Homeowners can now enjoy sleeker and more modern fittings, including laminated timber doors, steel entrance gates with thumb-turn knobs, larger tiles in glazed porcelain, and sanitary fittings with better finishes.

As part of HDB’s efforts to provide quality and well-designed homes, the new fittings will be installed in all new Build-to-Order (BTO) flats launched from February this year.

Existing timber veneered doors and wrought iron gates (left) will be replaced by laminated timber doors and steel entrance gates for a more contemporary look (right).

First-time homeowner Mr Ari Haikal Bin Subtu, 24, will be among the first few Singaporeans to live in the BTO flats with the new fittings. Mr Haikal said: “I feel quite privileged because the new flats have a modern look, which is what everyone is looking for nowadays. This also means we can expect to spend less on renovation costs.”

HDB has continually improved the designs and fittings of HDB flats to keep pace with changing demographics, as well as with new social and lifestyle trends. The designs and fittings of HDB flats have evolved from the simple and functional furnishings of the 1960s to higher-quality furnishings which are durable and eco-friendly to suit the needs of residents today.

HDB flats have also evolved in layout from simple and functional rectangular corridor-facing units to flats that afford more generous views, natural ventilation, and light while providing greater privacy for residents.

Mr Jansen Foo, Deputy Director (Project Development and Management) of HDB’s Building Quality Group, said: “We have improved the range of fittings and finishes to give our flats a more modern and contemporary look. The new fittings allow homebuyers greater choice and flexibility in how they want to design and use the space.”

The louvered windows in the door/window ensemble between the kitchen and service yard (left) will be replaced with top-hung windows (right), allowing for more flexibility in the layout of kitchen furniture.

Existing WCs and wired-glass louvered vent windows (left), will be replaced with dual-flush low-capacity WCs and top-hung windows (right).

In line with the Roadmap for Better HDB Living, HDB will continue to explore new planning concepts and refine its flat designs to create quality homes, giving all residents homes that they can be proud of.