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HDB Toilet Design: Ideas, Fittings and What It Costs
Practical HDB toilet design ideas, what shower screens, vanities and toilet bowls cost in Singapore, and the HDB rules that limit what you can change.
- Wet and dry separation, an overlay and a floating vanity transform an HDB toilet without hacking.
- A shower screen is typically about $600 to $850 installed.
- New flats cannot replace toilet finishes for 3 years, and toilet bowls must be fitted by a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Homey Furnishing 3 min read HDB toilets are small, so good design is mostly about keeping the floor dry, hiding clutter and choosing fittings that are easy to clean. You can transform an HDB toilet without hacking, using an overlay, a shower screen and a new vanity. Here are the ideas that work, typical Singapore prices, and the HDB rules to follow.
HDB toilet design ideas
- Wet and dry separation. A glass shower screen keeps the rest of the floor dry, which makes the toilet safer and easier to clean.
- Overlay instead of hacking. New tiles over the old ones change the look without the 3-year restriction on new flats or the cost of new waterproofing.
- Large-format tiles. Bigger tiles mean fewer grout lines to clean.
- Floating vanity. A wall-mounted vanity frees floor space and makes mopping easier.
- Mirror cabinet. Storage behind the mirror keeps the counter clear.
- Wall niche in the shower. A recessed shelf for bottles, planned with your contractor.
What toilet fittings cost in Singapore (2026)
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Shower screen, installed | About $600 to $850 |
| Vanity, ready-made | About $300 to $1,200 depending on size and brand |
| Custom carpentry vanity | About $150 to $280 per foot run |
| Premium or wall-hung toilet bowl | About $800 to $1,500+, plus about $80 to $150 for the plumber |
| Full toilet renovation | About $4,500 to $8,000 per toilet |
Full cost breakdowns, including overlay vs hacking, are in our HDB toilet renovation guide.
About toilet bowls
Most HDB toilets have a floor outlet, so a standard floor-mounted bowl is the simplest choice. A wall-hung bowl is possible with a concealed cistern built into a boxed-up wall, but it costs more and adds plumbing work. Replacing a toilet bowl in an HDB flat must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber.
HDB rules for toilet design
- New flats: toilet floor and wall finishes cannot be replaced for 3 years from the block's completion.
- Replacing finishes after that needs a permit and new waterproofing.
- Shower screens must not involve tampering with the floor slab.
- Bathtubs and shower trays need an inspection opening, and the space underneath must not be filled.
- Exhaust fans are allowed in bathrooms, unlike kitchens.
See all the rules in our HDB renovation guidelines.
Small fixes before a full redesign
A running flush, slow drain, cracked tile or mouldy silicone often does not need a renovation. Our handyman team handles flush repairs, chokes, single tile replacement and regrouting, and our mould treatment guide covers damp ceilings.
FAQ
How can I redesign my HDB toilet without hacking? Overlay new tiles over the old ones, add a shower screen for wet and dry separation, and replace the vanity, mirror and fittings.
How much is a shower screen in Singapore? Typically about $600 to $850 installed.
Can I install a wall-hung toilet in an HDB flat? Often yes, with a concealed cistern and boxed-up wall, but it adds cost and must be installed by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Check with your contractor first.
Can I change the toilet tiles in my new BTO? Not for the first 3 years from the block's completion, but you can overlay new tiles.
Sources: HDB Renovation Guidelines (Building Works; Water and Sanitary Plumbing), Singapore price guides (Helpling, smartcalculator.sg, sbo.sg, Renonation), checked 21 October 2026. Prices are indicative ranges.