Not every flat gets a waterfront view or overlooks a park. Some stare straight into the carpark, at the MRT tracks, or the next block. In HDB-speak, it’s considered “bad facing”. But hey, that doesn’t mean bad living; it just means you’ll need to design well, renovate smart and play to your flat’s strengths to make it work for you. (Feature image by Chengyi Interior Design)<h3>Your HDB faces the MRT tracks, expressways, playgrounds, pavilions, schools…</h3>Issue: NoiseNoise is one of the biggest gripes when it comes to bad facing. Whether it’s the MRT rumbling by every five minutes, children screaming at the playground or peak-hour traffic honks, constant noise can make your home feel chaotic instead of restful.Fixes:<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1824/1216;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/7b2c5f7e-7ada-4a96-a1f2-b05968cabda6-blob" width="1824" height="1216"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/apartment-private-ltd">Apartment</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Built-in buffers: Wardrobes, bookshelves, or full-height cabinets against the noisy wall don’t just give you storage, they act as extra “mass” to muffle sound transmission. If you’re doing custom carpentry, consider lining the back panels with acoustic foam or rockwool insulation for even better results.Curtains: Thick, pleated drapes (velvet or blackout ones work best) can cut down high-frequency noise while adding cosiness. Go wide and long, extending past the window frame and reaching the floor so sound has fewer gaps to sneak in.Double-glazed windows: They have two glass panes with an air gap in between, which blocks sound transmission significantly. A worthwhile splurge if you have the extra cash to spare. Just keep in mind that a renovation permit from HDB is required for all windows replacement work, and&nbsp;a BCA Approved Window Contractor who is listed in HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors will need to apply for that said permit.Soft furnishings: Sound bounces off hard surfaces. Layer rugs, fabric sofas, upholstered dining chairs, or even padded wall panels to soak up echoes.Layout solutions: If your flat layout allows, push bedrooms and study areas towards the quieter side, swapping out with the areas of the home where noise is less critical like the living or dining room. Even something simple like shifting your bed to the wall furthest from the windows helps cut down perceived noise at night.&nbsp;<h3>Your HDB faces the carpark, neighbour’s unit, another block just metres away…</h3>&nbsp;Issue: PrivacyWhen your windows open straight onto someone else’s, or headlights shine into your living room every night, it can feel like you’re living in a fishbowl. Lack of privacy is draining, and it can even make you avoid using certain parts of your home.Fixes:<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1732/1155;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/bb6ad3de-7c4d-49c4-9746-fda3616b3285-blob" width="1732" height="1155"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-interior-lab">The Interior Lab&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;Day-and-night blinds or curtains: Sheer fabrics let in daylight while blurring views. Switch to blackout when you want total privacy. For blinds, venetian and combi (aka rainbow/zebra/Korean) blinds are popular HDB-friendly picks since you can adjust slats or layers depending on how much light or privacy you need.Frosted or tinted window films: A budget-friendly way to obscure views without losing natural light. Frosted films keep interiors bright, while one-way reflective (mirror) films let you see out but block prying eyes looking in.Built-in greenery: Instead of just pots, consider a planter ledge or vertical garden system integrated with your carpentry. These double up as privacy screens while adding a softer look to your windows.&nbsp;Create a pseudo-balcony: Pull your living space inwards and form a buffer zone. It also gives you a nook for lounging or a mini indoor garden.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1732/1155;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/8fbd0e7d-862a-4b56-a017-69d2dda7000f-blob" width="1732" height="1155"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/the-local-inn.terior">The Local Inn.terior</a>&nbsp;Add a foyer if facing another unit directly: A partition or built-in shoe cabinet near the entrance works wonders in cutting off sight-lines. Perforated screens, timber battens, or gypsum walls can do this stylishly while offering storage or display.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1154/1732;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/ed3fecbe-098e-4d98-accd-6da60bf41581-blob" width="1154" height="1732"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/key-concept">Key Concept</a>&nbsp;Rethink your layout: If possible, orient your sofa, study desk, or dining area so that you’re not constantly looking straight into someone else’s window. Alternatively, build a feature wall by the window to block off the view entirely. Even small tweaks in placement can give you more comfort.&nbsp;<h3>Your HDB faces the afternoon sun and glare…</h3>Issue: Heat and glareIn Singapore, flats that face the West tend to get the brunt of the afternoon sun. The result? Rooms that feel like a greenhouse and electricity bills that spike from constant air-con use.Fixes:<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1440/960;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/d2a3e5d1-5356-44af-900a-dba7f2d0b23b-blob" width="1440" height="960"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/ofthebox">Ofthebox</a>&nbsp;Solar films: A practical first line of defence. They reflect heat and glare without blocking your view. When comparing films, check the Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER) rating, which measures how well the film blocks infrared rays, UV light and visible light. However, also pay attention to the Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates how much natural light passes through. A film with a higher TSER won’t be as effective if its VLT is also high. If glare reduction is your primary concern, opt for a lower VLT (i.e. more light-blocking) to minimise glare. But if heat rejection is also important, choose a film with a good TSER rating, while ensuring the VLT meets your glare-reduction needs. Just make sure it's non-reflective or that it doesn't exceeding 20% reflectance, as per HDB's guidelines.Window dressings: Layer sheer curtains with blackout ones so you can adjust depending on the time of day. Sheers filter glare without making the space gloomy, while blackouts handle the late-afternoon blaze. For blinds, consider honeycomb (cellular) blinds as they trap heat at the window and stop cooled air from escaping, or blackout roller blinds for a clean, modern look.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1440/960;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/b04b11cf-c6e2-49b5-a7df-4661406793cf-blob" width="1440" height="960"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/rooot-studio">Rooot Studio</a>&nbsp;Ventilation and layout: Keep air moving with ceiling fans, and design your space to encourage cross-ventilation. Sliding or bi-fold doors, as well as open-plan layouts, help air flow more freely compared to solid partitions and swing doors.Cool colour palette: Light, cool-toned shades (think soft greys, blues or greens) absorb less heat and also feel more refreshing visually. They mimic tones of water, sky, and shade, which creates a subtle cooling effect even if the temperature doesn’t change.&nbsp;<h3>Your HDB faces the bin centre, rubbish chute, another service yard…</h3>Issue: Smells and hygieneUnits facing bin centres, common rubbish chutes or other service yards may have to deal with unpleasant smells or the occasional whiff of heavy cooking.Fixes:<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1280;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/c0118632-51fe-4199-a229-3e8e0aa5cf87-blob" width="1920" height="1280"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carpentersdesignsg/?hl=en">Carpenters 匠</a>&nbsp;Zone it off: Most HDBs already come with a bi-fold glass door to separate the yard. It’s great for containing smells while still letting light through. If you don’t like the cookie-cutter look, customise a divider that blends with your home’s theme. Go for materials that are easy to clean, with uncomplicated frames and designs so as to prevent grime from being trapped.Ventilation control: Add an exhaust fan in the kitchen or yard to keep air flowing outwards. If possible, design the space so airflow moves from your home out to the service yard, not the other way around.Seal the gaps: Use weatherstripping or silicone seals around windows and doors to block odours (or pests) from sneaking in. Even small gaps can make a big difference.Air purifiers: Place one in your main living areas or bedrooms. Go for HEPA filters with activated carbon, which are better at neutralising smells.Easy-clean finishes: Opt for tiles, quartz, sintered stone, and anti-fingerprint laminates in kitchens and yards. These wipe down easily and don’t trap grease or odours the way porous surfaces can.Laundry freshness: Consider investing in quick-dry solutions like automated laundry racks with a built-in fan or even a dryer. These shorten air drying time and reduce the chance of smells clinging to your clothes. Bonus: no more rushing to bring laundry in when it rains.&nbsp;<h3>Your HDB faces major roads, construction sites, carpark…</h3>Issue: Dust and pollutionIf your windows face heavy traffic, a carpark, or an ongoing construction zone that will take years to go away, dust unfortunately becomes part of daily life. It settles on every surface, and can even affect indoor air quality.Fixes:<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1280;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/e04ce709-b966-47ad-af8b-1d97ef637ca7-blob" width="1920" height="1280"></figure>Design: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/senso-studio">Senso Studio</a>&nbsp;Clutter-free and minimalist: A pared-down style isn’t just aesthetic, it’s practical. Fewer surfaces and knick-knacks mean fewer places for dust to cling. It also makes cleaning much easier. Keep your home organised with sufficient storage solutions so everyday items have a place, and clutter doesn’t accumulate.Furniture and carpentry choice: Custom carpentry and built-ins sized to your space exactly are a better option than off-the-shelf furniture, which often leaves gaps where dust collects. Opt for closed storage over open shelving, and display decor selectively.Magnetic screens or mesh: Install fine mesh screens (magnetic ones are convenient) on windows. These let in breeze while filtering out dust and small debris, especially useful if you still want natural ventilation without inviting road soot inside. As a plus, they also double up as an insect barrier.Air purifiers and dehumidifiers: A purifier with a HEPA filter is your best bet for removing fine particles. Check its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) to ensure it matches your room size. Aim for a CADR at least two-thirds the size of the space. Pair it with a dehumidifier if your home runs humid. Dust mites and allergens thrive above 50% humidity, while very low humidity makes dust cling more stubbornly to surfaces. Keeping levels around 45–50% (use a hygrometer to check) strikes a healthy balance.Surface choices: Pick smooth surfaces and large-format tiles, which are easier to clean than textured surfaces (think deep grooves or woodgrain details!) or ones with a lot of grout in between.

So Your HDB Flat has "Bad Facing"? Here's How to Make it Work

We are here to help!