Install Bathtub in HDB: 15 Regulations & design layout ideas

Do you live in a HDB flat and really want a bathtub? Good news! Here's what you can do — make space for one by enlarging the existing bathroom, or combining two adjacent bathrooms to get a bigger one. However, note that there are HDB regulations surrounding any form of bathroom extensions.

Ready to fix a bathtub in your HDB flat? Let's hear from what the experts have to say:

• Install bathtub HDB regulations
• 2 Common types of bathtubs
• 21 Singapore homes with bathtubs
• Hotel bathtub design ideas

HDB Bathroom should be 66 sq ft

Interior designer Annie Tan of The Interarch Design recommends having at least 66 sq ft (6 sqm) for the whole bathroom, if you install a bathtub in addition to a standing shower.

Can renovate HDB BTO toilet only after 3 years

Also, take note that you can only do alterations to your bathroom three years after the completion date of the block, and you still need to obtain a permit from the HDB.

Install bathtub in HDB regulations

Enjoying a soak in a tub isn’t impossible, as long as you follow the regulations stipulated by the HDB during your bathroom renovations.

1. If you extend your bathroom into the living area, the maximum width and area of extension must not exceed 60cm and 6.5 sq ft respectively.
2. The new part of the bathroom (which was previously part of the living area) can only be used as a “dry area” (e.g installation of washbasin or shelves). This means that both the bathtub and shower area have to fit within the footprint of the original bathroom.
3. The extension cannot be done around the flat’s gas riser and its branch pipe.
4. If you are doing hacking works and changing the floor finishes, pre-packed waterproofing screed and waterproofing membrane is to be used and the total thickness of finishes and screed must not exceed 5cm.
5. The total weight of your bathtub, including the supporting structure, shouldn't weight more than 150kg. This is so that the structural integrity and safety of the building isn't compromised. Verify especially the weight if you are considering heavy models like freestanding clawfoot cast iron tubs.
6. There has to be a void underneath the bathtub. Do not fill up the space underneath with cement mortar or other materials to support the tub.
7. The floor slab must not be tampered with at all — no raising or lowering it to accommodate your built-in bathtub.

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2 Common Types of Bathtubs in Singapore

Renovating your HDB toilet and want to install a new bathtub? Make sure you know which type suits you and your space best.

In general, there are two types of tubs, freestanding and built-in. There are a variety of designs available in the market for each type of tub, so you definitely can get one that will suit the look of your bathroom.

Freestanding Bathtubs

A freestanding tub is one that stands alone and can be placed anywhere in the bathroom. Types include clawfoot tubs —which have “legs” and “feet” and channel a vintage look — and pedestal tubs — which have solid bases rather than legs, making them more minimalist and sleek.

Freestanding baths look best when they are positioned at least some distance away from the walls. It is recommended to have a separate shower, rather than use the tub as a daily shower - especially if your freestanding bath is positioned in the middle of the bathroom.

This is to prevent having a constantly wet bathroom.

Pros of free standing baths

• Often becomes the focal point of the bathroom, as designs highly take into account the aesthetics.
• Provides additional visual space to make the bathroom look roomier, as the tub does not have an enclosure.
• Installation does not rely on a supporting structure, so structural alterations are not necessary.

Cons of free standing baths

• Generally more expensive

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Built-In Bathtub

These are ready-made tubs that are designed to be housed within an enclosure. 2 Common types of built-in bathtubs include alcove tubs (which have 3 sides, takes up minimal space), and drop-in bathtubs — which are fitted within and appear to be suspended in raised platforms or decks.

A built-in alcove tub is the best solution for saving space, as it is meant to be situated in a corner or at one side.

As its installation process involves hacking and wet works, check that your contractor does proper waterproofing. Make sure that your contractor provides an access panel that isn’t obstructed for future maintenance.

Pros of built-in baths

• More compact in design, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
• Will allow you to install water jets and air jets to enhance your bathing experience.
• Generally more affordable.

Cons of built-in baths

• You might have to retile the walls and floors, especially if you want to match the new bathtub enclosure with the rest of the surroundings.

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21 Singaporean Homes with Bathtubs

Bathrooms in apartments may have limited floor area but don't let that limit you when it comes to designing and incorporating a bath tub into this space, so you can relax and wind down comfortably.

Here are some examples of homeowners who fitted bath tubs into their apartment homes stylishly.

1. Bachelor's Pad

When you’re living on your own, there’s really no need for walls to protect one’s modesty.

So, for this bachelor pad (pictured above), the interior designers from Three-D Conceptwerke eradicated the conventional walls and doors between the ensuite bathroom and master bedroom and put in a flimsy white curtain instead.

To complete the hotel-inspired interior design concept, the interior designers added a swivel TV frame.

2. Shophouse Residential

For this shophouse unit, the interior designers from Spacious Planners enlarged the master bedroom on the upper storey by bringing down the bathroom wall and designing an open-concept bathtub area beside the bed.

The generous skylights bring natural light into the space, creating a resort-like feel for the couple's private sanctuary.

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3. Balmoral Crescent Condo

The owners of this Balmoral Crescent apartment engaged interior designer William Chan from Spacedge to design their home.

To make their home look and feel more spacious, he planned for the bedrooms to flow seamlessly into the bathrooms by taking away the walls between them.

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4. Equatorial Apartments, Meyer Road

The homeowners of this condominium apartment wanted the master bathroom to have both a shower area and bathtub. Interior designer Mark Yong of Piu Design customised a 2-in-1 fixture cladded in marble-look ceramic tiles.

Paired with wood for the under-sink storage and doors, this intimate space exudes a resort-inspired vibe.

Read more: House Tour - $200,000 Retro interiors for Equatorial Apartments at Meyer Road

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5. 5-Room Condo by Orchard Road

This spacious all-white master bathroom is made so large as the homeowners removed the wardrobes at one end, and can accomodate a large bath tub.

A touch of wood warms up the all-white master bathroom, which was made more spacious by removing the wardrobes at one end.

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6. 3-Storey Terrace House, Mandai

The bathroom in this four-bedroom three-storey terrace house in Mandai is bright, airy and spacious with a spa-like feel. Interior design by Habit.

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7. 4-Bedroom Condo, Bukit Timah

Sumptuous, spa-like facilities such as the bathtub make the master bathroom one of the most luxurious spots in this stylish four-bedroom condominium apartment. Interior design by Viterbo.

Read more: House Tour - This 4-room condo is a weekend house for a couple

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8. 3-Storey Bungalow, Frankel Street

This open-concept bathroom in this luxurious bungalow has a round tub; the space resembles a Japanese onsen. Interior design by 82.

Read more: House Tour - $1 million renovation for this luxury bungalow

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9. 4-Bedroom apartment, Tanglin

The large windows in the master bathroom of this four-bedroom apartment lets the outside in, creating a verdant sun-drenched oasis. Interior design by Viterbo.

Read more: House Tour - Eclectic interiors for 4-bedrrom apartment in Tanglin

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10. Marble bathroom

Using marble in the bathroom makes it look refined and luxurious. Interior design by Collective Design.

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11. Terrace house, Pasir Ris

Same goes for this terrace house in Pasir Ris. Interior design by Haire Living.

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12. Grey bathroom

This interior designer brought the hotel-effect into his bedroom, replacing the ensuite's bathroom wall with glass. The use of gray tiles and stand-alone tub brings an elegant look to the bedroom. Interior design by Rezt & Relax Interior.

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13. HDB Master Bathroom

If you want this extremely luxurious and generously spaced room for yourself, your basic HDB flat master bedroom isn't going to cut it. You're going to have to add the extra space of a spare room and reconfigure the area completely.

But as this interior designer has shown, the end result is totally worth it. Interior design by D'perception Ritz Pte Ltd.

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14. Outdoor bathroom

Who wouldn’t want an outdoor bathroom that faces a gorgeous panoramic sea view like this! We would surely spend hours soaking up the view in that bathtub with a book in hand.

A roof keeps the shower safe from the elements and yet maintains the openness of an outdoor facility. Interior design by Collective Designs.

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15. The Senerade condominium at Holland Road

This architectural bathroom space is such a vision. We love its modern take on the resort style – the standing shower frames the very inviting bathtub nicely too! Interior design by Haire Living.

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16. Top floor open bathroom

By cleverly zoning the space, this bath area remains cosy despite being part of an open-plan design concept. The homeowners are also fans of dramatic lighting pieces, and chose this eccentric cherry-shaped pendant lamp, bought online from a Slovakian designer, to anchor this space.

This couple reconfigured the top floor of their home to create this cosy open-concept en suite bathroom. Interior design by Museum.

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17. Terrace house roof terrace

In a crammed and busy city like Singapore, having an outdoor bath area that is surrounded by nothing but empty spaces can do wonders for relaxation. A free-standing bathtub is the finishing touch to the private roof terrace, only accessible via the master bedroom. A 3-room Oriental terrace by Dwell Interior Design.

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18. Ensuite Master Bathroom

The bathroom links to the walk-in wardrobe of the master bedroom. No one will be able to peel into the bathroom from the rooftop terrace, thanks to the specially slanted sides of the skylight.

This little courtyard brings a bit of the outdoors into the indoors bathroom with oversized plants and an enlivening splash of sunlight. Interior design by Formwerkz.

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19. The Boulevard Residences, Cuscaden Walk

We’re pretty sure Singapore would see a spike in birthrates if every newlywed had an open-concept bathroom like this in their BTOs! Interior design by One-Stop Concept.

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20. Sunken bathtub

Luxury was the keyword for the decor of this city destination, from its marble-clad bath to its sleek accents. The rainshower and sunken bath are standard-issue features of the luxury development.

While it doesn’t have large spaces to flaunt, this narrow bathroom still oozes luxury thanks to its glossy marbled surfaces and cosy sunken bath. Interior design by Design Intervention.

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21. Revamped shophouse

When it comes to bathroom renovation, we're sadly confined to a small space meted out by HDB. But this owner had no such confines in his private home and splashed on a lavish bathroom, designed by Ong and Ong, that reminds us of a luxury Italian spa.

Situated in a revamped shophouse, the bathroom has two entrances, one from the home and one from the pool. The bathroom is accessible from a small staircase in the pool. The area has a smattering of lush greenery, adding to the spa-like atmosphere.

The owner didn't just focus his attention on one bathroom, he gave an equal amount of attention to the bathroom on the second floor of the shophouse:

The bathroom features beautiful timber flooring with a sink that doubles as a divider between the tub, shower and toilet. The freestanding tub is seated next to a window overlooking the corridor. 

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4 Hotel Bathtub Design Ideas

A growing trend in luxury hotels, especially boutique luxury hotels, is the open-concept bathroom. While it might not suit the taste of some, it definitely has a unique look to it.

We like the open-concept bathroom because it helps your bedroom appear larger, brings light into your tiny bathroom space, and brings a spa-like effect to the room (especially if you have a tub), what’s not to love?

From marble-covered floors to resort feel wood panels, what all these hotel bathrooms have in common is a full-length bathtub to soak in.

If you’re worried about privacy, there are plenty of ways to temporarily close the bathroom off, through blinds and even electric frosted glass.

1. Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle De France

Location: Saint Barthelemy, France

Jacques Grange, the Cheval Blanc’s interior designer, was inspired by the idea of a traveller's diary where each part of the hotel tells a different story. T

he architecture of the bathrooms, for example, are intended to transport us back through European history. The blue and white tiles feature a geometric, Middle Eastern pattern known as a Moucharabieh.

2. Ultima Geneva Grand Villa

Location: Vaud, Switzerland

Imagine taking a shower that’s straight out of an interior design magazine. That’s what this villa is all about.

From the walls to the minor details, everything has been designed with the finest furnishings to give guests the full experience of living luxuriously, including enjoying the alpine forests beyond the bathroom windows.

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3. Armani Hotel Milano

Location: Milan, Italy

What comes to mind when you think of Armani? Best known as a luxury fashion house, it is also a hotelier. The Armani Hotel Milano opened in early 2011, and Giorgio Armani himself designed the bathrooms, which are inspired by Silk Georgette marble and embody elegance, aesthetics and sensuality.

4. The Datai

Location: Langkawi, Malaysia

Just across the causeway is this luxurious resort where you can unwind and just appreciate nature. Featuring two twin wardrobes, a personal washing basin, a shower area, and a bathtub in the middle, the bathrooms eliminate competition over who gets to take a bath first.

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Part of this article was first published in The Peak.