Home Tour: $110,000 Chinese courtyard-style renovation for a 4-room HDB in Punggol
A 4-room HDB flat in Punggol goes through a bold overhaul.
By Airis Abdullah -
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Homeowners Vanessa Tan and Landon Lim have guests at their home, a 4-room HDB flat in Punggol, almost daily. The living area is where the couple spend time as a family with their toddler or hosting gatherings with family and friends. When asked what their main design goals were for their home, Vanessa says, “To have a comfortable and bright home to return to. Most importantly, it must be safe for our little boy,”
She adds, “We wanted our home to look homely, bright, versatile and relaxed.” That was why when they engaged design principal KK Lim Kar Kwang from interior design studio Lite Design Collaborative, their first two priorities were a spacious living area and rounded edges for safety.
The couple also wanted ample storage to reduce clutter and a fully functional kitchen because they cook often. As self-employed individuals, they preferred materials that would be easy to maintain. The home must also be bright and airy, where natural light enters easily to foster a positive vibe.
Who Lives Here: A couple in their 30s and their two-year-old son
Home: A 4-room HDB in Punggol
Size: 1,001 sq ft
Interior Designer: KK Lim Kar Kwang, Lite Design Collaborative
Entrance foyer in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Foyer Entrance Design
To create this foyer, which serves as a buffer zone that ensures the living area is hidden from the outside, the design team reimagined and overhauled the entire layout of the BTO flat. The interior design team moved the living area, now larger, to the centre of the home.
The bedrooms occupy the former living area now. “Inspired by ancient Chinese courtyard houses, the reconfiguration features a large central living area, functioning as a communal courtyard,” says interior designer KK. It is intended for gatherings, as well as a space for children to play and a versatile living area that can adapt to their changing needs.
Toddler's bedroom with inward-facing windows for ventilation in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Bedroom Design
The two common bedrooms, now located in the former living area, have been downsized. One is now the toddler’s bedroom, and the other is a guest room. The toddler’s room does not have external windows, so these windows provide ventilation and visual flow.
Dining room in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Dining Room
The dining area is placed behind the living area. Bench seating with storage and a custom backrest match the loose chairs and a bold table. The furnishings match the light wood palette of the custom designs throughout the home.
Dark kitchen colour theme in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Kitchen Design
On the other hand, the kitchen design emphasises a dark palette for easier maintenance and cleaning. Notably, the cabinets were built to a height comfortable for the couple, who are both tall. As they habitually wash the kitchen after cooking, the kitchen cabinets have been raised off the floor to accommodate this.
Full-height storage line the living room in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Living Room
A significant benefit of the space reconfiguration is a more efficient use of the floor area. The passageway to the bedrooms is now integrated into the new living area. There is also room for a custom storage area with display shelves between the common bathroom and household shelter. The doors are placed flush for a seamless look. Likewise, the door to the master bedroom is also integrated into this wall design.
Interior designer KK says, “Since we reconfigured the entire unit, we needed to find a way to conceal the air-conditioning piping in the living area to make it aesthetically pleasing.” Getting the curved false ceiling right took several rounds, requiring the designer to sculpt the moulding by hand to hide the piping tastefully.
The focus on rounded corners did not end with the custom furnishings but extended to the wall design. The rounded lines of the television wall soften the space. “The design incorporates curves throughout the home to create a sense of warmth and embrace for the inhabitants,” says interior designer KK.
Sunlight bathes the wooden master bed headboard in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
A simple chair sits by the side of the master bed in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
Bedroom Design
The bedrooms take on similar design elements, colours and finishes for a consistent and cohesive look. The emphasis on simplicity continues with wall-mounted bedside lighting and streamlined features.
Custom solutions in the master bedroom ensure their storage needs are met. A recess behind the door has been fitted with a display cabinet where they can keep often-used items. The glass door for the bathroom helps encourage light flow into the bedroom.
Rounded corners remain a priority in the designs and custom furnishings, even in the master bathroom. Slim tiles make rounded edges possible for this partition. Interior designer KK employed a lighting strategy that enhanced the ambience and implemented a smart home system to control lighting, temperature, and security features seamlessly.
Curved bathroom cabinets in a 4-room HDB in Punggol.
$110,000 Renovation
The home was renovated at a cost of $110,000. After a 3-month renovation, they moved into their home in January 2024. The couple’s favourite space is the living area. “The living area has been a very comfortable space to chill and relax with our friends and family,” homeowner Vanessa says. “We love it. We never would have thought of reconfiguring the flat in this manner. It was a very fresh and bold change.”