zaiver’s (huge!) master bedroom is worlds away from the small bedroom he once shared with his siblings.

Like the living room, the sleeping area is anchored by a textured feature wall, with simple soft lighting adding a cosy ambience. Smart blackout curtains function as a room partition – a detail that keeps the space fluid while still allowing Zaiver to close up the space before bedtime.

In front, the walk-in wardrobe – which used to be the original master bedroom – doubles as a study. Instead of cluttering the space with built-ins, Zaiver chose to keep things streamlined with a full-length wardrobe on one end and a long counter that functions as a work desk and a vanity.

One clever touch we love: the panelled cabinetry beside the sink hides multiple features – namely, a concealed door leading into the ensuite, and a little nook above the sink, which is used to store toiletries.

Together, all these details result in a master suite that feels calm, spacious, and indulgent – a true bachelor’s dream.

To sum up

While dropping $92,000 on a home renovation might be too much for some, it was well worth it to Zaiver. “Since this is an old flat, there were a lot of essential structural works that I wanted to do – like raising the floor level, reworking the layout, and using better flooring material,” he says. “And all these added up.”

But in the end, it gave him exactly what he wanted: a dreamy, spacious home that he can truly call his own!

Love the look, or got a question? Leave us a comment down below! 👇