Interior by Aura Design & Co.
Aura Design & Co.

The Aura Journal

Straight answers on renovating in Singapore, from a studio that does the work. Costs, HDB rules, timelines and the decisions that quietly set the budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a 4-Room HDB BTO in Singapore?
Renovation Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a 4-Room HDB BTO in Singapore?

A 4-room BTO in Singapore realistically lands between $40,000 and $60,000 in 2026. Here is where every dollar goes, and which four decisions actually move the number.

18 Aug 20269 min read
What You Can and Cannot Hack in an HDB Flat
HDB & BTO

What You Can and Cannot Hack in an HDB Flat

Structural walls, columns, beams and the household shelter can never be hacked, and no engineer can approve it. Here is what HDB…

18 Aug 202610 min read
How Much Does Condominium Renovation Cost in Singapore?
Renovation Costs

How Much Does Condominium Renovation Cost in Singapore?

A three-bedroom condo in Singapore typically runs $60,000 to $100,000 in 2026, and resale units cost meaningfully more than new launches. Here…

18 Aug 20268 min read
How Much Does Custom Carpentry Cost in a Singapore HDB Flat?
Design & Materials

How Much Does Custom Carpentry Cost in a Singapore HDB Flat?

Carpentry is priced per foot run and is usually a third of a renovation budget. Expect $180 to $250 per foot for…

18 Aug 20269 min read
What Should Be In a Singapore Renovation Quotation (And the Lines That Should Worry You)
Planning & Process

What Should Be In a Singapore Renovation Quotation (And the Lines That Should Worry You)

A renovation quotation should itemise every trade with quantities and unit rates. Here is the full checklist, plus the seven clauses that…

18 Aug 20269 min read
How Long Does a BTO Renovation Take in Singapore? A Realistic Week-by-Week Timeline
Planning & Process

How Long Does a BTO Renovation Take in Singapore? A Realistic Week-by-Week Timeline

Site works on a standard BTO run about 8 to 12 weeks. From first meeting to moving in, plan for four to…

18 Aug 20269 min read
Interior Designer vs Renovation Contractor in Singapore: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Planning & Process

Interior Designer vs Renovation Contractor in Singapore: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Both build the same flat using the same trades. The difference is who does the thinking, the drawing and the chasing. Here…

18 Aug 20269 min read
Which Interior Design Styles Work Best in a Singapore HDB Flat?
Design & Materials

Which Interior Design Styles Work Best in a Singapore HDB Flat?

Singapore flats have hard daylight, high humidity and compact rooms. Six styles handle those three conditions well, and a few popular ones…

18 Aug 20269 min read

Planning a renovation this year?

Send us the flat type, the keys date and roughly what you want to spend. We will tell you honestly whether the budget matches the brief before anyone talks about design.