Quick answer: the easiest way to change the look of an HDB flat is to keep most walls and the ceilings in a light, neutral colour and add colour on one or two walls: a feature wall behind the TV or bed, a two-tone wall, or a painted shape behind a desk. With us, an extra colour costs $40 for one wall or $90 for one room on top of your painting package, and every package comes with a free digital colour preview so you can see the result before we paint.
1. One feature wall behind the TV or bed
The classic HDB upgrade. Pick the wall your eye goes to first when you walk in, usually behind the TV console or the bed headboard, and paint it a deeper colour than the rest of the room. Navy, forest green, terracotta and warm greige all work well against white or off-white walls.
Tip: choose the wall without windows or doors. Fewer interruptions make the colour look deliberate.
2. Two-tone walls
Paint the lower part of the wall in a darker or stronger colour and the upper part in a light one, with a crisp horizontal line in between. It makes a small bedroom feel taller, hides scuffs at child height, and works well in hallways.
- Keep the line at a consistent height around the room, often near the height of a desk or chair back.
- Use a washable paint for the lower half in children’s rooms and corridors.
3. Painted shapes: arches and colour blocks
An arch behind a bed or a block of colour behind a study desk creates a “zone” without building anything. These take more masking and measuring than a full wall, so send us a sketch or a reference photo and we will tell you what is possible and quote it.
4. A textured limewash feature wall
For a softer, cloudy look, a limewash finish adds movement to one wall, popular in Japandi and minimalist homes. See our limewash painting guide for how it differs from normal paint.
5. Keep the ceiling white
A white ceiling reflects light and keeps rooms feeling taller, which matters in HDB flats with standard ceiling heights. It is also cheaper to touch up later. Colour on the walls, white above, is the safest combination.
Colour combinations that work in HDB flats
| Main walls | Feature wall | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| Warm white | Sage green | Calm, natural |
| Off-white | Navy blue | Smart, cool |
| Light greige | Terracotta | Warm, earthy |
| Pale grey | Charcoal | Modern, crisp |
| Cream | Dusty pink | Soft, cosy (bedrooms) |
| White | Light blue | Fresh, airy (small rooms) |
Nippon Paint Singapore chose Blue Planet (NP PB 1506 D) as its Colour of the Year 2026, a calm blue that works as a feature wall against white. For more on 2026 colours, read our painting trends guide, and for living rooms see the top 10 HDB living room colours.
Ideas by room
Living room
One feature wall behind the TV, everything else light. If your flooring is warm wood-look vinyl, warm whites and earthy feature colours suit it. With grey or marble-look tiles, cooler greys and blues fit better.
Master bedroom
A deeper colour behind the headboard makes the room feel cosy at night. Pair it with a low-odour paint so you can sleep in the room sooner.
Children’s room
A light base with one bright wall, or a two-tone wall with the darker colour below. Use washable paint, such as Nippon Odourless EasyWash, so marks wipe off.
Study or work corner
A colour block or arch behind the desk marks out the workspace and looks good on video calls.
Small bedrooms
Light colours on all four walls make the room feel bigger. If you want colour, keep it to one wall.
How to choose without regret
- Look at colours in your own light. North- and south-facing HDB rooms get softer light, and colours look darker. West-facing rooms get warm afternoon sun.
- Check day and night. Warm and cool lights change colours a lot.
- Use a digital preview. All our packages include a free digital colour preview with advice on colours from the Nippon Paint, Asian Paints and Benjamin Moore catalogues.
- Limit the palette. One main colour for the whole flat plus one or two accent colours keeps a small home calm.
What it costs
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Extra colour, one wall | $40 |
| Extra colour, one room | $90 |
| Single room repaint | from $270 per room |
| 4-room HDB, whole flat | from $689 |
See all packages on our price list, or room painting if you are only doing one or two rooms.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a feature wall cost in an HDB flat?
If we are already painting the room, an extra colour on one wall is $40. For a feature wall on its own, send us a photo for a quote.
Are dark feature walls a bad idea in small HDB rooms?
Not if it is only one wall and the rest stays light. A dark wall can even make a room feel deeper. Avoid dark colours on every wall of a small room.
Can I paint my HDB ceiling a colour?
Yes, but white ceilings keep rooms brighter and feel taller, and they are easier to touch up. Most homeowners keep the colour on the walls.
What colour is easiest to sell or rent later?
Light neutrals. If you plan to sell, a single feature wall is easy to repaint before you list. See repainting before you sell.
Planning a feature wall?
WhatsApp us a photo of the wall and the colour you like, and we’ll send a quote with a free digital preview.