Very often, the terms interior design and interior decorating are used interchangeably. But are they one and the same thing? The short answer is no.
Interior designers and decorators are different professionals. Both have their specific knowledge and capability to execute certain kinds of projects. So, what expert should you partner with depends on what you are trying to achieve To answer that question, we have to take a look at the main differences between interior design and decorating.
The term home interior design refers to making the most of internal spaces inside a home. In a sense, you can consider an interior designer an inside “architect” who aims to give you functional and aesthetically-pleasing interiors.
As a discipline, interior design is based on seven elements – colour, form, light, line, pattern, texture and space. Keeping all these elements balanced is essential to make an interior of a home harmonious, beautiful and cohesive.
To bring these elements together, an interior designer will have to take an all-encompassing, even structural look at the space. That’s why interior designers often work with architects and construction contractors to modify aspects of a flat deemed less than optimal.
Depending on their expertise and interests, interior designers can specialise in a couple of niche areas. There is the residential interior design company who work on homes and most types of residential buildings. Many interior designers can also specialise in the realms of commercial, retail and even industrial interior design.
Decorating is a lot more focused on styling a flat for aesthetic purposes. Interior decorators can choose furniture, accessories, art and decorative elements for the various rooms in the house. Keep in mind, however, these professionals lack the qualifications required to carry out renovations and complete structural changes.
Most decorators specialise in furniture placement for layout enhancement, the selection of suitable colour schemes, the selection of paint and wallpaper for each room, window treatments, art selection, coming up with cohesive decorative combinations (textiles, art, furnishings, finishing touches), etc.
So, here’s a quick way to summarise the differences – interior designers enhance living spaces and they could decorate as a part of their job. Decorators, however, don’t have the qualifications or licensing to design and execute changes that involve structural elements.
Now that you know the differences, you probably already have some idea about the professional team you need to hire for your home improvement project.
Before starting to look for project execution, decide exactly what you need.
Will you need to change aspects of plumbing, electrical wiring, window placement, flooring, ceiling or the flat’s layout? Will you need to hire contractors for different aspects of getting the job done? If that’s the case, working with an interior designer is going to be the best choice. This professional is going to plan the execution, they’ll manage the execution and even recommend the right contractors who will give you the best results. the best outcome would to hire an home interior design company that is also an experienced home renovation contractor.
If you only need to get things touched up aesthetically, a decorator would be a suitable choice.
As already mentioned, however, some interior designers can handle aspects of getting your home redecorated. The good thing here is that an interior designer will have a more thorough approach towards aesthetic home changes. The knowledge and experience with structural work can easily impact a space revamping in a practical, highly functional way.
There’s one more important thing we have to mention about choosing a qualified interior designer or decorator.
It’s not just about the description of either job. A good execution is heavily dependent on the reputation, skills and experience of the professional you’re about to hire.
A good home interior designer or interior decorator should have enough experience with a project like the one you’re about to carry out. That’s why doing your research, checking credentials, taking a look at portfolios and meeting the team in person to ask some questions will both be very, very important.
When you shortlist a couple of professionals, do get quotes from all of them. Having that information on top of everything you’ve learned while doing your research will simplify the process of making the right choice and feeling confident about your selection.
Don’t be fooled by offers and low price tags. Often, these can cost you a lot more money than what you’re going to save by opting for the most inexpensive quote. Good quality has its cost and if you select the right price to quality ratio, you’ll see the best possible return on investment in the years to come.
If you’re looking for comprehensive home upgrades that will personalise your living space and bring its best features forward, contact Home Guide now. Through the years, we’ve acquired an excellent reputation and a huge portfolio. We know what we’re doing an we know what you want. Let’s get together and create something magical, a home that you’d love to come back to in the end of every busy work day.
Mirrors – so simple, yet so effective! Strategic mirror placement can open up a room, create the illusion of more space and maximise the amount of natural light. Needless to say, the style of the mirror and the frame will also contribute to interior design cohesiveness.
So, how do you place a mirror? Don’t you just hang it on a wall in a spot that’s convenient? That’s one way to look at it. Interior design professionals have a few additional tips that can help you make the most of the mirrors in your home.
Making a space harmonious is all about balance. That’s why the first thing you need to do before hanging a mirror is check the layout of the room.
Interior designers follow a simple rule when it comes to mirror type selection and placement.
When placing a mirror in a tall room, choose a vertical mirror. It will deliver a bit of elongation and also match the scale of the walls. A squashed, horizontal mirror is going to look out of proportion in such a room.
If walls are longer and not that tall, go for a horizontal placement. A vertical mirror, especially if it’s too tall, is going to dwarf the space and look completely out of valance there.
Obviously, there can be some exceptions to the rule. After all, some of the more interesting interior design ideas are born by breaking the rules. To make such choices work, follow your instinct and trust your gut. It’s also a good idea to consult professionals like a home interior design company on the idea and whether it’s feasible.
We all know that the function of mirrors is to reflect. This means they can be used to view your image and they can also reflect light. That second characteristic can be very, very beneficial in home interior design.
Many Singaporean flats can suffer from the lack of natural light and thus affecting the mood of the residents. Luckily, light can be brought to those areas and mirrors provide a very effective opportunity.
Hanging a mirror in the exact spot where sun shines can amplify natural light. Through a couple of additional mirrors, that light can be reflected to a different part of the flat. It’s all about physics and making a few calculations. And even if that’s not your strong suit, experiment with slight position changes during different times of the way to discover the setup that results in maximum natural light reflection through the flat.
With a mirror, you can also maximise artificial light for a brighter, more cheerful home.
The easiest way to accomplish that goal is to place a mirror close to a standing lamp or across from a light fixture. Even a desk light can be used this way. You’ll get lots and lots of light that’s not harsh and glaring by choosing exactly which bulb’s emission you’re going to be reflecting.
A wall-mounted mirror isn’t your only choice as far as interior design is concerned.
Mirrored furniture can create interesting accents in the living room, bedroom and even kitchen.
The thing you need to understand about mirrored furniture is that less is more. If you overdo it, the project can easily enter the realm of kitschy and tacky.
Positioning is also important. What is your mirrored furniture going to reflect? That visual will impact the appearance of your accent piece, which is why you can’t just go for a random location.
A mirrored piece of furniture, for example, can be placed across from some wall art. This way, the art piece will get a more prominent display and its colour scheme will be intensified. Such a choice creates both cohesiveness and a focal point in the respective room.
Unless a mirror is being hung for you to check your reflection before leaving home in the morning, you should pay lots of attention to aesthetics.
That means both the type of mirror and the frame. These two elements can work together to turn an actual functional accessory into a work of art.
Having several ornate mirrors hanging on the living room wall will quickly transform those into an artistic installation. You can choose one oversized, heavily elaborate frame. The others could be smaller and playing a supportive role. Mixing and matching different styles is also possible to give the pieces an eclectic look.
And if you want to, you can take that idea to the next level. Coloured mirrors create an instant focal point. They don’t even need a frame in order to make a statement. Mirrored tiles are versatile and fun. You can use them to create an abstract shape on the wall and they can be used in just about every room.
These simple rules will make your mirror placements stellar and professional in appearance. But if you want an extra element of sophistication, contact Home Guide. We always deliver tailored home renovation solutions that include space planning, interior design consultancy and project management to produce results that match both the space and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. We also have vast experience designing for small spaces like 2-room BTO homes. Talk to us about our home renovation packages like our 2-room BTO renovation package to get started!
As oil and gas prices are soaring across the globe, Singaporean households will also be affected. Are you worried about the prospects of having to pay a higher electricity bill? Do you typically use lots of that energy to cool down your place? If so, the time’s just right to consider energy-efficient interior design upgrades.
A number of changes can help you create the perfect microclimate inside your flat without needing a ton of energy to maintain these ideal conditions.
Energy-efficient home interior design upgrades rank among the ones that yield the highest return on investment as far as renovations are concerned. In order to make the most of such a project, consider and plan the improvements bound to reduce significant temperature changes inside the flat. Here are a few of those.
This one is a no-brainer. Some materials have better insulating properties than others. They’re the ones to prioritise if you want to keep heat out of your home without having to turn the AC to its lowest temperature setting.
Thermal insulation materials can be matched to just about any interior design style. Cork is a great choice – it looks good in almost all settings and it’s super sustainable. Bamboo has similar properties and it’s another incredibly versatile insulating material that you can pick for flooring or even the creation of wall panels.
A few other excellent insulating choices to consider for various aspects of the renovation include insulating concrete blocks, foam boards (perfect for walls, floors and ceilings), structural insulated panels (another great choice for wall, floor and ceiling reconstruction), fiberglass, cotton, mineral wool and even cellulose (often used to put together sustainable insulating panels).
The wrong kinds of doors and windows can contribute to some of the biggest energy efficiency losses in your home.
In fact, up to 40 per cent of the home’s energy escapes through windows that lack proper insulation. Just think about the amount that percentage is going to represent on your electricity bill.
While new windows and doors can be costly, they will save you a lot of money. Research from the US shows that while energy-efficient window panelling costs anywhere between 325 to 785 dollars, it can contribute to reductions in electricity bills that range from 125 to 465 US dollars. That means the new window will pay itself off in just a couple of years through utility bill reductions.
Some of the window varieties to avoid if you want to boost energy efficiency include metal, steel and aluminium-framed ones. These materials contribute to the biggest heat exchange between the external world and your home.
As far as insulation is concerned, wood, vinyl and most kinds of composite materials are excellent choices. These are also a good pick for doors that will reduce the loss of cool air from your home.
For window glass itself, choose varieties that have two or even better – three panes. These have a sealed space in the middle (in the case of three-pane windows, there will be two sealed spaces) that act as additional thermal insulation.
It’s not a myth – fans can help you maintain a cool home while also reducing your electricity bill. They can be used on their own or in conjunction with AC units.
Ceiling fans are the best variety – they deliver much better results than standing ones. For best results, consider having those in conjunction with energy-efficient air conditioners. That combo will produce the biggest energy savings while also giving you optimal living conditions.
When you have both AC units and ceiling fans, you can increase the thermostat by as much as four degrees Celsius without losing comfort. Ceiling fans use significantly less energy than AC units, which is why their installation will produce a very quick and very notable result as far as your electricity bill is concerned.
Colours don’t just affect your mood, they also have a functional purpose. This effect has to do with the amount of light that different colours absorb or reflect.
It may seem impossible that something as simple as repainting can help you bring down your energy bill but that’s a fact.
Dark colours absorb about 70 to 90 per cent of all radiant energy. This means that rooms painted in dark colours, especially the ones that see lots of sunshine during the day will remain warmer than the same rooms painted in light colours (like white, beige and cream).
Usually, paint tins feature the so-called light reflectance value (LRV) printed on them. The higher this number is, the more light the colour will reflect rather than absorb. These are the tones you should be choosing for your rooms.
For even better results, consider light colours in combination with shades or blinds that keep sunlight out of the respective space.
Obviously, bringing more of these renovations into your living space will give you better results. But even if you make one or two changes, you’ll see good outcomes.
If you don’t how to implement home improvements for energy efficiency or where to start with current living space diagnostics, contact Home Guide. We’ll help you find out what’s working and what isn’t. Once we pinpoint the biggest energy drainers, we are a home renovation contractor that can come up with renovation plans that will give you a better, smarter and much more sustainable flat.
On February 17, 2022, HDB launched 3,953 flats for sale in its latest BTO exercise. Spread across six projects, the flats were launched under the Prime Location Public Housing model to give everyone an opportunity to acquire a prime flat for a reasonable price.
Are you considering the purchase of a brand new two, three, four or five-room BTO property? If so, you’re probably dreaming big, thinking about the perfect home renovation that will make a regular apartment your own.
There’s just one step missing in that dream – the selection of a HDB renovation and interior design company that has the HDB interior design and renovation experience to make your dream come true.
The right Singapore home renovation contractor can guide you through the process, come up with a detailed concept and supervise the execution from start to finish. But how do you make sure that the HDB renovation team you’re interested in is the right one for the job?
Here are a few pointers to help you sort through the offers and quickly pinpoint the one that makes the most sense.
This is a broad topic and we’ve covered some of the essentials before. There are specific HDB renovation guidelines that you’ll need to stick to when making changes and upgrades. Obviously, a renovation contractor in Singapore who wants to partake in such projects will need to have sufficient knowledge and experience acquired by the HDB rule book.
It’s a good idea to start planning work before you’ve even acquired the key. At the very least, consider the layout, the floor plan and the interior design theme you’d like to enforce through the execution of the project. By having some concept of these essentials, you can start looking for a partner and you can also commence acquiring some supplies for your brand new home.
As a general rule of thumb, you should choose a home interior design company a few months before key collection.
Knowing who your expert partners are going to be within such a timeframe enables work to start as soon as key collection occurs. Depending on your preferences and needs, the renovation project could take some time to complete. This is quite true if some restructuring is going to occur. Construction work is the bulkiest, most time-consuming part of the renovation process. This is why you don’t want to be wasting a single minute when you come in possession.
An HDB BTO renovation will also often entail the acquisition of permits for certain kinds of work you’re going to do.
The right home renovation contractor will very often handle documentation on your behalf. This is yet another reason why you should start searching before getting the key. Keep in mind there are certain timeframes for doing renovation on HDB properties. At the time being, that time is three months for new flats and a single month for existing properties. The aim of such timeframes is to limit neighbour disturbances. Thus, once you get your permit, you’ll have three months to execute every single aspect of the property upgrade. This is why perfect organisation is essential. Early planning allows you to tailor the flat to your preferences while also keeping up with the HDB renovation framework.
Just to be on the safe side, do inform your brand new neighbours that a renovation project is going to be taking place. If you have a detailed timeframe provided by your contractor, let the other residents know how much time the project will take. Being on good terms is essential for enjoyable living later on. To minimise disturbances even further, you should also consider steps aimed at noise reduction (like handling certain aspects of the renovation within certain hours or handling most of the loud work within the first stage of the renovation project).
Now that you know the basics and the planning process, let’s talk about the selection of the right renovation contractor.
At the very least, you need to cover some basics.
The company you’re going to partner up with needs to be HDB licensed. Luckily, HDB has a directory of renovation contractors where such information is readily available. That’s an excellent place for the commencement of your research. There, you’ll also find contact details, business registration date, types of work the company handles and some additional details provided by the company itself.
Next, do visit the websites of the shortlisted companies. You need to take a good look at their home renovation and interior design portfolios.
A few things to pay attention to include style, types of projects the company has worked on and extensiveness of the renovation work. You want a team that specialises in the field you’re envisioning for your home. Also, make sure that the company has enough experience with BTO flats that are similar in size to yours. 2-room BTO renovation isn’t the same as 5-room BTO interior design. Both small and large spaces pose certain challenges. The project should be conceptualised to address these and make most of the flat’s specific strengths.
Your next step would be to pay attention to customer reviews. A portfolio could be telling one story but how about the people who tried the actual service? Learning from the experiences of others, especially if numerous people mention one and the same thing, can be very enlightening. Seek information on how punctual the team is, whether they stuck to parameters agreed upon during the planning stage, whether the communication was clear and if clients ran into any issues or particular disappointments. Credible reviews are balanced and they present specific details.
Finally, check out the price and whether promo packages are available.
Pricing alone should never be your main criterion for the selection of an interior design team.
Offers that seem too good to be true very often are.
Quality renovation work comes at a price. Spending that money now, however, will probably yield a good return on investment from the money you’ll save on maintenance and future renovations. To get a reasonable idea about pricing, do request a couple of quotes (with detailed breakdowns). By getting those, you’ll update your understanding of current prices and offers that are cost-efficient.
As a final step, do meet with your interior designer. Having a list of a few questions to ask can be beneficial to make the most of the opportunity. Apart from paying attention to the information you’re getting, do check out the communication style. Do you feel understood? Are you at ease talking about your BTO interior design ideas? Being on the same page is very important for successful completion of the project. If you have any doubts, you should probably look for an alternative.
How much time do you have before coming in possession of your new flat’s keys? Whether the answer is one year or a couple of months, do make the most of those remaining days.
Home Guide will be there to share the excitement, the passion for creating beautiful your beautiful home and the burden of executing the renovation. Contact us now to commence planning with a HDB licensed team that has an extensive portfolio and stellar work ethics. We’d handle every aspect of your flat’s renovation to give you the best possible outcome and worry-free project management.
Mirrors – so simple, yet so effective! Strategic mirror placement can open up a room, create the illusion of more space and maximise the amount of natural light. Needless to say, the style of the mirror and the frame will also contribute to cohesiveness in your home interior design.
So, how do you place a mirror? Don’t you just hang it on a wall in a spot that’s convenient? That’s one way to look at it. Interior design professionals have a few additional tips that can help you make the most of the mirrors in your home.
Creating a space that is harmonious is all about balance. That’s why the first thing you need to do before hanging a mirror is check the layout of the room.
Interior designers follow a simple rule when it comes to mirror type selection and placement.
When placing a mirror in a tall room, choose a vertical mirror. It will deliver a bit of elongation and also match the scale of the walls. A squashed, horizontal mirror is going to look out of proportion in such a room.
If walls are longer and not that tall, go for a horizontal placement. A vertical mirror, especially if it’s too tall, is going to dwarf the space and look completely out of balance there.
Obviously, there can be some exceptions to the rule. After all, some of the brightest interior design ideas are born by breaking the rules. To make it work, follow your instincts and trust your gut. It’s also a good idea to consult your interior designer on your idea and whether it’s feasible.
We all know that the function of mirrors is to reflect. This means they can be used to view your image and they can also reflect light. That second characteristic can be very, very beneficial in the realm of interior design.
Many Singaporean flats suffer from the lack of natural light in many parts of the space. Luckily, light can be brought to those areas and mirrors provide a very effective opportunity.
Hanging a mirror in the exact spot where sun shines can amplify the natural light. Through a couple of additional mirrors, that light can be reflected to a different part of the flat. It’s all about physics and making a few calculations. And even if that’s not your strong suit, experiment with slight position changes during different times of the way to discover the setup that results in maximum natural light reflection through the flat.
With a mirror, you can also maximise artificial light for a brighter, more cheerful home.
The easiest way to accomplish that goal is to place a mirror close to a standing lamp or across from a fixture. Even a desk light can be used this way. You’ll get lots and lots of light that’s not harsh and glaring by choosing exactly which bulb’s emission you’re going to be reflecting.
A wall-mounted mirror isn’t your only choice as far as interior design is concerned.
Mirrored furniture can create interesting accents in the living room, bedroom and even kitchen.
The thing you need to understand about mirrored furniture is that less is more. If you overdo it, the project can easily enter the realm of kitschy and tacky.
Positioning is also important. What is your mirrored furniture going to reflect? That visual will impact the appearance of your accent piece, which is why you can’t just go for a random location.
A mirrored piece of furniture, for example, can be placed across from wall art. This way, the art piece will get a more prominent display and its colour scheme will be intensified. Such a choice creates both cohesiveness and a focal point in the respective room.
Unless a mirror is being hung for you to merely check your reflection before leaving home in the morning, you should pay lots of attention to its aesthetics.
That means both the type of mirror and the frame. These two elements can work together to turn an actual functional accessory into a work of art.
Having several ornate mirrors hanging on the living room wall will quickly transform those into an artistic installation. You can choose one oversized, heavily elaborate frame. The others could be smaller and playing a supportive role. Mixing and matching different styles is also possible to give the pieces an eclectic look.
And if you want to, you can take that idea to the next level. Coloured mirrors create an instant focal point. They don’t even need a frame in order to make a statement. Mirrored tiles are versatile and fun. You can use them to create an abstract shape on the wall and they can be used in just about every room.
These simple rules will make your mirror placements stellar and professional in appearance. But if you want an extra element of sophistication, contact Home Guide. We always deliver personalised solutions that match both the space and the lifestyle of its inhabitants.
What’s the difference between home styling and the random placement of decorations in a home? When styling, you’re taking in consideration the seven elements of interior design – space, line, form, light, colour, texture and pattern. When these are accounted for, décor looks strategic rather than random. It enhances the space and creates dynamic aesthetics that work well with architectural specifics.
Styling a home like a home interior designer, isn’t easy if you don’t have some background knowledge and an eye for details. For a smaller apartment like a 2-room HDB BTO, you have the challenge of not creating cluttered mess while in a bigger 5-room HDB BTO, the challenge is to use the space so that the decor looks cohesive and not awkward.
There are various professional hacks that you can employ to give your home interior a boost that’s a reflection of your lifestyle and personality.
This is a very simple and versatile rule you can use when styling every part of the flat. That’s why we’re commencing the list with this clever and incredibly effective hack.
Explained in simple terms, the rule states that objects look better in groupings of three.
If you have one or two items, they may appear somewhat random. Four or more will be fighting for attention. Hence, a grouping of three will be ideal, whether you’re decorating a coffee table or adding visually-intriguing items on a shelf in the entryway.
The easiest way to follow the rule is to create groups of three that contain matching sets of décor. For example, you can have a group of three pillows on the sofa. To make the grouping visually interesting, choose different sizes. Different colours or textures will also work well to make the grouping dynamic.
In case you don’t want matching objects, create thematic sets of three. For example, a kitchen arrangement of three could include a spice jar, a pepper mill and an olive oil glass container. These items aren’t the same but they have functional and thematic connections to each other.
Many people struggle with wall arrangements and making those look professional. Again, there’s a simple hack to achieve great results without having to work too hard for the perfect outcome.
The secret here is the placement of art at the correct height.
There is a magic number when it comes to hanging decorative pieces or art on the wall. That number is 150 centimetres from the floor to the centre of the respective item.
The number isn’t random. It puts a piece of art or a wall decoration at a perfect height for viewing. For most people, this will be ideal eye level, turning the wall décor into a focal point within the room.
When placing art on the wall, you can do a few additional things to achieve perfect results. If a decorative element is across from a seating area, make sure that it’s positioned a little bit lower. This way, the item will be easy to view and enjoy while someone is relaxing.
To put together a gallery wall, start from the largest element and create a grouping around it. The visuals don’t have to be matched or placed in a perfect line. We’ve already talked about a couple of good layout ideas and you’ll find those in the linked article.
Good home interior design is very much dependent on light. Proper illumination can make even the simplest elements shining stars. That’s why you should pay special attention to how lighting is being used in each room.
A professional hack to test out involves the layering of light to accomplish a couple of things.
Layered lights that are individually controlled can set the mood, provide sufficient illumination and create functional or decorative areas (depending on the intensity, the colour of the lights and the nature of the fixtures chosen to house those).
Most rooms will benefit from three types of light – general, accent and task lights. As the name suggests, accent lighting is used to point direction towards some of the most visually intriguing parts o the room – a piece of art, an antique piece of furniture. Task lights are functional in nature. Think about a reading light above a loveseat or lights under the cabinets to illuminate the kitchen countertop.
Having these three kinds of lights will set the right mood in the room, create a beautiful interaction with other décor elements and boost the usability of the respective space.
We’ve already mentioned those briefly in the rule of three discussion. Different sizes and shapes create dynamic interiors that aren’t too neatly matched and sterile. Good (mis)matches, however, need to take into account scale and the size of the respective space in order to work.
Proportion and scale play a very important role in interior design. Large pieces in a small room will make it appear even more cluttered. Small and narrow pieces in a large space will appear lost and completely mismatched.
This is the most mathematical interior design rule but you can always trust your eyes and your gut when assessing scale and size.
If you need a hack – start with the rug. It grounds the space and getting its size correct will make it much easier to select other pieces that correspond to the specific dimensions.
A good size for a rug makes it partially fit underneath furniture. For best results, a rug should go underneath all four legs of a piece. When in doubt, always go bigger. The only exception is the instance in which you have a beautiful decorative floor. Solid wood or delicate marble need to be visible and you can go minimalist with carpets in that situation.
A final hack to tie everything together focuses on the power of textiles.
Don’t make fabric selection an afterthought.
The right textiles can add cohesiveness to a room and make it feel a lot cosier. Some of the most pronounced textiles include the window treatments and carpets. Don’t skip on the curtains or decorative blinds – they provide an easy opportunity for the décor to shine.
A general rule of thumb here is to hang curtains high and wide. If you do so, you’ll open up the space. According to professionals, such a placement gives the illusion of more space, allowing even the smallest of rooms to breathe.
As far as selecting the right fabric, it’s really up to you. Textured, heavier fabrics add a sense of maturity and sophistication to the interior design. Lighter ones look more youthful and bring some modernity in the space.
Carpets and rugs are also fun to use when attempting to add a textured element. A shaggy rug will instantly boost the comfort level. On top of that, the texture will create an effortless point of visual interest. After all, the focus doesn’t always have to be on the wall and it most definitely doesn’t have to be a piece of art.
These are just a few of the hacks that professional designers count on to make spaces look modern, perfectly tailored to the needs of the flat owner.
If you want to benefit from a professional touch of a trusted home renovation contractor in Singapore, contact Home Guide now. Home Guide has a team of trusted and experienced home interior designers who will work with every single architectural element to polish the interior of your home and give you beautiful home you never thought you could have.
Greenery provides one of the easiest, most cost-efficient opportunities to upgrade the home décor and make it more welcoming and relaxing. Choosing the right plants is first and foremost about your gardening experience level. Once this consideration is out of the way, you can start styling each room with plants.
The entryway is the part of the flat that welcomes you and guests into the home. Thus, you need some visually-stunning greenery to set the mood.
Also, many entryways lack a lot of natural light. That’s something to keep in mind when selecting plants for this part of the house.
Ferns are a good choice for the entryway because they add some texture and they can live comfortably in shady areas. Other good choices include caladium and bleeding heart. The last plant mentioned blossoms in a beautiful way if you remember to water it regularly.
A few other good indoor plant choices for entryways include fiddle leaf fig, philodendron, croton plant with its beautiful coloured leaves, Kentia palm and winterbourne.
Greenery in the living room reduces stress by creating a serene ambiance.
Usually, living rooms have several different zones you’ll need to pick plants for. The area underneath a window or a window ledge will be ideal for sun-loving species. The opposite end of the room can house shade-loving greenery.
Some of the best plants to place by a window include bird of paradise, anthurium (it produces some incredibly beautiful and colourful flowers), peace lily and coin plant.
If you have shelves and you’d like to add some greenery to those, cascading pothos would be a good pick.
For living rooms that don’t feature that much light, choose a hardy and low-maintenance option like snake plant.
Finally, if your living room isn’t that big, opt for a vertically-growing plant. Dracaena Compacta is an excellent example of a plant that looks striking – it grows tall, its leaves are beautifully decorative but it doesn’t require a lot of horizontal space.
Plants that purify the air (NASA has a list of the best ones) will improve the conditions in your bedroom. Greenery can also enhance your mood and even impact creativity. This is why you need to choose the plants for one of the most personal spaces in the house carefully.
English ivy is a good example of a functional bedroom plant. It’s a cascading option, which means it will easily create a bit of movement. In addition, English ivy can absorb benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, toluene and other toxins from the air. It requires moderate light and regular watering to thrive.
Lavender is also a great pick. It’s a well-known fact that in aromatherapy, lavender oil is used to promote relaxation. The delicate scent of the plant can easily contribute to better sleep. Lavender prefers south-facing windows and direct sunlight. Also, it doesn’t require frequent watering, which is great for forgetful plant parents.
A few other noteworthy bedroom plant choices include lady palm (beautiful decorative appearance, low maintenance plant), rubber plant (great for small spaces – grows vertically), Chinese evergreen (tolerates low light excellently) and dracaena (purifies the air and has a striking appearance).
The plant line-up for the dining area can be pretty much the same as the plants you’d choose for the living room. In many Singaporean flats, these two spaces are connected and the conditions are quite similar.
When it comes to the kitchen, there are going to be a few additional considerations.
Usually, kitchens are more humid than other parts of the flat (excluding the bathroom). Also, you’ll have limited counter space and the selection of large plants isn’t going to be optimal.
One of the simplest, cleverest and most functional choices for the kitchen is the selection of potted herbs. Not only will the greenery please the eye, you’ll also get a source of fresh flavours for your culinary experiments.
Aloe vera is another good choice. It doesn’t require a lot of space and it’s a hardy choice. Just like herbs, aloe plants are very functional – if you burn yourself while cooking, you’ll only need to cut a small portion of a leaf to apply to the injured area.
If you want something a bit more decorative, pick the cast iron plant. It’s ideal for kitchens because it can tolerate humidity, dryness and low light. Conditions in the kitchen change all the time, which is why you need a hardy plant that will enjoy whatever’s happening in the cooking corner.
When designing their home and styling with indoor plants, many people will omit the bathroom. After all, most bathrooms feature only artificial light and they’re dark for the vast majority of time. Can any kind of plant thrive in such conditions? The short answer is yes.
Tropical plants are a very good choice for the bathroom. They can withstand humidity and high temperatures. Low light levels are also not a problem for the vast majority of tropical plants grown indoors.
Ferns and air plants can also be placed in the bathroom without worries about their longevity.
Let’s look at a couple of specific plants that you may want to try out for this space.
Growing bamboo in containers in the bathroom will give you some beautiful lushness. It grows rapidly, which means you should control its propagation by cutting and shaping the plant in a way that fits the design of the bathroom and the available space.
Bird’s nest fern is one of the easiest ferns to keep alive indoors. It loves moisture and it’s an ideal hanging plant that doesn’t require lots of space. A few other good bathroom picks include tillandsia or air plant, gardenias (a beautiful and very fragrant tropical flower), bromeliads and croton.
To sum it up, think of the conditions in each space before choosing plants. The available area for pot placement is another key consideration that will help you choose a beautiful decoration and not an oversized burden.
And if you need some assistance to make things truly impressive, get in touch with us! Our home interior design team love to help you pick the plants that correspond both to your space and your personality. We promise you – meeting both goals is possible if you know the options, their pros and cons.
You have dreams of a beautiful bedroom but the reality is the space limitation is threatening to crush those dreams. Is this going to be mission impossible? Can you actually position a large and comfy bed, a vanity, nightstands and a chest of drawers in a small bedroom? With a bit of creativity and a good understanding of proper layouts in home interior design, you can.
Working with a small space is always challenging. Still, home interior designers rely on a couple of key rules and techniques to fit essentials inside without making the room feel cramped and overly stuffed.
If you want to make your small bedroom feel comfy and look beautiful, check out the following tips we have for you!
This one is more of a general rule that can apply to every room in the home. It’s especially practical when it comes to dealing with small spaces because it lets you prioritise key items first.
Here’s what you need to do – start with the largest item in the room. For bedrooms, that would usually be the bed.
Once you have the bed positioned strategically, you can add all other pieces of furniture in relationship to that anchor. Depending on how much space you have left, some of the smaller and non-essential items can be removed from the room completely.
As an added tip, try to achieve symmetry. Have the bed positioned centrally with equal amounts of space on either side. This way you can have the nightstands placed on both sides of the bed and a chest of drawers located opposite.
Symmetrical bedroom layouts make access to all furniture easy and they look properly organised. This is how the illusion of some extra space can be created without needing to work too hard for it.
Are you dealing with a super tiny bedroom? In that case, consider losing traditional storage furniture and start getting creative.
The best approach will be to utilise the spaces that can’t be employed in any other way. The space under the bed, for example, is a wonderful choice for the placement of storage units.
Going vertical is another good way to go. Horizontal space is heavily limited in small flats. Stacking storage units on top of each other will prevent the occupation of too much horizontal space without forcing you to make a compromise with the amount of storage needed for your essential items.
Here’s one final suggestion to drive the point home – have an upholstered chest positioned at the foot of the bed. It will give you some extra storage space while also doubling as a seating area in the bedroom.
We’ve hinted at this possibility but let’s take a more detailed look at it because being creative with what furniture actually is can help you fit quite a lot in a small bedroom.
The chest example from the previous section highlights dual-purpose items and how these should definitely be added to a small bedroom.
To discuss the idea further, we can talk about the bedside table. You can actually fit a desk and a chair in a small bedroom. This way, you’ll have a little office corner that will also function as a bedside table or a vanity. Such a study desk is incredibly practical because it can be used to keep knick-knacks organized while also providing you with a work surface.
Also, if you want to have a TV set in a small bedroom, you can do so. There’s no need for the placement of shelving or a TV stand – remember the importance of preserving horizontal space. A wall-mounted TV is the perfect choice for a small bedroom that will give you convenience and usability without additional complications.
Once you’ve come up with a furniture arrangement, try putting it to the test before considering the layout final.
Here’s a simple idea you can employ to make sure furniture placement is optimal – leave the room for some time and come back to it with an intention.
For example, pretend you need to get dressed and you have to put your makeup on before heading to the office in the morning. Attempt performing those tasks in your brand new bedroom. Are you bumping into things? Are furniture pieces organised in a way that slows you down?
If you find something illogical or restrictive in your new layout, you’ll have to edit. Reorganising or taking items out of the space can be difficult. Such a decision, however, will be essential to make your bedroom comfortable and usable.
Are you clueless about how to edit and what to change? Have you tried arranging your small bedroom to no avail? In that case, a bit of professional assistance is going to come in handy.
Home Guide has completed numerous residential projects in small spaces over the past years. We know what it takes to make a room “breathe” without compromising its functionality. Contact us and let’s get working on your dream home space with our home renovation service! A small flat doesn’t have to be a handicap. With a bit of planning and expertise, the size can be turned into an actual advantage – check out our 2-room HDB BTO renovation package!
Are you feeling bold and courageous when it comes to your home interior design? Are you seeking ways to create a space for yourself that is an outstanding example of what a contemporary design style should be? If so, you probably want a design with an eclectic appeal that brings together different patterns and colourrs in a way that Home Guide definitely can.
Mixing patterns and colours is one of the simplest, most cost-efficient ways to uplift a the interior of your home and create impact. While you don’t need heaps of resources to accomplish such a beautiful result, making sure it does not end in a chaotic mess isn’t easy and is worthwhile to get the help of a professional interior design team.
On one hand, overdoing a colour and pattern mix will make the interior design look too busy and illogical. On the other, being overly conservative wouldn’t get the impressive result pictured in your mind.
As professionals in the realm, we often carry out residential projects that rely on bold and crisp colour/pattern mixes. Based on our know-how, we have a couple of recommendations for all who want to make this design approach work well in their residential space.
Here’s one of the simplest tips that will give you a professional-looking outcome. When mixing bold patterns together, vary the size and scale.
Having different patterns that all have a similar size will make the eye wonder. Your room will lack a clear focal point and that’s a problem. Visual cues are always utilized to direct views towards the most important elements. If you don’t have such cues, your arrangement is going to end up looking too busy.
Some patterns like a herringbone pattern are very noticeable and they can overwhelm the space. That’s why their size should preferably be on the smaller side. Simpler geometric patterns can be bigger because they don’t have such a striking appearance right off the bat.
When it comes to making different patterns work, it’s also a good idea to choose similar colours.
Different patterns executed in different colours (especially if the contrast is massive) will give you a headache each time you enter the room. When pattern is the star, colour should play a supporting role. A professionally curated colour scheme will make it much easier to work with different shapes and prints. This is probably one of the projects you should put in the capable hands of professionals in order to enjoy freedom and versatility when choosing home décor later on.
Bold and impressive doesn’t necessarily mean ornate or colourful. In fact, one really modern and impressive execution relies on simple classics – black and white colour scheme and geometric patterns.
A monochromatic room can often look very sterile and cold. True, black and white elements are definitely stylish and sophisticated. Often, however, they lack soul and character.
Bringing geometric patterns to the picture will solve that problem.
Prints on the wall, furniture that carries geometric patterns (dots, triangles, ellipses, semi-circles, etc.) and even a carpet that features subtle geometric shapes can all work really well in a monochromatic room. Choose one anchor (for example – the furniture) and a couple of additional patterned pieces that are less obtrusive and more complementary (like a carpet that has a subtle geometric pattern).
Many home owners who want to execute a daring interior design project fail because they don’t know where to start. Without a point to begin at, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture.
A simple recommendation when it comes to working with patterns and colours is start from the carpet.
Usually, rugs and carpets feature among the hardest décor elements to find good matches for.
When you begin working from the rug up, you eliminate that problem altogether. In addition, a bold and colourful patterned carpet can easily “tie” an entire home décor concept together.
Choose a rug that’s properly sizes for the respective room. It should be placed at least halfway underneath the furniture, leaving enough of the beautiful pattern and texture visible. Smaller rugs can be added as accent pieces in front of key furniture like the sofa or under the dining table, for example.
Here’s a fool-proof way to make patterns and colours work – try mixing opposites.
A large floral pattern on one item will work really well with a tiny floral pattern on another one. Navy elements are going to look beautiful and elevated alongside cream decorations.
High contrast decorating can work really well because it creates dynamic interiors. Elegant stuff works really well with more down-to-earth practical elements. Rough and refined patterns will also make each other noticeable.
Bold interior designs do require a lot of work but the payoff is significant. This is why you should take your time, enjoy the process and have fun picking the different pieces that will work well together.
When in doubt, get in touch with the pros. Contact Home Guide if you have an exciting upgrade concept that you want to execute to perfection. We’d be honoured and excited to make the vision come alive.
Your home should be a safe haven – a place that makes you feel happy, relaxed and peaceful. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone. Do you experience anxiety or a sense of uneasiness at home? Do you have troubles pinpointing where such negative emotions stem from?
If the answers to both of these questions are yes, you could be making some common home décor mistakes that impact mood in a negative way. Check the list below for some typical issues and the best ways to address those in order to bring harmony home.
According to Psychology Today, clutter causes anxiety and stress in more than one way.
Having too many items around the house will “bombard” the mind with visual stimuli instead of creating a peaceful, balanced environment. All senses work in overdrive, which isn’t something you need when you already lead a hectic life.
In addition, clutter creates feelings of guilt and shame (making you believe you’re a failure because you’re not organised or tidy), it keeps you from relaxing fully and it signals to your brain that you need to do something about it.
The good news is that you can do something about it fairly easily. Clever storage is easy to introduce even in the smallest Singapore flat, especially if you utilise vertical space or the spaces that don’t really have a purpose (corners, the area above a door, the top of a closet, etc.).
Jagged edges, especially if they overpower the design, can create anxiety.
A study published in 2017 shows that the vast majority of people feels better and more relaxed in rooms where curves rather than edges are dominant.
Here’s the psychological explanation behind this phenomenon – too many sharp edges create an angular, somewhat aggressive design. It’s not as welcoming as a room that features curves and rounded objects.
Obviously, you can’t create design without some straight, sharp lines. These, however, can be balanced trough the presence of ergonomic furniture, rounded vases and containers (like flower pots, for example) and even rounded light fixtures.
Even visually, curves have the power to soften the design. Undoubtedly, that softness will be translated by the brain as cosy and welcoming.
Some people decide not to feature any art at home because they simply don’t know how to pick the right painting or sculpture.
Art, however, plays a very important role in home décor. It isn’t just visual. Artwork provokes emotional responses and various interesting studies suggest just how powerful it can be.
Viewing art recreates the same emotions as being in love, a University College London study suggests. Artwork that you enjoy causes a surge of feel-good hormones, reducing anxiety and stress. In fact, the power of art is immense – when used in hospital settings, it can decrease pain responses and contribute to faster recovery.
The type of art itself isn’t that important as long as it makes you feel good by just looking at it. Explore different genres – modern, abstract, sketches, creative photography, posters, impressionist, surrealist – it’s really up to you to explore and discover the style you’re drawn to. In fact, you don’t have to stick to one style. Eclectic design can be even more fun and such diversity can easily be achieved by featuring different kinds of art that complement each other.
A dark, poorly lit room will instantly make you feel gloomy, won’t it? The same applies to rainy days and grey skies – the absence of sunlight has the power to instantly ruin your mood.
There’s a scientific explanation that pinpoints the importance of light for proper brain function.
Exposure to sunlight increases the production of serotonin – a hormone that improves mood and helps for calmness. In the absence of natural light, serotonin levels go down and this phenomenon is linked to increased risk of seasonal mood disorders and even major depression.
The importance of sunlight has once again been demonstrated in a study carried out in hospital settings. Researchers found out that patients in sunny rooms recovered from depression faster than those in rooms having less light.
Even if you don’t have large windows at home, there are ways to make rooms feel brighter and more cheerful.
There are light bulbs meant to replicate the colour and temperature of sunlight. Full-spectrum light bulbs are the ones that come closest to what the sun gives us.
In addition, you can make rooms brighter by featuring light colours, mirrors and glossy surfaces. All of those maximise available light and improve its presence throughout the flat.
These are some of the obvious issues that can impact mood, anxiety and overall wellbeing. But there are some subtler mistakes leading to issues with your home environment. Did you know that something as simple as cramming too many family photos in a small space can make you feel stressed out? The same applies to ignoring the importance of texture, featuring too many electronics in your relaxation spaces and even keeping lots of books you no longer enjoy.
Interior designers know how these subtle choices can have a negative impact. Hence, working with a professional is the easy way to bring happiness and balance to your home.
At Home Guide, we believe in the ability of every single design element to impact your psychological wellbeing. From colour to arrangements – we make these choices intentionally to match your needs. Contact us now if you want a home that will help you relax and find happiness amid everyday business and stress.