A Muji-inspired HDB flat built for gathering

Some homes are designed to impress, while others are designed to support the people who live in them. In this five-room flat, that meant paying close attention to the daily life of a family of four: a husband with an impressive fragrance collection, a wife who loves to cook, two children, and a shared love of hosting. “The owners wanted minimalist living with a Muji feel,” say their designers Glenn Ho and Kasey Wong from Reborn Interior.

The brief was clear but layered: the home needed to feel spacious, with an entrance that felt warm and considered rather than purely functional. The designers responded by giving the balcony corridor facing the main door a stronger sense of arrival. A feature wall with sculpted curved detailing, integrated ledges and ambient lighting turns the area into a welcoming focal point, while a built-in shoe cabinet and settee keep it practical.

A white-framed glass sliding door defines the boundary between entry and interior without closing the space off, drawing the eye towards the dining area beyond. With a dry pantry close by and a warm, open setting for meals and gatherings, this part of the home naturally becomes its social hub.

Also within this dining area, the wood-toned fluted feature wall and softly illuminated round mirror bring warmth and visual focus without overwhelming the space. “The family likes to host,” the designers note, and the area reflects that with its easy flow, ambient lighting and openness that draws people in.

The living room keeps to a soft palette of beige, creamy whites and warm walnut accents, giving it an easy, lived-in feel from the start. A TV feature wall with gently rounded edges softens the room’s geometry, while cove lighting washes the ceiling with a warm glow, making the space feel more atmospheric as the day winds down.

At the other end of the room, bespoke carpentry provides storage without looking utilitarian. An arched shelving unit softens the built-ins, its curve echoing the rounded edges of the TV feature wall. By the window, a raised platform creates a quiet pocket for rest, bathed in natural light.

For a wife who loves to cook, the kitchen had to be planned around both daily use and hosting. “The L-shaped layout optimises workflow for both daily convenience and effortless entertaining,” say the designers, with integrated appliances and careful placement keeping the space clean and uncluttered.

The real talking point is colour. Rather than defaulting to safe neutrals, the team introduced a rich shade of olive green across the lower cabinetry, giving the kitchen a grounded identity that feels distinct without being out of place. A woodgrain-patterned backsplash further softens the sleek cabinetry with its subtle organic texture, bridging the contemporary elements and warmth of the inviting family home.

Further in, a bespoke display cabinet in the master bedroom gives the husband’s fragrance collection its own moment, with integrated lighting lending each bottle a sense of presence. Instead of feeling like everyday storage, the collection becomes a quiet focal point within the home.

Renovated at the cost of $80,000, the designers at Reborn Interior have delivered a home where warm wood tones, soft neutrals, and curved forms tie every space together. 

Reborn Interior
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