The design of this 4-room HDB BTO flat in Sengkang shows how you can create so much space in a typical HDB apartment.
Engaging the help of designer Don Lim of DB Studio, the homeowners’ — a young couple in their then 20s — only brief was to create a large living area where they can entertain guest, and incorporate the kitchen and dining area into this space as well.
Walls Hacked
As a result, Don decided to create a spacious common area by hacking down walls.
Although a darker colour palette of greys and wood accents is used throughout the home, it still looks well-lit thanks to the open-plan layout, where light can penetrate deep into the interiors.
Sitting in the middle of the apartment is a glass cabinet showcasing the husband’s Bearbrick toy collection.
![79763-dbstudiosengkang2](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79763-dbstudiosengkang2.png)
Dark Grey Laminate for Carpentry
A dark grey laminate is chosen for many surfaces in the home, including the shoe and kitchen cabinets. To complement the grey wood-look vinyl flooring in the living room, the walls are clad with concrete screed for an organic look.
As the homeowners have a large shoe collection, they had requested for a shoe cabinet that could provide enough storage. A full-height shoe cabinet now sits next to the main entrance, and is also used to hide the bomb shelter.
![79764-dbstudiosengkang3](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79764-dbstudiosengkang3.png)
Mix & Match Tiles
Don’s strategy to segregate the spaces — such as the kitchen and dining area from the living room — is by creating contrast with the use of eye-catching tiles.
At the dining area, black and white hexagonal tiles are used underfoot, while in the kitchen, gold and silver hexagonal tiles were chosen for the backsplash.
![79765-dbstudiosengkang4](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79765-dbstudiosengkang4.png)
Kompacplus Kitchen Countertop
The grey laminate and wood-look Kompacplus countertop complement the gold and silver accented backsplash.
Don also added shelves above to offer the homeowners spaces to showcase their interesting knick knacks and decor accessories.
![79766-dbstudiosengkang5](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79766-dbstudiosengkang5.png)
White Subway Tiles
The grey and wood accents continue into the common bathroom, while subway tiles add textures here.
![79767-dbstudiosengkang6](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79767-dbstudiosengkang6.png)
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is enlarged as the owners decided to combine the original space with a second bathroom adjacent to it.
![79759-cks-0077-1024x683-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79759-cks-0077-1024x683-1.jpg)
Large Wardrobe
This strategy also gave them the possibility of having a large wardrobe!
![79760-cks-0079-1024x683-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79760-cks-0079-1024x683-1.jpg)
Renovation Cost: $50,000
The overall renovation cost $50,000 (excluding furnishings).
This article first appeared on Sona Decor in 2017.
![79761-cks-0080-684x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/79761-cks-0080-684x1024-1.jpg)