Shows like Tiny House Nation and Dream Home Makeover always have us swooning over amazing 180-degree home transformations. Most of us then also automatically assume that renovations of that scale come with high five- to six-figure price tags, and are well out of the leagues of us ordinary plebs.
If you’ve ever thought about revamping your entire flat, but can’t bear to dip too far into your hard-earned savings, these six home renovations under $25,000 are living proof that you can get your home goals with a tighter budget.
1. Scandinavian with dark accents
Image credit: Mr Designer Studio
The beauty of Scandinavian design is simplicity is key. This means you don’t necessarily have to make dramatic changes to your home for it to fit the bill. A neutral colour palette with wooden elements can easily give your home the nordic touch, but if run-of-the-mill isn’t you, then take a leaf out of the book of this $25,000 overhaul by Mr Designer Studio.
Image credit: Mr Designer Studio
Not your typical Scandinavian look, this resale flat on Kang Ching Road embraces a little industrial style as well with its exposed electrical trunking, dark kitchen and grey feature walls.
Real wood can often hike your reno bill up a fair bit, so if you’re looking to achieve the Scandi warmth without breaking the bank, you can opt for super realistic vinyl wood flooring and wood-looking vinyl laminate wraps for your cabinet and room doors. Maintenance-wise, it’s a win since vinyl is easier to maintain as compared to traditional wood.
Cost of transformation: $25,000
2. Monochrome with a twist
Image credit: Starry Homestead
If you’re on a really tight budget and think that it’s impossible to revamp your space with anything under $20,000, this monochromatic haven by Starry Homestead is here to prove you wrong. Black and white may sound boring on paper, but punctuate these with Peranakan tiles and brick walls for a pop of dimension and texture and you’ll be surprised how much character you’ll be able to achieve.
Image credit: Starry Homestead
The home also features a glass-enclosed study that brings more natural light into the room, and gives the illusion of a bigger living space.
Cost of transformation: $15,000
3. Japanese street-eclectic
Image credit: 9 Creation
If you’re a huge fan of Japan and all things Japanese, then this transformation will be right up your alley. For this home makeover in Clementi, the owners kept most of the original layout of their BTO flat, mainly using Japanese paraphernalia as decorative items to nail the Japanese street-eclectic brief.
We love how the concrete treatment on the walls and the brightly painted pipe and fridge come together to give the kitchen a quirky look. If you’re looking to renovate smartly, identifying statement furniture and appliances at pre-reno stage can help you better visualise how your home will turn out and the magnitude of reno that is needed.
Image credit: 9 Creation
Step into the bathroom for an even bigger surprise: Japanese posters plastered over almost every inch of black wall. This makes the colourful posters standout even more, creating a real back-alley izakaya vibe. It’s also reminiscent of a retro Japanese arcade, with the use of ventilation-esque lights teleporting you right back to the 90s.
Image credit: 9 Creation
If you’re wondering why the cost of this reno still exceeds $20,000, it’s probably due to the built-in wardrobe. These can cost upwards of $1,500 demanding on the size and configuration of drawers.
Cost of transformation: $23,000
4. Vintage vibes
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
If opening a tin of Danish Butter Cookies and finding your grandma’s sewing kit can be encapsulated into a design choice, then this vintage style flat is definitely it. Looking straight out of the Victorian era, this home reno goes over the top with patterned wallpaper around the entire house, chandeliers, and even an ornate mock fireplace to give this home atas vibes.
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
More is more with this ostentatious theme, with no shortage of chandeliers, velvet and gold accents in the bedrooms as well.
Cost of transformation: $25,000
5. Modern industrial
Image credit: Absolook Interior Design
Walking into this Toa Payoh flat, you’d be hard pressed to believe that the cost of the entire renovation only amounted to $18,000. Considering that the amount takes into account the costs of the false ceiling, installation of multiple feature walls and carpentry work, the final product is definitely a win in our books.
Instead of using actual concrete slabs with rivets, the interior designers used industrial-style wallpaper to give the home rugged elements whilst keeping costs low.
Image credit: Absolook Interior Design
The application of full-length mirrors in the dining area help to create the illusion of a larger space.
Cost of transformation: $18,000
6. Hello Kitty themed
Image credit: Design 4 Space
This one’s for the Sanrio lovers in the house. There’s a fine line between gaudy and great, and this themed home transformation is definitely on the awe-inspiring side. The home’s palette of pastel pink and white paired with the light wooden flooring help to brighten up the home by reflecting as much light as possible whilst keeping in line with the theme.
We especially like the ingenuity of a statement wall featuring the outline of Hello Kitty’s visage that extends from the floating TV console that sets the tone for the entire house.
Image credit: Design 4 Space
A mixture of pastel pink, wood and marble are used in areas such as the kitchen to bring more dimension to the home.
Cost of transformation: $20,000
Bonus: Farmhouse style with an elegant touch & Modern Boho
Image credit: Absolook
Many of us city-dwellers have yet to experience countryside living for ourselves, but we can still recreate that rustic comfort by incorporating elements of farmhouse style into our contemporary homes. You don’t need to go full blown farmhouse either, the simple addition of barnhouse doors to conceal the entrances to rooms or even your bomb shelter goes a long way to elevate the look and feel of your home.
Cost of transformation: $30,000
Image credit: Qanvast
Modern boho is also another highly coveted style this year, and this home reno shows us it’s very possible to incorporate dark wood elements, gold accents and wooden fluted panels in your home’s design without racking up too much in the cost department.
Cost of transformation: $28,000
Budget HDB transformations for you to get inspired
Home is not just a place where to return to sleep after a long day at work. It’s also our pride and joy and a reflection of our individual personalities. For those on tight budgets looking to give their home the makeover it deserves, these HDB transformations will serve as inspiration and proof that your vision can still be realised on the cheap.
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