The ubiquitous bomb shelter: the dreaded section of any HDB when it comes to renovation. Disguising along with the overhead air vent can be a headache sometimes, but we’ve seen some incredibly creative ways Singaporeans have designed their bomb shelters.
But if you still are looking for a bomb shelter disguise inspiration, this might be it. Done by Blend by IMC, this Singaporean homeowners’ bomb shelter makeover is so good, it looks like it belongs in a cool cafe or artsy Japanese apartment.
Building a pegboard organiser for $4.5K
Image credit: MarcusL Photography
A brainchild inspired by the homeowners’ trips overseas, particularly to museums, cafes, and retail shops in Korea and Japan; the pegboard shelter would not look out of place adorning the walls of any of the establishments lining the hipster Nakazakicho district in Osaka. Pinterest played a part too, of course.
The plan to hide the bomb shelter actually went through a bunch of iterations, from fluted panels to a matte metallic foil facade. A major consideration was the husband’s hobby of tinkering, which necessitated a space for his tools.
They eventually settled on the pegboard for practical reasons, since having a pegboard means that none of the shelves are actually fixed in place. That way the homeowner could swap shelving positions, or change the layout on a whim without damaging the walls.
The homeowner shared that the $4.5K reno feature was actually quite challenging for the ID. This was because they needed to consider how secure the backing of the peg holes were so that they could bear heavier loads. They ended up having a weight limit of about 10-20kg for parts of the pegboard they could not have sufficient backing for, such as the bomb shelter door.
The pegboard was intentionally designed to extend across the entire bomb shelter and the adjacent wall to achieve an aesthetically pleasing look, as mentioned by the homeowner. The interior designer (ID) also took maintenance into account, creating holes on the side for easier vacuuming when dust starts to accumulate in the pegboard’s holes.
Japandi aesthetic with eclectic elements
The homeowners confessed that they didn’t start with a specific theme in mind for their renovation; they simply aimed for cosy vibes that steered clear of feeling like a showroom. What they ended up with was a home blending elements from various styles.
Image credit: MarcusL Photography
The Noren-style curtain on the study room entryway and the circular window in the kitchen looking out to the service yard certainly helped give the home a Japandi vibe.
Image credit: MarcusL Photography
Choosing the right wooden vinyl flooring proved to be a challenging decision for the homeowners. They noted that suppliers in Singapore typically offered vinyl in shades of yellow, grey, and dark walnut. It took some time before their interior designers found the perfect reddish tone they were looking for. Ultimately, the total renovation cost for this home came to $60K.
Image credit: MarcusL Photography
Besides the pegboard wall, the two other features the homeowners insisted on having were the aesthetic wood window frame partitions for the study, as well as the faux wooden beam that tastefully demarcates the study and hobby area from the rest of the house.
A hip Japandi BTO flat with a $4.5K pegboard bomb shelter
Functional homes don’t have to be boring, and just because you’re saddled with an ugly bomb shelter, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to bear with the eyesore forever. A touch of creative thinking and a modest budget can transform any space. The pegboard disguise is a prime example of how to inject personality into a bland area while providing a clever means to organize your belongings. This approach maintains the minimalist aesthetic that’s currently in vogue, proving that practical solutions can also be stylish.
For more innovative home reno ideas:
Cover image adapted from: MarcusL Photography
Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news.
