The evolution of social media has exposed its users to a lot of things and this includes luxury, trends, and style. That is why in recent memory, more and more people have been interested in interior design, fit-outs, and home remodeling regardless of their actual careers. 

However, more often than not, majority of those posting on their social media pages have big houses or condominium units to show for. But did you know that even an HDB can have an Instagram worthy revamp? If you have an HDB or you’re planning to acquire one soon, here are some tips you can follow to have a luxurious looking HDB flat. 

Improve your Lightings 

Even if you don’t do it on purpose, lightings can actually already make a statement. Hanging lamps, chandeliers, and pendant lamps are obvious choices that really gives emphasis and style to your place. 

Get this look: Gonjannor Minimalist Sticks and Balls Pendant Lamp 

For your living room, an elegant looking hanging lamp can do the trick. 

Image Credit: Home Reno Guru, Starry Homestead 

For your dining area, you may use pendant lamps and hang them low for a classy looking vibe. 

Image Credit: Renonation 

See this look: Tanja Elegant Lux Windmill Sticks Hanging Lamp

Get this here: Gasurin Glass Round Globe Pendant Lamp

At the same time, you may also opt for recessed lighting through LED pinlights. Despite its simplicity, it still gives an elegant feel especially when placed and spaced correctly. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, Spacemakers Interior Design 

With humidity and ventilation as impending HDB issues in Sunny Singapore, ceiling fans are still a go-to for many. It’s still in style and it also serves its function. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, Design 4 Space

Kitchen Islands

When one envisions a dream home, more often than not, there is a place for kitchen islands. Although kitchen islands require a lot of space, it doesn’t mean that it is not a possible feature for your aspired luxurious looking HDB. 

Image Credit: Look Box Living, Home Journal 

First and foremost, given the limited area in your flat, you have to come to terms that your kitchen island will most probably be your dining table as well. Instead of another table, your kitchen island will serve as a multifunctional table and also a separator between your kitchen and other parts of your flat. 

Image Credit: Home and Décor SG

Although some HDBs have significantly bigger areas where a dining table can still be inserted, it’s highly recommended not to. There’s nothing wrong with having a 2-in-1 dining table and kitchen island. If you still want to pursue a kitchen island while still having a separate dining table, then go for it. You just need careful planning and ensure you still allot plenty of  space for proper movement around your kitchen. 

Image Credit: Look Box Living, The Orange Cube 

The countertop gives luxury to your kitchen island. Invest on it. Granite and Quartz may be expensive but it is long lasting and it completes the look of your dream kitchen/dining. 

Image Credit: ORACORP Construction 

Accent Walls 

There’s always a debate whether size matters or not. In this case, it’s both. Having a bigger area and more spacious place can more easily imply luxury. But if it’s not possible, then don’t dwell on the issue. There’s one solution – accent walls. 

Accent walls somehow tricks a person’s mind that there’s more to the home than there actually is. It’s like suddenly being in a different dimension in the house. Accent walls can be placed anywhere in your home. Whether it be in the living room, hallways, bedroom, etc. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, ID Gallery Interior

Furthermore, it’s very aesthetically pleasing. It creates a different ambiance and accentuates the space, especially if you use patterns and shapes. You may also use this particular wall to express yourself and show your personality. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, The Alchemists Design 

There are different accent walls that you can explore. As shown above, fluted panels usually in PVC or actual wood can be used. Other ideas include industrial finished walls, bricks, tiles, marble finished walls, mouldings, etc.  

Image Credit: Renopedia, AC Vision Design 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Key Concept 

The simplest and more affordable accent wall that you can do is to simply change the colour of a particular wall. All you need is a different colour palette apart from your actual wall colour and you already have an accent wall. Choosing the right colour combination could separate an ordinary wall to a luxurious looking accent wall. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Third Avenue Studio 

Don’t Forget the Toilet and Bath 

One place in a home usually taken for granted but can actually make the biggest difference is the toilet and bath. To have a luxurious looking HDB, pay attention to every detail. Sometimes, even the smallest ones matter. 

Image Credit: Renonation, Make Room 

For your tiles, white, grey, or beige are highly recommended. Even small T&B’s will look bigger with light colored tiles. Grey on the other hand just gives a luxurious feel especially Shale Grey tiles of around 60cmx30cm, 60cmx60cm, or 100cmx100cm in size. 

Image Credit: Renonation, House of Chais

Your bathroom fixtures should also be nice. You don’t need the high tech ones with remote control, just choose big toilets. Also if possible, install cabinets under the sink. Your sink can also be designed as above counter for a hotel-looking finish. Glass shower enclosures are also highly recommended. Finally, give priority to your shower. Rainfall showers can look luxurious, plus it’s highly functional and you can really benefit from it. 

Image Credit: Renopedia 

At some point in time, bath tubs could have probably been everyone’s dream. It may really define luxury in two words. HDBs though, rarely come with bath tubs. With this, you really should be willing to spend and consider adding bath tubs to your design and floor plan. 

Image Credit: Renopedia 

Walk in Closet

When luxurious homes are envisioned, hotels especially the highly touted ones or the hotel suites are at the top off the head. These fancy hotel rooms usually boast walk in closets or walk-in wardrobes. Hence, this is something your HDB should have if you want to complete your luxurious looking HDB home. 

There are many tips you may follow to achieve the perfect walk in closet. 

What You Can Put on the Closet Matters the Most

If your walk in closet looks luxurious but it isn’t actually maximized, do you think you have achieved your goal? Most probably, not. When designing your walk in closet, make sure to envision all the things you will be putting inside it. Is there a spot for your socks and undergarments? How about your make-up and kits? Are the mirrors enough for your need? Are your clothes well hanged and are still neat? How about your hats or caps? These are just some of the questions you may ask yourself so you can come up with a good closet design. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, Letz Interior

Glass Doors or Mirrors Make Them Think There’s More

Mirrors can make your walk-in-closet look more spacious. Furthermore, it tricks the eye to think that there’s more to see despite the size. Of course, the most notable benefit of having mirror doors is that it becomes multi-functional; aesthetics aside, it will always serve as a mirror for your vanity and daily beautification routine. 

Proper Color Palette

The color of your walk in closet is a matter of choice – either choose one single color or use an accent color to highlight a particular part. With the former, you can have a more harmonious and cohesive look. It’s an interior design trick and it will make your space seem bigger. The former on the other hand can be a bit challenging as having a feature wall may make a small area like a walk in closet seem even smaller. But this is not impossible. You just have to be creative if you really want this look. 

Image Credit: Home Reno Guru SG, Sky Creation

Improve your Walk in Closet with Lightings

Wall lamps, track lights, and under cabinet lights are the more common go-to. With these three, you can almost never go wrong. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, The Interior Lab Pte Ltd 

If your design include a table and chair for your walk in closet, you may place two wall lamps on opposite sides of the table. 

Under cabinet lights through strip lights or linear bulbs can also add a luxurious feel to your walk in closet. This is actually much better for glass cabinets. Put lights on each partition to highlight your bags, watches, perfumes, and other worthy items for display. 

Making your HDB look luxurious sure can drain your minds as it requires creative thinking. Frankly, it may even drain your budget somehow. But come to think of it, if you just consider it as an investment instead of an expense, you will actually realize that it is worth it. As they say, invest in yourself. Your home is where you spend a chunk of your time thus it is something you should be investing in. Who knows, maybe when you finally come up with your luxurious HDB, you may finally stop checking-in hotels or airbnbs for staycation and just stay at the comfort of your own cozy home. You may even be more production on a daily basis as you end up inspired given a better environment at home.