As one gets older, the home becomes an increasingly important place of respite. Rather than whiling away our time out on the town, we crave the solace of a home that’s too pretty to leave—that’s what drew us to this cosy yet rustic 4-room Sengkang HDB flat, which gives major cabin-in-the-woods vibes. And no, we’re not talking about the Chris Hemsworth movie.
Cosy & rustic HDB flat that resembles a modern cabin
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Thanks to the liberal use of wood throughout the apartment, helped along by a gorgeous view of nature from the living room, this 4-room Sengkang HDB flat designed by Insight.Out Studio looks like a modern cabin in the woods, albeit high in the sky.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Right off the bat, the living room reminds us of a posh cabin retreat out in a forest. From the curved bamboo-esque feature wall to the wooden ceiling and fan, every corner of the living room has been meticulously designed and decorated to create a cosy space that blends clean lines with nature.
The shoe cabinet is neatly hidden when the cupboard doors are closed.
Image adapted from: Insight.Out Studio
Upon walking in through the front door, you’ll be greeted by a sleek, built-in cupboard with cubbies that are perfectly sized for shoes. And because the material used is similar—if not the same—as the ceiling, the cupboard pretty much blends into the rest of the living room when you look at it, reducing visual clutter.
Next to the shoe cupboard is the feature wall that sits behind the television. Apart from serving as a false wall that hides messy wires and other assorted tech paraphernalia, the bamboo-esque surface also adds texture and visual interest to break up the monotony in a sea of light wood.
60s-inspired finishing touches providing a pop of colour
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
In lieu of a TV console, there’s a custom-built ledge right below the TV with enough space for tasteful decor or a PS5—same thing, really.
Mismatched living room furniture add a touch of personality to the space, and we’re particularly taken with the cheery, orange armchair and ottoman set. It also lends a 60s-inspired feel to the home, bolstered by the choice of retro-style lamps and lights that pepper the apartment.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Of note is the custom-made sideboard that sits on the other side of the living room, right below a textured black painting. According to interior designer Roy Zhuang, this custom piece was ingeniously created using leftover glass blocks and metal shelves.
“Floating” dining table
The living room blends into the dining area since it’s open-concept, but the two spaces look and feel separate thanks to the distinct difference in materials used. While the living area heavily favours lighter colours, the dining space uses dark, heavier woods to visually demarcate its territory.
Because the dining table matches the colour of the front door, the dark shade doesn’t look out of place at all.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
One end of the dining table is propped up by what looks to be an acrylic leg, creating the illusion of a semi-floating structure.
What looks like a planter built into the table is, in fact, a leafy plant in a fluted pot that’s the same colour as the table. Here again is another element that segues between the living and dining areas—the leaves providing that organic touch, and the black blending in with the dining set.
Of course, there’s also the softness that the plant brings to an otherwise static-looking home.
Look closely and you’ll notice that there’s a tissue holder that perfectly matches the dining table. Again, props to the designer’s attention to detail.
Behind the table stands another feature wall, this time separating the dining area from the kitchen. Although it looks like a breeze block divider, the wall is actually backed by a sheet of textured glass concealing recessed lights.
All-wood kitchen with custom carpentry
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
The door next to this feature wall leads to the all-wood kitchen which is small but mighty. Thanks to the copious built-in cabinetry, including a pull-out condiment rack, there’s plenty of room to stow away pots and pans and keep the place streamlined.
Image adapted from: Insight.Out Studio
Though hard to see at first glance, there are built-in vents on some of the cabinet doors to help maintain airflow where necessary. We also love how the appliances and fixtures, from the smoke hood to the light switches, are all pretty much colour-matched to achieve a neat look.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Also flanking the dining table, next to the kitchen entrance, is a statement mirror with a textured, wooden frame. The tan wood colour of the frame matches the entryway that leads to the toilet and rooms, while the mirror helps create the illusion of a bigger space.
Toilet with a mini garden
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Though we don’t get to see all the toilets in this house, the one that’s featured is plenty eye-catching. Once again, designer Roy Zhuang took the liberty of customising the space, bringing it to the next level by creating a mini garden behind the sink.
You might almost think you’re in a semi-open toilet with a full-length glass window overlooking a forest—it’s this mini garden that’s really solidified this apartment’s “cabin-in-the-woods” look, and we can’t believe that it’s a 4-room HDB flat in Singapore.
Even the sink is next-level—instead of a standard porcelain affair, the homeowners and designer chose a freestanding, futuristic metal contraption, producing an overall effect that reminds us of an experiential forest-themed art exhibit. Again, the heavy use of mirrors here makes the toilet feel and look much bigger than it really is.
Image adapted from: Insight.Out Studio
The shower room is just as stunning. Burnt umber blankets the walls in a coat of warmth, and the use of vertical subway tiles creates a chic look. Textured surfaces, strip lights, curved corners, and built-in shower cubby in one area of the shower further elevate the space.
Moody, toned-down bedrooms
Image adapted from: Insight.Out Studio
Although not much is shown about the bedrooms, what we can see creates a moody, sultry picture. Black, wooden panels and doors close off the space from the rest of the house, cocooning this section in relative peace and quiet.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
Interestingly, a snapshot of one room reveals children’s toys and what looks to be a kid-sized kitchen set. So, for aspiring aesthetes who want to have kids and a beautifully designed home without veering into “beige mum” territory, here’s your sign that it is indeed possible.
4-room Sengkang HDB reminiscent of a cabin in the woods
All in all, thanks to the meticulous attention to detail—from conscientious colour-matching to the creative variations in textures—what was once a regular 4-room HDB flat in Sengkang has been transformed into a modern, luxurious cabin.
Image credit: Insight.Out Studio
The gorgeous scenery seen from the large living room windows and balcony, coupled with the unexpected garden in the toilet, invites nature indoors and really cements that rustic, outdoorsy vibe for us, making this a home inspo that we’re definitely bookmarking for ourselves.
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Cover image adapted from: Insight.Out Studio
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