Home Tour: $300,000 Renovation for a multi generation terraced home in Yio Chu Kang
This home to a multi generation family is an embodiment of love, filial piety, trust and aligned beliefs.
By Lynn Tan -
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Who Lives Here: A three generation family of six and a helper
Home: A two-storey terraced home at Teachers’ Housing Estate in Yio Chu Kang
Size: 2,495 sq ft
Interior Designer: HGDC Interior
It takes a village, not just to raise a child, but to find and build the perfect home. Teacher, Goh Bee Ling and her engineer husband, both in their mid-40s, viewed over 20 properties before deciding on this two-storey terraced unit in the Teachers’ Housing Estate in Yio Chu Kang. They liked it for its ample natural light and good cross ventilation.
The professional opinion of their trusted interior designer from HGDC Interior, who has designed all of their homes in the past 15 years, also played a part in their decision. He accompanied them on their viewings and he saw a lot of potential in this property. For the second viewing, all three generations of the family, including the couple’s 13-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter, and Bee Ling’s in-laws who are in their 70s, went along and everyone unanimously agreed that this would be their new home.
This is the couple’s fourth home since their first matrimonial HDB flat. Their second home was a condominium, followed by a four-storey cluster unit. Bee Ling reveals that they suffered a slight setback when they were viewing HDB flats back in 2008. They missed out on a unit that they loved because they were slow in putting in their deposit.
“It taught us a lesson. When you like a unit, go for it and do not hesitate,” she says. After this initial stumbling block, they have been very fortunate on their home journey ever since. “My husband is the one who counts the numbers while I believe in my instincts. His dream is to live in a landed home ultimately and I am happy to make his dream come true. Anything is possible. We are aligned in our beliefs and this makes the journey a pleasant one,” she shares.
Entrance foyer
It was important for the family that the entrance foyer feel welcoming and shower all who cross the threshold with blessings. The bright and airy corner, along with the home’s white and beige colour scheme gives off very positive vibes and makes it the ideal spot for the altar and a bonsai that signify peace and harmony. Heirloom pieces such as the porcelain vase belonging to her father-in-law lend the space a gallery-like presence.
Living room and staircase
Bee Ling wanted the spaciousness of the living room to be the wow factor, complemented by a clean and simple design that allows the Haiku fan to stand out. This is where three generations of the family come together to catch Wheel of Fortune every evening.
A series of open shelves built into a niche in the wall in between the television and the staircase is where her husband’s and in-laws’ collection of crystals and figurines takes pride of place. “We believe that crystals, other than providing healing properties, can transform the atmosphere of a space by enhancing its aesthetic and setting the desired mood, whether for relaxation, creativity, or positivity. Putting them at an eye-catching position sets the mood right,” she points out.
The staircase is one of Bee Ling’s favourite elements in the home. The old railings have been concealed underneath new plasterboards, giving it a refreshed and modern look. The timber caps above remind her of the staircases in some of the European museums and the LED light strips give it a touch of class.
Kitchen and pantry
As an early riser, the pantry is where Bee Ling gets her quick coffee fix every morning. It is a light-filled space that flows into the living area and the Japandi theme comes through in the selection of laminates and finishes. Unobstructed space was a priority for the kitchen as her father-in-law cooks every day from Mondays to Fridays.
Master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe
The master bedroom continues the Japandi style with plenty of natural light that gives the room a spacious and airy feel. The curved headboard creates a cocooning feel around the master bed. Her doting husband ensured that every one of their homes had a walk-in wardrobe because Bee Ling loves it and this home is no exception.
Son’s bedroom
The layout in the son’s bedroom maximises its footprint to accommodate a bed, a desk, shelves and wardrobes. The nature lover chose the colour green as he finds it very calming. Prominently displayed in the room is his collection of plushies, including his favourite- Mofusand.
Daughter’s bedroom
Their daughter loves colours and the bedlinen, soft toys and other soft furnishings in the room reflect this.
Bathrooms
The design of the bathrooms in the home have been kept simple, but classy, reminiscent of hotel bathrooms.
Multi-generation living
They have been living with her in-laws for over five years now and everyone has been very happy together. “From a nucleus family to an extended one, it is about how we define family. We want to anchor our home with values and inviting my husband’s parents to live with us is about filial piety,” Bee Ling advocates.
In their previous four-storey cluster home, the seniors were staying on the second storey. To make it more convenient for them, their granny room is now on the first storey. The couple is mindful about keeping the ground floor clutter free, so that it is safer for the elderly to move around. As her in-laws sometimes wake up for a midnight snack, having easy access to the kitchen is a plus. In addition, the helper’s room is adjacent to theirs, so she is within earshot should they need any assistance during the night.
She loves seeing her kids chatting with their grandparents and her husband spending time with his parents at home. “I think it is important for the younger generation to appreciate and connect with their grandparents. I grew up with a lot of love from my grandma so it is very important to me that my children are close to their grandparents,” she emphasises.
Renovation cost
The interior of the home was gutted, along with the reinforcement of the existing roof structure. The renovation cost came up to about $300,000. Bee Ling recalls: “When the cost kept increasing with every revision of the plan, we got very scared wondering if we had enough budget to do up the house. My husband was very worried and it kept him up. Our interior designer really did his best to find alternatives and reduce the cost and kept it within our budget.”
The renovation works took about four months to complete and the family moved into their new home in May 2025. The couple is looking forward to living here for the next 15 to 20 years or so. When they retire, they plan to right size to a property that they can manage without having to rely on a helper.