If you own a 3-room resale flat built between the 1950s and 1970s, you’re probably familiar with the rectangular floor plans that these flats come with. Spanning about 645 to 700sqft, that narrow layout can sometimes feel restrictive, and sometimes it seems like every flat looks the same.
We’ve rounded up 5 of the best older 3-room resale flats out there to inspire you.
1. $65,000: Monochromatic Eunos Crescent resale reno
Image credit: The Interior Lab
In this Eunos Crescent 3-room resale flat renovation by The Interior Lab, the typically narrow layout was opened up by knocking down the non-structural front bedroom wall, allowing natural light to flow more freely into the home. The $65,000 renovation covered extensive works including carpentry, tiling, feature walls, new flooring, hacking, plumbing, painting, false ceilings, and rewiring.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
By repurposing the bedroom into a TV room, the interior designers here have created an open entryway with a proper shoe storage and display area. A definite win for entryway feng shui, since the main door now opens to an uncluttered, welcoming space instead of the back of a sofa.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
And instead of completely giving up the idea of having a bedroom, the designers installed full-height glass sliding doors that can be closed off for privacy when needed. This thoughtful touch gives the homeowners flexibility, with the option to repurpose the space in the future.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
The dining table is seamlessly connected to the kitchen island, making it a practical setup for both cooking and hosting. Along one wall, recessed niches serve as subtle decorative focal points, adding depth and character without breaking the clean lines.
Overhead, a combination of simple track lights and a central pendant complements the pared-back aesthetic, reinforcing the modern, minimal theme of the home.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
This bedroom makes room for a compact wardrobe that feels like a walk-in, thanks to glass sliding doors and thoughtful lighting. Custom drawers and shelving maximise storage while keeping the space sleek and organised—an elevated touch for a 3-room HDB flat.
2. $53,000: Victorian luxe Eunos Crescent resale reno
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
This $53,000 Eunos Crescent 3-room resale flat renovation by The Local INN.terior keeps things clean and simple, but look closer and you’ll spot the bougie touches. The wainscoting on the walls instantly elevates the space, giving it that Victorian-inspired elegance without feeling too heavy.
Paired with crisp white walls and royal blue built-ins by the entryway, the flat strikes a balance between minimal and grand.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
The simple furnishings keep the space uncluttered, but the choice of textures and colours elevates the overall vibe, giving this 3-room HDB flat a polished, boutique feel.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
The kitchen carries through the home’s Victorian luxe theme with striking royal blue cabinetry paired against white marble-look countertops and backsplash.
Instead of going all out with carpentry, the designers kept things light with just bottom cabinets and a tall unit to hide the piping, so the kitchen doesn’t feel overly built-in. A white floating shelf adds a simple spot for decorative pots, while the black-and-white mosaic tiles underfoot pull the whole look together, giving this compact space a clean yet timeless finish.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
The same royal blue on the wardrobes, and with its shaker-style doors, it brings a hint of classic elegance while offering ample storage.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
3. $45,000: Soft Scandinavian Tampines Street 11 reno by Massing Design
Image credit: Massing Design
This $45,000 Tampines Street 11 resale flat renovation by Massing Design embraces a soft Scandinavian aesthetic that feels airy and inviting. Light wood tones and a neutral palette set the foundation, while sheer full-length curtains let in plenty of natural light, tricking the eye into thinking the windows are taller than they really are, and giving the living area a brighter, airier vibe.
While the living room keeps its usual 3-room HDB layout, what stands out here is how much larger the space feels. The recessed ceiling adds height, while the wall recesses create visual depth that makes the room look more expansive.
Image credit: Massing Design
Another standout feature in this flat is the small enclosed dining nook carved out from the living room. While it isn’t a large space, the addition of glass sliding doors and curtains creates a cosy, intimate setting for meals and small gatherings. The design keeps the area visually connected to the rest of the home, while still offering a sense of privacy and warmth.
Image credit: Massing Design
This bedroom proves you don’t need a huge space to feel comfy and practical. The creamy colour palette makes the whole room feel extra warm and cosy, while the wall-mounted TV saves precious floor space.
Image credit: Massing Design
Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes handle all the storage needs, and there’s even a small vanity nook neatly tucked at the side. Paired with the matching en-suite in the same tones, the whole setup feels homely, functional, and effortlessly stylish.
Image credit: Massing Design
4. $78,800: Industrial Ang Mo Kio man cave
Image credit: Ovon Design
Next on the list is this $78,800 Ang Mo Kio 3-room resale flat renovation by Ovon Design that has turned this home into a full-on industrial man cave.
Instead of following the usual playbook of hacking away a bedroom wall, the designers opened up the space between the living room and kitchen. This smart move stretches the flat visually, so when you walk in, your eyes take in the full length of the home at once. This effect is more dramatic than you’d imagine for such a narrow layout.
best 3 room resale reno – industrial AMK 2Image credit: Ovon Design
The industrial vibe of this flat really comes through with the concrete-effect finish applied across both the walls and ceiling. It gives the space a raw, edgy character while still feeling cohesive.
In terms of lighting, track lights keep things simple, casting just the right amount of glow to highlight the textures. With barely-there furniture and just a few plants, the space feels roomy, raw, and seriously stylish.
Image credit: Ovon Design
The fluted glass main door is a smart touch, letting natural light filter in while still maintaining privacy. Carpentry here is kept minimal with slim shoe cabinets built along the wall, which also double up to create a window sill perfect for extra storage or for displaying a few decorative pieces.
Image credit: Ovon Design
In the kitchen, the highlight is a central island fitted with both a sink and induction stove top. This setup not only anchors the space but also makes cooking and entertaining more seamless.
Image credit: Ovon Design
Meanwhile, the original kitchen area has been reworked into a sleek dry pantry with open shelving and concealed storage, perfect for prepping drinks or stashing appliances. Together, the two zones create a practical yet stylish layout that makes full use of the flat’s narrow footprint.
5. $52,000: Modern Scandi Saint George Road reno with unique layout
Image credit: Nest & Nook
This 3-room resale flat takes on a semi open-concept layout, with the space reconfigured into a large living area, a short corridor leading to the kitchen, and a wider bedroom and home office sitting side by side.
Notice the interior window in the home office?
Image credit: Nest & Nook
From the living room, you get a clear view straight into the bedroom thanks to full-height glass sliding doors. This semi open-concept layout makes the flat feel brighter and more spacious, while still allowing the bedroom to be closed off with curtains when privacy is needed. Warm wood flooring and touches of greenery soften the darker palette, giving the home a homey modern feel.
Image credit: Nest & Nook
Usually, carving out a walk-in wardrobe means sacrificing an entire bedroom, but this resale 3-room flat shows how you can still fit one in a narrow rectangular layout. By cleverly integrating the wardrobe corridor between the en-suite bathroom and the bedroom, the homeowners created a functional walk-in space without compromising too much on room size.
The glass partitions keep everything visually connected, while the en-suite bathroom adds to the sense of a private master suite—making the flat feel more like a condo than an HDB.
Make the most of rectangular 3-room resale layouts
At the end of the day, older HDB 3-room resale flats may come with compact, rectangular layouts, but that doesn’t mean they’re short on potential. With the right renovation ideas, these flats can be transformed into homes that feel both modern and personal.
Read our other articles here:
- Best open-concept 3-room HDB layouts
- Beginner-friendly feng shui plants
- CDC vouchers explained: for landlord or tenant?
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