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Have you ever walked into a space and felt your heart rate immediately drop? That is the magic of the Japandi style—a seamless marriage of Japanese functional minimalism and Scandinavian "hygge" comfort. For this 5-room HDB flat, Underrated Studio has turned a standard layout into a sanctuary of soft arches, organic textures, and a palette so soothing it feels like a warm hug.
If you’ve been dreaming of a home that feels like a high-end retreat without losing its "homey" soul, this renovation is your ultimate mood board.
Interior Design Firm: Underrated Studio
Property Type: 5 room HDB
Size: 93 sqm
Renovation Duration: 8 weeks
Design Style: Minimalist Japandi
The entrance sets the tone with a clean, muted palette and clever spatial tricks. A full-height mirror spans the wall, effectively doubling the visual width of the corridor while reflecting natural light from the living area. The standout feature here is the recessed arched niche; it’s a dedicated spot for curated decor or daily essentials, instantly softening the transition into the main home.
Design Tip: Use mirrors in narrow foyers to eliminate that "boxed-in" feeling. To keep the look seamless, ensure the mirror is floor-to-ceiling to mimic the look of an open doorway.
Imagine Sunday afternoons where the light filters through the sheer white blinds, casting a soft glow across the room. You sink into the curved "bouclé" sofa, and there isn't a single sharp corner in sight to disrupt your peace—just organic shapes and total stillness.
The living room is a masterclass in Japandi layering. The designer used a neutral "greige" base and layered it with a dark wood TV console featuring rattan door inserts. This contrast provides the "grounding" element necessary in minimalist homes.
Designer's Touch: Notice the ceiling fan with wood-toned blades and the curved coffee table. By avoiding sharp rectangles, the designer creates a "circular flow" that makes the 93sqm space feel much more expansive and relaxed.
To maintain an open-concept feel without losing structure, Underrated Studio utilized a massive architectural arch to frame the dining and kitchen entrance. This serves as a visual "portal," creating a sense of arrival when moving from the lounge to the dining zone.
Design tip: Creating an arch of this scale requires precision carpentry and plastering to ensure a perfectly smooth curve. It hides structural beams while adding a sophisticated, custom-built look to the HDB unit.
In the bedroom, the focus shifts entirely to rest. The walls are kept intentionally bare to minimize visual clutter, while a hidden cove light at the ceiling provides a soft, indirect glow that is much easier on the eyes than standard downlights.
Design Tip: For a "resort" feel, opt for warm-toned LED strips (around 2700K to 3000K) in your cove lighting. It mimics the golden hour and signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
Getting ready in the morning feels less like a chore and more like a ritual. You reach for your clothes behind wardrobe doors that feel like a piece of art—the tactile sensation of the rattan and the elegant gold handles adding a touch of luxury to your everyday routine.
The wardrobe is perhaps the most iconic part of this home. The designer incorporated arched rattan panels into the carpentry, which echoes the architectural arches found in the living room.
Designer's Touch: Rattan isn't just for aesthetics; it provides ventilation for your clothes—a practical choice for Singapore’s humid climate—while adding a beautiful organic texture.
Both the common and master bathrooms carry the Japandi theme through to the finish line. The common bath features a stunning vessel sink and a vanity with rattan doors, while the master bath uses a circular mirror to break up the vertical lines of the large-format tiles.
Design Tip: Floating your vanity cabinets (hanging them off the wall) exposes more floor space, which makes a small bathroom look significantly larger and makes cleaning the floor a breeze.
This renovation by Underrated Studio proves that you don't need "more" to have a home that feels "full." By sticking to a consistent theme of arches, natural textures like rattan, and a soft neutral palette, they have created a sanctuary that feels timeless. It is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can elevate a standard flat into a bespoke living experience.
Ready to start your own renovation journey? Whether you’re looking to recreate this Japandi dream or have a unique vision of your own, we can help you find the perfect interior firm.
[Click here to enquire more through Renodots] and let us connect you with expert designers to turn your floor plan into your dream home!
