This Bukit Batok Flat’s Ideas Can Help You Stick to a Budget

Proof that home renovations don’t have to be a splurge.

When it comes to renovating a home, most of us can’t help but think that it’s going to be a long and expensive affair; there’s just so much to be done (and paid for), from the flooring to the TV feature wall which is going to be the highlight of your living room. That said – your worries could be unfounded, given the right help and ideas.

To find out all the secrets behind this quick and budget-friendly makeover, keep scrolling!

About the design brief

Ivan (I): The owners are in their thirties and they have a young child – that was taken into consideration when we came up with the initial layout and design proposal for the home. Looks-wise, the owners asked for a space that was mainly white-and-wood, but they also didn’t want it to feel too empty, which is why there are some colourful furnishings to inject some life.

On changes made to the home

I: The biggest change to the living room was definitely the TV feature wall. We painted it grey as requested by the owners who were advised to have this colour in their home by their Feng Shui master.

It’s also probably the feature that we helped save the most money on. Instead of using carpentry, we created a partition wall to house the TV’s cables, which is about 3 to 4 times cheaper by my estimation. The timber strips were then added to the sides of the partition to give it a more eye-catching profile.

Most people would leave the front of their kitchen counters empty, however as the owners really like the look of raw brick, we installed tile lookalikes that are lighter but still retain an authentic texture.

About renovation challenges

I: Overall, I would say that this was a straightforward renovation because we were working on a brand-new BTO flat and we didn’t face any of the issues that an older resale home would have. Everything went so smoothly that we actually finished the renovation two weeks in advance, which allowed the homeowners to move in earlier.

I: Because the owners are happy, I am happy with the results too. I would also like to say that this project was a success because it’s proof of our motto – that it’s possible to achieve maximum aesthetic impact with minimum cost.