Before and After: 4-Room HDB Transformation on a $40K Budget

From Dated to Modern: A 4-Room HDB Makeover Location: Tampines Street 21 Flat Type: 4-Room HDB (93 sqm) Budget: $40,000 Style: Modern Scandinavian Timeline: 8 weeks --- Living Room Before: Dark wood paneling, old marble flooring, bulky furniture After: White-washed walls, vinyl wood flooring, open-concept layout with built-in TV console Cost: $8,500 Kitchen Before: Original HDB kitchen with laminate countertop After: Full overlay with quartz countertop, new cabinet doors, mosaic backsplash Cost: $12,000 Master Bedroom Before: Plain walls, standalone wardrobe After: Feature wall with concealed wardrobe, built-in study nook Cost: $7,500 Bathrooms Before: Original tiles, dated fixtures After: Floor-to-ceiling tiles, rain shower, wall-hung vanity Cost: $9,000 --- Budget Breakdown • Living Room: $8,500 • Kitchen: $12,000 • Master Bedroom: $7,500 • Bathrooms (x2): $9,000 • Misc (electrical, painting): $3,000 • Total: $40,000 Key Takeaways • Overlay instead of hacking saved approximately $5,000 • Choosing vinyl over marble saved approximately $4,000 • Pre-made cabinets with custom fronts reduced costs by 30%