If you own an older 3-room resale flat, chances are you might have a utility room tucked away in your home. First introduced in the 1960s and 1970s in slab and “Improved” HDB blocks, the utility room was later included in some executive flats as part of upgrading programmes designed to enhance functionality and convenience.
These small yet practical rooms were placed at the back of the flat, serving as dedicated spaces for everyday tasks like laundry, cleaning, and tool storage. By keeping these chores separate from the main living areas, the utility room offered a simple yet effective solution for a more organised home.
Image credit: Comfort Home Interior
Over time, newer HDB designs phased out dedicated utility rooms. Flats became more compact, layouts shifted toward open-plan kitchens and living areas, and functions like laundry and storage were moved to balconies or integrated service yards.
Utility rooms are usually used as storage (left), while service yards are usually used for laundry (right).
Image credit: 123home, U-Home Interior Design
Even though utility rooms aren’t built into new flats anymore, the ones in older HDBs can be so much more than just laundry or storage. With a bit of creativity, they’ve been turned into walk-in wardrobes, work corners, and even cosy extensions of the living space. We’ve rounded up some of the best real-life ideas to inspire you on how to make the most of yours.
Marine Crescent: walk-in wardrobe
Image credit: SHE Interior
This sleek walk-in wardrobe by SHE Interior is part of a $90,000 renovation for a 3-room flat at Marine Crescent. The converted utility room has been redesigned into a functional dressing area, featuring open shelving for folded clothes, a hanging rod for jeans, and ample storage space.
The converted utility room exudes understated luxury, with patterned mosaic tiles underfoot and a dark wall wash that adds depth and sophistication. Venetian blinds cleverly conceal the typical HDB window grilles, keeping the look sleek and cohesive, while a corner fan ensures proper ventilation, making the space both stylish and comfortable.
Everton Park: Home office
In a compact 3-room flat, carving out space for a home office isn’t easy, especially if you’ve got a growing family or want to keep bedrooms free for future plans. That’s where the often-overlooked utility room comes in handy. In this Everton Park unit, the owners turned theirs into a hybrid study-and-gaming zone as part of a $60K makeover for their 40 year old home.
By carving out this nook, you also free up your living and dining areas for actual chilling and mealtimes. A game-changer since most 3-room HDB flats don’t come with a tonne of extra space.
Bukit Batok: Kitchen extension
Image credit: Anhans Interior Design
For those who treat cooking like a full-on hobby, turning your 3-room flat’s utility room into an extension of your kitchen will be the smartest move. In this Bukit Batok Street 11 flat, Anhans Interior Design worked with a $89K reno budget to create a seamless flow between the two spaces in this 3-room home.
Older HDB floorplans usually have the utility room right beside the kitchen, so it’s the perfect spot to add a partition for heavy-duty tasks like deep frying, no more oily fumes spreading through your main cooking area.
Or, if you’re more into slow mornings, this area could also moonlight as your dedicated coffee-and-tea brewing station.
Extra living space
Image credit: Lockcomotion
Not every utility room needs to be a full-on transformation. Sometimes, keeping it simple does the trick. In this 3-room resale flat designed by Lockcomotion, the space was turned into a cosy extension of the living room.
A bookshelf, some art, and a comfy sofa instantly make it the perfect corner for winding down with a book, spinning vinyls, or strumming the guitar.
These little add-ons give the home plenty of charm without overcomplicating things. Think of it as your bonus chill-out zone that reflects your personality. And if you’ve got a green thumb, you could even go rogue and turn the area into a mini indoor garden for extra zen vibes.
Best practical utility room ideas in real life
Old HDB utility rooms may have started as purely functional spaces, but with a little creativity, they can be transformed to suit modern lifestyles.
By thinking beyond laundry and cleaning, homeowners can maximise every square foot in their flats. These practical makeovers show that with clever planning, even the humblest utility room can become a stylish and highly functional part of the home, proving that good design isn’t just about size, it’s about making space work for you.
Want more practical stuff? We got you covered:
- 13 practical tips to fireproof your home in Singapore
- 7 non-boring kitchen backsplash ideas that are practical
- 5 best HDB 3-room resale renovations that make the most of the layout
Cover image adapted from: SHE Interior, Anhans Interior Design
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