Key takeaways:
- Why maisonettes stand out: They’re double-storey and typically ~1,527–1,700 sq ft (many larger), and have been discontinued since the mid-1990s—hence their scarcity and appeal.
- Plan for permits & compliance: Wall hacking and similar works require HDB approval and an HDB-registered contractor; follow the official building-works guidelines to avoid delays.
- Set realistic time & budget: Full HDB renovations often take ~10–12 weeks, with permit-bound deadlines for resale units, and maisonette projects commonly sit in the S$91k–S$135k range.
Executive maisonettes represent the pinnacle of HDB living in Singapore, offering homeowners a rare opportunity to enjoy spacious, double-storey living within the public housing framework. These unique properties, no longer being constructed, have become highly coveted for their exceptional layout, generous floor space, and distinctive architectural features. With their spacious two-storey layouts and high ceilings, HDB maisonettes offer the perfect foundation for thoughtful, personalized design that balances functionality and elegance.
Unlike conventional HDB flats, executive maisonettes present homeowners with a blank canvas that combines the affordability of public housing with the luxurious feel typically associated with private properties. With its high ceilings and indoor staircases, it provides a luxurious feel that is often associated with penthouses. However, unlike penthouses, HDB maisonettes are more affordable and accessible to the average homeowner—especially when guided by experienced residential design specialists in Singapore.
The renovation potential of these properties is immense, making them ideal for families seeking both privacy and communal living spaces. Their unique double-storey configuration allows for creative interior design solutions that maximize vertical space while maintaining the warm, welcoming atmosphere that Singapore families cherish.
What Makes Executive Maisonettes Special?
Executive maisonettes stand apart from other HDB property types through several distinctive characteristics that make them particularly appealing to discerning homeowners. The most notable feature is their generous floor space, typically ranging from 140 to 160 square meters, providing families with significantly more room than standard HDB flats.
The HDB maisonette has a quiet elegance that sets it apart from other property types. With its two-storey layout and ample space, it offers homeowners a unique opportunity to create a home that feels both open and private. This dual nature allows families to enjoy communal spaces on the ground floor while maintaining private retreats on the upper level.
The double-storey configuration creates natural zones within the home, with living, dining, and kitchen areas typically situated on the first floor, while bedrooms occupy the second level. This vertical separation enhances both functionality and privacy, allowing different family activities to occur simultaneously without interference.
High ceilings and architectural elements like internal staircases and balconies add to their distinguished character. These features not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide opportunities for creative design interventions that can transform the space into something truly exceptional.
The rarity of executive maisonettes adds to their special appeal. Since these properties are no longer being built, existing units represent a finite resource that combines historical significance with modern living potential. This scarcity, coupled with their spacious interiors, makes them a timeless favorite among Singapore homeowners seeking both space and character. For broader renovation context and current standards, you may also want to explore our latest HDB interior design insights for 2025.
Why Engage an Interior Designer for Your Executive Maisonette?
The complexity and potential of executive maisonettes make professional interior design services not just beneficial, but essential for achieving optimal results. Renovating a maisonette can be a complex process, but working with skilled designers makes it smoother. Experienced professionals understand how to bring out the best in your maisonette home, respecting its character while adding modern touches.
Professional designers bring specialized expertise in maximizing vertical space, a critical consideration in double-storey homes. They understand how to create visual continuity between floors while maintaining distinct functional zones. This expertise is particularly valuable when dealing with challenging architectural elements like staircases, high ceilings, and multi-level lighting requirements.
Complex layout management is another area where professional guidance proves invaluable. Executive maisonettes often feature unconventional room configurations and structural elements that require careful planning to optimize. Interior designers can identify underutilized areas and transform them into functional spaces that enhance the overall living experience.
Project management capabilities ensure that renovations proceed smoothly and efficiently. Experienced designers coordinate multiple contractors, manage timelines, and ensure compliance with HDB and MCST guidelines. This comprehensive oversight prevents costly delays and ensures that the renovation meets all regulatory requirements.
Lighting optimization becomes particularly crucial in double-storey homes where natural light distribution can be uneven. Beyond conventional fixtures, consider weaving in a cohesive smart home ecosystem—from app-controlled lighting to intelligent switches—to tailor scenes for day and night. For access management, many homeowners also prefer keyless door solutions to streamline daily routines.
Theme harmonization across multiple levels requires a sophisticated understanding of color, texture, and spatial relationships. Professional designers ensure that the design theme flows seamlessly from the ground floor to the upper level, creating a cohesive living environment that feels intentional and well-planned.
The Executive Maisonette Interior Design Process
Initial Consultation and Space Planning
The design journey begins with a comprehensive assessment of your family’s specific requirements and lifestyle patterns. Professional designers conduct detailed consultations to understand how you use your space, identifying current pain points and future needs that the renovation should address.
Space planning for executive maisonettes requires careful analysis of traffic flow between levels, ensuring that the staircase placement and room configurations support natural movement patterns. Safety considerations become paramount when dealing with multi-level living, particularly for families with young children or elderly members.
Designers evaluate existing structural elements and identify opportunities for optimization. This might involve assessing whether walls can be removed to create more open layouts or determining the best locations for built-in storage solutions that maximize the available space without compromising functionality.
Design Proposal, Theme Selection, and 3D Visualization
The design development phase involves exploring various aesthetic directions that complement the maisonette’s architectural character. Popular themes include modern luxe designs that emphasize rich materials and dramatic contrasts, contemporary styles that balance sleek lines with warm textures, and Scandinavian approaches that prioritize light, natural materials, and minimalist principles. For Singapore-specific references, see our guide to Scandinavian-inspired homes in SG.
Scandinavian interiors focus on making the most of the available space without overloading it. Neutral tones, clean lines, and natural materials define this timeless design style—dive deeper into the fundamentals in our Scandinavian interior handbook.
3D visualization technology allows homeowners to experience their future space before construction begins. These detailed renderings help refine design decisions and ensure that the final result aligns with expectations. Virtual walkthroughs enable clients to understand how different design elements will interact and how spaces will feel when completed.
Renovation, Project Management, and Execution
Professional project management ensures that the renovation proceeds according to schedule and budget. Experienced designers coordinate with specialized contractors who understand the unique requirements of maisonette renovations, from structural modifications to intricate carpentry work.
Compliance with HDB and MCST guidelines requires careful attention to regulatory requirements. Professional designers navigate these requirements seamlessly, ensuring that all modifications receive proper approvals and meet safety standards.
Regular progress updates and quality control measures keep homeowners informed throughout the renovation process. This systematic approach minimizes surprises and ensures that the final result meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Materials Selection and Custom Carpentry
Material selection for executive maisonettes requires balancing aesthetic appeal with durability and maintenance considerations. Popular choices include engineered wood for flooring, which offers the warmth of natural wood with enhanced stability, and quartz countertops that combine beauty with practical benefits.
Custom carpentry becomes particularly important in maisonettes, where unique architectural features require bespoke solutions. Staircase designs, storage solutions for double-height spaces, and built-in furniture that maximizes the available space all benefit from custom craftsmanship.
Smart storage solutions are essential for maintaining the clean, uncluttered aesthetic that works best in spacious environments. Custom carpentry can create hidden storage compartments, built-in wardrobes, and multi-functional furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes while maintaining visual appeal.
Popular Interior Design Themes for Executive Maisonettes
Modern Luxe and Contemporary
Modern luxe design approaches emphasize rich materials and sophisticated color palettes that create dramatic visual impact. Marble surfaces, premium wood finishes, and metallic accents combine to create an atmosphere of understated elegance that complements the maisonette’s spacious character.
Contemporary design principles focus on clean lines and balanced compositions that feel fresh and timeless. This approach works particularly well in executive maisonettes, where the generous space can accommodate bold design statements without feeling overwhelming. For more ideas grounded in today’s urban lifestyle, browse our modern-contemporary style overview.
Statement lighting becomes a crucial element in modern luxe and contemporary designs. Dramatic pendant lights, sculptural fixtures, and layered lighting schemes can transform the maisonette’s high ceilings from a design challenge into a stunning focal point.
Scandinavian & Minimal Zen
When it comes to HDB maisonette design, the focus should always be on creating balance and harmony. Begin with neutral tones to build a serene foundation. Think soft whites, gentle greys, and light wood finishes. This palette not only maximizes natural light but also sets the tone for a tranquil living environment.
The Scandinavian approach emphasizes functionality and comfort through carefully chosen natural materials and textures. Light woods, neutral color palettes, and emphasis on natural light create an airy, calming atmosphere that feels both spacious and intimate. For minimalist purists, our guide to pared-back interiors details how to achieve clean, clutter-free lines.
Minimal Zen principles complement the Scandinavian aesthetic by emphasizing simplicity and mindful design choices. If you’re drawn to raw textures and poetic imperfection, explore wabi-sabi sensibilities; for a light, tactile aesthetic that prizes function and calm, see the MUJI-inspired approach. Many homeowners also love the hybrid warmth of Japandi—where Japanese restraint meets Nordic comfort.
Industrial & Eclectic
Industrial design elements can add character and personality to executive maisonettes through exposed structural features, raw materials, and bold textures. This approach works particularly well when balanced with warmer elements that prevent the space from feeling cold or uninviting.
Eclectic styling allows homeowners to incorporate personal collections and diverse design elements into a cohesive whole. The spacious nature of executive maisonettes provides ample opportunity to display meaningful objects and create personalized spaces that reflect individual tastes and experiences. For those who cherish heritage details and modern functionality in equal measure, our feature on modern-colonial renovations offers thoughtful, timeless direction.
Project Showcase: Inspiring Executive Maisonette Makeovers
Real-world transformations demonstrate the incredible potential of executive maisonettes when approached with thoughtful design and skilled execution. The first floor of a maisonette is where daily life unfolds. By maintaining open layouts, you can create a welcoming space for family and friends, ensuring there is enough space to accommodate various needs and lifestyles.
Successful makeovers often feature open-plan kitchen and living areas that maximize the sense of space while promoting family interaction. Double-volume living spaces create dramatic visual impact while maintaining practical functionality for daily use.
Clever storage solutions integrated into the design help maintain clean lines while providing ample space for family belongings. The second floor is all about retreating from the bustle of daily life. Whether it’s the master bedroom or guest rooms, aim for a soothing, uncluttered design.
Project costs for comprehensive executive maisonette renovations typically range from $70,000 to $170,000, depending on the scope of work, quality of finishes, and extent of structural modifications required.
Renovation Pricing & Budgeting Guide
Understanding renovation costs helps homeowners plan realistic budgets for their executive maisonette transformation. Renovation costs for HDB executive maisonettes can vary depending on the property type, but a calm and intentional design doesn’t have to break the bank. Focus on quality over quantity, selecting timeless pieces that will endure both in function and style.
Factors affecting renovation costs include the extent of hacking and reconstruction required, the quality of finishes selected, the complexity of custom carpentry work, and the need for electrical and plumbing modifications. Premium materials and intricate design details naturally increase costs but also enhance the long-term value and enjoyment of the space.
Budgeting tips include allocating 10–15% of the total budget for contingencies, prioritizing structural and functional improvements over purely aesthetic elements, and considering phased renovations if budget constraints require spreading costs over time.
Choosing the Right Maisonette Interior Designer
Selecting the right designer requires evaluating experience with large HDB properties, reviewing portfolio examples of similar projects, and assessing communication style and design philosophy alignment. It’s essential to work with a professional to ensure a successful outcome. Consider hiring an interior designer or contractor who has experience with HDB maisonette renovations.
Portfolio reviews should focus on projects that demonstrate understanding of vertical space utilization, multi-level lighting design, and integration of architectural features. Client testimonials provide insights into the designer’s project management capabilities and ability to deliver results on schedule and within budget.
Transparent costing and clear communication about design processes, timelines, and potential challenges indicate professionalism and help establish realistic expectations for the renovation journey.
Frequently Asked Questions: Executive Maisonette Interior Design Service
What is the typical renovation cost for an executive maisonette in Singapore?
Comprehensive renovations typically range from $70,000 to $170,000, depending on scope, finishes, and structural modifications required.
How long does a full maisonette renovation take?
Most executive maisonette renovations require 3–6 months, depending on the complexity of work and any structural modifications needed.
Which design themes best suit maisonettes?
Scandinavian, modern contemporary, and modern luxe themes work particularly well, as they complement the spacious character while maintaining functionality. (See our primers on Scandinavian aesthetics and modern-contemporary direction.)
How can I maximize space in my executive maisonette?
Professional space planning, custom carpentry, built-in storage solutions, open-plan layouts, and smart lighting controls help optimize the available space.
Can I combine or modify rooms in a maisonette?
Yes, but modifications must comply with HDB guidelines and may require official approval depending on the extent of structural changes.
Do maisonette renovations require HDB approval?
Major structural modifications typically require HDB approval, while minor alterations may only need notification. Professional designers navigate these requirements.
Conclusion: Ready to Transform Your Maisonette?
Executive maisonettes represent a unique opportunity to create exceptional living spaces that combine the best of spacious design with thoughtful functionality. An HDB maisonette is more than just a home; it’s a canvas for thoughtful and intentional design.
The investment in professional interior design services pays dividends through optimized layouts, enhanced functionality, and increased property value. With their rare combination of space, character, and potential, executive maisonettes reward thoughtful renovation with living environments that truly stand apart.
Ready to explore the possibilities for your maisonette? Start a conversation with our team about residential interior design in Singapore and discover how our process—spanning concept to completion—brings out the best in double-storey living.
