Daytime heat, nighttime heat – is there anything you can do to feel more comfortable when the thermometer shows sky-high readings? Air conditioning and fans always make the situation better but they’re not an option every single time.

Whether you’re trying to conserve energy or you simply don’t have an AC system installed at home, you’re probably looking for home interior design improvements that will make a hot climate easier to bear.

Bedding and textiles rank among the most important interior design elements when it comes to coping with the heat. Breathable, lightweight fabrics that can wick away moisture are ideal choices for those scorching days.

Fresh, crisp sheets are one of the easiest options to improve the ambiance in the bedroom and enjoy a good night’s sleep. But that’s not the only choice when it comes to handling hot weather. From curtains to throw pillows, you’ll have to be strategic about the selection.

Best Fabrics for the Heat

Let’s discuss the best fabrics for summertime heat first.

Cotton is always a great and safe choice. It’s also a lot more affordable than some other natural textiles out there. Choosing cotton sheets, duvets and throws will give you breathability and moisture wicking properties that are all so very important.

Linen is another excellent choice.

Just like cotton, linen is a woven natural fabric. It has an excellent breathability profile but on top of that, linen also has natural cooling properties. It is also known as a natural anti-microbial fabric. Some people worry that linen is a bit scratchy but this doesn’t have to be the case. High quality linen is very smooth and soft, feeling really nice against the skin. This is why you should spend some time seeking high quality linen sheets and bedding choices. Durable and lightweight, they’re a definite worthy investment.

If you’re into eco-friendly textiles that are also great for hot days and nights, choose hemp. Hemp sheets rank among the most breathable ones. They’re also mould and mildew resistant – important properties for everyone living in a humid climate.

Two other fun choices worth exploring are bamboo and silk. Bamboo sheets are super smooth and comparable to cotton in terms of properties. Silk is a bit more expensive but its sleek lightness makes it luxurious choice that many people have become accustomed to.

Colours Are Also Important

Managing heat isn’t just about the fabrics that you pick. Colours also play a very important role in maintaining a pleasant ambiance.

Light colours are always a safe choice because they reflect rather than absorb heat. This principle applies to all aspects of interior design, including the selection of the right textiles.

White, beige, yellow and even pastel orange are all perfect choices for bedding and home textiles. Light green and blue also rank among the top colour choices. Light colours will absorb much less heat during the day then dark tones. As a result, sheets will feel nice and cool when you’re ready for sleep.

The same applies to curtains. You don’t want dark curtains that absorb and hold a ton of heat. Thermal insulated curtains are also a good choice that will keep your home cool (even if you’re not employing air conditioning all the time).

Light Layers

Now that we’ve covered textiles and colours, it’s time to talk about arrangements. Layering is an important aspect of interior design. It creates depth and visual interest. When it comes to textile elements employed in hot weather, light layers are always a safe choice.

The term light layers refers to blankets, duvets, bedspreads and pillows on top of the bed. Keeping those minimal and light is going to make it much easier to stay cool. This applies to all moments, not just the night. Jumping on top of the bed to read or listen to music can be quite uncomfortable if you have thick layers of fabric on top of each other.

Even if you like snuggling up during the night, getting rid of heavy comforters will produce a sensible difference in the bedroom atmosphere. Replace a comforter (especially if it features synthetic feeling) with a cotton blanket and a cotton bedspread on top of that. Not only will these simplify making the bed in the morning, they will also feel a lot cooler.

You can use the same light layers in the living room or any other space that features textiles. Natural sofa upholstery and a couple of linen-covered throw pillow on the sofa will be enough to create some cosiness without contributing to unpleasant summertime heat. If you like having a throw on the sofa, choose a light natural textile once again.

Good interior design should always be functional, solving a particular problem that a flat problem is facing because of their environment. Temperature control is one of the most important goals to accomplish in Singapore’s weather.

If you don’t know how to choose the best heat control elements and how to organise your space, contact Home Guide. Not only will we help you manage the hotness and humidity, we’ll also bring that dream vision to reality. We know what it takes to personalise and align interior design with your lifestyle goals. Let’s talk about your dream home and make it happen.

Feeling excited about a home renovation, you’re researching interior design styles that align with your aesthetic and functional understandings. When doing so, you’re bound to come across some interior design ideas that are trending right now and some ever-green options like minimalist, Mediterranean, industrial and Scandinavian design.

If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, however, you may want to explore some forgotten interior design trends that seem to be making a comeback today.

Such trends carry a lot of charm and there are very particular reasons why they’re being embraced by homeowners and interior designers once again. Here are a few of those stylistic choices that are definitely worth thinking about.

Maximalism

As the name suggests, this is the opposite of minimalism – a decadent and opulent interior design style that seems to bring just about every possible element together.

Maximalism had been abandoned for some time but it seems to be making a comeback.

With maximalism, you can display your interests and hobbies, as well as your favourite works of art. It creates lots of comfort and variety. Anyone who enjoys the eclectic feel of their home will fall in love with all of the richness that maximalism ensures.

The one thing to be aware of is the fact that cleaning and maintenance can be a bit trickier in a maximalist home. It’s also a good idea to work with an interior designer on the execution. Otherwise, you risk running into clutter problems sooner or later.

The Colours of the 70s

When it comes to interior design trends, they’re probably most obvious in the realm of colour palette selection.

While neutrals will always be a go-to choice, some more intriguing colour choices are making a comeback to the world of home décor. These include the hues that were very popular during the 1970s.

In fact, quite a few interior design trends from the 70s are seeing quite strong representation today. These include groovy furniture with a lot of spirit, lots of pattern mixes, wicker and macramé, psychedelic designs and chunky accessories.

As far as colours go, brighter is always better. Avocado green, sunshine yellow, orange, red and all other vibrant tones are an excellent choice. Very often, colour palettes consist of tones that don’t seem to work together (but they actually do). Bright contrasts and colour/pattern mixes can also result in a lot of personality.

If you don’t feel that such bold tones are right for your home, go for natural colours and pick one bright accent. That choice will bring a lot of life and some excitement into your spaces without being obtrusive or annoying.

Art Deco Interior Design

The art deco trend seemed to be abandoned over the past few years but we’re glad to say it’s making a definite comeback.

Art deco saw its limelight in the 1920s as a contrast to the very opulent and rich Victorian interior design that was its predecessor.

Geometric patterns, luxurious materials and strong angles all make art deco an interior design style you simply can’t ignore. Its aesthetic is immediately recognisable and a great choice for those who want some glamour and a feel of sophistication at home.

We previously predicted that art deco is going to be one of the interior design trends to dominate 2022. Today, we’re really happy to say that the prediction has already come true.

Separate Rooms

Open plan living has been the rage with contemporary urban spaces over a number of years already. With the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns of the past two years, however, individual rooms are starting to make a comeback.

With open spaces, you have zones that are gently separated from each other without taking away from the airiness of the flat. When people have to spend a lot of time at home, however, such design choices aren’t always optimal. This is especially true when several generations have to share the same space or members of the same households exhibit very different lifestyle preferences.

It’s been 15 years since open spaces have dominated. Now, they’re stepping to the back of the stage and individual rooms are returning. Individual rooms make it much easier to create privacy and personal space. They also create a sense of cosiness and security many people have been missing.

80s Furniture Pieces

A last fun trend you may want to consider exploring is 80s furniture (whether genuine or executed in that particular style).

Odd furniture shapes, geometric lines, mixes of different materials, bright colours and even plastic elements are all quite typical for 80s furniture. These funky and maybe even slightly kitschy pieces are returning to our world because they have a ton of personality. If you want an item that’s really going to stand out in a fairly neutral home, choose a genuine 1980s piece of furniture.

And finally, remember that trends should only serve as pointers. If you’re really drawn to a particular design idea, you should definitely consider it for your renovation. It doesn’t matter if the concept is trending right now or considered an ever-green. No matter how unorthodox your idea appears to be, contact Home Guide. We are a home interior design company that can cannot wait to be inspired by your vision of your dream home, and execute it to perfection. Check our our home renovation and interior design portfolio here.

How do you feel at home? Are you relaxed? Do you believe that the environment helps you feel well, even healthier? A focus on wellness has become very important in today’s world, which is why most of us are paying a lot of attention to aspects of home interior design that can positively impact wellness.

Air quality is obviously among the most important ones.

Various approaches can be employed to improve air quality at home. Some of the key ones should focus on the kitchen.

The kitchen is the room where we prepare food – a process that’s linked to heat and moisture. Cooking can also bring grease particles into the air and these can easily stick to walls and furniture. Proper ventilation in the kitchen is absolutely vital to protect these pieces and to experience overall air quality improvements.

If you’re wondering about the best ways to ensure proper ventilation in the kitchen, we have you covered. Here are some of the interior design practices that are bound to deliver excellent results, even if you do some heavy duty food preparation at home.

Why Kitchen Air Quality Matters

While we’ve already mentioned the fact that cooking can impact air quality, let’s dig a little bit deeper to understand why proper ventilation is especially important in the kitchen.

It’s not just about the air you breathe and whether it’s dry or filled with grease particles. The humidity generated through cooking and food preparation can contribute to other problems, as well.

Moisture, especially if you do nothing about it, creates the perfect conditions for mould and mildew. Inhaling mould has been linked to various health problems – allergic reactions and asthma attacks being the most common ones. If you have children in the household or some of the family members experience respiratory problems, mould and mildew can be even more serious issues.

Depending on the heating method you choose for food preparation, you’re also releasing various kinds of emissions into the air. Gas stoves can produce carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and even formaldehyde as a part of their normal operation. Electric stoves don’t produce such serious emissions but they can still emit harmful particles into the air. If you have a self-cleaning oven, be aware of the fact that it’s the kitchen appliance known to produce the most emissions out of all.

Breathing in such gases and chemicals over a prolonged period of time can have negative effects, particularly on the respiratory system. That’s why you need high quality ventilation, preferably positioned directly above the food preparation appliances.

Best Ways to Improve Kitchen Air Quality

A couple of simple steps can enhance kitchen ventilation and get rid of most dangerous emissions mentioned above.

Before talking about ventilation per se, we do need to discuss appliances. If you’re using gas countertops or a stove, consider buying an alternative model. This is an especially good idea if the particular appliance is long overdue for change.

Induction stoves and countertops rely on electromagnetic energy, which is why they’re deemed safest. In addition, induction appliances work really effectively and contribute to quite fast food preparation. These ones tend to be quite expensive, however, which is something to keep in mind when doing the renovation budget.

Apart from paying attention to appliances, you can do a few more things to make sure kitchen ventilation is stellar.

Range hoods are of vital importance for the prevention of kitchen air quality deterioration. And it’s not just about choosing the right brand. You also need to employ proper exploitation and you need to do range hood maintenance.

It’s essential to turn the fan on before you start cooking, not in the middle of the process. That’s how you’re going to trap most of the fumes and grease particles.

Regular filter changes are also required to ensure maximum efficiency. The frequency of maintenance depends on manufacturer recommendations and how often you cook in the kitchen.

As far as grease is concerned, there is one more (fairly simple) thing you can do to get great results. A splatter screen is the perfect little addition to your kitchen, especially if you do lots of frying. Splatter screens are very inexpensive and some of them could come with extra functionalities like odour control. Most often, splatter screens can be cleaned in the dishwasher and their thin design makes them perfect for installation in small kitchens.

Finally, consider the placement of kitchen windows and make sure they’re open often enough to allow fresh air inside. That’s a simple, very inexpensive and highly effective solution to the air quality problem. If you’re planning a renovation in the near future, the strategic opening of new windows could contribute to even less of a problem when you cook.

To help you plan out the renovation of your your BTO or condo, we will employ our knowledge and experience. Combined with a tailored approach to every single project, that know-how will result in kitchen renovation choices that are perfectly in sync with your lifestyle. Contact Home Guide today for the perfect home renovation that positively impacts your mental and physical well-being.

Most of us have been there – trying to improve home décor or complete a thorough renovation on a budget. In such instances, cheap furniture comes to the rescue. The only problem with it is that it often looks… well… cheap!

Is it possible to get the sophisticated vibes that designer furniture brings to the table without spending a fortune? Yes, it is, if you’re selective and you employ the high-low philosophy and creativity. Transforming cheap furniture does take an eye for detail and some work but it can definitely be achieved.

Reupholstering Cheap Furniture

One of the options that will have the most notable transformative effect is the reupholstering of cheap furniture. Chairs, sofas and loveseats that are affordable will offer come with cheap-looking, synthetic upholstery. Switching that for something a bit more exciting will immediately uplift the appearance of the entire piece.

In that instance, you’ll only have to spend a bit on some nice fabric selection.

Smaller pieces like chairs can be reupholstered at home. And even if you have to spend some money on professional assistance, it will still be more affordable than trying to get designer furniture.

What’s the best fabric to choose if you want to give inexpensive pieces a high-end look? That’s really up to you and the interior design style you’re going for. Natural materials and fabrics that have some texture can easily deliver a more intriguing and visually enticing appearance.

Add New Hardware

Just like some fresh and cute fabric can immediately lift up seating, new hardware can have an impressive effect on cupboards and drawers.

The good news is that you have lots and lots of choices that will be practical and beautiful to look at. Also, a hardware change is so simple most people will get to handle it as a DIY project (you wouldn’t need a whole arsenal of tools to be successful on your own).

Generic handles swapped with something a bit more ornate and vintage-looking will quickly give your furniture some authenticity and depth.

You can also experiment with metals and fun colours. Bronze and copper are two examples that will give you warmth and something a bit more interesting than the standard hardware most furniture mass manufacturers employ.

Antique and vintage shops can also have some nice pieces you’ll get for a lot less than attempting to buy actual vintage furniture.

Try Contact Paper

Whenever you feel that a certain surface is quite boring, try changing things up with a bit of contact paper.

As the name suggests, this is a type of adhesive paper that can be used as covering on countertops, tables, cupboards and any other flat surface that you’d like to elevate. The front side of contact paper is decorative and it often replicates expensive materials (marble, granite) in a very convincing way.

Well-made contact paper is your best friend for the creation of accent pieces. And even if you don’t want to cover an entire surface, you can cut out shapes from it and have a bit of fun. The result will be custom, personalised and in line with your aesthetic vision.

Explore Metallic Finishes

Gold, silver and other metallic spray paints will add an instant sense of luxury. The trick is to use those sparingly. Making your entire home sparkle will take you to kitschy rather than sophisticated territory.

A simple metal shelf will immediately get the “wow” factor by adopting that metallic finish. It’s one of the ultimate hacks that professional interior designers swear by.

And if gold or silver aren’t your thing, there’s a whole host of other metallic finishes to experiment with. Pearl-white, copper, bronze, turquoise, grey and even olive green paints in metallic finish are available (as well as many other shades and tones). Have a bit of fun with those and go as unusual or eccentric as you feel would suit your home décor idea.

When in Doubt – Accessorise!

Adding valuable stuff on top of cheap furniture or accessorising a bit with quality pieces is the final thing you can do for a quick and easy transformation.

Good-looking throw pillows or an expensive rug in front of an inexpensive sofa will draw the eye to those pieces. When you choose this approach, the furniture will have a supportive and purely functional role.

Adding a nice candleholder to a coffee table or displaying a piece of art on it will have a similar effect. Don’t shy away from experimenting with accessories. Not only will they brighten dull commercial pieces, they can tie an entire home interior design concept together.

We all want that expensive-looking home and if the goal could be achieved on a budget, that’s going to be even better.

Are you dreaming of some luxury and elegance? Do you worry that your vision can’t be executed because you lack the experience to put together a balanced décor? Worry not, we have you covered! At Home Guide, we make it our mission to really understand and create homes people love spending time in. Contact us now to learn more about the process and get your home transformation started.

Planning and executing the perfect bedroom renovation can take days, even weeks. As a space for relaxation and peacefulness, the bedroom needs to have a meticulously chosen layout, the right materials furniture and accessories. So what happens if you need to spruce things up quickly? And by quickly we mean in just a couple of hours!

Such a bedroom makeover can be carried out if you follow a few important rules. The biggest essentials include the selection of strategic changes that deliver a big impact without necessitating a ton of work. Here are a few such upgrades that can work tremendously well for just about any bedroom.

Get the Right Textiles

Changing the textiles that are presently available in your bedroom can lead to a massive difference in the way the room looks.

You see, textiles don’t just add colour and functionality to a bedroom. They also bring textures and patterns to the space. These can be delicate and elegant or bold and daring. Choosing textiles that are radically different in texture and pattern from what you have will make your bedroom unrecognisable.

For a sleek and chic look, go for linen, satin and silk. These fabrics are ideal choices for bedcovers and bedsheets, throw pillows and even curtains. A bit of cosy texture can always be added in the form of a shaggy rug to throw in front of the bed.

When it comes to colours and patterns, choose something that will complement the main bedroom scheme or contrast it altogether. Usually, patterns for bedrooms tend to be less prominent – florals, geometrics and nature-inspired patterns will all look great. If you want something a bit bolder, opt for colour splatters or something art-inspired.

Change Up Wall Colour

This tip is valid for all spaces and it can produce such a dramatic difference that we had to include it among the top ideas for a bedroom remodel.

Changing the wall colour is one of the easiest ways to instantly freshen things up and change the interior design of the bedroom.

You can go for a colour that’s similar to what you previously had in the bedroom (if you’re not keen on changing the colour scheme altogether) or you can opt for a completely different tone. While there are certain colours that are considered bedroom classics (white, beige, pastels, natural tones), you can always pick something a bit more unorthodox.

Some paints also have a finish that will add another layer to the execution. Matte tones are a great choice for the bedroom. Metallic finishes will work well as accents to highlight certain parts of the room that you’d like to draw attention to.

Upcycle the Current Bedroom Furniture

Instead of looking for new furniture –a process that can often take months – consider upcycling the items that you already have in your home.

The term upcycling refers to reusing existing objects in a way that adds more quality to them. To upcycle, you can have old furniture sanded and varnished, painted or transformed in a way that changes its purpose. Some upcycling projects are a lot more complex than that but since you have just a few hours to carry out the makeover, these wouldn’t be discussed.

If you’re a complete novice in the world of upcycling, a coat of paint or varnish will get the job done. A bit of twine wrapped around the back and legs of a chair will instantly give you Mediterranean or eclectic vibes. A few other ways to upcycle bedroom furniture include turning a desk into a pair of nightstands, creating a vanity from an old mirror and transforming a dresser drawer into a planter (which will change its purpose and also bring a bit of greenery to your bedroom).

In case you need some additional ideas, do go through Pinterest. There, you’ll find hundreds of upcycling projects. Some of them feature step-by-step illustrations that make project completion so much easier.

Glow Up the Lighting

Here’s one final home renovation approach that can have a dramatic effect on the appearance of your bedroom.

Switching out the existing lights will immediately modify the ambiance in the room. And since you tend to spend a lot of time in the bedroom after dark, the selection of the right lights is very important.

Replace the main light with a fixture that adds a bit of texture and even colour. Rather than being a functional light, this one sets the mood. This is why you can get a bit whimsical with the selection.

New nightstand lamps will give you functional light and their appearance will also add to the overall transformation. Go modern and minimalist, go vintage – it’s really up to you and the theme you’re trying to bring into the bedroom.

If you need to carry out a bedroom renovation fast, here’s one final suggestion for you – get professional assistance.

DIY projects tend to be very time-consuming, especially if you lack the professional knowledge to act quickly and effectively.

With Home Guide, you’ll have your bedroom transformed and upgraded in no time. We know what to do to create maximum impact in minimum time. Contact Home Guide now and we’ll power through the renovation together!

A good kitchen countertop has to be a couple of things. Above all else, it needs to be stylish and practical. The practical appeal comes in the form of being hygienic, easy to clean, durable, shatter-proof and resistant to scratches.

To address all of these criteria, you’ll need to choose the right material. Luckily, numerous options do exist both material-wise and brand-wise. If you don’t know how to make the selection, here are a few excellent choices and the reasons why they’re worth looking into.

Granite

If you go through online rankings of the best kitchen countertop materials, granite will often top the chart. Its versatility, functionality, cost-efficiency and beauty can be difficult to match through the selection of another option.

Granite countertops will always look elegant and sophisticated. They add an instant sense of luxury, even if the rest of the execution happens to be modest.

While granite does come with a higher price tag than other materials, the additional spending is certainly justified. Tough, natural and very long lived, granite will yield an excellent return on investment (especially if you’re seeking longevity when renovating).

There are several very important advantages that granite brings to the table. This natural stone is almost entirely impervious to heat. In addition, granite comes in thousands of different colours and patterns. It will easily add uniqueness to the kitchen because each piece of granite is distinctive. Granite is also nearly 100 per cent maintenance-free, very easy to clean (especially when treated with the right kind of contemporary sealant) and it is exceptionally strong.

Only a few disadvantages are linked to this material. Granite isn’t a good choice if you’re looking forward to a DIY kitchen renovation – leave its installation to a professional home renovation contractor in Singapore that is HDB-licensed. If it’s not installed properly, granite can crack and that’s something you definitely don’t want for a fairly expensive countertop. When granite isn’t treated with a sealant, it’s a porous material. That means it can harbour dirt and bacteria. That’s why professional countertop installers will use sealant on all kinds of natural stone – it eliminates the issue altogether.

Quartz

You may think that quartz (when it comes to kitchen countertops) is a natural material but it actually isn’t. This is an engineered option resulting from quartz particles and other minerals being mixed with resin or other polymers.

When these materials come together, an exceptionally durable surface is brought into existence. In fact, quartz is completely non-porous and it has double the impact resistance of natural stone.

A few other great features that make quartz an excellent countertop choice include uniform slabs that are lacking in imperfections, no need to apply sealant to the surface, imperviousness to heat and acids from food, as well as a beautiful and very natural appearance. Quartz countertops are suitable for DIY installation. Also, because the material is engineered, you can order any shape and size that comes to mind.

The shortcomings aren’t that many but the ones you need to keep in mind include the cost of quartz (still a fairly expensive material) and its weight. Countertops crafted from this material tend to be pretty heavy – something to keep in mind when designing and executing this part of the kitchen.

Marble

Exceptionally beautiful and naturally versatile in appearance, marble is one of the classic choices for a kitchen countertop.

Marble looks luxurious and sophisticated. It can have colourful veins and beautiful patterns. Just like granite, each piece of marble is unique and it will add that VIP touch to a kitchen. Engineered marble is also available as an alternative to the natural stone and it gives you a bit more when it comes to cost-efficiency.

The biggest benefits of choosing marble include a material that’s fully heat-proof and waterproof, as well as longevity. With proper sealing and care, marble countertops will probably last longer than your home.

On the downside, marble is a natural stone and it is porous. Sealant will have to be applied to it for hygienic purposes. It’s also one of the “softer” natural stones, which makes it prone to scratching. Like granite, marble isn’t a good choice for a DIY installation and if it gets cracked or damaged, repairs will be very challenging.

Solid Surface

If you’ve never heard of solid surface countertops before, you’ll be surprised to find out they’ve been around for over 50 years. This is one of the best materials for Singaporeans who are looking for options that look good and are fairly affordable.

Solid surface is an engineered material that’s crafted from acrylics or polymer resins. Hence, thousands of variations are available and you can have a custom-made solid surface countertop especially crafted for your kitchen.

While solid surface lacks a bit when it comes to the depth of natural stone, it’s still very convincing and authentic in appearance.

Some of its biggest benefits include a very high degree of durability, seamless joints, easy to care for and non-porous. Solid surface is also one of the few kitchen countertop materials that can be resurfaced with a basic tool like an orbital sander.

On the downside, solid surface can be scratched because it is softer than natural stone. Also, the material can get deformed if a lot of heat is applied to it – don’t leave a pan directly on the countertop.

KompacPlus

Also called KompacTop, this engineered countertop material has been gaining a lot of popularity lately.

KompacPlus has been designed to look exactly like wood laminate. Unlike wood, however, it is non-porous and water-resistant – two important characteristics that make a good countertop material.

The material is made from layers of kraft paper and resin. The panels are compressed together using a lot of pressure and at a high temperature. As a result, a solid and seamless material is created. Because of the manufacturing process, KompacPlus is very long-lived and almost entirely maintenance-free.

Apart from being very cool to look at, KompacPlus is also stain-resistant. Because it is lightweight and easy to work with, KompacPlus can be installed over an existing kitchen countertop without prior removal.

Its disadvantages are just a few and the ones worth mentioning include limited designs, visible seams and potential discolouration with the passage of time.

Bonus Tip: Choosing the Right Brand

When looking for a kitchen countertop material, you’ll have to make another important choice. The right brand will give you access to quality, warranties and reliable customer surface. This is especially important when you’re seeking engineered materials and custom-crafted kitchen countertops.

Some of the best brands currently available on the Singaporean market include Caesarstone (a US-based quartz countertop company), Dekton (the company offers its own engineered kitchen countertop material that’s tremendously durable and excellently priced), Silestone (a good range of all kinds of mineral surfaces), Sensa (a maker of high quality granite and quartz countertops) and Vulcan (another reliable and well-known brand when it comes to granite countertops).

If you’re feeling a bit lost about choosing a material and a brand, we have you covered.

Interior design professionals have to make countertop choices on behalf of their clients all the time.

At Home Guide, we know which materials and which brands are the best match to both a lifestyle and a home renovation budget. Hence, we can come up with a personalised recommendation that’s bound to address every single goal you have in mind for your kitchen.

Contact Home Guide for a kitchen renovation. Not only will we help you select a great countertop , our home interior design team will also custom-pick every single element and then our home renovation team will execute it to perfection to give you a perfect space for meal preparation, hosting guests and spending quality family time together.

Colour in home interior design affects a lot more than the aesthetics of a home. It sets the tone, determines the ease of room maintenance and colour can even impact your psychology. These are some of the reasons why colour ranks among the primary interior design elements that professional interior designers have to think carefully about.

Choosing the right tone or colour scheme can easily tie an entire home décor concept together.

Traditionally, colour selection involves an entire palette that consists of either complementary or contrasting colours.

But how about an execution that’s based on different shades of the same colour?

This type of project is known as tone-on-tone interior design. When done correctly, it can really elevate the space and make it appear a lot more sophisticated. Producing a balanced tone-on-tone concept, however, requires an eye for detail and a good aesthetic sense.

It’s All About Creating Layers

You may worry that a tone-on-tone project is going to result in a flat home décor. This isn’t the case if you know what you’re doing.

The goal of tone-on-tone decorating is to create layers. You can achieve this outcome in a number of ways. For a start, the use of different shades and warmths of the same tone can add depth to the space, even if you keep things monochromatic.

It’s also a good idea to work with texture and make that the shining star of your project. Pastels, metallic, rough and smooth elements will stand out even more when colour isn’t as prominent as it tends to be in a typical interior design project.

Just because you’re not relying on numerous colours doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a boring and simplistic home. On the contrary. Tone-on-tone design can really give you outstanding results. The subtle differences and points of interest aren’t going to be blaringly obvious. As a result, tone-on-tone decors can be visually intriguing for a longer period of time, revealing their secrets slowly and elegantly.

A Few Tips to Help You Master Tone-on-Tone Design

Just like other techniques, tone-on-tone design has a few basic rules that will produce a deep and satisfying outcome.

Start with the selection of the foundation colour that fits into the interior design style that you have decided to go for. There are some versatile, universal classics like eggplant, beige, grey. With the selection of the right tone variations, you can enjoy lots of richness and classiness at the same time with such tones. Neutrals and classics like dark blue are always a safe bet. They’re especially good if you’re seeking a style with timeless appeal like the minimalist interior design or Scandinavian interior design.

For a more contemporary take on tone-on-tone interior design, choose something a bit more unusual. Orange, copper tones, green (so many choices to explore here!) and even all –pink interiors will never go unnoticed. While styling such colours is more challenging than working with classics, the outcomes can be really breath-taking.

Once you’ve picked a colour scheme that corresponds to your character and vision, start implementing the tone-on-tone concept.

Tone-on-tone interiors don’t need to be necessarily 100 per cent monochromatic. You can pair some elements with black and white for a bit of contrast. The tone variations themselves can be as many as you feel comfortable with. Just make sure that they all belong to the same family and look harmonious adjacent to each other.

As a general rule of thumb, two or three shades look a bit more modest and classic. If you want a bolder, much more noticeable execution opt for a bigger number of variations and start layering those.

You’re now ready to start thinking about texture and finishes.

This is the most exciting aspect of working with tone-on-tone interior designs. You have lots of freedom to bring as many textures and finishes as you feel comfortable with together. Don’t shy away from bold and daring choices that you wouldn’t pick otherwise. Tone-on-tone homes allow for lots more experimentation and even a bit of extravagance.

You can always start with one statement piece and pick complementary elements that feature either similar or completely different textures and finishes. Matte and metallic pieces, for example, will give your home some dynamic appeal. The same applies to shaggy carpet and satin throw pillows. And these are just two examples – there’s a whole lot more to work with.

Apart from working with colour, you’ll also need to focus on other design elements. Thinking about furniture styles, materials and art will be important on top of the colour layering you’ll be doing.  Materials can be mixed and so can furniture styles for a more eclectic look. Just make sure that everything works together in the end. Otherwise, the result is going to be a messy hodgepodge that just seems to be thrown into the room without thought or consideration.

When it’s right, tone-on-tone interior design is really impressive. And there’s one simple way to make sure it’s right.

Contact Home Guide if you’d like to like to go with tone-on-tone colours or other unconventional home interior designer ideas. We’ll have fun together and the end result is going to surpass your expectations. Home Guide is a home renovation contractor that is HDB-Licensed and has a large portfolio of creating amazing homes in a variety of styles . For a better idea of what we’re capable of accomplishing, please check our residential renovation portfolio.

What’s a jib door? It’s a fun and very simple home interior design element that can completely transform the appearance of your home. Here’s everything you need to know about this design element and the home renovation projects in which it makes the most sense.

What’s a Jib Door?

If you look at a couple of online pictures, you’ll quickly get what a jib door is.

Essentially, this is a concealed door that blends into the rest of the interior design. When a jib door is used, a wall appears to be uninterrupted. The effect can be achieved through the use of colour and pattern that helps the door blend into the wall. Special hardware will also be utilised to make the execution as unobtrusive as possible.

One piece of hardware that needs to be chosen carefully is the hinges – a big giveaway when it comes to the positioning of a standard door.

Soss hinges are typically the ones that work best as far as hidden doors are concerned. These hinges get hidden between the frame and the door itself. In a sense, they function like an accordion and when the door is closed, they become completely invisible.

Pivot hinges installed into the door’s header can also work really well to produce a smooth and seamless effect.

When to Use Jib Doors

Concealed doors can enhance the appearance of many flats.

They make a lot of sense in a couple of scenarios.

Historically, jib doors were used to camouflage the entrance to a concealed room or a chamber in a house. Needless to say, most people have no need for such a feature in their modern home.

A jib door can be used to conceal storage rooms and pantries if you don’t want them to be gaining any attention. Through the addition of a jib door, the continuity of a wall can be maintained, thus making it appear longer.

Some interior designers use jib doors to create a canvass for the placement of large artwork pieces on the door. When covered in wallpaper or an adhesive print, the door will blend into the rest of the wall and it will not break up an image. Thus, if you consider placing a large and striking wall visual in one of your rooms, a jib door will be an excellent choice.

Tips for the Addition of a Jib Door to Your Home

If you’re interested about the concept and would love to explore it, there are a few things you’ll have to keep in mind in order to make a jib door work and also camouflage it properly. As already mentioned, the door hardware is very important to ensure that seamlessness you need. Depending on the size of the room, you’ll have to determine whether the hinge goes forward or back. In some instances, jib doors are sliding – a perfect choice for smaller rooms.

Next, you’ll need to work with a skilled carpenter on the door itself. A good jib door needs to be flush with the wall when closed. To get that, you’ll need quite a lot of precision as far as construction is concerned.

It’s best to start from scratch and create a jib door that fits your space. Having a jib door first and attempting to create the space for it after that will usually result in an outcome that isn’t as invisible as you’d want it to be.

Now comes the fun part of choosing your camouflage.

Classic jib doors come in the form of book cases and that’s a design that’s still widely embraced today.  A jib door with bookshelves on it (as a part of a large book case that covers the entire wall) isn’t just fun – it’s highly functional and it gives you storage space.

If you want to place a print on top of the wall and the door, you’ll probably need this large piece of art custom-made. For a good effect, you will have to choose a visual with a good resolution. Making some calculations and adjustments to determine exactly where pieces are going to fall will simplify the placement of the print on the wall and the door. Self-adhesive pieces and wallpapers are simplest and most practical. Depending on the printing solution you choose (if you go for a custom piece), alternative options could also exist.

And in case a large print isn’t your thing, individual wall stickers that are consistently placed all over the wall and the jib door will also work really well.

For some people, all of these ideas go overboard. In case you’re looking for a simple and minimalist solution, you can easily have the wall and the door painted in the same colour. If the jib door is designed really well, you’ll get a wonderful and visually striking result.

Jib doors provide a fun alternative to a traditional design element that very few people consider changing up. Do you feel drawn to such an idea? If so, the Home Guide interior design team can help you bring individualism and a ton of personality to your property. We are passionate about uniqueness, functionality and personalisation that matches interior design to lifestyle. Contact us now to explore this concept and all other fun design elements that correspond to who you are.

Have you ever heard about the cottagecore interior design trend? If you’ve never come across that name, you’ll be surprised to find out that it’s been around for a couple of years. Its popularity, however, surged seriously in 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic had a lot to do with it.

Cottagecore is about two things – simplicity and comfort. The aim of the style is to encourage more quality time being spent at home. If that’s an important lifestyle aspect for you, keep on reading to find out how you can bring the cottagecore aesthetic and functionality to your home.

What Is the Cottagecore Style in Interior Design?

Cottagecore is more than an interior design trend, some perceive it as a cultural movement. In its very essence, it prioritises comfort and self-sufficiency to guarantee a lifestyle of exceptional quality.

Think about a simpler life. Think of traditional visuals, maybe even a little bit of nostalgia. These are combined with luscious greenery, natural materials, as well as luxury items that serve as accent pieces. Cottagecore tries to take urban dwellers back to a time when everyone had an opportunity to slow down, connect with nature and savour the moment.

All of these elements make cottagecore quite romantic and cosy. If you’re a person who values their freedom, health and who has fond memories of rural experiences, cottagecore will definitely give you a lot to enjoy.

The Main Elements of Cottagecore

To bring the cottagecore aesthetic to your home, you’ll need to focus on a number of key elements that give the trend its personality and traditional visual aesthetic.

Cottagecore is above anything else about authenticity and sustainability. This is why vintage pieces of furniture make a lot of sense. True vintage items rather than mass-manufactured replicas are the best choice and you’ll definitely have fun looking for those if you enjoy experiences reminiscent of a treasure hunt.

Additionally, cottagecore interiors incorporate family heirlooms (lace, aged wood, cast iron – all great choices that give traditional pieces weight and personality), lots of green plants, colourful wallpaper, luxurious accents like high quality light fixtures and bathroom elements, open shelving and lots of texture.

Floral prints, shaggy carpets, wood and handmade décor all work well within the cottagecore aesthetic. And that’s great news. With so many décor styles and possibilities, you’ll find it fairly easy to bring your personality to the flat while staying true to the nature of this trend.

A Few Tips For An Authentic and Inspired Cottagecore Décor

Knowing what the key elements of cottagecore are is a good starting point but you can rely on a few additional suggestions to enjoy authenticity and visual harmony.

If you’re wondering where to start, begin with nature.

Look for fabrics and materials that are completely non-synthetic. Cotton, linen, silk, wool, wood, marble, all kinds of metals, rope, natural leather and even foraged finds like tree branches and roots are all excellent choices.

Anyone who’s into sewing, carpentry, painting or embroidery can also opt for the DIY route. Not only will such an approach result in genuine and unique pieces, it will also fit the sustainability element that’s so vital for cottagecore homes.

When you’re done with those elements, continue bringing nature to your home. Living nature, that is. Plants can liven up any home. They’re key to adding lushness to a cottagecore place. Even if you’re not a very meticulous plant parent, there are still some easy to care for options that will thrive without frequent watering and additional care.

You can also opt for bunches of dried flowers and herbs, dried leaf art pieces and all other natural findings that can be used to make your interior more ornate – shells, feathers, pebbles – these are just some of the possibilities.

And here’s one final tip for the long-run – continue being on the lookout for vintage and second-hand treasures. They will match the overall feel of your home, giving you authenticity and a lot of originality you wouldn’t come across in mass-manufactured pieces.

Reclaimed and refurbished items are also a great choice for cottagecore homes. If you find an old chair that you don’t like in terms of colour or upholstery, for example, you can easily switch things up. Not only will a vintage piece get a second life, it will also receive an opportunity to become updated and much more contemporary.

As you can see, it’s quite easy to have a lot of fun with cottagecore interior design. When you’re done with the execution, you’ll be left with a comfortable and stylish home you’ll feel excited to get back to in the end of the day. Cottagecore is all about the little details, the materials, the textures and the finishes that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. As such, it’s a breath of fresh air in a world that’s become excessively technological and industrialised.

If you’d like to take cottagecore to the next level and ensure visual consistency, work with an interior design team will make the most sense.

Home Guide is a home interior design company can take a cottagecore concept and make it just right for your home. Not just that, we’ll also help out with precise and important elements like the selection of the right materials, colour schemes and furniture pieces. If you need a home renovation contractor to execute the changes, we’ll handle that aspect of the work, as well, and get the right people for the job. Contact us now to get started.

Many Singapore flats have a common fault – a tiny kitchen. Very often, HDB apartments come with a gallery kitchen that’s positioned right behind the living room area. Such spaces tend to be compact and while they may feel a bit challenging as far as a home renovation is concerned, these kinds of kitchens can be transformed easily.

If you’re seeking ideas to optimise a small kitchen space and give it everything required for the culinary experiments of a world-class chef, you can rely on the following upgrade ideas. Not only will they deliver an excellent outcome, most of them don’t necessitate a ton of work or a massive budget to be executed.

Get Rid of Traditional Kitchen Cabinets

While kitchen cabinets are a staple, they tend to occupy a lot of space that you probably don’t have.

Hence, getting rid of traditional cabinets is an excellent way to open the kitchen up and make it feel a lot more spacious.

So, what do you feature instead of the cabinets? Drawers and shelves are excellent ideas.

Drawers and pull-outs can hold a lot more stuff than an actual cabinet. Plus, you’ll be making use of space that can’t be utilised in any other way. If you need some additional storage, install open shelving instead of the boxy cabinets. It will help you display some of your accessories, utensils or kitchen essentials. In addition, open shelves aren’t going to add bulk to your kitchen in the same way that standard cabinets will.

If You Have Cabinets, Extend Them to the Ceiling

Chances are that even if you like the above-mentioned idea, you’ll still need some cabinet space to tuck things neatly inside.

Custom-made cabinetry will be the best choice for your small kitchen.

Choose a design that uses all of the space that will otherwise remain empty. Here’s an idea that’s not common but that can really work in your favour – extend the cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

You’re probably thinking that such cabinets, especially their top levels, will be inconvenient to use. And you’re absolutely right. Even if you’re a basketball level, you’ll reach the second (maximum the third) shelf inside the cabinet. So, what do you do with the extra storage space that can’t be accessed easily?

These parts of the cabinets are going to be perfect for storing spares, the gifted china you never really use and all other non-essential items that you may need to take out once or twice per year.

Apart from giving you extra storage space, this design helps for the visual elongation of the room. Something as simple as the addition of such custom cabinetry is going to make a tiny kitchen feel a whole lot taller.

Hideaway Furniture

Here’s another great way to get rid of the stuff that you’re not using in that very moment.

Hideaway furniture has the great capacity of appearing when it’s needed and folding away neatly to create space after you’re done.

There are various kinds of hideaway furniture you can feature in your kitchen.

Roll-out kitchen cabinets that are built into the walls are a great example. The same applies to a foldable kitchen table. Drop-down, wall-mounted cutting boards or countertops can also work really well in a small kitchen.

Once again, these are custom units you’ll need to get ordered precisely for your flat. A single one of those, however, can replace a number of standard solutions. As a result, investing in hideaway furniture makes a lot of sense. If it’s well-made, it will also last you numerous years (possibly even decades), yielding an excellent return on investment.

Materials Matter

This final tip may seem a bit more decorative but it’s very important for the appearance of a small room.

You need to keep a few things in mind when it comes to choosing the right materials for a small kitchen.

For a start, don’t go for too many different textures, colours and patterns. Having way too many different materials in the kitchen can create visual clutter and visual clutter creates the illusion of no air inside the room.

Choose a couple of main materials and colours that work well together and complement each other. There can always be an accent but use it sparingly and in instances when such a highlight makes sense.

In terms of materials, prioritise shiny and reflective ones. Glass, metal, mirrors, glazed ceramics, crystal, etc. have the capacity to reflect light. More light equals a bigger-looking space. You don’t want a small kitchen that’s also dark. Not only will the darkness impact the size of the room, it will also create a mood that you don’t want to have around the preparation and consumption of family meals.

These are just a few of the powerful hacks you can employ to make your small kitchen look spectacular.

But they’re just a small glimpse into the arsenal of a professional home interior design company.

For a perfectly designed and styled small kitchen that matches your lifestyle 100 per cent, consider work on the project with a Singapore interior design team like Home Guide.

Home Guide’s experts, for example, have extensive know-how when it comes to making small residential spaces look bigger. Contact Home Guide now if your HDB flat’s kitchen is tiny and you’re dreaming of the perfect open space for culinary adventure planning and execution. Check out our residential portfolio as well as our HDB renovation package for 2 room BTOs.