Every renovation project is heavily dependent on the selection of the right materials. These ensure structural integrity, energy-efficiency, functionality and the aesthetical appeal of the project. A wide range of conventional materials has established popularity. Some of these prominent choices include wood, marble, various kinds of metal, glass and textiles.

A renovation project, however, can also employ unconventional materials.

Unconventional materials add to the character of the interior design project. Often, they also tend to have better practical characteristics than the traditional options out there.

If you’re curious about such unorthodox executions, here are some exceptional unconventional materials to acquaint yourself with before commencing a renovation.

Mycelium

This is a super cool interior design material that appeals to environmentally-conscious home owners.

As the name suggests, mycelium is an organic material made from fungal fibres. Because of its nature, mycelium is very tough, resistant to mould and it can even be utilised to enhance the fire-proofing of flats and entire buildings.

You may be wondering what areas of application mycelium has.

It can be used as a substitute for MDF – medium-density fibreboard engineered wood that many types of furniture and décor items are crafted from. The material is sustainable and environmentally-friendly because it doesn’t emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no formaldehyde is needed for the production of mycelium.

Plastic Reclaimed from the Ocean

Yes, ocean plastic is a thing and it’s becoming increasingly popular in interior design.

The popularity of ocean plastic grew exponentially in 2017 and it has been on the renovation map ever since. You probably know that tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans of the world. There have been numerous initiatives to clean these habitats and make good use of the plastic waste that’s been floating around.

Even furniture makers have taken to incorporating ocean plastic into their designs. Various home décor items are also crafted from this recycled material.

While ocean plastic isn’t so readily available on the Singaporean market, it’s definitely a curious possibility that may be worth exploring in the future.

Straw Marquetry

If you’re looking for yet another wood replacement, straw marquetry may be the unconventional material worth checking out.

It’s interesting to point out that straw marquetry isn’t something new. It’s long been used in home construction in the East and the technique got brought to Europe in the 17^th century. Wheat or oat straw needs to be split and soaked repeatedly in hot and cold water. The straw is also dyed because it can easily take up colour and change its shade. Later on, the material is flattened under pressure to create panels, art pieces and even some furniture elements.

Straw marquetry has been very prominent in interior design ever since the art deco period. And while it has never become one of the mainstream materials, it does offer a wonderfully versatile alternative to wood.

Jesmonite

A few years ago, jesmonite got named material of the year during the London Design Fair.

This unconventional material is made through the combination of plaster or cement and a water-based resin. Sounds simple and that’s precisely where the brilliance of jesmonite hides.

Jesmonite has been discussed in numerous reputable interior design journals and even Financial Times published an overview of the way in which the material is breaking renovation boundaries.

According to the experts, jesmonite’s strength is its versatility. Regardless of the fact that it is synthetic, jesmonite looks very natural. It can look textured like stone or it can have the warmth of clay or ceramic. Because of its versatility, jesmonite is perfect for the creation of tabletops and countertops, flooring, vases and other containers, as well as decorative and art pieces.

Jesmonite is often compared to fiberglass as far as its characteristics go. Unlike fiberglass which is considered an irritant and a potentially carcinogenic material, jesmonite is completely safe.

Algae Bioplastic

Designers have been experimenting with algae for the creation of bioplastic.

Protein and carbohydrate-based polymers from algae can be extracted to put together a biodegradable, environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic. According to some researchers, conventional plastic could actually be completely replaced by this material in the future, especially through successful genetic engineering efforts.

Even today, designers have been capable of producing various kinds of items from this bioplastic variety.

One of the most typical applications is the creation of vessels. The bioplastic, however, could also be utilised for the creation of wall panelling, fixtures and even furniture pieces (like garden chairs, for example).

As you can see, renovations can be so diversified and unorthodox! It’s really up to you to decide what you’d like to accomplish with your renovation and whether unconventional materials will help you meet the brief. Luckily, many unusual choices for home renovation materials are readily available in Singapore.

It’s also essential to find a team capable of working with such materials and delivering a polished outcome. Home Guide is one such team. We’re known for our innovative and personalised approach to interior design and home renovation projects. Contact us now to acquaint us with your idea and get our professional input on the execution.

Modern technology has influenced and even transformed just about every aspect of our lives. Communication, work, wellness and even romance have all been impacted. A number of professional niches also went through massive changes in the past few decades. Interior design is one of them.

Home interior design is evolving as new technologies become available.

Smart solutions and new materials are making executions easier, quicker and much more personalised than ever before.

Software Opens Up a Whole New World

The first aspect of interior design project execution affected by technologies occurs before the actual home renovation even takes place. Computer software is enabling a whole range of possibilities when it comes to planning the execution and making sure it’s the right choice for the homeowner.

Various 3D design programs are already in existence. They’re readily available and reputable Singaporean interior designers work with such solutions to offer clients a sneak peek into the end result.

Many people find it difficult to imagine what their brand new home is going to look like. New software takes the guesswork out of the equation. In fact, some programs allow for the creation of immersive virtual reality models. These feel even more realistic than other illustrations of the interior design. Additionally, changes can be made on the go to accommodate for client’s preferences.

If you’re interested in getting to know your how your home  will look with the proposed new interior design before the project has commenced, you can count on solutions like HomeAlive 360 by Home Guide. To be able to see ideas visualized in 3D and also to be able to interact and explore within the simulated space gives you the chance to see if your ideas work, to make adjustments or to go back to the drawing board.

3D Printing – Everything Is Possible

We mentioned personalisation and custom-crafted solutions in the opening of this article. One of the technologies that enable personalisation like never before is 3D printing. It has a profound range of applications in the world of interior design. The good news is that 3D printing is becoming more common and more affordable with each passing day.

In essence, 3D printing turns three-dimensional models into actual objects that get “printed” from resin (other materials could also be available). The 3D printing technology has been used to create everything from musical instruments to camera lens and even working weapons.

Interior designers have been using 3D printers to create sculptures, furniture, light fixtures and a whole host of other items.

Just like in the case of 3D visualisation, this kind of printing makes it possible to create unique executions for the client.

In the past, one of a kind solutions used to be incredibly expensive. Coming up with a single piece for a client involved a lot of preliminary planning and material waste, which contributed to the expensive price tag. With 3D printing, the rules of the game are changing.

While using a 3D printer to come up with unique items for an interior design project is still expensive, the technology is paving the way for profound changes in the realm. Chances are that in the future, people will find it very easy and affordable to dream of some home décor item and have it manufactured exactly that way. Wouldn’t that be a great addition to a world that’s already capable of quite a lot of personalisation?

Space Enhancement

A smart home is no longer a thing of the future.

In fact, it is becoming the norm for many Singaporeans.

Smart solutions are impacting many aspects of interior design execution, from the selection of lighting to climate control and energy efficiency.

Today, we have access to technologies that would have been considered impossible just a few decades ago.

Smart fridges capable of creating shopping lists, intelligent ovens that can execute recipes on their own and modern security systems are all available on the mass market. Seamless integration is possible through a smartphone or assistant-enabled speakers, creating a central hub for remote adjustments and interactions with the intelligent environment.

Making your home smart will allow you to meet just about any goal through an interior design upgrade. From saving money on utility bills to enjoying an ambiance that’s in line with what you like (music, art), these are all possibilities to interact with your home thoroughly and efficiently.

New Materials

Last but not least, we need to mention innovative materials briefly.

Modern engineered fabrics are one wonderful example. There are already materials out there that can react to touch and even audio stimuli.

And this is just one example. So many other options are available – microcement (having a much finer finish than regular cement), alucore (an aerospace industry material that has already become available to regular consumers) and bricks made entirely from construction waste are just the tip of the iceberg.

As you can see, sky’s the limit when it comes to introducing new technologies in your next home renovation project.

When such modern solutions are chosen strategically, they can help you meet a number of end goals. This is why you need to team up with a team of interior designers open to innovation and familiar with some of the latest trends.

Home Guide is one such team. We can consult you, suggest the right mix of modern and classic choices and execute an interior design project that will surpass your wildest dreams. Contact us now to get going!

Love them or hate them, neon colours make a definite statement. They leave nobody indifferent, which is an amazing characteristic in an interior design element.

Many home owners are afraid of employing these bold, personality-filled vibrant shades of colours, afraid that they will make the home look tacky and make it hard to match with other home interior design elements like furniture. We are here to take away that fear because we believe that that with strategic use, your living space will be lifted with just a touch neon.

Neon colours can work really well in many interior design styles, as long as they’re used correctly. The key to employing neons is strategic moderation. If you’re strategic and you have a good concept to start with, chances are that the execution will give you a fresh and memorable home interior design everyone will be speaking about.

Start Small

We are not going to suggest going big with neon like painting an entire room neon. In fact, most home owners will be terrified by such and idea especially when it comes to BTO renovations where space is a premium.

Instead, neon will work best when they’re introduced through small accents.

A throw pillow with neon elements (stripes, geometric shapes?) on it is a good starting point. The same applies to a graphic poster or a piece of popping art that will modernise the interior and give it just a touch of eccentricity. Most people can stomach abstract artwork and fall in love with it. This is why paintings and pictures are always an excellent choice when it comes to picking bold tones.

Rugs, vases and flower pots are also a good choice for neon accents. Place those against a neutral background to make them stand out and prevent the clashing of notable elements.

Combine with Softer Variations

Are you worried that a neon interior is going to be too overwhelming?

One clever way to subdue the power of neon is to place such items alongside pieces that feature other versions of the same colour.

Neon pink can work well with pastel and matte pinks and purples. When several shades of the same tone are used alongside each other, they create visual harmony. The neon piece will stand out in a delicate way instead of just slapping you in the face with its intensity.

You can also work with different finishes for even more diversity. Just don’t overdo it. Two textures and a few variations of the colour will definitely create intrigue and captivate attention. If you go overboard, it can start to look pompous and cluttered.

Choose the Right Rooms for Neon Décor

Some rooms can support neon décor much better than others.

You may find this surprising but neon tones are ideal for your child’s room.

Children need strong, bright colours to be inspired. Neon stripes can also be used in functional ways, pinpointing where certain items need to be placed. The trick, once again, is to use such tones sparingly and against a neutral background when possible.

Speaking of which, neon accents are also a great choice for the kitchen. Kitchens usually rock neon tones like white, grey, navy and beige. A single neon accent in this space (in the backsplash or on one cabinet door, for example) will add so much brightness and vivaciousness to the kitchen.

It’s a good idea to avoid neons in the spaces where you plan to relax. These tones can work in the bedroom or the meditation room but they’ll be more challenging to pull out there. If you intend to use neons in such spaces, consider working with a Singapore interior design professional. Otherwise, you may end up with a bedroom that’s too busy and that look anything but relaxing.

Try Neon Lights, As Well

Neon isn’t just about the colour.

You can also play with neon lights. Charming and bright, they’re ideal for the placement of an inspirational message on the wall or the creation of functional lights.

Neon lights are far from subtle, which is why the above-mentioned principles apply once again. If you have a neon sign on the wall, consider it the focal point of that room. Keep the rest of the design subdued and neutral.

It’s also a great idea to seek out vintage neon signs. Not only do these look super cool, some of them are collectables. Their value will continue increasing with the passage of time, giving you an expensive and worthy item. Also, authentic neon signs carry a spirit that would be difficult to replicate through the use of brand new pieces.

Can You Use Neon Paint Walls?

As we’ve pointed out already, painting a room in neon tones isn’t always the best idea.

Still, such bold choices can work really well sometimes.

Neon paint is amazing for the creation of one accent wall. It will be fresh, exciting and different. If you’re looking forward to such characteristics, neon paint is the way to go.

Splatters of neon paint on a wall can also work well. This choice is very artistic and somewhat chaotic, making it a great choice for a boho execution.

These are just some of the ways to work neons into your home interior design. If you’d like to explore additional possibilities, contact Home Guide. We love working on innovative, highly personalised design concepts into our home renovation services. We will execute the concept you have in mind beyond expectations.

Furniture ranks among the interior design elements that have the biggest impact on the appearance of your home. With so many choices, you can go in any direction that seems appealing. Regardless of the style you pick, however, there’ll always be an important consideration – should you choose mass-manufactured furniture pieces or have custom furniture especially designed and created for you?

The pros and cons of each approach are obvious. There isn’t a single answer when it comes to what’s best.

To determine what type of furniture is best for your home, you’ll need to examine a few key aspects of the renovation.

Renovation Statement Pieces: Furniture or Something Else?

Every good interior designer will tell you that a room needs a focal point. That focal point could be a piece of furniture, an artwork, a beautiful Persian carpet or maybe even some impressive electronics and multimedia pieces.

In order to choose the right kind of furniture for each room, you’ll need to figure out what the focal piece is going to be.

If you’d like to make a piece of furniture the main element, you may want to go for a custom or a designer piece. These types of furniture have much more distinctive appearance than ready-made items. They will stand out and give you something unique to base the rest of the room design off of.

People who are simply looking for functionality and convenience in their furniture will do well with store-bought items. And sometimes, commercial stores can feature some intriguing options that look more distinctive and appealing. These bring together the best of both worlds, maintaining functionality while also enhancing the visual style of the room.

Budget and Deadlines

Next, you’ll need to focus on a practical consideration.

What’s your furniture buying budget?

The answer to that question is going to be highly determining for the kind of furniture you can afford.

It’s a well-known fact that custom and designer pieces are more expensive than mass-manufactured furniture. You should also keep in mind the fact that such furniture takes longer to produce. If you need to finish the project quickly and you’re pressed by time, store-bought furniture may be a better choice.

Ready-made furniture pieces will be available immediately and you’ll find a huge range of styles and possibilities to choose among. If you discover something you like and you’re happy with the price, store-bought can really make your life easier as far as budgeting and deadlines are concerned.

How Adaptive Should the Furniture Be?

Here’s one way in which store-bough furniture misses the mark. Going for this choice means you’ll have to deal with some rigidity.

The furniture pieces available in various home décor and improvement stores is completed in terms of design and functionalities. Size and scale cannot be changed either. This means that often, you’ll have to make adjustments in other aspects of the renovation in order to accommodate for such pieces.

Custom furniture, on the other hand, gives you a ton of adaptability.

You’re in charge of style, size, functionality and the materials such furniture is made of. Working with a carpenter or a designer allows you to execute an idea or bring together possibilities that aren’t usually combined.

If you have a small and irregularly-sized niche that you’d like to create a cabinet for, for example, you’ll find it difficult to pick a store-bought item. Custom cabinetry, on the other hand, will result in a perfect match and allow you to utilise that space to the last millimetre.

Thinking about Sustainability

Sustainability is an important criterion for the selection of furniture.

So, how does it play into the selection of ready-made or custom pieces?

Mass-manufactured furniture is the less sustainable choice. If you want environmentally-friendly pieces, choose brands that have certification and that use sustainable materials (and don’t use chemicals that are harmful to the environment like VOCs).

Custom furniture can be made in any way you prefer. A one off project may be a bit more wasteful than mass-manufacturing but you’re in charge. If you come an agreement about sustainability considerations, you’ll get a piece that has a low footprint.

Also, custom pieces tend to be of higher quality than mass-manufactured items (there are exceptions but this is a typical scenario). Having a piece you’ll use for many decades is the environmentally-conscious thing to do.

If you are seeking ways to boost sustainability when it comes to furniture choices, there’s one more possibility to explore. We’ve talked about vintage furniture in the past and we definitely believe it has its place in every home.

Vintage furniture is very often well-made, distinctive and authentic to a certain time period. At the same time, it is much more affordable than custom and designer pieces. You should always consider this option before looking into the other two. Vintage shops often hide tremendous treasures that are worth exploring.

As you can see, the right kind of furniture is the one that matches your renovation specifications.

Work with a home interior design company will help you decide and give you satisfaction with the final choice.

Home Guide’s team can guide you through furniture selection among many other home renovation processes. Contact us today to make your living space better, more stylish and exciting.

Did you know that your bedroom environment is one of the main factors that impact sleep quality? A room that’s too hot or too cold, a bed that does not provide the right support or too much light pollution during the night can all interfere with your ability to get a proper rest.

As part of a home renovation, the design and construction of the bedroom has to be well thought out to help you enjoy restful hours during the night. Meeting this objective is far from difficult or pricy. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a designer bed in order to get amazing results. Here’s what the Home Guide interior home renovation experts have in mind.

Colours Matter

Let’s start with the basics and these basics are grounded in the principles of colour psychology.

Some tones have a soothing effect while others are way too aggressive. The right colour scheme and a little bit of paint will enable a thorough bedroom transformation that’s fairly inexpensive and easy to accomplish.

Pastel tones are a great choice for the bedroom. The colour itself is up to you – it could be blue, green, yellow, orange or even purple. Soft shades give the space some energy and distinctiveness without being overpowering.

Warm colours are also a good choice because they’ll make you feel cosy and relaxed. Yellows, oranges and beiges (used as a neutral tone in a warm scheme) will result in an inviting place that you’ll enjoy spending a lot of time in.

Layouts Tailored for Restful Slumber

The next thing you should pay attention to is the layout of the bedroom.

Rearranging a few things can give you a more restful environment and you’ll be free from having to carry out a complete bedroom renovation.

For a start, make sure that the bedroom is clutter-free. Clutter has been linked to stress and feeling uneasy in a certain place. There should be no decorative knickknacks, clothes in piles or boxes in the bedroom. These should be tucked away neatly. Luckily, you can employ a number of smart storage ideas to get rid of clutter. Multi-purpose furniture (like a bed with a storage space underneath) allows you to utilise bedroom space in the most effective way.

The layout can be enhanced in a few additional ways, if you’d like to go beyond clutter control.

For a start, make sure that the bedroom furniture is up to scale. A home interior design company should have space planning in their expertise in order to coordinate all the elements of the room relative to the size of the space. An oversized king-sized bed in a tiny bedroom is only going to overwhelm the interior design (and probably you)!

Also, a good layout enables easy access to all bedroom essentials. There will be no risk of bumping in corners during the night – something very important to consider when it comes to safety. You should have a clear path from the bed to the bathroom and the closet. Tripping hazards should be dealt with, just like corners, to give you and your loved ones a perfectly safe and relaxing environment.

Linens Matter

Most interior designers and decorators will tell you that the quality of textiles is important throughout the home but even more so in the bedroom.

So, what kind of bedsheets do you sleep in? How about your blankets and duvet?

Opt for breathable fabrics like cotton, silk and linen. It’s a good idea to choose a colour scheme for textiles that’s reminiscent of the overall tone selection in the bedroom. Alternatively, you can have sheets that contrast the main colours or that have patterns/shapes. Colourful, beautiful sheets will easily give you a focal point and the best aspect of that choice is that you’ll be changing a major design element each week.

Avoid cheap, synthetic materials when it comes to linens. You need quality sheets, just like you need a supportive mattress. These are the two things in the bedroom you should splurge on instead of attempting to discover the cheapest offer. More expensive linens will definitely pay off in the long run by giving you both product longevity and enhanced sleep quality.

Minimise the Presence of Electronics in the Bedroom

Sleep experts recommend minimising screen time before going to bed. Television, computer and phone screens emit blue light that can be seriously disruptive as far as sleep goes.

Improving bedroom design will often involve getting rid of certain things instead of putting new items in.

Do you currently have a TV in the bedroom? The time may be right to get rid of it. Having a TV in the living or dining room is more than enough. Your bedroom should be reserved for relaxation and peaceful activities. Falling asleep in front of the TV is one of the worst things you can do. Your sleep will be lighter and you’ll experience more disturbances during the night. Also, getting used to fall asleep in front of the screen will make it difficult to dose off in any other way.

If you need to keep some electronics in the bedroom or you can’t get rid of the TV, put it behind a wooden screen or inside a cabinet. This way, you can get rid of electronics whenever you decide to try falling asleep in a healthier way.

You can easily improve sleep quality if you simply optimise bedroom design. And if you don’t know how to make such change happen, get in touch with Home Guide. Our interior design experts will assess your current bedroom and recommend improvements that will give you a more peaceful place that’s perfectly tailored to meet your needs.

Is it time to consider a design touch-up for your flat? If so, you may be wondering what interior design trends are going to dominate the landscape in 2022.

The last year and a half really changed our lives, turning many practices and lifestyle choices on their head. We started working at home, exercising at home and socialising less often in person and more in front of the screen. Undoubtedly, these changes have had an impact on interior design. Their effect will continue being felt in 2022 and here are some of the key trends that the past months have shaped up.

Multi-Purpose Furniture

It’s obvious that the home has to serve more purposes than ever before. Unless you have a massive flat, it will be difficult to fit a home office, a gym, a study section for your kid, a wellness corner and living premises in one.

This is why Singaporean interior designers predict the rising popularity of multi-purpose furniture.

Multi-purpose or convertible furniture does exactly what the name suggests – it can be used in multiple activities without occupying a lot of horizontal space. For example, a wooden stool can also double as a storage container or a chair for your office can turn into a bed when fully extended.

The convertible furniture market has grown significantly over the years because such products make a lot of sense for small flats. As people are spending more time at home today, they’ll probably look into the creation of new activity zones. Multi-purpose furniture is an excellent choice, allowing one and the same space to be utilised in numerous ways.

Nature Inside

Greenery adds a lot of freshness and wholesomeness to interior design. Nature, however, can be brought inside an apartment in more than one way. Potted plants are an obvious choice but they’re not the only option.

Nature-inspired can feature materials like wood and marble. Decorations crafted from seashells, branches or pebbles will also be wonderful and unique décor enhancers.

Warm tones, greens and soft textures also fit nicely inside the trend. Some home owners could also choose to experiment with water decorations for a bit of added serenity. A little fountain or a water cascade inside the living room may seem a bit old-school but it’s bound to make a return to the home interior design scene of 2022.

Minimal Consumerism and Environmentally-Friendly Choices

Interior design experts predict that clutter and purely decorative elements that have no function in design are a thing of the past.

The world is moving away from consumerism.

From excessive plastic use to the purchase of items we don’t really need, we are starting to gain awareness about the impact individual actions have on the planet.

Interior design is bound to become cleaner, more functional and less consumerist in 2022 and beyond.

Sustainable materials, repurposed items and functional pieces are all going to dominate the interior design landscape. It’s time to slow down and reduce consummation in its numerous forms – from the need for lots of energy to the desire to purchase cheap knickknacks for the home.

Minimal décor arrangements with maximum function are going to be favoured over other design ideas. These fall in line with post-pandemic realities and can ensure comfortable living without requiring a ton of maintenance.

Art Deco Interior Design

Originally, the art deco movement was born after World War I. It was the result of bold new experiments and the desire to embrace something unusual and exciting.

Today, we need bold and exciting more than we have ever done so in the past.

Art décor interior design is making a massive comeback. It emphasises a number of important things – functional appeal, modernism and elegance. At the same time, art décor elements are ornate and beautiful to look at. They allow for a ton of self-expression and they’re rich, bright and capable of delivering a sense of happiness.

There isn’t a single way to work with art deco at home – you might even be able to pair it with minimalism for a minimal luxury pairing. If you’re curious about the trend but don’t know how to adapt it to your personal style, work with an interior design professional is going to make sense.

The Return of Velvet

We have come to seek comfort in multiple ways. From home spas to personal boudoirs, these design choices are bringing the focus to relaxation and wellness.

There isn’t an easier way to promote comfort than through the use of soft and plushy textiles.

Velvet is one of the materials that will become popular again in 2022. Most people have a love or hate relationship with velvet and if you belong to the first category, you’ll be happy to find out about this trend.

Textiles play a massive role in interior design. They determine the mood of home décor, add colour and texture to every execution. Velvet does all of these things effortlessly.

Velvet is an inviting, cosy fabric. It’s perfect for both the living room and the bedroom. In addition, velvet can be introduced in numerous ways – furniture covers, pillows, cases and curtains to name a few.

The texture itself is also quite bold, making velvet elements real standouts if you’re seeking accent pieces to tie interior design concepts together, velvet would be a wonderful choice.

As you’ve probably concluded already 2022 is going to be an exciting year as far as design goes. If you’re considering a home renovation and you’d like to identify the perfect trend for your home, don’t hesitate to contact Home Guide. We will make recommendations on the basis of space specifics and lifestyle choices. Through such personalisation, we promise a renovation that will easily surpass your expectations.

You’ve probably heard about a simple and unwritten rule – when choosing art for your home or office, always stick to the same movement or style. Thus, it’s a major sin mixing Renaissance art and something a bit more abstract like cubism, for example.

But is this really the case?

Can you highlight both the classics and modern art in the same space?

The short answer is yes.

Let’s elaborate on the idea and check the ways in which different forms of art can coexist and create visual harmony.

Classical and Contemporary Art: Understanding the Differences

To give you a better idea about displaying art, we need to go through a short lesson first.

There is one major difference between art classics and modern art. Classical artists relied on the depiction of direct aesthetic elements. These instantly appeal to the viewer. Beauty is central and objects are chosen to provoke an immediate emotional response (usually positive).

Think of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. The colour scheme, the curves, lines and the subject matter itself are easy to grasp and quite enjoyable. And that’s just one example.

Modern art is a lot more abstract and “difficult” to digest. Contemporary art usually doesn’t try to be realistic or aesthetically-pleasing. Rather, it focuses on an emotion or a theme that can be expressed through the use of colour, lines and various other artistic techniques.

Because of this characteristic, modern art is usually open to interpretation and it is seen as a lot more indirect. Splatters of colour, distorted shapes and bizarre tones in combinations with each other are all quite typical.

Keeping these essentials in mind, you may consider classical and contemporary art impossible to bring together in the same space without a stylistic clash. This isn’t the case. Obviously, displaying art pieces that are so different will necessitate skill and a strategic vision. You can, however, bring the two worlds together without creating a disastrous interior design hodgepodge.

Create Artistic Juxtapositions

Here’s something very important you need to understand about featuring art in a room – the rest of the interior design needs to remain modest and unobtrusive. Allow art pieces to become central, the star of the show. If they’re competing with ornate furniture or luscious fabrics, paintings and other forms of art will lose a lot of their impressiveness.

Classical art can work really well in modern settings. In fact, you can feature a painting across from a poster in order to create points of contrast in the room. Obviously, a poster here is used as an example of contemporary art. It can be replaced by something else you enjoy – a photograph, a sketch, a sculpture or any other modern art piece.

Always consider the elements that surround artwork. If most of the room remains neutral, you can easily feature two different pieces of art and create an eclectic interior. You need a sufficiently large, clean wall to hang a beautiful painting on. Remember one simple rule – less is more when it comes to decorative items. If you choose a few paintings carefully and thoughtfully, you’ll achieve a much better result than what you’d accomplish by having dozens of mediocre art pieces scattered throughout the space.

Work with Colour Schemes

Many interior designers bring traditional art into modern spaces by achieving colour palette synchronicity.

What exactly does that mean?

Usually, you’ll start your home renovation with the selection of a colour palette for each room.

Knowing the colours that will dominate the interior simplifies the task of bringing art into the equation.

Choosing both classical and modern art pieces that belong to the particular scheme will make the pieces blend seamlessly into the interior. The fact that the works of art are so different from each other will remain much less obvious than it would have been otherwise.

Alternatively, you can create striking contrast by choosing tones that are way out there. Again – to make this approach work well, you have to keep the rest of the home design fairly subdued. This way, your pieces of art will pop and tell an entire story.

Create a Timeline

Modern art is nothing but a natural continuation of classic styles that have evolved.

Cubism, for example, the art style that Picasso is so well known for, is a continuation of Paul Cezanne’s impressionism.

Choosing pieces of art that form a natural progression will make classics and abstract pieces work well together.

You don’t need a degree in art history to make such combinations happen.

As a viewer, you will sense the types of paintings and other art pieces that seem to be “related.” You don’t have to search for stylistic connections intentionally. Most of the time, these are pretty obvious.

If you feel that pieces of art have something in common, chances are that they’ll work well together. It’s really up to you to discover the ones that make you feel good and that you’ll enjoy spending time observing over the years.

And if you’re still feeling somewhat confused about art selection as part of your home interior design, get the experts to help you. Contact Home Guide now if you’re planning a home renovation in the near future. As experienced Singaporean interior design professionals, we know everything about the power of art and the best ways to make use of such pieces outstanding décor elements.

Every single decision you make impacts the environment. That’s a well-known fact.

Luckily, there are simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint and exist in a more sustainable way.

Did you know that almost 100 million tons of plastic are consumed around the world right now, compared to just five million tons in the 1950s? A lot of that plastic isn’t going to get recycled and you probably already have some idea about the amount of time needed for this material to fully decompose.

The good news is that apart from reducing your consumption, you can do a couple of additional things to eliminate wasteful practices. Reusing and repurposing during a home renovation or an interior design upgrade can give lots of things you’d otherwise throw away a second life.

Not only is repurposing the green thing to do, it can also save you a lot of money and give you unique new items. That’s the ultimate creative choice, especially if you’re considering pronounced life changes. After all, a brand new lifestyle starts with the creation of the right home space.

Plan Demolition Carefully!

Before thinking about reusing and repurposing furniture and decorative pieces, consider salvaging some of the materials that will result from demolition work during the reconstruction.

This is a phase you have to plan carefully.

Instead of hacking away without worries about potential damage, you’ll have to plan the careful removal of beams, bricks and anything else that could be used during another phase of the renovation. Construction plans and other building documentation you’re in possession of will help you understand the possibilities better.

It’s a good idea to seek a home renovation contractor who has enough experience in the realm of planned demolition work that is within HDB guidelines. They will know what it takes to salvage valuable materials and repurpose those. An experienced Singaporean home interior design company can also help you handle the preliminary steps so that you can “extract” the most from the existing construction.

Determine What You’ll Do with the Stuff You No Longer Need

Just about every item you no longer want in your flat can be reused or repurposed in one way or another.

Old flooring, for example, is ideal for repurposing. Wood flooring has so many good uses – from shelving to the creation of decorative elements. Tiles can also be saved. They can be placed in another room or even repurposed for the creation of a decorative wall piece.

When it comes to old furniture, you can have a lot of fun with it.

First of all, decide if you’re going to sell or donate some items. That’s a great way to give them a second life, especially if you no longer plan to feature those specific pieces in your home.

Furniture you want to keep can be repurposed in numerous ways, as long as you’re willing to get creative.

An old stepladder can easily be transformed into a bed stand or some shelving. A traditional bedroom chest can become multi-purpose storage for your home office. The old door will turn into an amazing headboard for your bed if you add some varnish or a bit of paint. You get the picture – it’s very easy to look beyond the specific function of an item and utilise it in a completely different way.

Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint and a bit of colourful fabric will go a long way to give a shabby item some glamour. Once you decide what interior design style you’re going for, you’ll find it fairly easy to transform old furniture beyond recognition.

Recyclable Materials Can Also Be Fun to Work With

You may also want to check your recycling bin. A number of amazing interior design ideas could be hiding there.

Old glass, plastic and metal can be incorporated in your renovation. Some people worry about the utilisation of such materials because they’ll potentially look cheap. If you look at Pinterest home décor boards, however, you’ll be surprised by the amazing items that can be created out of something as simple as a glass bottle.

From light fixtures to art pieces and even plant pots – you could be making many of these items on your own. Again – having a bit of support from an interior designer will reveal the full range of possibilities. Before commencing work on the project, however, you could also conceptualise some ideas that a professional will take to the next level.

Remember Why You Want to Reuse and Recycle!

Sometimes, reusing, recycling and repurposing during a renovation could be difficult. Lacking inspiration or a skilled team to back you can completely ruin your original enthusiasm.

If this ever happens, try to remember why you’re going through this process.

Reusing and repurposing is great for the environment, it helps you save money and gives you distinctive pieces for your home décor. Getting all of these benefits will be nearly impossible if you adopt another renovation approach.

Home Guide’s team can help you make an upcoming upgrade much more sustainable. Contact us now to discuss the specifics of the residential renovation and to learn a bit more about the numerous ways in which we can guide you and help you upgrade your space.

Light itself is an interior design element but you shouldn’t forget the importance of choosing the right fixture. Not only does it affect the quality of light, it can also tie an entire interior design concept together.

Fixtures come in all shapes and sizes. They can be crafted from a huge range of materials, giving you choice but also making the selection more difficult.

What are some of the most popular light fixture styles out there today? How do you pick the right concept for your renovation? These are the main questions we’re about to answer right now.

The Most Popular Light Fixture Styles of 2021 and Beyond

Just like other interior design elements, light fixtures are available in so many varieties. Styles evolve and change through the years, some gaining popularity, others going into complete oblivion.

Several lighting styles have become popular in 2020 and 2021. These bring together functionality and beauty, resulting in home décors that look sophisticated and highly polished.

If you’re seeking out information on light fixture styles that are especially in demand, here are a few of the main choices:

• Traditional: a classic chandelier will fall under the category. Traditional fixtures can also look like globes and pendants among others. Chances are that you’ve seen them around because they’re clean and classic – two characteristics that make them fit most interior design concepts. If you’re looking for something a bit more artistic and innovative, however, traditional lights aren’t going to be a perfect match.
• Industrial: this is another very popular style that has an added element of coolness to it. Industrial lights often feature exposed parts like a visible bulb. They tend to be crafted from materials like metal. These are often called warehouse-style lights because you’ll find similar options in commercial and industrial venues. Such lights are great for industrial, minimalist and hip interior design projects that make a statement through the selection of each element.
• Artistic: curves, unusual shapes and unusual materials result in more artistic lights. Not only do these serve a function, they can act as a prominent decorative piece. An artistic light fixture can easily turn into the highlight of a room, especially if it’s visible enough and placed strategically. On the downside, artistic and abstract lights can easily clash with other design elements because they carry a lot of personality.
• Mid-century and art deco: these types of lights are making a serious comeback. Art deco lights have several defining characteristics. They often feature geometric shapes, long vertical silhouettes, shiny metallic finishes (including warm ones like copper and bronze) and they tend to be oversized for a more dramatic effect. Like artistic lights, art deco and mid-century fixtures can be used as statement pieces that tie interior design concepts together.
• Minimalist: we shouldn’t forget about minimalist home décor. Minimalist fixtures tend to be very streamlined. They give you the absolute minimum required – clean lines, ergonomic shapes and proper sizing to do an excellent job without going overboard. If the rest of your home is highly functional and clean, minimalist fixtures would be the best choice.
• Eco: light fixtures made from environmentally-friendly materials are also worth considering. They’re gaining a lot of popularity and you’ll find many options on the market. Bamboo fibres, recycled glass or repurposed items are often used for the creation of cool and unique fixtures that don’t resemble anything else.

Choosing the Right Light Fixture Style for Your Renovation

There are no strict rules when it comes to choosing the perfect lights for your renovation project. You can be executing a minimalist interior design upgrade and you can still go for an artistic or highly ornate light. Such a statement piece will create some visual diversity and give you a cool focal point amid all of the clean lines.

What matters the most when choosing lights is size and scale.

Oversized lights can work well in fairly big rooms. They’re not going to suffocate the interior and they aren’t going to look out of place. A heavy, massive fixture in a tiny room, however, will never create a sense of opulence and luxury. Rather, it will look too heavy and it will suck the air out of the space.

The same holds true for a tiny or a particularly streamlined fixture in a large room or an open space flight. It’s not going to contribute anything to the interior design and most of the time, it’s going to go unnoticed.

Moving forward after you’ve gone through the size considerations, you have a lot of freedom. Your personal style and your budget will determine what light style is best. Obviously, unique and artistic pieces are more expensive than mass-manufactured lights. You can, however, discover vintage fixtures that look spectacular and that cost a fraction of what designer lights would.

Keep in mind that you’ll often find it difficult to imagine what a particular fixture is going to look like inside your home.

If you’re clueless or hesitant, talk to an interior designer. Home Renovation contractors like Home Guide will assess your home interior design needs and make sure they’re compatible with the renovation you’re going for. Contact Home Guide today if you’d like to be certain that every interior design element you favour is the right one.

Smart homes are no longer something futuristic and unattainable. Statistics show that by the end of 2021, there will be more than 258 million smart homes worldwide. Security and temperature control systems remain the most popular smart upgrades but they’re not the only choices.

A smart home can give you better living, more convenience and even utility bill savings. This is why you should definitely consider the addition of smart home technologies to your home during an upcoming home renovation.

With so many choices, however, it can be difficult to pick the smart upgrades that make the most sense for your living situation. To help you get inspired, we’ve come up with a number of practical choices that are fairly affordable and that will yield a high return on investment.

Smart Lights

Lighting, being one of the most important features of a home, has fortunately been one of the first items to get a smart upgrade. When it comes to convenience, affordability and an excellent return, few improvements can beat smart lights.

Smart light solutions like the Philips Hue bulbs communicate via WIFI/Bluetooth with your smartphone or smart assistant device. Without needing a central hub, the lights can also interact with other smart elements to give you the perfect ambiance.

Via a phone app, you can control the lights effortlessly and make adjustments as needed. The lights can also work with smart switches and dimmers, giving you one more control option. These switches operate via a Wi-Fi network and are a much better choice than the old-school switches that are still the norm in so many Singaporean homes.

With smart lights, you can also come up with a daily schedule and automate the process of switching lights on/off/dimming them.

Smart Speakers

This is another pretty standard upgrade to consider during an upcoming home interior design improvement. Smart speakers give you lots of versatility and they can be used to accomplish a lot more than just listening to music.

The right models out there can serve as a command center for all other aspects of home automation.

Through a speaker and a digital assistant like Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant, you can use your voice to issue commands and change various aspects of the home environment. You can also seek information, review your home security footage and even “ask” your TV to play your favourite movie.

Many smart system manufacturers have already made their products compatible with smart speakers. This is why you should definitely make the purchase of such one of the very first investments to pursue.

Smart Thermostats

The temperature inside your home is one of the most important variables when it comes to comfort.

Smart thermostats like the Ecobee system are voice-controlled and they also have built-in Amazon Echo Speaker compatibility. The system also benefits from room sensors that can be used to maintain uniform temperatures in all parts of the flat.

Many companies have already developed very inexpensive smart thermostats that completely automate heating and cooling. Do look into such opportunities, seeking a thermostat that allows you to control temperature settings remotely and that also offers energy-saving functionalities.

Smart Security

Don’t underestimate the power of smart automation when it comes to home security. Locks, alarms and camera systems have all become a part of the smart revolution, giving you a much safer home you can easily monitor from any location that has internet access.

Digital locks are really cool and personalised. You will no longer need a key but rather, a security code or even biometric data. Locks that work with your fingerprint or eye scan are readily available and they don’t cost a fortune.

There are numerous other smart home security possibilities. A video doorbell is a great first choice since it’s cheap, very easy to install and it does give you an added layer of safety. Smart cameras can be set up to record movements and send you alerts whenever such activities are being sensed. Some of these cameras are also equipped with two-way audio systems and they can also illuminate whatever is moving around your property. Night vision is another important feature that smart security cameras should have.

If you don’t want to go through separate elements, pick an entire smart security system for your home. While a lot costlier, these solutions will give you everything required to keep intruders and other dangers out of your house.

Smart Appliances

Finally, we need to discuss the amazing benefits of having smart kitchen appliances.

From fridges that speak and can help you organise your grocery shopping to intelligent tea and coffee makers that brew beverages just the way you like them – the market has a good range of amazing products.

Next generation smart appliances are one of the best ways to save money on your utility bills. In fact, this is one of the smart investments that will guarantee optimal returns. Surveys right now suggest that Singaporean home owners who opt for smart kitchen appliances will enjoy a return on investment as high as 11 per cent.

There are even smart kitchen appliances that can help out with cooking and food preparation. Intelligent countertops and ovens “learn” recipes and suggest the preparation method that gives you finger-licking results. You can even control such appliances from your phone, making remote cooking an actual possibility.

Needless to say, you can make many additional smart choices for your home – from smart toilets that conserve water to intelligent vacuum cleaners and even intelligent shades for the bedroom. And if you do feel overwhelmed by all of the possibilities, contact Home Guide. We will get acquainted with your lifestyle, recommending the smart home improvements that are in line with your preferences and routines.