Home Tour: $50,000 Scandinavian renovation for a 5-room HDB in Bukit Panjang

A remarkable transformation has taken place in Bukit Panjang, where a 5-room HDB flat has been reimagined into a stunning example of Scandinavian interior design. With a carefully planned budget of $50,000 for renovation and $20,000 for furnishing, Joy Loo, creative director of interior-design consultancy Waff, has created a Scandinavian HDB that perfectly balances light, sophistication, and functionality.

The heart of this Scandinavian HDB begins in the kitchen, where Joy has crafted an inviting space that caters perfectly to the newly-wed owners’ passion for culinary creativity. The kitchen transformation exemplifies how Scandinavian interior design principles can create spaces that are both beautiful and practical for everyday living.

Nordic blue kitchen cabinets

The bold choice of Nordic blue cabinetry serves as a striking welcome feature, immediately establishing the home’s design credentials. This deep, tranquil shade is beautifully complemented by pristine white quartz countertops, creating a classic Scandinavian contrast.

“I wanted a clean and modern look, so I proposed a Scandinavian theme, which went down well with the owners,” Joy explains. The attention to detail in this Scandinavian HDB kitchen is remarkable, from the thoughtfully designed top-hung cabinets that incorporate space for greenery to the industrial-chic suspended stainless steel rack that adds a contemporary edge to the space.

Resale 5-room HDB flat

In the dining area, the careful selection of wood-accented furniture brings rustic warmth to the Scandinavian interior design scheme. The unconventional choice of larger floor tiles creates an optical illusion of expanded space, a clever design trick that makes this Scandinavian HDB feel more spacious than its actual dimensions.

Concealed study and walk-in wardrobe

One of the most innovative features of this home is the sliding panel system that conceals the study and walk-in wardrobe. When closed, these panels serve double duty as sophisticated wall elements, demonstrating how Scandinavian interior design can seamlessly blend form and function.

Minimalist Scandinavian design

The study space epitomizes minimalist Scandinavian design principles with its white laminate desk and shelving, accented with warm plywood finishes. A pre-existing niche has been cleverly repurposed into a built-in bookshelf, showing how thoughtful Scandinavian interior design can make the most of architectural quirks.

Dark bedroom tones

Breaking slightly from the light, airy aesthetic that dominates the rest of this Scandinavian HDB, the master bedroom introduces a more dramatic tone with grey as its primary color. This darker palette echoes the ash-grey shade found on all the home’s doors, creating a subtle thread of continuity throughout the space while maintaining the sophisticated simplicity characteristic of Scandinavian design.

Rustic bathroom design

The master bathroom returns to the home’s rustic-chic theme, proving that Scandinavian interior design principles can transform even the most functional spaces into style statements. A thoughtfully designed rectangular mirror incorporates a practical built-in niche for toiletries, demonstrating how careful planning can enhance both aesthetics and functionality in a Scandinavian HDB setting.

Throughout this home, Joy’s interpretation of Scandinavian interior design shines through in every detail, from the carefully chosen color palette to the thoughtful integration of storage solutions. This renovation proves that with careful planning and a clear vision, a typical HDB flat can be transformed into a sophisticated Scandinavian-inspired sanctuary that meets both aesthetic and practical needs.