BTO Flooring / Tiles: Keep or Remove?
Back to home updates — lately we’ve been meeting with IDs and finalising our options. Our project comes with compulsory flooring and fittings and from the start, I already knew I wanted to change them out as the colours are completely off from my style and moodboard. I kept saying how ugly it was and I was pretty set on replacing it, even knowing it would rack up the reno cost quite a bit. I also assumed the quality wouldn’t be great, so it was a good chance to just change them out altogether.
But after meeting with IDs and seeing the actual quote, reality hit 🫠. I’ve been trying to come to terms with it by looking at the colours daily and convincing myself to like them — even using AI to visualise the shades and honestly? It looks quite nice and not that bad la hahaha. So instead of changing the vinyl, I’ve decided to take it as a design challenge, to have the house styled in a way that complements the existing tones and make good use of lighting. This challenge will then be passed on to our potential ID 😂. Hopefully we have no regrets down the road. After all, cost is still the most important factor for our renovation.
I hope things work out well for us in this aspect, and I absolutely can’t wait to style the house and share our journey!
It’s also been tough finding home accounts that actually kept their HDB flooring and tiles, which makes it harder to convince myself. Did any of you keep yours? Would love to see for reference ☺️
When it comes to BTO flooring, the decision to keep or remove the original fixtures can be quite challenging, especially with considerations like polished porcelain tiles paired with laminated UPVC skirting boards or vinyl strip flooring. From my experience, many BTO homes come with standardized flooring options such as vinyl strip flooring with laminated skirting or 200 x 200mm tiles, and replacing these can significantly add to renovation expenses. One tip I found helpful is to understand the specific materials involved. For example, glazed porcelain floor tiles are durable and aesthetically pleasing, but their cold feel and color might not match everyone's taste. Vinyl flooring, while more affordable, offers flexibility and can be enhanced with modern vinyl tile stickers and transition strips for a seamless look, particularly useful where tiles meet wood floors. For those contemplating replacing skirting boards, consider if the 200mm skirting boards currently installed really fit your style. Sometimes, it's the simpler upgrades, like installing fresh floor transition strips or regrouting floor tiles instead of a full replacement, that refresh your space effectively. Additionally, soundproofing tiles and adhesive vinyl floor stickers can transform the atmosphere without a full teardown. Removing floor tiles can be labor-intensive and costly, and resurfacing with sticker floor tiles or vinyl floor transition strips is often a practical alternative. I also recommend consulting interior designers who have experience with BTO renovations. They can provide insights on maximizing your existing flooring's potential through lighting and complementary furnishings. This approach can effectively turn a reluctant acceptance into a rewarding design challenge, balancing aesthetics, function, and budget. Ultimately, keeping your original BTO flooring doesn't mean compromising style—it's about creativity and smart choices. If you’re on the fence, reach out to community forums or local renovation experts to see examples from homeowners who kept their flooring and loved the results. Sharing experiences can make the decision easier and inspire your renovation journey.
Have you seen your tiles in person? I wanted to change the bathroom wall tiles but thought it was nicer after seeing it in person, opted out of changing the wall tiles and saved about 5k!