Cove Light Symphony
(5-Room HDB, Clementi)
This renovation happened at Clementi Peaks BTO Estate. The unit is a 5-Room HDB measuring 1,184 square feet. The client chose a modern minimalist style with integrated cove lighting. The renovation took 4.5 months. Key partners included BCA-certified contractors and LED lighting specialists.
5-Room HDB, Clementi
This renovation shows how cove lighting can transform a 5-Room HDB in Singapore. The modern minimalist look, combined with bright and functional lighting, produced a space suitable for work, leisure, and family needs. The clients found comfort in the soft glows and flexible LED features. Their home now feels open, calm, and ready for smart living.
This renovation happened at Clementi Peaks BTO Estate. The unit is a 5-Room HDB measuring 1,184 square feet. The client chose a modern minimalist style with integrated cove lighting. The renovation took 4.5 months. Key partners included BCA-certified contractors and LED lighting specialists.
Client Background & Pain Points
A tech-focused couple owned this unit. They wanted a calm space for remote work and entertainment. Their original layout felt blocked by walls. The dated finishes clashed with the modern look they preferred. Standard overhead lights created shadows and glare. They also needed extra storage for work gadgets and media equipment.
Renovation Plan & Design Approach
The plan focused on merging the living, dining, and kitchen zones by removing selected walls. This open layout allowed natural light to spread and created a smooth flow.
Spatial Reconfiguration
- Removed non-load-bearing walls to unite living, dining, and kitchen
- Added floor-to-ceiling storage with hidden LED strips
- Created an elevated platform bed with underfloor lights in the master bedroom
Lighting Strategy
- Cove lighting: Positioned continuous LED strips along ceilings and shelves
- Task lighting: Installed magnetic track systems for work areas
- Ambient accents: Placed under-cabinet LED strips in the kitchen and at display niches
Material Palette
- Matte gray porcelain tiles for reflective continuity
- Micro-cement feature walls with ribbed texture to soften light
- Smoked glass partitions to keep sight lines open while defining zones
I visited this home during the renovation. The combined space gave a fresh feel. The couple tested different LED temperatures before settling on a soft glow that felt warm without being dull.
Execution & Challenges Faced
Workers removed walls and refitted electrical lines. The cove lighting required careful brightness tuning for comfort. Final adjustments took three weeks. The team installed frosted acrylic diffusers to reduce glare. Unexpected costs appeared when upgrading circuits for high-powered LED strips. The final bill rose by 12% but delivered a sleek result.
Key Highlights & Features
Minimalist Elements
- Floating console for media devices
- Smoked glass partition for a small home office
- Micro-cement island in the kitchen
- Retractable projector screen for movies
Lighting Innovations
- Perimeter cove lights with day-to-night brightness control
- Motion-activated lighting under the bed
- Adjustable pendant lights on magnetic tracks
- Vertical LED strips in display shelves
Functional Touches
- Dining table with built-in wireless charging
- Ventilated router cabinet with LED-lit mesh
- Bathroom sensor lights with a brief delay for night use
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Cost (SGD) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting systems | 24,000 | 30% |
| Structural changes | 18,000 | 22% |
| Material finishes | 15,000 | 19% |
| Smart integration | 12,000 | 15% |
| Labor | 8,000 | 10% |
| Total | 77,000 | – |
(Excludes furniture and electronics)
Cost Distribution Chart
Below is a simple breakdown of costs by category.
(Chart Description: A bar chart with five bars, each representing a category. The y-axis ranges from 0% to 35%. The bars reflect these percentages: Lighting systems at 30%, Structural changes at 22%, Material finishes at 19%, Smart integration at 15%, Labor at 10%.)