Open Concept Kitchen Singapore: Is It Right for Your HDB?

Open concept kitchens — where the kitchen flows into the living and dining area without a wall — are one of the most requested renovation features in Singapore. But they are also one of the most misunderstood.

The Appeal

An open kitchen makes a small HDB flat feel significantly larger. It allows the cook to interact with the family while preparing meals. It looks beautiful in photos and show flats. And in 2026, it remains a strong preference among younger Singapore homeowners.

The Reality

Singapore cooking is different from the lifestyle an open kitchen is designed for. Local cooking involves high heat, strong aromas, oil splatter, and significant smoke. A kitchen designed for light salads and pasta works beautifully open. A kitchen used for frying fish or cooking curry is a different story.

Without proper ventilation — which in an HDB flat is limited by window placement and exhaust capacity — an open kitchen can make the entire living area smell of cooking for hours.

HDB Rules on Open Kitchens

HDB permits the removal of non-structural kitchen walls, but the wet kitchen area (where the sink and cooking hob are) must be separated from the dry area. A common solution is a half-wall or glass partition that maintains visual openness while containing splatter and smoke.

The Practical Middle Ground

Most HOBI clients who want an open kitchen settle on a semi-open design — a pass-through counter, a glass panel, or a folding glass door that can be closed during heavy cooking and opened when entertaining. This gives you the best of both worlds.

Visit our showroom and we will walk you through the options for your specific flat layout.