Since maisonettes stopped being constructed in 1995, they’ve become rare HDB gems. And understandably, finding one for purchase in your location of choice is like striking the lottery. Maisonettes are often coveted for their expansive floor space that outshines most 5-room flats and their landed property vibes.
So we sussed out this list of stunning maisonettes from a pastel-themed home with an indoor climbing wall for kids to one with a Harry Potter-esque library to convince you to start looking for one of your own.
1. Pastel-Scandinavian
Image credit: Jacelyn Tan
As far as maisonettes go, homeowner Jacelyn Tan’s Pastel-Scandinavian home has managed to capture both aesthetics and functionality. While some use their maisonette’s yard space as a laundry area, Jacelyn took the opportunity to work with her ID, The 80s Studio, to realise her vision of having a play area with a 3M rock wall for her children to go wild.
The home’s two bathrooms, both in distinct pastel-Scandi styles.
Image credit: Jacelyn Tan
You’ll find the use of pastel, terrazzo, marble and light-coloured wood to be a running theme throughout the house from the main living room to the bathrooms.
2. Minimalist with a bright, airy feel
Image adapted from: TMMI
Since Marie Kondo came into the picture, minimalism has been all the rage but this maisonette design takes the idea to the next level. From glass railings to white and black furniture, this home in Cashew presents a classy take on minimalism with a clean, neutral palette.
Image adapted from: TMMI
As with other maisonettes, the high ceiling of the yard space can sometimes present a challenge to homeowners and IDs. But for this family, the yard space was converted into an open-air balcony with timber decking to create resort vibes and the illusion of an outdoor patio.
3. Sleek industrial look with dark wood and black accents
Image credit: The Interior Lab
In an alternate reality where Bruce Wayne lived in an HDB maisonette, this would be his home. This particular project marries rugged industrial with modern contemporary to give you a home that nails the man cave brief with a tonne of understated elegance.
Unlike your usual L-shape maisonette kitchens, this home features a glass-partitioned kitchen area with statement black cabinetry, a black herringbone tiled backsplash and a standalone black marble waterfall kitchen island as the centrepiece.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
True to the industrial theme, the rest of the home features concrete finishes, industrial light fixtures, exposed electrical conduits and a mesh staircase railing.
4. Japanese zen themed
Image credit: @syncinterior, @syncinterior
For this family, flying to Japan isn’t the only way to get a taste of authentic Japanese vibes. Thanks to Eric Chua at Sync Interior, this maisonette was transformed into the ultimate Japanese inn. Drawing inspiration from sushi bars, Eric sourced decorative pieces from Japan such as sake barrels to legitimise the theme.
To maintain a modern look in the midst of the traditional setting, the staircase balustrade was designed to be more minimalist and clean. With a good balance between Japanese and contemporary design, this home definitely makes you feel like you’re stepping foot into a modern-day ryokan.
Image credit: @syncinterior
In true Japanese fashion, the home is lined with tatami mats imported from Japan and holds zaisu chairs – a type of Japanese floor chair made with proper back support. As if that wasn’t enough, Sync Interior went above and beyond with the bedroom screens for an authentic look that also allows natural light to flood in.
5. Modern Bali themed
This home also features an in-built aquarium as a feature partition to separate the kitchen from the living room
Image credit: K O Z É
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve revisited Bali, but step into this Modern Bali-themed maisonette, and you might just be convinced you’re no longer in Singapore. This maisonette overhaul by K O Z É comprises a dry pantry, wet kitchen, guest-room-cum-play-room, and a functional yard area that pulls double duty as a patio.
Image credit: K O Z É
Image adapted from (L-R): K O Z É, K O Z É
Other highlights of the home include its Moroccan-style stairwell skylight and the vertical plant wall in the service yard to bring nature into the home.
6. “Harry Potter” vibes with library feature
Image credit: @thelocalinnterior
Another example of how to utilise a maisonette’s high service yard ceiling is to convert it into a library. When Kamal and Sri first moved into their home, they were presented with a unique renovation challenge which was this curved corner of their home.
While most may scratch their heads wondering how to configure the space, this couple decided to convert it into a cosy corner for her daughters to read which led to their interior designer, The Local INNterior, constructing a customised 5.5M-tall bookcase.
Accompanied by the dark colour scheme and brick walls, this library feature adds to the home’s modern twist on medieval design, recreating some major ‘Harry Potter’ vibes.
Image credit: The Local INNterior
The Local INNterior also helped the couple achieve an aesthetic reminiscent of cafes like Starbucks and Coffee Smith, cafes which their family frequents.
7. Luxe NYC-style apartment
Image credit: Fineline Design
One way to utilise a maisonette’s larger space is to have a kitchen island. Not only does this give you more counter space for cooking, it also adds another communal area for family bonding.
Decked in contemporary fixtures like bar stools, black statement lights, and black mosaic under-counter tiles, the interior design company Fineline Design managed to transform this kitchen into one that looks straight out of an NYC apartment.
Image credit: Fineline Design
The living room also features contemporary styling with a sleek built-in sunken feature TV wall console, and a cleverly carved out nook for work.
Top-tier HDB maisonette designs
Service yards with endless potential to the more than 1,500 sqft of floor space, maisonettes offer endless possibilities for your dream home. Whether you’re wistfully scrolling through images of stunning maisonettes or preparing to move into a new space, these design ideas are sure to give you new renovation goals to work towards.
Cover image adapted from: @syncinterior, Uchify, The Interior Lab
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