Smart Interior Design Ideas For HDB 2-Room Apartments (Updated 2024)

How Big is a 2-room Flat in Singapore?

How Much Does a 2-room HDB flat cost?

The average price of an HDB 2-room flat is around $89,000, excluding the help of grants. However, if you are eligible for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), you can receive a grant amount between $5000 to $80,000, with the exact amount being subjected to your average monthly household income.

Under the EHG Grant, an HDB 2-room flat will cost anywhere between $9000 to $84,000. The lower the amount of your monthly income, the greater the number of grants you can potentially receive.

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How To Design Your 2-Room HDB Apartment In Singpaore

Below we we have compiled a list of practical and affordable interior design ideas for 2-room HDBs in Singapore.

1. Maximize Space with Open-Concept Layouts

An open-concept design can make a 2-room flat feel significantly more spacious by removing unnecessary walls. This layout seamlessly combines the living, dining, and kitchen areas, creating an airy, integrated space. With no physical walls separating the different rooms, the home automatically creates a spacious ambience. For practical purposes, you can include a kitchen island or bar counter to separate the kitchen from the living area without adding walls. However, to ensure that there is a smooth flow between the areas, opt for consistent flooring materials throughout to create a unified look. Moreover, you can add glass partitions to maintain visual openness while separating specific areas. For example, this may be necessary in the kitchen to contain cooking odours or you may need an undisturbed environment to study or do your work.

2. Multi-Functional Furniture for Small Spaces

As a functional 2-room HDB interior design idea, invest in furniture that serves dual purposes to save space and improve functionality. Examples include sofa beds, extendable dining tables, and storage ottomans. Use modular furniture that can adapt to your changing needs. You can also choose built-in furniture, such as a wall-mounted bed with storage or a dining table that folds into the wall. Incorporate a bench with hidden storage for your dining area.

3. Use Light Colors and Mirrors to Enhance Perception of Space

Lighter shades for walls and furniture can make small spaces appear larger. This makes it the perfect 2-room HDB interior design idea in Singapore. Mirrors strategically placed can amplify light and create the illusion of a more expansive space. Use neutral tones like white, beige, or light grey for walls and larger furniture pieces. Add mirrors on wardrobe doors or accent walls to reflect natural light.

In contrast, colours like charcoal, navy, or deep green absorb light, which are darker colours create a sense of depth and intimacy when it comes to interior design. When used thoughtfully, dark tones can anchor a room, making it feel cosy and sophisticated. For example, a dark feature wall or furniture piece can add drama and elegance, drawing the eye and balancing lighter elements in the design.

Ultimately, combine lighter tones with natural wood finishes for a cosy yet airy look.

4. Vertical Storage Solutions to Optimise Space

When horizontal space is limited, vertical storage can be a game-changer. In your 2-room HDB flat, utilise walls and ceilings for storage while keeping the floor space clutter-free. You can also install floor-to-ceiling cabinets in the kitchen and bedroom. Incorporate floating shelves for books, décor, and kitchen essentials. Install functional elements throughout the home to optimise space such as hanging hooks or rails for utensils, coats, or even bicycles.

Looking for more ways to make the most of your limited space? Discover clever ideas like foldable furniture and multi-functional storage solutions in this comprehensive guide: Top 10 Space-Saving Tips & Ideas for your HDB BTO Flat.

5. Create a Functional Work-from-Home Space

With remote work becoming the norm, many 2-room flat owners need a dedicated workspace. This might be difficult to achieve in a small 2-room HDB but not impossible. You can design a compact, efficient home office that blends seamlessly with the overall decor. One way to achieve this is through an open concept design with glass partitions that can create a dedicated office space in the living room. You can even install a foldable or wall-mounted desk to save space when not in use. Remember to position the desk near a window for natural lighting and a view.

Moreover, incorporate storage solutions like pegboards or wall-mounted organisers to keep the area tidy.

6. Incorporate Smart Home Technology

Smart home devices can make a small Singapore 2-room HDB flat more efficient and convenient. You can use technology to control lighting, temperature, and security. Install smart lighting systems to create mood lighting and save energy. Also, invest in smart or digital locks for added security and convenience. Add a smart thermostat to maintain an ideal indoor climate while reducing energy bills.

7. Add Greenery to Brighten the Space

Plants can enhance your home’s aesthetics and air quality, especially in small spaces. For a 2-room HDB design idea, opt for low-maintenance indoor plants or vertical gardens. You can place small potted plants on floating shelves or windowsills. Use hanging planters to save space and consider self-watering pots for easier maintenance.

8. Personalise with Art and Decor

One interesting 2-room HDB interior design idea is to add a personal touch to your flat with artwork, photos, and decor elements that reflect your style. To achieve this, you can create a gallery wall in your living room with a mix of framed photos and art pieces. Use soft furnishings like throw pillows, rugs, and curtains in your favorite colours. Furthermore, incorporate decorative lighting, such as fairy lights or table lamps to bring the aesthetics to another level.

9. Use Sliding Doors to Save Space

Sliding doors take up less room than traditional swing doors and can be used for the bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. This is a space-saving 2-room HDB design idea where a sliding door can help conserve space. To make it even more practical, you can opt for frosted glass sliding doors for privacy while maintaining light flow. Or you can use barn-style doors for a trendy, rustic look. Ensure the sliding mechanism is smooth and durable for long-term use and convenience.

10. Maximise Natural Lighting

Natural lighting can make your flat look brighter and more inviting. It also reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day. Use sheer curtains or blinds to allow light while maintaining privacy. Avoid bulky furniture near windows to keep light unobstructed. Choose reflective surfaces like glossy tiles or glass décor to enhance brightness in your home.

Compact and Sophisticated 2-room HDB Renovation Ideas

Botanical Scandinavian Abode @ 31 Fernvale Road

Designed by Starry Homestead Pte Ltd, this Modern Scandinavian home has created a beautiful and charming home that makes the limited space appear spacious and wide and spacious. With simplicity, the entire house looks less visually cluttered, which gives it the illusion of a bigger space.

With a neutral colour scheme that mainly consists of shades of brown and white, the living room feels airy and roomy. The glossy marble flooring also helps to reflect more light and visually enhances the room further. Through wall art, it is another great opportunity to showcase your personality and interests in a different way. To match the botanical aesthetic, a series of leaf artworks is chosen as the living room’s primary accent.

A minimalistic and charming living room. For more information, take a look here.

The dining table, which is seamlessly attached to the wall, helps to draw a distinction between the living area and the dining area without requiring a physical divider. This is a clever way to mark the different boundaries of your home without having to add more pieces of furniture.

Along with the miniature potted plants, the use of wooden surfaces for the table, walls and countertops adds an element of nature to the 2-room HDB unit. It also infuses the home with a warm and cosy ambience so that it does not look plain or drab even with a simple aesthetic.

The dining table draws a distinction from the living area.

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Read also: Walls and Ceiling Cost Guide in Singapore

Simple Monochromatic Space @ Punggol

Designed by Beaux Monde Pte Ltd, this minimalist black and white-themed 2-room HDB resale flat boasts of a simple yet sophisticated style.

The alternating shelves above the TV add an extra layer of spatial depth to the living room. It makes use of the vertical space available so that the apartment looks wider and more spacious.

The dark furniture pieces set against the lighter coloured walls and floor helps to provide some contrast, adding visual weight and drawing attention to certain parts of the home.

The dark furniture pieces help to ground the living room space. For more information, take a look here.

The kitchen follows the black and white aesthetic closely by choosing a black cabinet with an affordable white countertop for a clean and sleek result. The black wooden cabinets produce a sense of harmony within the minimalistic kitchen while acting as great storage options.

The white cabinets set in the upper half of the kitchen also make efficient use of the vertical space available and improve the home’s storage capacities significantly.

Black cabinets and white countertops create a clean and sleek look.

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Buangkok Crescent

Another minimalist idea, this time by Neu Konceptz Pte Ltd, this HDB 2-room flat combines white, black and grey to create a timeless interior style that is not encumbered by the limited space it has.

The living room of this 2-room BTO unit features a sleek and stylish outlook, with white walls and black accents, as well as the grey wood flooring that adds texture to the home’s overall appearance. Contrastive accents are seen in the frame of the dining table and chairs, as well as the unique trapezoid pendant lamp. The presence of wood furnishings helps to add a sense of warmth to the living area.

The coffee table has been scaled down to a more compact size according to the dimensions of the living room. This makes a stylistic choice that prevents the living room from looking overly cluttered and disproportionate. This leaves space for the tall potted plant to take centre stage, adding a dash of colour and personality to this HDB 2-room flat.

A living room that is simple but classy. For more information, take a look here.

The living area leads up to the bedroom and is separated by an opaque sliding door. This is a stylish and space-efficient way to draw a physical boundary. Unlike traditional bedroom doors that swing outwards and need to lean against a wall, sliding doors have a compact and sleek design that serves the same purpose.

The implementation of an opaque sliding door gives more privacy between the two areas of the house while allowing the bedroom to remain convenient and accessible.

Sliding doors help to separate the living room and the bedroom.

The bathroom is modern and chic, with glossy white walls and dark wood cabinets to up the sophistication factor. Spreading a printed rug across the floor is a tried and tested way to add that much-needed textural oomph to a home.

The washroom sports a sleek and sophisticated look.

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Blk 46 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee

Designed by Butler Interior, this HDB 2-room flat has an Industrial Scandinavian renovation that adds a rustic charm to the apartment. The combination of dark furnishings, wood flooring and dashes of decorative green plants creates a grungey aesthetic that gives depth to the HDB 2-room apartment.

A strategically placed mirror in the living room helps to visually enhance the space further, as whatever is reflected inside becomes a physical extension of the space available.

A cosy and compact living room that makes weekend relaxation better. For more information, take a look here.

The bedroom is simplistic, yet this only adds to the home’s dark and gritty charm. The wardrobe helps to bump up the storage capacity of the HDB 2-room flat significantly, flaunting a one-of-a-kind handle style.

A simple wood headboard and matching bedside table keep the room simple, clean and spacious. When it comes to small bedrooms, it is often better to maintain the ‘less is more principle.

After all, the bedroom should be a relaxing space where you can rest, which definitely cannot be achieved if it were to be over cluttered with furniture.

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The bedroom carries over the dark and grunge aesthetic.

Read also: Bedroom Cost Guide in Singapore

Mid-Modern with Oriental Mix @ Blk 423 Clementi Ave 1

This project by The Concept Pte Ltd is a unique one that features a fusion between East and West influences. The dining table is characteristic of industrial-themed furniture with its bold outline and wood surface. The low coffee table draped over with a silk tablecloth makes the living room feel lavish and luxurious.

East meets West in this fusion HDB BTO premium 2-room unit.

Lighting plays a critical role in changing the mood of the space. For this bedroom, the mix of warm and cool lighting injects some vibrancy into the room.  Furnished with a complex animal-print bedspread, the bedroom is given a unique character. The ledge by the window has been converted into a display area for the oriental adornments, but can also be used as a cosy relaxation spot.

Choosing a quirky bedspread gives the bedroom a unique edge over the other areas of the house.

A novel feature of the kitchen lies in its angled wall cabinets. This creates the illusion of a more capacious area while remaining grounded by its dark exterior. Elevating these cabinets off the ground allows you to illuminate the base with light fittings, emitting a warm and homely feel.

The angled kitchen cabinets are eye-catching yet functional, giving the illusion of a bigger space.

Conclusion

From the above renovation ideas, it’s clear that no matter how small the space, it doesn’t mean it can’t be your dream home. An interior design idea doesn’t always have to be plain and unappealing.

When designing your 2-room HDB flat, work around the available space and learn to interweave your personal touch into the appearance of your home. After all, a home is made by the people who live in it. If you’d like to see more inspiration ideas for your HDB home, out Beautiful Homes for more HDB interior designs in Singapore today!

If you’re planning to renovate your HDB 2-room flat and want to work with professional kitchen interior designers, Homees can connect you with top-rated professionals. Check out their page dedicated to showcasing kitchen interior designers and browse through their portfolio of completed projects to find one that best matches your design preferences.