Home Tour: $120,000 Renovation for 5-room resale HDB at Lorong 5 Toa Payoh

Some homes represent a fresh start. Others bring us back to where it all started. For this couple with two young children, renovating a spacious 5-room resale HDB flat in Toa Payoh marked a poignant return to their childhood neighbourhood. Having grown up here, their recent move felt less like a relocation and more like homecoming. 

The family had spent several years in a BTO flat in Whampoa, but as their kids grew, the couple recognised the need for a larger home to accommodate their growing family. 

“Toa Payoh has always held a special place in our hearts,” they shared. Conveniently located equidistant from both their parents’ homes and close to the secondary schools they once attended, this 1,335 sq ft resale HDB flat was less about change than it was about returning to where they felt like they belonged. “This current home ticked all the right boxes, “ they explained, “It truly felt like the perfect choice.”

Who Lives Here: A couple and their two children
Home: A 5-room HDB resale flat at Lorong 5 Toa Payoh
Size: 1,335 sq ft (125 sqm)
Interior designer: Don Wong, Sqm2

Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Hawker Centre

They fondly recollected, “Coming back felt like a full-circle moment. The food, the neighbourhood, the memories—even though some of our favourite hawker stalls like the porridge at Lorong 5 are gone, we still have our must-haves like Daily Hokkien Mee, Chye Sua Carrot Cake, and Ocean Curry.”

Sqm2 Interior Design Reviews

The renovation was led by Don Wong, founder of Sqm2 and a trusted collaborator who had designed the couple’s first home. “We had a great working relationship, so when he started his own firm, we knew we wanted to embark on this journey with him again.” This time, the brief was different: the couple needed more space, more storage, and a home that could evolve with their growing children while offering a luxurious and cozy atmosphere.

“Design-wise, we chose a modern aesthetic with a touch of luxury. It feels timeless, and gives us that “everyday staycation” vibe — almost like living in a hotel.”

One of interior designer Don’s first interventions was to expand the living room by integrating the former balcony — transforming it into a generous, sunlit space ideal for gatherings and quiet mornings alike. The new layout is accentuated by a sweeping curved false ceiling that visually ties the living and dining areas together, creating what he describes as “a smooth, seamless flow” across the elongated space.

Heart of the Hosts

“The living room has become our main hangout space,” says the couple. “It’s become the heart of our home, where we relax, play, and catch up after a long day.” “The kids also love having space to run around and play freely. And our games room doubles up as a mahjong space once the kids are asleep—a nice way for us to unwind or host casual game nights with friends.”

Expressing their shared love for hosting, the couple appreciates how well their new home supports their lifestyle, particularly when it comes to hosting gatherings with family and friends. With ample storage that keeps all the kid clutter neatly tucked away, and a comfortable inviting space to relax in, they both really enjoy having guests over now. 

Hidden Doors

Running along one side of the open-plan living room stretch is a custom-designed feature wall clad in dark oak walnut laminate that Don is especially proud of. It houses the TV and forms a backdrop for the dining area, while cleverly concealing two doors that lead to the children’s bedrooms—in his words “adding a touch of surprise and sophistication to the design.” This sleek integration reinforces the couple’s desire for a clean, elegant design that appears seamless but rewards closer inspection.

“From the hidden doors to the dining space, felt cohesive, I used the same material palette and kept the design lines clean,” interior designer Don explains, “Every detail was planned to make the whole home feel like one continuous space.” Materiality was carefully chosen: warm wood tones for depth, and matte marble flooring for a soft contrast. “These materials work especially well on feature walls and flooring, where they help define the modern luxury vibe throughout the home.” 

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom continues the calming palette of soft greys and warm wood accents. Layered with soft textures, concealed wardrobes, warm lighting and minimal lines, this room is where function meets serenity. Here again, Don masterfully cloaks the ensuite door in a classic wood panel feature.

“We wanted something timeless—a look that we wouldn’t grow tired of in a few years. While trends come and go, the modern luxury concept gave us a clean, elegant base that still feels warm and lived-in. It reflects both who we are and how we like to live: relaxed, family-oriented, but with a touch of sophistication.”

Reconfigured bathrooms 

A major focus was reworking the bathrooms, which in older resale flats are often cramped or inefficient. “For instance, the layout of the common bathroom was problematic,” the couple recalled, “The sink area was in the same zone as the shower, making it perpetually wet. Thankfully, the generous floor area allowed us to reconfigure the space and separate the wet and dry zones effectively.”

In the common bathroom, interior designer Don extended the footprint slightly to create a dedicated dry vanity zone, solving the issue of a constantly wet sink area.

The master bathroom was also reconfigured to create clear wet and dry zones, enhancing function while giving the couple a sense of retreat and calm.

Select accents and polished marble finishing were tastefully combined to further perpetuate that sense of modern luxury.

Kitchen Design

Not to be forgotten, the kitchen resides behind a striking black metal-framed glass door—a thoughtful design decision that allows visual continuity while containing cooking fumes. Adding some industrial flair to otherwise soft tones, the glass also provides clear functional zoning while contributing to the sense of openness and flow.

The kitchen itself is carefully configured to blend function with elegance, continuing the modern luxurious aesthetic seen throughout the rest of the home. Full-height cabinetry in warm, taupe and wood laminates offer generous storage while keeping the look sleek and cohesive. A clean countertop provides ample prep space for daily cooking. Soft-close handleless drawers lend a minimalist finish, while under-cabinet lighting adds both warmth and functionality.

$120,000 Renovation Cost

From design to moving in, the entire renovation took around three months and cost about $120,000 excluding furnishings. “Don was fantastic. He really listened and translated our ideas into a home that suits our lifestyle. The way he pieced everything together—from spatial planning to little design “flourishes—surprised us in the best way. Every bit of it feels intentional and considered,” the happy couple shared, “A well-designed space that reflects our personality and supports our lifestyle naturally becomes a place that truly feels like home.”