$31K Renovation Budget 5-Room HDB Mid-Century & Eclectic
1832
Virtual House Tour
- Mid-Century Modern
- HDB (Resale)
- ~1,100 sqft
- 3 br
- Couple Living
Hey Hipvan Community! 🎉 For our third post in the Hipvan Community Ambassador Program Season 7, we’re thrilled to take you on a quick tour of our 5-room HDB flat. 
Here's the floor plan, highlighting the key changes (in purple color) we made—like built-ins and knockdowns—to create a space that truly reflects our lifestyle. Our goal? To design a home that feels functional, personal, and stylish, all while keeping renovation costs in check. Let’s dive right in! 
Kicking off the tour at the entrance to our apartment—a space that sets the tone for everything inside. We’ve designed it with a focus on both privacy and aesthetics, blending practical features with subtle design elements. Here, you’ll find a black gate with fluted glass panels. This choice gives us the perfect balance of privacy while still letting natural light stream into the apartment. The textured glass adds an elegant touch, creating a sense of openness without compromising on security. It also gives visitors a sneak peek of the style that awaits inside, without revealing too much. 
Once you step inside, the entryway welcomes you with a sleek, built-in shoe cabinet to your right, tucked neatly into a custom-made niche. 
This cabinet not only keeps the space organized but also ensures that clutter stays hidden, maintaining the clean, minimalist vibe we love. We’ve chosen a smooth finish for the cabinetry to match the apartment’s overall aesthetic and no handles to inject a bit of character. To keep things practical, the niche also serves as a convenient spot to place keys, sunglasses, or small essentials—everything you need when you’re heading out the door in a rush. The entryway isn’t just about appearances—it’s also a transition zone. We’ve designed it to give ourselves a moment to breathe before stepping fully into the living area. Whether it's kicking off shoes after a long day or grabbing small essentials on the way out, this space makes life a little smoother and more enjoyable. This thoughtfully curated entryway serves as the perfect prelude to the rest of the home, blending practicality, style, and a dash of personality—just like the rooms beyond it. Our living room embraces a dark, moody palette, inspired by mid-century modern design. Think deep tones, dark wooden textures, and statement pieces that ground the space in warmth and elegance. It's where we love to wind down after a long day or host friends over for a chill evening. We’ve layered in soft ambient lightings, rich wood accents, and a dark leather sofa to create an inviting vibe. The space also features curated decor, including art, toys, books, vinyl records and subtle design touches that reflect our love for creativity. It’s moody yet cozy, the perfect spot for binge-watching shows or unwinding with a glass of wine. 
A gallery of our favorite artist-designed skateboards adds a nostalgic twist, while colorful lamps and neon lights scattered throughout inject an eclectic, playful energy. In stark contrast to the living room’s dark tones, our kitchen takes on a bright, minimalist approach. The all-white built-in cabinets provide ample storage while maintaining an uncluttered, airy look. Every element is thoughtfully chosen to prioritize both style and practicality. 
At the heart of this space is a compact electric stove that fits perfectly into the design—small in size but a powerhouse in function. Whether it’s a quick breakfast or a cook out session, this kitchen works as hard as we do. The countertops are kept clean and open, reflecting the simplicity we aim for in this part of our home. Our dining room is the heart of everyday gatherings—a space designed to be functional, welcoming, and seamlessly integrated into our home’s overall aesthetic. Positioned between the moody living room and minimalist kitchen, the dining area strikes a balance, tying both spaces together with subtle elements from each style. We opted for a clean-lined dining table made from dark wood, embracing mid-century modern simplicity while adding a touch of coziness to the room. Surrounding it are sleek dining chairs, matching the darker tones of the living area. This helps maintain the design flow while giving the room its own identity. A simple pendant light hangs above the table, casting a soft, warm glow that makes the space feel intimate—whether it’s for weekday dinners or weekend brunches with friends. The open layout of the dining area makes it a great transition point between the living room and kitchen. It’s the perfect spot to host friends, enjoy family meals, or even work remotely on a laid-back afternoon. With a mix of natural textures and thoughtful design, the dining room brings a little bit of everything together—form, function, and a lot of personal charm. 
We believe a bedroom should be a place of peace, so we’ve kept the master bedroom simple and serene. The decor is minimal, featuring only the essentials—a comfortable bed, soft linens, and bedside lighting to set the perfect mood for relaxation. By limiting the visual clutter, we’ve ensured that this room remains a tranquil retreat from the outside world. After all, this space is all about sleep, rest, and recharging—and we’ve designed it to reflect exactly that. 
Sometimes, the best renovation is no renovation at all. That’s the approach we took with our bathroom—leaving it close to the original design. Its simple layout and fixtures still serve us well, proving that not every space needs a major overhaul to feel just right. Our home studio is where things get really personal. As music lovers and collectors, this room is designed to inspire creativity. The ceilings are acoustically treated to provide optimal sound quality, making it the perfect spot for late-night jam sessions or recording projects. The decor reflects our passion for collecting art toys and quirky memorabilia, built up over the years. A DJ console takes center stage, turning this room into a versatile space—equal parts creative playground and personal sanctuary. Whether we’re mixing tracks or displaying our latest collectibles, this studio always feels like a reflection of who we are. Our home isn’t just about design—it’s a reflection of who we are. It’s where we express our passions, from art, toy collecting to music collecting, and where each room tells a story of its own. Through thoughtful design choices and a little creativity, we’ve crafted a space that balances form and function, with every corner serving a purpose. Stay tuned for more posts as we continue sharing the spaces and stories that make our home uniquely ours!
- 14 October
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