Korean Apartment Interiors: Ohouse and Remodel Trends — 2026-10-29
This week, Seoul approved 621 new homes through apartment remodeling, signaling a regulatory shift toward revitalizing aging housing stock. Meanwhile, lifestyle platform Ohouse (오늘의집) released its first practical guidebook, "100 People's Construction Journal," compiling renovation experiences from 100 users who spent a combined 5.7 billion KRW. These developments coincide with a rise in "partial remodeling" trends as consumers seek cost-effective, targeted upgrades over full renovations.
Korean Apartment Interiors: Ohouse and Remodel Trends — 2026-10-29
Top developments
Seoul Approves 621 New Homes via Remodeling
On October 28, Seoul authorities approved four projects adding 621 homes through apartment remodeling and development near Anam and Gwangheungchang stations. This move highlights the city's strategy to increase housing supply by leveraging existing structures rather than new construction.
Ohouse Publishes "100 People's Construction Journal"
On October 28, Ohouse (operated by Bucketplace) released "100 People's Construction Journal," a practical book compiling renovation experiences from 100 users. The book aggregates data from users who spent a total of 5.7 billion KRW on renovations, offering insights on budgeting, contractor selection, and defect management. This initiative aims to reduce information asymmetry for prospective remodelers.
Eased Rules Revive Apartment Remodeling
Recent regulatory easing has revived the apartment remodeling market in the Seoul area, with six remodeling associations approved in the first half of the year. Major builders are expanding into this sector to capitalize on the demand for upgrading aging apartments.
Rise of "Partial Remodeling"
As construction and labor costs rise, "partial remodeling" is emerging as a key trend. Consumers are increasingly opting to renovate only necessary spaces, such as bathrooms or kitchens, rather than undertaking full-home renovations. This approach allows residents to stay in their homes while making targeted improvements.
Local view
Local media outlets like The Asia Business Daily and Consumerwide highlight the community-driven nature of Ohouse's new book, which transforms individual renovation stories into collective knowledge. The platform's strategy to extend its content from online communities to physical books reflects a broader trend of leveraging user-generated content for commercial and educational purposes.
Context & numbers
- Total Renovation Spend: The 100 users featured in Ohouse's book spent a combined 5.7 billion KRW on their renovations.
- New Housing Supply: Seoul's recent approval adds 621 new homes to the market through remodeling projects.
- Regulatory Changes: Six remodeling associations were approved in the first half of the year, indicating a loosening of previous restrictions.
On the radar
- Ohouse Offline Expansion: Ohouse continues to expand its offline presence, having recently opened an interior lounge in Mokdong, Seoul, to complement its Pangyo location. The company plans to further invest in offline showrooms to enhance customer experience.
- Hyundai E&C's Unit-Level Upgrades: Hyundai E&C is expanding its aging-apartment renovation business into individual units through a new agreement with Hyundai Livart, potentially changing how in-unit upgrades are marketed and executed.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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