7 HDB Interior Designs in Singapore According to Your Personality Type

Choosing an interior design style for your HDB isn’t just about looks. It’s about creating a functional space that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and daily habits.

Each HDB renovation project is a chance to turn your HDB unit into a dream home. From Scandinavian-inspired spaces to eclectic mixes of textures and patterns, the way you design your home shapes its mood and how you live in it..

In this guide, we’ve shortlisted seven HDB interior design styles commonly seen in Singapore homes, each matched to specific personality traits to help you find the one that suits you best.

Key Takeaways

• The right HDB interior design style can reflect your personality while maximising space and functionality.
• Japandi suits those who prefer minimalism, clean lines, and calm, balanced spaces. 
• Bohemian is ideal for creative, expressive homeowners who enjoy vibrant colours and eclectic patterns. 
• Modern Farmhouse blends rustic charm with modern practicality, great for warm, family-oriented living.
• Modern Victorian brings elegance and sophistication, balancing heritage details with modern efficiency. 
• Mid-Century Modern is timeless and practical, offering clean lines, functional furniture, and open layouts. 
• Modern Industrial suits bold, creative personalities who like raw textures, exposed details, and an urban feel.
• Eclectic allows freedom to mix styles, patterns, and colours, reflecting individuality and adventurous tastes.
• Working with an interior designer helps you pick the right style, plan your layout, integrate storage, and comply with HDB renovation guidelines.

#1 Japandi

Key Elements: Clean lines, natural wood, muted colours, minimal decor

Mood: Warm, calm, balanced

Personality: Introverted, minimal, appreciates simplicity

Japandi interior design blends the clean, minimal look of Japanese interiors with the warmth of Scandinavian style. It often uses natural materials, soft neutral palettes, and furniture with simple, clean lines.

Japandi spaces feel uncluttered, making them ideal for smaller HDB units. Existing windows are kept as open as possible to bring in natural light, and bulky window treatments are usually avoided to maintain an open feel.

Homeowners who enjoy this style tend to value calm, order, and quality over quantity. Decor is kept minimal and is often inspired by nature – think indoor plants, wooden textures, and subtle patterns. Personal touches, like curated artwork or favourite film posters (like in the example above with the framed Miyazaki’s film posters), can be added without overwhelming the space.

Japandi renovations usually avoid bright, loud colours, so this style may not appeal to those who prefer bolder or more dramatic interiors.

#2 Bohemian

Key Elements: Textiles, mix of colours, eclectic patterns, personal artefacts

Mood: Warm, vibrant, creative

Personality: Free-spirited, expressive, adventurous

Bohemian interior design is characterised by a relaxed, layered look with a playful mix of colours, patterns, and textures. In a Bohemian HDB flat, walls might feature paintings or tapestries, while furniture often uses natural materials such as rattan, wood, and woven textiles.

Layouts are less rigid and more organic, allowing homeowners to express their creativity and lifestyle. The result is a space that looks casual and effortless, yet still thoughtfully put together.

The renovation process for a Bohemian-style HDB interior focuses on incorporating personal elements and collections. Spaces are functional yet eclectic, with a focus on creating corners that feel lived-in and inspiring. Bohemian interiors reflect adventurous personalities while maintaining warmth and beauty.

#3 Modern Farmhouse

Key Elements: Wood accents, neutral palettes, classic textures, rustic elements

Mood: Cosy, welcoming, practical

Personality: Family-oriented, warm, grounded

Modern Farmhouse blends rustic charm with modern comfort. In an HDB setting, this often means:

• Warm wood tones for flooring, carpentry, or dining furniture
• Neutral walls in white, cream, or light grey
• Classic details such as shaker-style cabinets, framed panels, or simple mouldings
• Soft fabrics like linen and cotton for a cosy feel

This style is inspired by cabins and countryside homes but adapted to suit compact HDB layouts. It is perfect for families who want a relaxed, welcoming space that feels homely yet current—like a modern “farmhouse” in the city.

#4 Modern Victorian

Key Elements: Ornate details, luxurious finishes, bold colours, statement furniture

Mood: Elegant, sophisticated, dramatic

Personality: Detail-oriented, stylish, appreciates heritage

Modern Victorian interior design refreshes classic Victorian elements with a contemporary twist. In an HDB flat, this may show up as accent walls, decorative mouldings, arched details, and rich textures in upholstery and soft furnishings.

Furniture pieces are often statement-making but are arranged carefully to maintain good flow and functionality in smaller spaces. Curved forms on walls, furniture, and patterns give the home a refined and elegant look. Glossy finishes, such as marble-effect tiles or polished surfaces, can be used sparingly to add a sense of luxury without overwhelming the flat.

Homeowners who choose this style tend to enjoy sophisticated interiors and are less drawn to very minimal spaces. Modern Victorian design pays attention to colour, texture, and detail, resulting in a home that feels elegant and thoughtfully styled.

#5 Mid-Century Modern

Key Elements: Blend of wood and metal, muted colours, paintings & statement pieces

Mood: Timeless, stylish, practical

Personality: Minimalist, design-focused, values functionality

Mid-Century Modern interiors focus on understated beauty and practical design. The style, inspired by the 1940s–1960s, uses simple forms, tapered legs, and streamlined furniture, often in a mix of wood and metal.

In Singapore HDB flats, Mid-Century Modern works well because it favours open layouts, built-in storage, and furniture that doesn’t feel bulky. This keeps the home feeling spacious and easy to move around in.

You can think of Mid-Century Modern as having some overlap with Scandinavian and Industrial styles: it combines natural materials like wood with occasional metal accents and clean silhouettes.

This style suits homeowners who appreciate classic design and want a home that looks timeless rather than trendy. It is especially appealing to those who enjoy curating a small number of well-designed pieces instead of filling the space with many items.

#6 Modern Industrial

Key Elements: Exposed pipes and fixtures, metal accents, brick walls, raw textures

Mood: Urban, edgy, raw

Personality: Bold, creative, enjoys a contemporary lifestyle

Modern Industrial interior design brings a warehouse look to HDB flats. While actual exposed brick and pipes may be limited by HDB regulations, similar effects can be achieved using brick-effect tiles, textured paint, and carefully designed ceiling or lighting details.

This style often pairs concrete-look surfaces with wood and metal furniture. The layout still prioritises functionality but carries a strong urban character, with darker tones and bolder accents.

Modern Industrial interiors suit homeowners who appreciate strong, graphic visuals and don’t mind a slightly “lived-in” look. Open shelving, display cabinets, or wall mounts can be used to showcase hobbies—such as instruments, collectables, or photography gear without making the space feel messy.

When done well, the raw textures and open feel create a dramatic yet practical home that stands out from more conventional HDB interiors.

#7 Eclectic

Key Elements: Mix of styles, bold colours, varied textures, unique furnishings

Mood: Vibrant, personalised, adventurous

Personality: Creative, expressive, enjoys variety

Eclectic interiors combine different design influences into one cohesive, personal space. In an HDB flat, this can mean bold colours and patterns, and a mix of materials such as wood, metal, rattan, velvet, and stone. These layers add depth and personality to the home.

An eclectic scheme might pair Scandinavian-style carpentry with Mid-Century Modern furniture, or blend contemporary pieces with heirloom or traditional items. The goal is not to match everything, but to make different elements work together.

This style thrives on creativity and self-expression. It is ideal for homeowners who want their HDB home to reflect their unique tastes and experiences.

However, eclectic design is not about randomly mixing clashing pieces. Good balance, repetition of colours or materials, and a clear overall direction are still important. Working with an interior designer helps ensure the final look is intentional and cohesive rather than chaotic.

Get in Touch with an Interior Designer Today!

Choosing the right interior design style for your HDB flat can turn a standard space into a home that truly reflects who you are. From calm Japandi interiors to bold Eclectic schemes, each design direction offers different ways to maximise space, introduce smart storage, and create a comfortable, functional home.

We at The Interior Lab have executed all of the above design styles, and more, for HDB clients. We work with limited spaces and strict HDB regulations, but that hasn’t limited us from achieving our clients’ unique tastes.

Get in touch with The Interior Lab today and inquire how we can transform your HDB.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right interior design style for my HDB flat?

Consider your personality, lifestyle, and preferences. Look at how each design style feels, what mood it creates, and how it fits your HDB unit’s space and layout.

Can a small HDB flat accommodate styles like Modern Industrial or Eclectic?

Yes. These styles can be adapted to limited spaces through thoughtful planning. None of these design styles is reliant on large spaces. Consult with an interior designer regarding your options.

What is the benefit of consulting an interior designer for HDB renovation?

Interior designers help maximise space, incorporate natural light, integrate furniture and storage, and guide you through HDB renovation rules, creating a home that reflects your personality.

Are these styles flexible, or must I follow them strictly?

They are flexible. You can mix elements to suit your taste, combine textures, colours, and furniture, and still maintain a cohesive and functional home.

How do I maintain functionality while choosing a stylish interior design?

Focus on practical furniture, storage solutions, and layouts that suit your lifestyle. Style should complement usability, not hinder it.