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The 5-room flat was introduced in the early 1970s as Singaporeans became more affluent. These early units were roughly 115 to 120 sqm. They were designed for the “three-generation” lifestyle, allowing parents, children, and grandparents to live under one roof comfortably.
Many early 5-room flats were built in standalone “point blocks” (four units per floor) rather than the long corridor blocks. This gave them an air of exclusivity, better privacy, and cross-ventilation, which cemented their status as premium units.
A couple’s 5-room HDB renovation
This $70,000 renovation of a 5-room HDB flat in Upper Thomson radically reinterprets the standard apartment layout into a fluid, artistically driven sanctuary.
Homeowners Xander Lee and Joanne Ng collaborated with interior designer JQ Ong of The Association to divide the 22-year-old flat into three distinct zones: a massive home studio (formerly two bedrooms and a storeroom), an enlarged master suite, and an open central living area.
The reconfiguration prioritises radical honesty and simplicity, using raw materials like lacquered plywood with diagonal groove lines for doors and concrete screed throughout most of the home.
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Interior-designer owner Don Wong with his wife Serene, daughter Kylia and son Cyrus.
$90,000 5-Room BTO Design
This $90,000 renovation of a 1,184 sq ft 5-room HDB flat in Buangkok serves as a masterclass in “future-proofing” a family home.
Owned and designed by Don Wong, founder of Sqm2 Interior Design, the flat was overhauled after 15 years to accommodate the changing needs of his two growing children.
The living, dining and dry kitchen is one big open space that can accommodate large gatherings with various seating configurations.
The layout was strategically tweaked to maximise every centimetre for built-in carpentry, creating a seamless, low-maintenance environment that prioritises storage while maintaining an airy, open-plan communal zone.
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$100,000 Renovation for a 5-room DBSS in Taman Jurong
$100,000 5-Room HDB Renovation in Taman Jurong
This $100,000 renovation of a 5-room DBSS flat at Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching serves as a soulful sanctuary for interior designer Zach, his wife Steffanie, and their multi-generational family.
Following a period of profound personal loss, the couple sought a fresh start in Taman Jurong, choosing a unit that offered both a physical and emotional “peace.”
Zach utilized his professional expertise to maximize the home’s potential, focusing on a palette of earthy tones, warm wood textures, and monochrome accents to create a space that feels both elegant and deeply nurturing.
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A marble look, laminated porcelain tile in large format was selected for the living room feature wall.
$100,000 5-Room HDB Renovation in Pasir Ris
This $100,000 renovation of a 1,216 sq ft 5-room HDB flat in Pasir Ris successfully achieves a “modern luxury” aesthetic that rivals high-end condominiums.
Designed by Cedrick Law from E+e Design and Build for homeowners Ng JunJie and Theresa Liow, the flat avoids the dark, heavy palettes typically associated with luxury themes.
Instead, it utilizes a sophisticated array of whites, creams, and light greys, anchored by large-format Coverlam laminated porcelain tiles on the living room feature wall to provide a realistic, high-end marble effect.
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$130,000 Retro 5-Room HDB Design
This $130,000 renovation of a 5-room HDB flat successfully merges Scandinavian warmth with an industrial “edginess” to create a unique, mod-rustic sanctuary.
Designed by Lawrence Puah from Akihaus, the project prioritised the homeowners’ personal affinity for warm wood textures over passing trends. The defining feature is a massive statement wall clad in timber-look laminate with distinctive groove lines, stretching from the entrance foyer to the living room.
This architectural intervention creates a sense of continuous depth, making the already generous 5-room footprint feel even more expansive while providing ample hidden storage.
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