3-room HDB BTOs and resale flats are a top choice for many prudent DINKS who want to avoid being saddled with debt. But 645 to 700sqft doesn’t always leave you with a lot of room for free play.
That’s where the open-concept living space comes in. When executed right, an open-concept 3-room HDB reno doesn’t just make your home feel double the size, it also improves overall functionality for daily life, whether playing host to guests or simply having more visual space.
To give you some inspo, here are 5 open-concept 3-room HDB reno ideas that prove you don’t need a jumbo flat to live large.
1. $50,000: Eclectic Eunos Court reno by Fifth Avenue Interior
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
Who says 700sqft is not enough space to be creative? This eclectic Eunos Court reno by Fifth Avenue Interior flips the script with a bold, quirky concept that makes full use of its open-concept layout. Instead of relying on walls to separate spaces, the home cleverly uses colour blocking and distinct tile choices to define different zones.
The living room, dining, and kitchen flow seamlessly into one another, yet each space feels unique thanks to the playful palette. The mustard yellow entryway pops against pastel blue cabinetry, while the bold red checkerboard detail above the TV area instantly frames the living space. Even the flooring is thoughtfully planned, with tiled sections visually carving out zones whilst maintaining an airy, open feel throughout.
The kitchen design here is especially noteworthy. A slim galley layout that still manages to feel spacious thanks to its clean lines and calming pastel blue cabinetry.
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
What’s clever is how the central island doubles as a natural divider, with doors on either side leading to different parts of the home. This setup not only keeps the kitchen as the heart of the flat but also adds flow to the overall layout, letting movement around the house feel intuitive and fuss-free.
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
2. $115,000 New Upper Changi Road modern cave core by Plush Interior Design
Image credit: Plush Interior Design
The second open-concept 3-room HDB flat on our list, is this gorgeous modern cave core reno by Plush Interior Design. It nails the “modern cave” aesthetic to a T thanks to its textured limewash walls in a warm beige, giving the entire space a soft, cocoon-like feel.
Image credit: Plush Interior Design
In classic open-concept fashion, the wall between the living room and first bedroom has been hacked to visually enlarge the living and dining area into one spacious zone.
The designers didn’t stop there either. Bi-fold fluted glass doors were installed between the living and bedroom, allowing the entire area to be opened up completely. The result? A flexible, studio-like home that feels airy and connected.
Image credit: Plush Interior Design
3. $60,000: Warm Scandinavian resale reno by Darwin Interior
Image credit: Darwin Interior
This $60,000 resale reno by Darwin Interior takes the Scandinavian look we all know—light wood, clean lines, white walls—and adds a heavy dose of warmth, making it the kind of Scandi style that feels like home after a long day, not just a page from a design catalogue.
Image credit: Darwin Interior
What really makes this open-concept 3-room HDB reno stand out are the details that add visual depth. Three wall sconces line one side of the living-dining area, acting as a subtle focal point that breaks up the monotony of flat walls while casting a gentle glow.
The addition of a circular ceiling alcove that mimics natural daylight pouring in is pure genius, as it creates a soft glow over the entire kitchen.
Image credit: Darwin Interior
Instead of yet another white wall, the homeowners & IDs opted to mount seamless floor-to-ceiling glass mirrors along the exterior wall of the only remaining bedroom, cleverly expanding the space and creating the illusion of a much larger home.
4. $60,000: Contemporary pastel Lorong 1 Toa Payoh reno by Free Space Intent
Image credit: Free Space Intent
Somehow this next open-concept reno reminds us of the home of a chaebol heiress. The kind who spends her days lounging elegantly, looking rich, and occasionally playing the piano for effect.
Image credit: Free Space Intent
The pastel-toned living and dining area by Free Space Intent strikes the perfect balance between playful and polished. The designers leaned into contrasting colours and textures to build visual depth, while the glossy marble flooring doesn’t just elevate the luxe vibe, it also bounces light around the room, making the home feel even larger than it is.
Image credit: Free Space Intent
This home takes “soft luxury” quite literally with its not-so-subtle curves guiding you from one space to the next. One of the standout features here is the elevated open recreational room, which feels like a stage for both work and play. Instead of sticking to a bulky TV console, the designers opted for a sleek rotating TV mounted on a pole, acting as a clever partition between two “zones”.
Image credit: Free Space Intent
5. Undisclosed: Boutique hotel-esque resale reno by The Local INN.terior
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
This monochromatic open-concept 3-room HDB reno by The Local INN.terior makes you feel as though you’ve just checked into a chic boutique hotel in Bangkok. The living area sets the tone with its minimalist TV wall and raw industrial ceiling, balanced by streamlined built-ins.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
The curved wall that flows into the living area introduces a sculptural softness, balancing out the raw, industrial lines. The first bedroom wall was also hacked away, making space for a sleek home office that blends seamlessly into the open layout.
Every room is stripped down to essentials, but the clever layering of textures and lighting keeps it far from feeling stark.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
Moving into the bedroom, things take on a more intimate feel: a platform bed anchored with subtle floor lighting and a backlit recess behind the headboard, creating both visual interest and a calming glow.
Fluted glass doors and partitions bring in light while keeping the monochromatic theme consistent across the home.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
Best open-concept 3-room HDB reno ideas
Whether it’s through colour blocking, curved walls, or smart hacks like a rotating TV, these gorgeous 3-room HDB homes prove that open-concept layouts can completely transform the look and feel of a flat.
For Singaporean homeowners, it’s a reminder that even a modest 3-room flat can be reimagined into something bold, personal, and totally unique.
What to know about hacking walls in your HDB flat?
Take a good, hard look at your home’s blueprint. Structural, or load-bearing, walls are a no-go since they hold up the building’s weight. The ones you can safely hack are non-load bearing walls, usually thinner, but only after approval from HDB.
You’ll also need a HDB-registered contractor to carry out a structural evaluation and apply for the necessary permits on your behalf. And as for cost, be prepared: hacking a single wall costs around $40–$60 per foot run, and more extensive works can easily hit $2,000 to $5,000. Always discuss your plans with your ID and contractor first, so you know what’s possible and what’s off-limits. Read our full guide on HDB wall hacking.
Read our other articles here:
- Best 2-room HDB renovations in Singapore
- 3-room HDB renovations under $40K
- Rent a 3-room flat from as little as $400/month
Cover image adapted from: Fifth Avenue Interior, The Local INN.terior, Darwin Interior, Free Space Intent
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