Unless you are a staunch minimalist, many of us do love a little bit of luxurious, lavish things in our lives. Unfortunately, these come at a cost and many people will find themselves incapable of affording what they desire.

This is especially true in the world of home interior design and home décor. Carrying out a beautiful home renovation in Singapore will often result in serious expenses. The good news is that you can get an excellent outcome on a budget, especially if you have a solid idea and the right interior design team to bring it to reality.

If you want luxury interior design without the associated expense, check out the following project ideas you can apply to your home renovation.

Choose Solutions That Eliminate Clutter

Getting rid of clutter will immediately uplift your home’s interior design and create the sensation of an expensive execution.

Clutter isn’t attractive. Little knickknacks and items scattered everywhere will often look cheap and unsightly. A couple of well-made cabinets or high quality shelves can help control items and keep them from spreading everywhere.

Hidden storage, cabinets concealed behind glass or multi-functional storage solution (a coffee table that doubles as a container for belongings) can also look super sleek and modern.

Go for High Quality Fixtures

Certain well-chosen items can have much more of an impact than others.

Light fixtures rank high among those.

A feature light or a beautiful chandelier can immediately transform the appearance of an entire room. These statement pieces aren’t just aesthetically pleasing. They help light scatter in the best possible way, making a space appear brighter and much more spacious.

You don’t need a crystal chandelier to get that luxury effect. Glass will do just fine, especially when the fixture has been expertly crafted.

Also, understand the fact that you don’t always have to go big with fixtures in order to make a statement. A discrete but high quality lampshade and wall-mounted fixtures can tie an entire design concept together much better than their larger and exaggerated counterparts would.

Mix Textiles Like an Expert

A home that’s too match-y will often look generic and let’s face it – cheap.

If you take a look at interior design magazines, you’ll notice that elegant and expensive decors have one thing in common. They feature many different textiles that keep the space from appearing way too flat.

Mixing textiles isn’t easy because you can overdo it. Having a Singapore interior design professional guide you through the process is the best way to choose the right products and position them optimally within the home environment.

Choosing textiles that feature different textures and patterns isn’t an interior design faux pas. In fact, such masterful combinations will result in some of the most beautiful, exciting and lavish home décors out there.

If you’re attempting to accomplish the goal on your own, go for neutral tones for the vast majority of textiles. A few pops of bright colours will create accents and liven up the atmosphere.

Hardware Upgrades

Here’s one more little thing, apart from fixtures, that can make a statement and give you an expensive-looking interior design.

Hardware like the handles of kitchen and storage cabinets matters. Unfortunately, it’s often ignored. Most people will go for generic hardware like the one that cabinets come with. Just like regular light fixtures, however, such hardware is going to look way too generic and bland.

Swap the regular hardware pieces for something a bit more exciting. Brass or copper handles, for example, will give you some of that old-school glamour you may crave. The shape and decorative aspects of hardware are also essential to pay attention to. These should match the interior design concept you’ve chosen for your home and create visual consistency down to the last detail.

Thrift Store and Vintage Treasures

Genuine luxury isn’t always costly.

Thrift stores and vintage shops are places that hide some of the most exciting treasures that interior designers will ever come across.

Vintage furniture is usually well-made and solid. It carries some history and a distinctive style you cannot obtain from mass manufactured items.

The key here is to curate the items worth buying.

Having some knowledge of different periods and furniture/decorative pieces that are actually expensive will help you. If you don’t have such understanding, get someone to do thrift store shopping on your behalf. An interior designer will usually be the right person for the job. Also, they know the stores and the markets that could feature some beautiful old items worth buying.

Art, Art, Art

One final tip is to consider the addition of artwork to living spaces.

Paintings, sketches, sculptures and other pieces of art don’t have to be costly in order to look elegant and expensive.

What matters here is picking pieces that you enjoy and that reflect your personality. Don’t worry about the actual value and quality of the art. If you like it, go for the item and place it centrally in your home. It will make a huge difference as far as décor is concerned.

Interior design quality and elegance are both subjective. Each person has their own style and preferences. This is the reason why you shouldn’t worry too much about the price tag and getting expensive stuff. Genuine luxurious appeal often hides in modest packages. If you have an eye for beauty and you can spot little gems, chances are that you’ll put together the most outstanding home interior.

And if you feel like you don’t have the eye, do employ professional home interior design help. Home Guide’s designers will work with you closely to understand what you’re going for and bring that vision to reality. Contact Home Guide now to embark on a transformative interior design journey.

While Covid-19 has impacted home design in more than one positive way , it has also destroyed various aspects of décor and renovations that we used to embrace in the past.

Such changes have occurred in both home and office spaces. They stem from the new ways in which we interact with each other, work, relax and take care of our health.

So, what interior design aspects became obsolete due to the pandemic? Here are a few of the main ones.

At-Home Maximalism

Maximalism follows a simple principle – more is more.

Covid-19, however, has pushed home owners and other people in need of design solutions to look for functional, clean and comfortable alternatives.

Reports state that the pandemic has given rise to a new style – warm minimalism. It brings together the best of both worlds – functional design that is also warm and friendly without being excessively ornate or cluttered. Of course, it is also possible to have minimalism with touches of luxury – read about minimal luxury here.

More functional areas have to be fitted inside a residential space than ever before – a home office, a workout zone, a remote learning area for kids, a home spa, etc. Maximalist design relies on numerous decorative elements. It would be impossible to fit so many functional areas and a ton of knickknacks in the same space.

Since the start of lockdowns and social distancing measures, people have been seeking out homes that look great and that are easy to maintain. Unfortunately, maximalism meets only one of these criteria.

Open Floor Plans in the Office (and at Home)

Open spaces and layouts have probably dominated the world of office interior design and home interior design for years.

Unfortunately, such floor plans make it much more difficult to control the spread of pathogens. As a result, many companies have decided to go back to cubicles or at least introduce some kind of partition for safety and hygienic purposes.

The death of open floor plans isn’t as obvious in the world of residential design but many home owners are also abandoning this concept (at least to some degree).

We are spending more time than ever before at home. Many services and conveniences we used to enjoy elsewhere now have to be brought inside the flat –a spa, a gym, a wellness centre, a classroom for kids. This is why many functional areas have to be added to a flat and that’s impossible to achieve with an open floor plan.

Singaporean interior designers are starting to use at least some partitions (even if they’re movable) to designate functional areas inside the apartment. While these aren’t necessarily fixed, they do kill the open floor concept when in place.

The Use of Imitation Materials

Imitation materials like faux marble or wood used to be very popular because they’re affordable and they look good.

With the start of the pandemic, interior designers are observing less pronounced use of imitation materials in home and office renovation.

Before Covid-19, we didn’t spend all that much time at home. Hence, imitation materials for certain parts of the house made sense (regardless of the fact these often don’t bring the warmth and the sophistication of the real thing).

The Circuit Breaker period has made many property owners rethink their expenditure on interior design. Since we are often stuck at home, quality and luxury are becoming more important. This is why many are abandoning imitation materials and investing enough in the real thing.

Authentic natural materials like wood, marble, stone and iron bring a lot of elegance and timeless beauty to interior design. They can also have practical benefits like longevity, ease of cleaning and antimicrobial properties. When the world got turned upside down, many reconsidered the characteristics of their residential space, going for upgrades they wouldn’t have fathomed before.

Collectables and Purely Decorative Items

Here’s another trend that has died both at home and in the office.

With Covid-19, we’ve been forced to do more thorough and in-depth cleaning more often than ever before.

Having many small items covering every surface increases the difficulty of maintaining stellar hygiene.

Decorative items are being abandoned and tucked away. Some people are even getting rid of art that will require wiping and dusting on a regular basis.

Streamlined surfaces and clever storage solutions are taking over. These make a home or an office very easy to wipe clean and even sterilise upon necessity. And while the world has made serious progress towards controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, chances are that the current hygienic measures will remain in place for a long time to come.

Subdued Colours

Here’s one final trend that has decreased in popularity a lot.

Subdued colours like beige, white and pastels allowed the rest of the interior design to shine.

The pandemic, however, has taken its toll on mental health. This is why subdued tones are being abandoned and replaced by brighter, more cheerful colours.

There’s nothing wrong with going bold. An orange wall in the living room will bring the sunshine in the space that a family spends the most time in. Designers are also seeing an increase in the popularity of bright and bold tones like red, purple, gold and yellow.

Cheerfulness can be created and colour psychology stands as evidence of the claim. Subdued tones aren’t doing anything to make a space more inviting and exciting. And while they’ll always be a classic, their use will potentially be minimal (for example, to allow bolder items to shine).

These are some of the design trends that Covid-19 has made difficult or unlikely to be executed in new projects. Speaking of new projects, are you thinking about a home renovation?

Home Guide is a home interior design company that can help you out. We are also a HDB licensed home renovation contractor. We have the experience, the creativity and the personalised approach to make the most of your space. Contact us today to embark on an exciting renovation journey as soon as possible.

The whole world has had to change and adapt since the beginning of 2020. Covid-19 impacted life in numerous profound ways. It changed how we work, how we take care of our health and most importantly – how we interact with others.

These are some of the most obvious effects but the pandemic has contributed to subtler changes in various other fields. The world of interior design is one of them. If you take a look around, chances are that your ideas for your home renovation has been influenced in a couple of ways because of the pandemic.

So, what are the most prominent residential interior design changes stemming from Covid-19? While some of the most obvious are focused on safety and wellbeing, there are a couple of additional emerging trends pertaining to mental health and wellness at a time of social distancing.

The Rise of the Home Office

One thing we realised as a result of the pandemic is that we don’t always need to head to the office in order to get a job done.

The home office is one of the most prominent emerging trends. Even if people don’t have enough space to put together a separate study, they do create a functional zone dedicated to work, studying or intellectual activities at home.

In the past, some people had home offices because they ran a business or needed to conduct some professional activities a few times per week. During the pandemic, many started utilising their home office five days per week and for months at a time.

This extensive use has made designers and home owners focus on functionality, comfort and the elimination of typical at-home distractions. These goals aren’t easy to achieve in a household environment but careful space planning and the separation of the study area from the rest of the home can help accomplish the goal.

Brighter Colour Trends

Studies show that Covid-19 has taken its toll on mental health.

The social distancing and isolation stemming from it have resulted in a profound sense of loss and grief for so many people. As social creatures, we are all deeply affected by the inability to meet others, hug, spend quality time together and enjoy the presence of loved ones.

Such gloom can be countered through brighter and more colourful home design.

Colour psychology indeed shows us that various tones can have an uplifting effect, creating more cheerful and exciting environments.

This is why home interior design professionals predict that homes will become brighter and more colourful due to the pandemic. Bright shades and colour patterns can elevate one’s mood, counter depressive sensations and transform a home into a happy sanctuary at a time of worries.

Home Spas and Relaxation Areas

In a time of distress, self-care is more important than ever. Luckily, a little bit of luxury and pampering are fairly easy to achieve at home in this day and age.

Covid-19 has already resulted in more Singaporean homeowners seeking out the implementation of a home spa.

Such ideas are especially easy to execute in larger bathroom spaces. Having a steam function or a hydro-massage nozzle in the shower can easily transform a simple room into an actual spa. A beautiful, large bathtub is another nice addition to the personal relaxation space.

Smaller bathrooms can also be decked out in a couple of ways to allow for a bit of self-care and enjoyment. A bathtub caddy is a simple example of a home décor piece that can be introduced to utilise space otherwise left unused. There are beautiful, expensive-looking options on the market that will allow for the proper organisation of cosmetics and personal care items. Other great design choices for a small bathroom include the addition of biophilia and plants to the bathroom, the carving of a wall niche for the placement of candles and heated floors.

Bringing the Travel Experience Home

Many people have had to cancel travel and holiday plans due to the pandemic and the restrictions it brought.

Interior design has accounted for this change in lifestyle. Now more than ever, various home owners are attempting to bring hotel amenities into their residential space.

Such a goal can be accomplished in more than one way.

Having a sauna built into one’s home is a good option to enjoy some vacation-inspired relaxation at home. The same applies to decking out a foyer as a hotel lobby.

The use of certain materials can also create the sensation of being away from home. Rattan, volcanic slate and even corals can be used to turn a home into a tropical haven. Needless to say, that’s just one theme – the world has so much more to offer. From European Renaissance art to a Middle Eastern hookah room, there are many possibilities and travel ideas to explore.

Covid-19 has resulted in some positives and upgrades. The new home interior design trends rank among those.

You can easily transform your residential space, making the most of it and getting to enjoy solutions that were previously unavailable.

For the best possible outcome, do get in touch with a home interior design company. Professionals like the Home Guide home interior designers will conceptualise a thorough home renovation that’s in line with all of your preferences and also execute in a way that surpasses your expectations. Contact Home Guide to start transforming your home today.

The rustic-industrial design style has been in everyone’s mind these days. As a result, its popularity is rising and for good reasons. This gorgeous mix of styles creates not only the look but the purpose that many homeowners like. With this home interior design style, you’ll get strong eclectic aesthetics, authenticity and functionality. Putting these two styles can be tricky. That’s why we’re here to help you achieve that harmonious look you’re hoping to achieve by combining the two home interior design styles. Let’s look at it in more detail

Neutral Colours To Create The Perfect Balance

Colours play a significant role in many interior design styles, especially in an industrial style. The right colour scheme can give the balance you need for a rustic-industrial home. 

Use white as the primary colour to help you get the clean look and spacious feel. One idea is to have the large wall painted white as well as some neutral and warm colours such as gray and shades of brown to create a cosy and inviting space that’ll most certainly make you feel at home. To finish the desirable look, add some black accents for some contrast. For example, you can have black window frames or a black table centerpiece. 

Furniture, Decorations, And Accessories

What makes a rustic-industrial home interior design stand out is perhaps the furniture and decorations. They’re unique and will definitely catch people’s attention. Think of antique lamps, leather chairs, rustic cushions, vintage clocks, and some eccentric art pieces to add your personal touch. 

Also, don’t forget some accessories. Have metal pipes, repurposed tables, car plates, and other unique items you can think of! If you don’t have the extra budget to buy new accessories, maybe it’s time to unpack the house and see what items you could create yourself to constitute that rustic vibe. The rustic-industrial design does require some creativity on your part, so have fun with it. 

Create Textures By Adding Unique Elements

The essentials of industrial interior design style are elements such as wood, exposed concrete, and brick walls. They’re some common sightings you’ll see in rustic-industrial houses. Not only will it give the texture you need, but it’ll also provide your home with a strong character and a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. So when you get online or to the store, look out for the materials we mentioned above! 

Is a real brick wall too much of an update? Instead, why not use a wallpaper that’s simple to use. You’ll be surprised at how realistic some of these wallpapers are! 

Lighting is Key

Industrial light fixtures are easy to find in the market due to their popularity. Consider the lighting features for more than its apparent reason for brightening the space. You should also pay attention to the style and details. Industrial-type lightings have unique shapes and decorative elements that’ll surely make your home stand out.  Now, as messy as it can be, don’t hide the cables! Let it hang and be shown as part of the whole rustic-industrial distinctive style.

Is a rustic-industrial design style still your desirable look? Then, let’s make it happen! Contact us and let us help you navigate the intricate process of planning, designing, and renovating your home space in Singapore. 

The world of home interior design is constantly evolving. Some old styles can re-emerge and become popular again, and some new ones regularly appear with their own distinctive features or combinations of existing interior design styles. We’ve selected some new and interesting home interior design styles that you could try for your home, ideal for those looking to renovate their home with something fresh, unique and unexpected.

African

The African interior design style is a relative newcomer to the world of home interior design. Just as the name suggests, the style focuses on all things African. 

Although the continent is large and consists of many nations and cultures, one thing is certain. This less-known style is inspired mainly by nature, traditional carvings, earthy tones, and wild animals. So from furniture to floors to decorations and furnishings, expect mixed patterns and exoticism. 

For example, an African home interior design style may have a sandstone floor with a hand-made rug, a white wall with hardwoods backdrop, mahogany furniture, and unique decorations such as masks and wildlife animals to highlight a big part of the African continent.  

Space Age

This is for those homeowners that don’t mind going big and taking their home interior design in Singapore to the next level.

Space Age homes are inspired by planets, UFOs, capsules, and everything in between. It celebrates the culture of space and its technology. Therefore, furnishings in space age homes are futuristic, bold, and quirky-looking. 

There are chairs shaped like a pod or capsules, and ceilings are decorated with planet-like or moon-like lightings. Colour wise, white, grey, and vibrant colours such as bright red, purple, or yellow congregate with each other. There are also clean lines and unusual architectural shapes around the space, which goes well with the eccentric decorations and colours that pop. 

New Nordic

You’ve probably heard of Scandinavian interior design before. But how about New Nordic? This interior design style can be considered as the “evolved” version of the popular Scandinavian design. This is because it has all the elements of Scandinavian style with its simplicity and neutral colors such as black and white. 

The new nordic introduces natural materials, organic shapes, and more earthy colours to the mix. The design is inspired by the Nordic winter ambiance and landscapes. The new blend of Scandinavian and New Nordic designs brings in more cosiness, clean and stylish aesthetics. 

Zen

Homeowners that would like to create a tranquil ambiance at their home should definitely check this style out. Zen is a type of Buddhism that practices meditation. However, in a slang manner, Zen often refers to the feeling of relaxation and peace. 

A home is indeed a place for you to unwind and relax. The Zen home interior design style can help you constitute that relaxed atmosphere. The style itself isn’t new, but it indeed is unique and, more importantly, an excellent choice for your home in Singapore. 

Zen homes incorporate earthy colours, a minimalistic approach, textures through furniture such as wooden flooring, and typically have big open windows to let the natural light in. 

Did any of the home interior design styles above inspire you? If the answer is a yes, don’t forget to get a hold of us! We know exactly how to renovate your home in Singapore in any style of your choosing. 

For more popular home interior design styles, check out our other articles in the blog section. 

Renovating your home with a new style from time to time is a good idea for many reasons! First of all, it’s fun! And it can give a whole new look and effect to your home. So think of what it’s you’re looking to add. Functionality and efficiency? Or maybe you want to have more warmth throughout the house? One thing is for sure. The list below will help you with your new home update! 

Go The Easy And Practical Way Of Peel-And-Stick Wallpaper

The peel-and-stick wallpaper is awesome for many reasons. If you live in a small HDB-flat and looking to upgrade your space without spending too much out of your pocket or putting in too much energy, or taking too much space, then viola, this idea is the perfect match for you.

This self-adhesive and removable wallpaper is simple but can bring about a dramatic change to the room. So dress up your dull-looking walls and switch it up with a brand new wallpaper. This style is also a low-commitment upgrade, perfect for HDB flat owners who would like to rent out or sell their resale their HDB flat. Once you’re bored of your wallpaper, you can just peel it off, and you’re done!

Get The Complete Look With Industrial Design

Although the industrial design is not new, it has proven to have been rising in the popularity ranking. It’s so popular because it has a mix of traditional and modern. So if you cannot decide between a traditional or contemporary look, go ahead and have the two together! 

The industrial design look usually uses neutral or warm colors, worn recycled items for decor and furniture with metal and wood finishes.

This home interior design style is perfect for those who spend a lot of time at home because the combination of traditional and modern style gives both the looks and functionality – Ideal for living and working.  

Freshen Up With Houseplants

What’s so good about plants? Everything! They’re beautiful, they give out positive energy, help release extra oxygen to the air, and improve mental health and overall wellness! So not only is it beneficial for the house but also you and other household members. 

There are so many choices when it comes to plants. Which ones to get? Here are some ideas. 

Still not convinced to become a plant parent? Find out more good reasons here. 

Go Back In Time With Granny-Chic Look

This home interior design style is one of the more fun ways to renovate your home. 

It’s called granny for apparent reasons. The decor and furniture you’ll be using should be something that you find in your grandma’s house. We’re talking about things such as antique decors, vintage furniture, and floral wallpapers. This type of home interior design style emphasises tradition and can invoke nostalgic moments. 

So start planning your day to go to a vintage store or find some items and get creative with them.

Be Unique With Rattan Furniture And Decorations

They’re exotic, stylish, and detail-oriented – all the things you need to accomplish a stylish home.  From rattan headlamps to rattan seats to rattan tables, the choices are diverse! 

Rattan elements also add a soothing effect and give warmth to the room. This simple yet fascinating material is also perfect for including your indoor and outdoor areas. So are you ready to upgrade your home? Let us know, and we can start planning your home renovation in Singapore.

One frequent sighting on the websites of many interior design companies in Singapore is a button that provides homeowners with quick quotations for the deal they wish to get. Unfortunately, although this might be a fuss-free way to get an idea of the price and a simple mechanism to compare and get the best deal, this quick service is not all as good as it seems. 

We’re here to tell you that quick quotations do come with some problems as it overlooks many essential considerations that all homeowners should know. So below, we’ve listed all these important aspects in detail so that you know what to expect before you sign an agreement with a home interior design company in Singapore.

Over Simplified Quotations

Many quotations in interior design websites are simple. In fact, it’s too simple. In most cases, you just need to upload your floor plan and requirements to get the price tag for your specific project. 

The concern with oversimplified quotations is that they lack some facets of home renovation that can initially drive down the price. For instance, many of these quotations exclude small details such as the material and mechanism used in the project. This crucial information is not mentioned in the beginning, and to your surprise, you’ll have a totally different price tag in the end. What’s worse, you’ll only find out after you’ve signed the agreement that you actually agreed to a deal for the inferior quality and other essential facets that they’ve excluded in the beginning at an additional cost.

So while simple quotations may seem practical, make sure you understand that these quotations may also lack the complexity of design, which brings us to the next point. 

Complexity Of Design

You can’t compare prices among different interior design companies in Singapore just through quotations. The reason is that each company has a different level of complexity in design. Therefore, pricing varies depending on the company. There is no standard pricing when it comes to this matter, so this element of design is taken for granted when just comparing quotations.

Also, other complex items such as design work, space planning, and carpentry require a lot more than just a simple quotation. It needs further discussion and understanding in order to estimate the true cost. 

Renovation Timeline

Fluctuating COVID-19 cases and Singapore’s changing regulations have hit the home interior design industry hard. Home renovation is one part of interior design that is greatly affected because many contractors have left for their home country of Malaysia and are having a hard time getting back due to strict border restrictions. With this, Singapore’s interior design industry is seeing less manpower, and the home renovation timeline has been pushed back and stretched more than ever. 

In order to get homeowners to sign the agreement, some interior design companies have over-promised their timeline, only to break it once the renovation has started. Therefore, we recommend that you ask your interior design company to provide you with a detailed renovation work schedule that entails the scope of the work, preferably for each week. 

Another highly recommended step is to look out for interior design companies that are part of CaseTrust. These companies are reliable and will provide better assurance regarding the timeline and take responsibility for any delays. 

Workmanship

The second important consideration for home renovation in Singapore that cannot be judged solely by quotation is workmanship. One way to see the quality of a company is through pictures. Better yet, if the company has a showroom where you can directly judge the quality of their work. We’ve seen many cases where homeowners who have already agreed to the price only to terminate the agreement due to poor performance in the company’s workmanship. This will cause homeowners another round of discussion and most likely increase your budget.  We understand that as a homeowner, you want to limit the budget and save as much as possible. Therefore, due diligence is crucial in preventing the troublesome case we mentioned above from happening in the first place. 

Credibility Of Company

All of the above scenarios are preventable if you hire a credible home interior design company. Besides their proven work in the line of home renovation, you also need to make sure that the company you hire is HBD registered and licensed. Cases have emerged where an interior design company in Singapore has a different registered company doing the construction from the one homeowners have engaged for the interior design project. 

What does this mean? It means that the home interior design company has tapped into another contractor that is not part of their company. You want to avoid this circumstance from happening because, in the unfortunate event of onsite accidents, homeowners would not be able to reach out for compensation or liability. 

Now that you understand the pitfalls that come with multiple quotations, it’s time for you to find a reputable and credible home interior company in Singapore. Home Guide has a stellar reputation in the business and is HBD licensed home renovation contractor. So don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll guide you from the beginning and all the way to the end. Check out our portfolio and the many services we offered for our beloved clients. 

It’s no secret that Singapore is short on space. Whether you are looking for a small 2-room flexi HDB BTO flat renovation or 3- room BTO flat renovation or even bigger BTO flat renovation, we all want some extra space. Especially in this time and age where home isn’t simply just a place to eat and sleep, but also a place to work. So how do you create this extra room without actually upsizing or getting a new space? Smart-space planning is the answer. Creating a flexible house where different rooms can be turned for other needs  is exactly what we’re talking about. So let’s dig in some more.

Evaluate the rooms and see which ones can be upgraded

Before you even start renovating your home, take a closer look at each room and see which ones have the potential to be developed  into a multi-purpose room. 

If you’re looking to undergo HDB renovation, be sure to consult with a licensed HDB renovation contractor in Singapore that can be a great help and will make the process smoother. 

Here are some things you need to consider prior to renovating:

• How will you use the spaces?
• How many empty areas are there in that room? For example, if you think you can turn your living room into a dining room or a home office, what furniture is there already that can be used for your soon-to-be dining spot or office?
• How many new features can be added to the living room?
• How often will you need your living room to turn into something else?

All of these need to be answered before you start your home renovation so that you’ll have a quicker turnaround and save your valuable time. 

There’ll Be No Multi-Purpose Space Without Good Storage. 

We can’t emphasise this enough, clear the clutter! Get rid of things you don’t need to make room for that extra precious space. A minimalist or a luxurious minimalist home interior design style is the perfect choice for an HDB renovation in Singapore. 

Opt for functional and flexible furniture. Imagine having a stool with storage drawers that can be expanded to become a coffee table and collapsed back into a stool. You can keep things such as the remote tv, books, pens, and other miscellaneous items. Here are some other hide-away tactics for small living spaces. 

How about a sofa that can turn into a bed? When you have your friends or family for a sleepover, that sofa can magically become their bed. Get some comforters and have them stored in a cute basket, which is another excellent idea to add to your home storage system. Remember. The fewer items there are on the floors, the more square footage you have for your other desired purposes. 

Use The Corners Of The Room

Here’s another simple and easy way to help you create your multi-purpose rooms. First, look around the house, see if you have any corners and hiding spots that could be put into use. 

Now, you may ask what you could do with an empty corner or a hidden space. The answer is a lot of things! We know it may not look like much, but there is ample space in the corners of the room. For example, you could install an L-shaped desk for your home office or some shelves that you could use to organize your favorite books, memorable photos, decorations, art pieces, or your plants! You get a 2-in-1 solution with corner spaces: you get to add extra features, and at the same time, organise the mess and make extra room. 

Make sure you don’t add the wrong furniture that would create a new problem rather than solving one. There should be one word stuck in your mind when planning to add features to your home interior design, and that is functionality. Think of flexible and easily converted items that require minimum effort. If you’re still feeling clueless, our professional interior design consulting service can help you out! 

Bonus tip: Go and expand vertically. Have vertical shelves or install some wall hangers for your keys or even a bicycle! 

You’ll Be Surprise How Lighting and Colours Can Go A Long Way

Although the following idea is mentioned in this last paragraph, don’t get us wrong. It’s very crucial! You now may have your multi-purpose spaces, but what about the style? Yep. You sure don’t want your new spaces to be dull or boring-looking. Look up some inspiration on how to style up your rooms. 

Lighting is a vital aspect of home interior design. The benefits are plenty. Lighting can give another dimension to a space, helping create the effects of cosiness and spaciousness. 

Did you know that different colours give us different moods and emotions? Choose warm colours such as yellow or red that can energise and even invoke happiness! Other colours like green and blue can have a soothing effect. So what colours are you going to paint your living room/office space? We’d say blue is a good one. You’ll need that calmness when you’re relaxing or working there. 

Are you ready to renovate your HDB or BTO home? Then, make sure to give our home interior design company, that is also a home renovation contractor,  a call or WhatsApp. We are a very experienced help you plan and execute your home interior design dream to reality!  

What Is Luxurious Minimalism?

Minimalism has long been the favorite home interior design style for many homeowners, and it’s not going anywhere. In fact, it’s one of the more popular interior home design styles of 2021. The principle of minimalism revolves around the idea of simplicity, where quality reigns over quantity, where less is more. 

In a traditional sense, luxury has to do with possessions, extravagant life, and expensive things. Nowadays, however, it doesn’t have to be that way. It has shifted to a more profound understanding, where meaning and attention to detail are far more important than the price itself. For example, a traditional rug or handcrafted pendant lights or sculpture from an exotic part of the world, where it’s meticulously made, can be considered luxury. So by looking at these definitions, we can see that minimalism and luxury can be compatible to create the look that many are striving for. Now, let’s look at how we can bring together these two different design concepts in more detail below.

Creating A Clutter-Free Space Is The First Important Step

The first step you need to do is decluttering the rooms in your house. How do you do that? First, you’ll need to make sure that your home isn’t messy. Get rid of everything you don’t need. No bits and pieces around the house, no miscellaneous things getting in your way or your guests’ way! Check out Konmari’s method of decluttering to help you organise your house.  Let’s face it. A mess is never nice, no matter what home interior design style you’re after. There’s no sophistication to a messy home, and you sure don’t want to invite your friends and family to your home when the conditions at home are just not welcoming and uncomfortable for guests. 

Implement effective home storage solutions that’ll make sure your things are kept away neatly and away from sight. A clutter-free space will also create a sense of spaciousness in your house. 

When you imagine a luxury home, do you imagine clutter? We guess not! And clutter is definitely the opposite of what minimalism stands for.

Have Fewer Items But Pay Attention To The Design And Quality

One of the key aspects of minimalism, just as the word suggests, is to have minimal items. So how can you have fewer things but still manage to keep your Singapore home luxurious?

Well, you have to be very selective with what items you decide to add to your home!

By this, we mean that you equip your home with good quality and functional  furniture that’ll help you achieve that luxurious minimalist home interior design. The choices are abundant. You can go for furniture with clean lines, smooth surfaces, neutral colours, with a touch of stainless steel or wood. And while you’re at it, why not add a beautiful handmade rug! 

Moreover, take into consideration the colours in your house. Then, synergise it with natural light.  If you have glass windows, great! Make sure you maximise its use and let the light come in and shine your room! If you don’t have one, maybe it’s time to install some where regulations allow – this is something a HDB licensed home renovation contractor like Home Guide can help. Reach out to your home renovation contractor in Singapore to help you brighten the house. 

Don’t Forget About Lines And Shapes

If you’re able to do a full home interior design and home renovation rather than just a decor makeover, that’s even better! Create clean lines and attractive architectural shapes to create a sleek look.  Make sure you get the help of a reputable and professional home interior design company to help transform your basic Singaporean home into the dream house you’ve been longing for. 

Now that you have clutter-free spaces, beautiful decorations and furniture, and great architectural lines, you’ve fulfilled the home interior design of luxurious minimalism! 

Do you need help with a home makeover? If you’re convinced that the luxurious minimal interior design style is the one for you but not sure where to start, come talk to us to schedule your first consultation. We’d love to hear from you! 

An HDB renovation contractor has a lot of responsibility. Not only is that professional in charge of bringing your home vision to reality, they also have to make sure that the work meets all of the HDB guidelines and standards.

Choosing just any team for the job can have disastrous consequences. It’s always a better idea to prioritise a partnership with an experienced and HDB licensed renovation company like Home Guide. If you don’t know how such licensing makes a difference, keep on reading to find out.

Should Your Contractor Be HDB Licensed?

The short answer to that question is yes.

Choosing a home renovation contractor in Singapore that has all of the required licensing will result in a number of important benefits you cannot obtain otherwise.

HDB-licensed contractors have to undergo special trainings and certification procedures that acquaint them with the Housing and Development Board protocols that focus on property improvements. In other words, these are the only professionals out there who can guarantee 100 per cent compliance.

We have previously discussed HDB renovation guidelines and their complexity. As a flat owner, you can change certain things about your property and you cannot alter others. Also, some kinds of renovation work will necessitate the issuing of an HDB permit. You can’t just go ahead and make a serious structural change without getting approval from the HDB.

A failure to comply with HDB requirements can compromise the integrity of the construction. In addition, you’ll potentially have to handle some hefty fines due to the fact that you altered the property in ways considered non-permissible.

With all this being said, the lack of HDB licensing doesn’t mean poor quality. There are many contractors and interior design teams out there that can do an excellent job without being properly certified by the Housing on Development Board.

By partnering up with such a team, however, you’ll be taking on a certain level of risk. Structural damage to your unit and to neighbouring ones can occur if contractors don’t know what’s permissible and what isn’t. And if structural damage occurs, you’ll be jeopardising the integrity of the construction and you’ll also be making the renovation much more expensive than it needs to be. Fixing construction mistakes is always a costly endeavour and you’ll be the sole party responsible for covering such extra charges.

Finding the Right HDB Licensed Contractor

Now that you understand why HDB licensing is important, let’s check out the ways in which you can discover the right team for the job.

For a start, HDB maintains an extensive database of all the companies and service providers that have gone through the licensing process. You can access the information here.

A database, however, is quite impersonal. It doesn’t give you a lot of additional information about the background and experience of professionals. Also, you wouldn’t know anything about their stylistic strengths. These are additional considerations you will have to research on your own.

The HDB database is a good reference material if you already have a couple of recommendations and you want to find out whether the teams you’re interested in have the right credentials. Starting your research there will only get you confused, as the HDB list is quite extensive.

HDB has some additional resources you can check out to pick the right professionals for your renovation.

As renovation professionals who have decades of experience in the field, we believe that a few criteria matter a lot more than others. The first one is the number of years that a company has been in business. The second is the reputation of the team and the overall customer satisfaction (you can assess this factor by reading online reviews or asking for referrals). The third one is the company’s portfolio. A good portfolio should feature a sufficient number of executions that look stylistically similar to what you’re trying to accomplish.

Home Guide – The Best Choice for Your HDB Flat Renovation Needs

If you feel completely clueless on how to start the home interior design process and you don’t know how to pick renovation contractors, we recommend getting in touch with us.

Home Guide has been around for long enough to understand the needs of most Singaporean home owners. In addition, we offer personalised and tailored solutions every single time. If you’re looking for professionals who will listen to what you have to say, you’ve come to the right place.

To get to know us better, please check out our residential portfolio. You’ll find out that we feel equally comfortable executing modern urban projects, as well as more traditional interior design transformations.

Home Guide has been around since 1992 and over the decades, we have maintained our HDB licensing and a stellar reputation. Clients are always impressed by our punctuality, know-how and transparency. Communicating your ideas with the Home Guide is particularly easy and you’ll always be heard.

To address the needs of different clients, we offer various solutions. There are numerous promo packages that reduce the cost of renovation. We also offer a very specialised service called HomeAlive 360° that is the perfect choice for home owners who simply cannot envision the characteristics of their property after the renovation.

Contact Home Guide now to schedule a preliminary meeting and discuss all important aspects of the renovation. We’d be more than happy to guide you through the intricacies of the procedure.