Think under-800 sq ft means compromise? Think again. These four homes show how smart design, clear lifestyle vision and gutsy detailing turn compact living into a serious style win.
28 October 2025
This 560-square-foot one-bedroom condo in Newton belongs to a couple who work as fitness instructors, and who desired a home with good daylight and flexibility. So naturally, the bedroom wall came down. A rotating TV unit separates zones without walls; the kitchen, dining and lounge all sit in one open area.
The palette stays mostly soft white — but blue accents bring in a dash of colour and vibrancy. Storage runs discreetly from the entrance through to the bedroom via a continuous cabinetry run. The lesson? If your life doesn’t need formal rooms, skip them. Design around how you live, not how a floor plan dictates.
Project by OVON
In this 721-square-foot three-room HDB flat at Shunfu Road, the designers weren’t just solving for space — they were crafting a home centred on quiet rituals and hosting friends. With a glass-block wall in the bathroom, mosaic-style tiles, and an arched doorway nodding subtly to Peranakan heritage, this isn’t your typical flat — it’s characterful home that leans into nostalgia.
The living zones were flipped: what was once the living room becomes a dedicated dining area for entertaining, and the common bedroom becomes the new living/work hub. The kitchen features a moveable island that can be parked away when more space is needed. And a wardrobe-wall does double duty as both storage and soft partition. The message: you can work and lounge, without sacrificing one for the other.
Project by Puromuro Studio
Here, a 743-square-foot three-room HDB flat in Geylang caters to a couple: he’s a chef who travels frequently to Japan, and they both love culture, craft and entertaining. The layout was reengineered — two bedrooms merged to create a more open, fluid space; a dedicated foyer creates a deliberate arrival; the kitchen is commercial-grade, built for performance and show.
There’s no sofa — instead a platform with a lift-table lets them dine, lounge or stretch out (think tatami-style but modern). Sliding fluted panels diffuse light; storage conceals collections; doors slide when privacy’s needed. The takeaway? When hosting and living are equally important, design zones for activity, not just aesthetics.
Project by Hock Hoon
This 795-square-foot two-bedroom condo at Sennett Residence is designed to suit the lifestyle of a finance professional who lives alone and travels often. The layout has been flipped, with the living area now close to the entrance, and the dining/kitchen next to the balcony so it gets more natural light and a stronger connection to the outdoors.
Deep charcoal, stainless steel and cement screed set a tailored industrial tone. At the same time, the balcony doesn’t feel spare — it’s part of the home with pebble-wash flooring blurring the boundary between indoors and out. In the master, a curved headboard sections off the sleeping area, and a ceiling-mounted wardrobe rail extends the sense of openness while keeping floor space visually clear. The lesson: Small doesn’t have to feel basic — premium material decisions and zone clarity can make compact feel luxurious.
Project by Indoor Art Studio
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