These 10 Eclectic Singaporean Homes are Anything but Boring and Basic

These homes are just as cool as the beloved Scandinavian and ‘wabi-sabi’-themed ones.

For whoever claims Singaporeans are a boring bunch, they haven’t taken a peek into the right places. And by that, we mean the quirky and fun homes nestled amongst our high-rise apartment buildings.

While most prefer the familiarity and comfort of a neutral palette and clean lines – which also explains why they're trending in 2024 – there are undoubtedly those (like the Gen Zs) who want a home full of funk and personality, often tastefully mashing together designs, textures and pieces from different interior styles.

If that sounds like you, you’ll love these 10 eclectic homes that are anything but ordinary.

1. A terrazzo-filled resale HDB flat with a playful palette

Curating elements to give an eclectic home an effortless finish is like choosing which dishes you want at an favourite economic rice stall. That is, very difficult.

To achieve a cohesive space, there’s often a unifying element or theme (think colour and texture), or a focal point in different spaces.

In this home (which belongs to none other than Singapore Idol winner Sezairi!), the terrazzo flooring used around the home is one of such unifying elements.

“Isn’t the fad over”, you ask? That’s precisely the charm of eclectic interiors that blend the old and the new. Here, it complements the different spaces in this home and adds a touch of character.

Meanwhile, a colourful palette ranging from pastels to bold shades like forest green, peach and yellow, demarcates separate spaces.

2. An open-concept resale HDB flat that mixes old and new

If ‘edgy’ were a home, we dare say this is what it’d look like.

For those of you who fancy a more organic look in your home, you’ll love how ‘raw’ textures and retro vibes take centre stage, elevated by the fully open-concept layout in the communal area.

The island, done up with old-school breeze blocks, is angled towards the kitchen – a clever way to visually separate the dining space from the living area.

Yellow-framed folding windows and doors separate the living area from the balcony so that it can be closed off when necessary, while still maintaining the airy feeling.

Sticking to the earthy palette you’d expect to find in a home from the 70s, the bedroom has a literal walk-in wardrobe along the corridor into the room while the bathroom has a tiled lower-wall feature.

3. An eccentric BTO flat that gets playful with shapes

Walls splashed with colour are a common theme in eclectic interiors, but there’s no ‘rule’ you have to follow.

Case in point: this whitewashed interior that’s a canvas for all sorts of accent colours and shapes. The study in the living room, for example, mimics the typical glass-walled studies – except it’s without the glass or any doors.

The curved design softens the space and creates a natural flow too.

Besides arched entryways, the colours peppered around the home add a playful touch – this isn’t something you see often, especially here where homeowners usually stick with a single tile pattern for a single space.

The colours extend from the Tetris-like patterns on the floor to the carpentry, like the striking kitchen cabinets and soothing pastels used for the bedroom wardrobes.

4. An inviting condo apartment with a well-balanced mix of interior styles

Forget modern-luxe designs that are a little too picture-perfect: we’re down for this condo’s cosy, lived-in look that blends a variety of elements all while looking sophisticated.

In the living room alone, the right half looks like it could fit in a contemporary European interior thanks to the sofa and the marble details in the feature wall niche.

The left side, on the other hand, has a distinct East Asian touch that’s brought out by the folding screen and emphasis on wood tones, including the round dining table.

Departing from the styling indoors, the balcony looks like a Boho patio, what with its rattan furniture and woven pendant lights: a cushy set-up perfect for soaking up the sun.

The open-concept dining space features marbling with heavy veining that give it a dramatic flair and amp up the luxe vibes, balanced by the dark wood tones in the space.

Adjacent to the space, you’ll find a brightly-lit nook that has been turned into a no-frills study.

5. An eccentric BTO flat with biophilic elements

A breeze block divider, textured walls and an abundance of plants are just a few of the highlights of this flat that is not afraid to be quirky.

Even the niche in the dining area is a dedicated display area with a variety of memorabilia and photos.

There is little carpentry in the home; instead, most of the interior is styled with an assortment of loose furnishings and furniture – an option to consider if you need to tighten your purse strings.

6. A ‘dollhouse’ resale HDB that looks like it belongs in a movie

There’s something distinctly ‘dollhouse’-like about this colour-coded resale HDB flat with its soft pinks and curved furniture/decor.

The storage cabinets stretching across the spacious living/dining area (save for the archway leading down the corridor) and tile/counter patterns – reminiscent of Wed Anderson’s iconic cinematic style – enhance this feeling.

Even the kitchen has a lovely arched ‘window’ to serve food, as if it were a hole-in-the-wall café.

The bedroom and bathroom sport similar colours, complete with curved shapes that flow through the home for a cohesive finish.

7. A resale HDB with unconventional design elements

If there’s one thing this home proves, it’s that you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with ideas that deviate from the typical looks.

Drawing inspiration from contemporary interior ideas, including industrial elements like the brick wall, it’s safe to say this home is one-of-a-kind.

Just look at the entryway partition: while it’s meant to resemble the glass blocks you often find at HDB void decks, what sets it apart is the coloured blocks.

In the bathroom, meanwhile, you’ll find a mix of tiles for visual interest.

And that’s not all: there’s a shower partition that separates the shower area from the toilet and has handy ledges for toiletries.

8. An unassuming resale condo with wow-worthy features

At first glance, what stands out in this resale condo is its collection of colourful furniture – but take a closer look and you’ll find a breeze block partition at the entryway that will surely get guests talking.

While one side looks like the typical breeze block design that most homeowners would choose, the side facing the entryway is painted red, yellow and blue; to bring attention to this impressive feature, there’s even a freestanding spotlight!

As if infusing the home with primary colours, the kitchen is an all-green affair while the junior bedroom has a customised bunk bed with mini pull-out ‘wardrobes’ at the base for the owners’ young child.

9. A retro-inspired resale HDB with a reconfigured layout

Take a step back in time in this home with its tasteful mix of vintage and retro elements.

These range from the cement screed flooring and paintings with gilded frames to the geometric floor tiles that separate the open-concept kitchen from the living area.

And of course, not to forget the wooden furniture that adds warmth and character to the spaces.

What we find most impressive, however, is the reconfigured bedroom space, where the master and adjacent junior bedrooms were combined for more wardrobe space.

Half of the original master space was then separated into an unconventional vanity and shower area, complete with a mural backing the vanity.

10. A bold resale HDB that doesn’t shy from colour

While most would stick with the ‘safe’ choice of adding colour as accents in their spaces, the owners of this home didn’t shy from giving their dining area an all-pink makeover with limewash paint for added texture.

The lighting can even be configured to change up the entire mood of the space, so you could have anything between a book club meeting and a disco party in here!

The kitchen, like some other homes you’ve seen in this list, is dressed in varying shades of a single colour; in this case, it’s a sea-blue that contrasts the pink outside.

The square tile backsplash with varying tones adds depth to the space too.

Heading down the hallway, you’ll spot a curious arched room; peer in and discover the common bathroom, with its open vanity separated from the shower area that can be closed off for privacy.

Talk about a colourful idea!

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