Renovating a home you grew up in can be both nostalgic and challenging. The space may carry memories, but it still needs to evolve to support modern lifestyles.
A recent renovation example in Singapore involves Ah Boys to Men actor Charlie Goh, who chose to update the condominium he grew up in rather than move into a completely new home. By working with an interior designer, the familiar property was refreshed into a calmer and more contemporary living environment.
From a renovation perspective, the project highlights how older homes can be successfully transformed with thoughtful planning, modern design ideas, and comfort-focused upgrades.
Reimagining an Older Condominium
Many condominiums built years ago offer generous layouts and good locations, but their interiors may no longer match today’s design preferences.
Instead of leaving the space unchanged, Charlie undertook a full renovation of the three-bedroom unit. The goal was not only to update the appearance, but also to adapt the home for current lifestyle needs.
For many homeowners in Singapore, this approach can be more meaningful than purchasing a new property. Renovating an existing home allows the owner to retain the advantages of the original space while upgrading its functionality and visual appeal.
A Complete Interior Refresh
Modernising an older apartment typically involves more than surface-level upgrades. Renovation work often includes layout adjustments, carpentry installation, and updated finishes.
In this case, the renovation investment was around S$120,000, excluding furniture. This range is relatively common for a full condominium interior refresh in Singapore, especially when custom carpentry and design elements are included.
A renovation budget of this scale typically allows for improvements such as:
- built-in storage solutions
- new flooring and finishes
- improved spatial layout
- updated kitchen or living areas
- customised design features
These changes help bring an older property in line with modern expectations for comfort and style.
View the full home tour of Charlie Goh’s renovated condo here.
The Growing Popularity of Japandi Design
The interior direction chosen for the home reflects a design style that has become increasingly popular in Singapore: Japandi.
Japandi combines the simplicity of Japanese interiors with the warmth of Scandinavian design. The result is a space that feels calm, minimal, and highly functional.
Key characteristics of Japandi homes often include:
• neutral and natural colour palettes
• clean architectural lines
• uncluttered interiors
• emphasis on natural materials
• furniture designed for comfort and practicality
For homeowners looking to create a peaceful retreat from busy city life, Japandi offers a design language that feels modern while remaining timeless.
Thoughtful Design Details
Good renovation design often reveals itself in small but clever details.
In this home, one creative solution involves the rubbish chute in the kitchen, which has been discreetly concealed behind a decorative wall panel. Instead of leaving the chute exposed — which can interrupt the visual flow of the kitchen — the design integrates it into the wall so it appears almost like a piece of artwork.
This approach shows how practical elements in a home can be incorporated into the design rather than becoming visual distractions.
For many Singapore homes, features such as rubbish chutes, service panels, or utility areas are unavoidable. With thoughtful planning, these elements can be subtly hidden so the space feels cleaner and more cohesive.
Designing With Future Lifestyle Needs in Mind
Another notable aspect of the home is how the spare rooms were planned with flexibility in mind.
One bedroom currently functions as a leisure space and even houses an automatic mahjong table, creating a relaxed area for social activities. However, the room has been intentionally left adaptable so it can be converted into a children’s bedroom in the future if needed.
Designing spaces with this level of flexibility is increasingly common among homeowners in Singapore. Instead of assigning fixed functions to every room immediately, some prefer to keep spaces open to change as their lifestyle evolves.
Personal Spaces Within the Home
Another bedroom has been converted into a walk-in wardrobe, giving the homeowners a dedicated space for clothing storage and personal items.
Large wardrobe rooms like this are becoming more popular in condominium renovations, especially when homeowners want to maximise storage while keeping the main bedroom uncluttered.
From a design perspective, allocating a separate room for wardrobe storage can help maintain a cleaner and more spacious sleeping environment.
Comfort as a Design Priority
Comfort is another clear theme in the renovation.
In the living room, the seating was selected with relaxation in mind, including a reclining sofa designed for comfortable movie nights. The master bedroom follows the same philosophy, featuring an adjustable reclining bed that allows the couple to relax while watching shows projected onto the wall.
Design decisions like these highlight how many modern homeowners are prioritising comfort and everyday usability alongside aesthetics.
Today’s renovations often focus on creating spaces where people can fully unwind — whether through thoughtful furniture choices, better lighting, or entertainment setups integrated into the design.
Renovation Insights for Singapore Homeowners
This renovation example highlights several useful ideas for homeowners planning their own projects.
Older homes can often be refreshed successfully with thoughtful design planning and well-considered renovation work. Choosing a clear design direction—such as Japandi—also helps maintain visual harmony throughout the home.
At the same time, renovation decisions should balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that each space supports the homeowner’s lifestyle and daily routines.
With the right design approach, even a long-familiar property can be transformed into a modern and comfortable living environment.
You can view the full home tour of Charlie Goh’s renovated condo here.
Planning Your Own Home Renovation
If you are considering renovating your condominium, HDB flat, or resale property, working with an experienced interior design team can help you plan your renovation more clearly and confidently.
At Rezt+Relax, our designers work closely with homeowners to develop practical layouts, thoughtful storage solutions, and interior designs suited to modern living needs. Since our establishment in 2000, we have helped more than 20,000 homeowners in Singapore renovate and transform their living spaces.
From the initial design consultation to renovation completion, our team supports homeowners throughout the renovation journey. Our projects are backed by ISO and CaseTrust-RCMA certifications, and our renovation works come with the industry’s first fully transferable lifetime warranty, giving homeowners greater peace of mind.
If you are planning a renovation, contact our team to explore interior design ideas and renovation solutions tailored to your home and lifestyle.
