Home Office Renovation Guide for Singapore: Designing a Productive Work-From-Home Space

Where to Put Your Home Office Option 1: Dedicated Room (Ideal) If you have a spare bedroom, converting it into a full home office gives you a door for privacy and video calls. A 3-room HDB common bedroom (approximately 8 sqm) is adequate for a single workstation with built-in shelving. Option 2: Integrated Nook (Space-Efficient) For homes without a spare room, carve out a workspace from the living room, master bedroom, or along a corridor. A built-in desk with overhead shelving needs just 1.2m to 1.5m of wall space and 0.6m depth. Cost: S$1,500 to S$3,500 for custom carpentry. Option 3: Walk-In Wardrobe Conversion A surprisingly popular option in Singapore. Convert a 2 sqm walk-in wardrobe into a compact office with a fold-down desk, task lighting, and a power strip. When work is done, close the doors and the office disappears. Ergonomic Essentials Desk height should be 720mm to 750mm for comfortable typing. Monitor should be at arm’s length with the top of the screen at eye level. Invest in a quality ergonomic chair (S$400 to S$1,200) rather than relying on a dining chair. Budget for a sit-stand desk if possible (S$500 to S$1,500), though built-in desks at fixed height work well with a good chair. Electrical and Connectivity A home office needs a minimum of 6 to 8 power points: monitor, laptop charger, desk lamp, phone charger, printer, and spares. Run a dedicated ethernet cable from your router to the office for reliable video conferencing. Budget S$50 to S$100 per ethernet run and S$70 to S$100 per additional power point during renovation. Smart Strategy: Position your desk so that natural light comes from the side, not behind you (causes screen glare) or directly behind the monitor (creates harsh backlighting on video calls). A well-lit face with a non-distracting background makes a professional difference. Soundproofing on a Budget Full soundproofing is expensive (S$5,000 to S$15,000 for a room). Budget alternatives include a solid-core door instead of a hollow-core one (S$300 to S$800), door bottom seal strips (S$20 to S$50), acoustic panels on one wall (S$200 to S$600), and a white noise machine (S$50 to S$150). Design Your Home Office → Tell Reno Research your flat type and work-from-home needs. Get matched with designers who specialise in creating functional, beautiful workspaces within compact Singapore homes.