Planning home upgrades in your HDB flat involves many important considerations.

What would the scope of work be? What are the HDB regulations and restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind when doing the job? Even more importantly – how much is it going to cost you? To answer the final question, you’ll need to do a bit of market research.

Checking out an HDB renovation package offered by a reputable Singapore interior design company will give you some idea. Such products are created to address the needs of different homeowners and give them a reasonable price.

Unfortunately, HDB renovation packages are not created equal. Sometimes, there will be hidden caveats and costs that aren’t presented upfront. As a result, such packages do not provide a realistic snapshot of the home renovation market.

If you’re looking forward to selecting your HDB renovation package, you’ll need to check out a couple of things. Doing your homework in advance will give you access to the best service at the most reasonable price.

Can You Use HDB Renovation Packages to Understand the Market?

Online research is a really good idea if you want a detailed overview of the market. It will reveal important information about the biggest companies, the range of services they offer and the prices they charge.

In Singapore, many interior design and renovation service providers give their clients access to renovation packages. The aim of such products is to offer comprehensive solutions at a fair price. Usually, packages range from basic to extensive and they can be used to address specific HDB flat renovation needs.

There’s still a big “but” when it comes to checking out renovation packages and using that information to understand the market better.

Sometimes, a package will exclude key processes that cannot be avoided and that will cost extra. In such instances, they’re used as a “hook.” After an agreement is signed,  additional expenses materialize themselves, increasing the cost of the overall execution way beyond the original cost.

When looking at renovation packages, it’s also important to check out the kinds of materials that will be utilised. Apart from labour, material quality is the second biggest factor that will determine the cost. As a result, inexpensive choices like synthetics are often added to basic packages. If you’re looking for natural materials or a very specific home improvement solution, this is something else you’ll have to keep in mind.

Looking at an HDB renovation package is still helpful, especially if you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. Still, such information should always be taken with a grain of salt (this is most important in cases when you don’t have relationships with a home renovation service provider and you’re unaware of their reputation).

Taking a look at multiple packages and getting detailed quotes about what these include is the best way to gain some realistic insight and use that information to make the best HDB property renovation decision.

Important Things to Look for in HDB Renovation Packages

You can benefit from an HDB renovation package in an attempt to bring down costs and get the outcome that you’re interested in. To benefit from both, however, you will have to pay attention to several essentials.

If you want a visualisation before work commences, make sure that it is included in the cost of the package.

Very often, interior design companies will mention 3D drawing and visualisation opportunities but these will be provided as a separate item to be paid for. In case you’re finding it difficult to imagine the renovation and you want professionals to handle this part of the process, make sure that the package envisions at least some form of visualisation.

When looking at a package, make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting out of it. The best case scenario would be for a home renovation package to include the cost of interior design, space planning, project management, both labour and materials/supplies. Sometimes, packages will only mention the cost of labour. This means that the homeowner will have to cover the cost of project management, design, space planning and materials separately and that’s a massive added expense.

Next, you need to check out the carpentry work parameters. It’s common for homeowners to underestimate the carpentry work dimensions for their HDB flat. As a result, the dimensions covered in the package are insufficient to get the job done and additional spending becomes required.

The final essential to pay attention to is the warranty period.

Lifetime warranty is usually impossible to provide because materials will sustain some damage due to the passage of time. Hence, you should check out if a package features lifetime warranty or lifetime after-service. These are two different things.

Lifetime after-service means you can get in touch with the interior design company if you need upgrades and fixes with the passage of time. Such work, however, will have to be paid for. It’s not going to be covered by warranty.

Normally, warranty periods span over the course of one to several years. If you’re getting an offer that seems too good to be true (for example – lifetime warranty for the carpentry and masonry work), it probably is. Do get in touch with the respective interior design team and demand some clarification on what’s covered and what the duration of the warranty is.

The Home Guide Advantage: Renovation Packages You Can Count on

Home Guide is a Singaporean interior design and renovation company that has decades of experience in HDB flat work. Over the years, we’ve sustained excellent reputation due to the transparent communication with our clients and adherence to best industry practices.

To give our customers more versatility and cost-efficiency, we have now developed an array of HDB BTO renovation packages.

Each package is created meticulously to correspond to the size of the respective flat. We have 2-room, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room packages for the needs of BTO home owners.

For each one of these, three price tiers are available. They depend on the type of flooring chosen – vinyl flooring, vinyl and homogenous tiles or just homogenous tiles. All of these package variations cover the key types of work to address every single residential area.

For HDB resale flats, we have separate kitchen and toilet renovation packages. These are ideal for homeowners interested in partial work and trying to upgrade solely functional areas on a limited budget.

Home renovation packages are a good way to simplify the execution of a project. Still, you have to be careful about what you’re paying for. Make sure there are no hidden costs and omitted procedures. Ask questions in advance and get a detailed price breakdown. Knowing exactly what you’re spending money on will help with budgeting and renovation planning.

If you’re interested in the Home Guide renovation packages but you have some questions, feel free to contact us and  get additional information. We’d be more than happy to recommend the one solution that’s bound to address all of your home re-design and renovation needs.

BTO renovation and interior design projects provide amazing opportunities to elevate the residential concept and turn a new flat into an actual home.

If you’re doing the work on your own, however, chances are that you’ll commit at least one of the common BTO renovation mistakes. While some of these errors may be fairly easy to fix, others will impact the entire concept and potentially necessitate costly fixes.

Singapore home interior design professionals like the Home Guide team have witnessed many botched up renovation projects through the years. Based on our experience, here are some of the most common mistakes and the best ways to prevent or overcome such errors.

Failing to Follow HDB Renovation Guidelines

When it comes to BTO upgrades and renovation projects, the HDB has specific guidelines and even rules you have to follow.

Depending on the specifics of the BTO project, certain restrictions may apply to the execution.

If you’d like to learn a bit more about the specific guidelines and restrictions you’ll need to keep in mind, you can check out this article we wrote on the topic.

Also, keep in mind that you’ll sometimes be asked to obtain HDB permits for the renovation work you plan to do. Usually, such requirements pertain to structural work but this isn’t always the case. Do your research in advance to understand what’s possible and what isn’t.

If you still feel lost, working with a hdb renovation contractor would be the smartest choice. Such professionals know what’s feasible under the scope of HDB limitations. Also, the team responsible for the supervision and the execution of the renovation will handle permits and legal requirements, freeing you from such responsibilities.

A Blind Following of Interior Design Trends

Are you in love with an open layout? Are you already considering the hacking down of walls to give your BTO flat more space and a contemporary, urban vibe?

This concept, as well as many other interior design trends, could suit your flat really well. Just because a certain type of home improvement is trendy right now, however, does not mean you should execute the idea blindly.

Every trend and interior design style can bring various benefits to the space. At the same time, such concepts come with their limitations. Some are suitable for small spaces. Some necessitate large budgets and extensive renovation work to be executed.

You should always think about the available space and the functional appeal of the flat. What kind of lifestyle does your family enjoy? Are you active individuals? Are you movie and music lovers? Do you prioritise sustainable living?

When asking yourself such questions, you’ll find it much easier to decide what kinds of interior design improvements will work well for your property. There aren’t good or bad trends out there. Some trends will simply be unsuitable for the specifics of the BTO flat or the type of lifestyle you’d like to pursue.

Budgeting and Professional Hiring Errors

Even if you decide to hire professionals for your BTO renovation, there are still some mistakes you could commit easily.

The first one is not budgeting.

The cost of BTO renovations can vary from one project to another. The extensiveness of the work and the reputation of the company you intend to work with will both affect the quote. Obviously, there are ways to bring down the cost through promo packages. If you opt for such, make sure they do cover all of your key renovation needs.

Always set a budget in advance and get multiple detailed quotes. Comparing such offers side by side will give you a good idea about the cost of BTO renovations and the specific services you can anticipate from each contractor.

When choosing an home interior design or home renovation company, you should also get a very detailed understanding of the outcome you’ll receive and the amount this is going to cost you.

Make sure there are no hidden fees and charges. You should receive a complete breakdown of the project, including the specific costs and the timeframes required for the completion of each task.

Do seek out reputable, experienced interior design professionals. The Home Guide team has been around for decades and over the years, we maintained an excellent reputation. Our residential portfolio shows the extensive scope of home renovation work we can do and the diversified styles we feel comfortable with.

If you’re keen on avoiding BTO renovation mistakes, contact Home Guide right now. We’re confident that the first consultation will impress you enough to move on to project execution right away.

Could you imagine a perfect kitchen or an impeccably clean, stylish bathroom without tiles? Definitely not!

Versatile, durable and so beautiful, tiles are one of our favourite interior design materials. They’re so much fun that the scope of applications is now starting to expand beyond the hallway, kitchen or bathroom.

Tiles can be used traditionally (as wall and floor covers) or they could be introduced in more innovative, artistic ways. If you’re about to execute an home interior design project and you’re looking for some inspiration, here are the essentials to keep in mind.

Hundreds of Reasons to Love Tiles

Why are tiles so popular in interior design? Chances are that you can name many reasons for their mass appeal. Speaking as professionals, here are just a few of the tile benefits that we really enjoy (and so do our clients).

First of all, tiles are so versatile. There are small tiles, big tiles, glazed tiles, coloured, textured and patterned tiles. Some are created to mimic other materials like wood and bamboo. Some even have a metallic sheen, which results in sophisticated and somewhat unusual solutions.

Tiles are also cost-effective. Depending on their uniqueness, the material they’re made of and size, you can find some really budget-friendly solutions (or some luxurious executions if that’s your thing). Interior design professionals can easily recommend at least a few tile varieties that fall within a price range the client feels comfortable with.

Ease of maintenance is another serious perk. Tiles are very durable. When installed correctly, they’ll remain in a stellar condition for decades to come. They are also waterproof and stain-resistant. A simple wipe with a mop or some soapy solution will be sufficient to treat staining or spillage.

When thinking about interior design materials to introduce in your home, you should also pay attention to some of the drawbacks.

In terms of tiles, there aren’t too many disadvantages. If you choose the wrong variety and you’re simply interested in aesthetics, there’ll be some risk of getting slippery tiles. The material is also fairly cold and hard – two characteristics that make it different from other popular options like wood.

Some Popular Tiles to Consider

The term tile is quite generic and it refers to a whole range of different products. Usually, tiles are differentiated on the basis of the material that they’re made of.

Ceramic tiles are most common. They’ve been around since ancient times and they’re still popular today. These tiles are crafted from a special type of baked clay with colourful glazing on top. The material is durable, easy to clean and affordable.  While there are some misconceptions that ceramic tiles can’t be used on floors, this isn’t the case.

Natural stone tiles represent another very popular segment. They add cool, elegant sophistication to the interior design but natural materials like marble, granite and other types of stone are more expensive.

There’s one more important thing you have to understand if you want to go for natural stone tiles. These materials are porous, which means they can harbour dirt and dust. When installed, stone tiles have to be sealed professionally for an optimal outcome.

Porcelain tiles are a good in-between option. They’re crafted from a finer clay than ceramic tiles and they’re almost 100 per cent waterproof. In addition, porcelain tiles are baked at a higher temperature, which gives them extra hardness. Porcelain tiles can be glazed or unglazed, a characteristic that contributes to their versatility.

A few other popular types of tiles on the market today include mosaic tiles, cement tiles (so great for that industrial look!), glass, metal, resin and terracotta tiles.

All of this variety is amazing but you’ll probably find it difficult to choose the right tiles for your project. Singapore interior design professionals like the Home Guide team can help. Here are a few examples of tiles we used in our projects and the outcomes we delivered.

Traditional Tile Uses and Beyond

At Home Guide, we like classics and we also like breaking interior design boundaries. The style we chose is heavily dependent on the homeowner’s preferences and the outcome they desire.

While tiles are common in the kitchen and the bathroom, we also believe they’re a perfect choice for living rooms and entertainment spaces, as well. In this open layout flat, the use of larger tiles in the dining room and the living room creates continuity and consistency.

Larger tiles can accomplish one very important thing – they create the optical illusion of vaster space. In Singapore, you can find tiles as big as 120×120 centimetres per tile. This is a much larger dimension than some of the more common choices like 30×30, 30×60 and 60×60 centimetres.

For this project, we tried to recreate the feel of an oriental bath through the use of Moroccan-inspired tiles.

Patterned tiles can give a bathroom or another space lots of character, especially if the rest of the décor is kept simple and monochromatic. Usually, patterns are introduced in smaller spaces like bathrooms or tine kitchens. When used in a larger space, patterned tiles can create too much busyness and take away from the impressiveness of other design elements.

If patterns aren’t your thing and you’d like to keep tiles simple, unorthodox shaping could become your next best friend.

Check out this Yio Chu Kang Rd. flat bathroom that we worked on. The team combined large, stone-inspired floor tiles with the more visually intriguing hexagonal tiles on the walls. Monochromatic and pretty neutral, they add some interest to the bathroom design through the shape alone.

In other words, don’t take square or rectangular tiles for granted. If you want something a bit more distinctive, chances are that you’ll discover a fun and fresh shape to play with.

Speaking of fun and fresh, here’s another cool thing you can do with tiles. In this instance, the tile is a chameleon posing as wood. And it does so quite successfully!

Parquet and hardwood floors are not an optimal choice for the kitchen, no matter how beautiful they look. Hardwood is soft and it can easily get damaged if a knife or a utensil falls. In addition, it can absorb humidity.  Tiles posing as natural wood offer the perfect solution, giving you the warmth of wood and the practical solidity of the tile.

In the kitchen, tiles can be utilised in a couple of additional ways.

A tile backsplash is very practical because it’s waterproof and very easy to wipe clean. In this Bedok Court Condo kitchen, we used fairly small white tiles that mimic the arrangement of bricks. The small size has been chosen specifically to add a bit of texture and dynamic lines to the otherwise clean and minimalist design.

Sometimes, different types of tiles can be used alongside each other. The hexagonal tile bathroom is one example of such a project and here’s another one:

In this case, different colours are used to create spatial segregation while keeping within the same theme (natural stone).

Finally, tiles can be taken in exterior spaces. There, their waterproof and practical nature will add to the ease of space maintenance.

Go Beyond Classic Tile Uses, Contact Us Today!

Tiles are going to stick around for hundreds of years to come. Even if new materials are being explored, traditional tiles will still be utilised for the creation of practical, almost entirely maintenance-free spaces.

Are you thinking about using tiles in a fun way for the renovation of your home? Do you have a vague vision that you’re finding difficult to bring to reality?

Home Guide’s is the home renovation contractor that can take your home interior design project to the next level. Contact us now to discuss the specifics with us. We’ll put together a visualisation that unleashes the full potential of your interior design vision.

If there were to be named just one material interior designers love to work with, textile would be it.

Textile is probably one of the most flexible materials for the creation of home décor. From very inexpensive and resilient, to lush and luxurious, it can be used to accentuate any sentiment or theme.

Even if you haven’t hired a professional for the execution of an interior design project at home, you definitely feature textiles in more than one way. This material provides one of the easiest opportunities to change things up and brighten the interior of your home.

The Incredible Versatility of Textiles

Fabrics matter a lot in interior design because they are easy to work with and the right choices can help accomplish a major transformation.

When working with textiles, Singapore interior design professionals play with several elements – colour, pattern and even texture. Some fabrics are smooth and silky, creating a sleek and very sophisticated finish. Others are shaggy and fluffy, obviously giving the interior a sense of comfort and cosiness.

Not only that, textiles can also be utilised within any budget. Synthetics are incredibly long-lived and cost-efficient. Some of these fabrics look really good, approximating the feel of more expensive and luxurious options.

In other instances, home owners will go for obvious high quality. Leather, silk and other similar textiles carry a ton of sophistication and make a statement on their own.

Apart from being versatile in nature, textiles can be used to create so many décor items. From throw pillows to rugs, carpets and even furniture or art pieces, textiles will be present in just about every part of the flat. They will easily create consistency or be utilized as a point of visual interest through contrasting tones and textures.

So Many Materials to Explore!

There are so many kinds of textiles out there (both manmade and natural) that overviewing all of the possibilities available to Singaporean homeowners is impossible.

Generally speaking, textiles are divided into natural (cotton, linen, silk, leather, suede, wool and synthetic (polyester, acrylic, acetate, viscose).

Cotton is one of the most popular choices. As far as natural materials go, it is very affordable and durable. In addition, cotton is a breathable fabric. This characteristic makes it perfect for the creation of pillows, blankets, duvets and furniture covers. Cotton can be thin or thick, it can create beautiful curtains and even furniture upholstery. One of the few issues linked to the use of cotton is that it tends to fade with time.

Silk, wool and leather are more expensive natural textiles. Out of all fabrics, wool is considered one of the strongest and most resilient choices. This is why it’s often used in beautiful carpeting that will remain unchanged for years or even decades. Silk is very luxurious and nice to the touch but it’s more delicate than other fabrics. Just like cotton, it can fade over time and it requires proper care. Leather is the ultimate luxury item. It’s quite versatile because you can find home décor items made of actual premium leather, suede or even hide.

Synthetics like polyester, rayon, nylon, acetate and viscose offer a more budget friendly and often a more resilient option than natural fabrics.

Many of the synthetic materials can withstand fading when exposed to light, which makes them perfect for the creation of window treatment.

When crafted from quality materials and manufactured in the correct way, synthetics can look beautiful and expensive. Experienced interior designers know how to choose such textiles in order to give homeowners the biggest bang for their buck.

All of this sounds great but you’re probably wondering about ways to incorporate textile decorations in your interior design. What are some of the key applications? How do you combine different fabrics to get a harmonious outcome? Let’s check a few examples based on projects we’ve created for clients in the past.

From Theory to Actual Execution: Examples of Textile-Based Home Décor

Some textile applications are pretty common and we can’t imagine our home interiors without them. In other instances, however, fabrics can be used creatively to surprise and delight.

In our practice, we’ve worked with textiles for the execution of just about every project. Here are some visual examples of actual applications that enrich interior design projects and give them personality.

Leather is commonly used in the place of upholstery to give furniture a more sophisticated, masculine vibe.

This particular sofa is crafted from a quality type of synthetic leather. It looks like the real thing, it is durable but cruelty-free and much more affordable. Woven sofa throws and a wool rug complete the picture, showing you just how well different kinds of textiles can work alongside each other.

Other kinds of textiles will create a completely different vibe when used in furniture pieces. Check out these bright and colourful dining chairs. Each one is executed in a different colour and pattern but the fabrics chosen look harmonious. The bright concept is tied together through the use of colourful pillows and a neutral, navy sofa. A cotton and poly blend was used in this Yio Chu Kang Rd. project to benefit from the softness of the natural and the durability of the synthetic textile.

Moving on to the bedroom, textiles have lots of applications there.

Bedsheets, bedspreads, bed throws, curtains and carpets all have their use in a personal boudoir. In the example above, a textile was used to create half a bed head. The material is not typical for such an accessory, which is why the final outcome looks so visually intriguing.

This bedroom brags a full bed head crafted in a similar manner as in the previous example. The colour scheme ties really well together with the choice of bedding, as well as the bedroom carpet.

Moving on to carpets and rugs… They definitely deserve a separate mention because choosing the right type of floor accessory can immediately transform the room.

Wool rugs are an accessory that we love to work with. They create a lot of warmth and good isolation. In addition, wool is often thick and very resilient, giving homeowners excellent value for the money spread on the accessory.

In this 126 Bishan project, the wool rug works alongside other beautiful fabrics like sheer curtains enhanced by an additional set of blackout curtains, as well as printed sofa upholstery (creating a bit of visual interest and a focal point in the living room).

To switch things up a bit, we used a velvet-like textile to add texture to the carpet in this Leedon Heights living room. Sheer curtains and colourful throw pillows complete the design.

Oriental rugs and carpets also deserve to be highlighted. Not only are they incredibly long-lived, the geometric or floral patterns also create art pieces that carry a distinctive, warm vibe.

The oriental carpet is the star in this bedroom. Neutral colours have been chosen for the rest of the décor, allowing the simple, symmetrical beauty of the textile shine.

A Bright and Beautiful Home Is Just a Few Steps Away

Are you hesitant about coordinating home accessories, choosing fabrics and making sure you’re spending your money on the right items?

Let the Home Guide Home interior design team take you through the possibilities, helping you pick the ones that are best suited to your needs.

Take a look at our residential portfolio for a better idea of our style and aesthetics as well as our excellent home renovation work. If you have questions, you can contact us now to discuss the specifics and commence work on your brand new home.

Anyone who enjoys warmth, natural materials and a bit of a Scandinavian vibe in their home will opt for wooden elements. These are some of the reasons why wood and wood-alike materials rank among the most popular choices in Singapore.

Natural wood is a long-lived and incredibly versatile. When sourced correctly, it can also be highly sustainable. And while most can imagine hardwood floors or beautiful, solid furniture, wood can be utilised in many other ways to execute a home interior design concept.

If you’re looking for home interior upgrades that will give you a sophisticated elevation, wood is the right material to go for. But how exactly do you incorporate it in the home renovation and what creative choices do you have? Let’s take a look at this material and all of its amazing applications from the perspective of an interior design professional.

Wood: Many Décor Products, Beautiful Variations

Wood is a favourite element that many Singaporean homeowners add to their living space. There are numerous colours, textures and styles to choose among. In addition, the versatility’s boosted via the incredible range of interior design products crafted from wood or materials made to resemble the natural material.

Anyone seeking to add wooden elements to their home can choose among, hardwood parquet, veneer, laminate, vinyl or homogenous tiles that are incredibly realistic. Wooden panelling, furniture and décor elements are also readily available. Even if they’re not, the vision of a homeowner can easily be brought to reality via a custom solution.

How do these choices differ from each other?

Parquet is usually made from solid wood. It tends to be a more expensive solution but the appearance and the finish are very long-lived. In some instances, parquets are crafted from engineered wood (also known as wood veneer) – a solution that offers the best of both worlds (natural timber and synthetic materials). Engineered wood has a top layer of solid wood and a core of plywood or high-density fiberboard. Waxes and adhesives are used to hold these materials together, giving engineered wood water resistance. Hence, it looks like actual hardwood floors but it happens to be much less expensive.

Laminate is a very popular, budget-friendly choice. It is made of plastic that replicates the feel of a hardwood floor. Some people find laminate easier to maintain, which adds some perks on top of the affordable nature of the material. A man-made solution, laminate is often scratch and heat-resistant and it can feature an array of cool finishes not possible with natural wood.

The final choice we’d like to mention is vinyl wood flooring. Just like laminate, vinyl is manmade. It’s a petroleum product that’s very versatile and that can be printed to look like natural wood.  Vinyl is affordable and very durable, plus it offers easy maintenance.

Choosing the right material for your project will depend on several considerations. First, you have to determine what you want the final look to be. Next, come up with a budget framework. Based on these two criteria, you can easily sort through the materials and choose the “type” of wood that makes the most sense.

If you don’t know how to make the choice, a home interior design company will help. Someone who has enough experience will guide you through the materials, the different shades (oak, walnut, ash, maple, etc.) and the different wooden grains.

Speaking of professional executions, we’d like to share a few examples of projects we carried out over the past years. All of these incorporate wood in beautiful and stylish ways, giving the homeowner the biggest benefits that the material has to bring.

Style and Diversity Through Wooden Element Selection

Wooden elements can be used to highlight the beauty of just about every room. Yes, even the bathroom can benefit from the warm sophistication of wood (and the material can be maintained in tip-top shape when incorporated correctly).

To give you a good visual idea of what is possible, we’d like to share a few intriguing projects with you.

Wooden flooring is a classic choice that is very common and that looks beautiful every single time. We used a hardwood parquet at this River Valley Condo. Keep in mind that hardwood floors aren’t chosen just because of aesthetics. They also offer noise absorption and some insulation, making the home more comfortable and sustainable.

Speaking of bathroom applications, here’s one really cool example. The cabinets, vanity and some of the flooring are crafted from water-resistant laminate and wood-resembling tiles. The tiles aren’t too common, especially when it comes to bathroom use. As you can see from this project, however, the outcome can look really beautiful, especially in combination with stone and porcelain.

Wood is perfect for directing attention towards highlight accents. This feature wall behind the TV screen is crafted from laminate rather than wallpaper. It gives a clean look and it’s much less distracting than some more patterned choices. At the same time, the wood laminate instantly draws the eye to the wall and creates some visual diversity.

Next, we need to point out one truly classic use of wood – kitchen cabinetry. In this instance, however, we didn’t opt for hardwood. We chose a beautiful laminate that is both waterproof and scratch-resistant. Anyone who is a culinary connoisseur knows that kitchens often promote heavy-duty use. This is one of the main reasons why modern, manmade materials can be an excellent choice. They offer the best of both worlds – the beauty of wood and the practical appeal of synthetic materials.

Study rooms and home offices provide excellent opportunities for the incorporation of wooden materials.

This Strathmore HDB flat has a clean, minimal and comfortable study at the same time. The floor is crafted from beautiful homogenous tiles. The cabinets and tabletop are executed out of durable laminate. We chose light tones to increase the brightness of the study and create an environment conductive of productivity.  Such studies are becoming more demanded than ever before, as the world is moving towards hybrid work models that involve work from home arrangements at least a portion of the time.

Laminate was also used to create this bookshelf – a perfect choice for placement in a study, a home office or a living room. Several shades of laminate were utilised to give the design more depth and visual appeal.

Finally, we’d like to mention a somewhat less common use of wood for the creation of a statement piece.

We chose a solid, hardwood statement door for this Yio Chu Kang Rd. project.

Hardwood is most often utilised for flooring or furniture creation. Our approach created a different kind of statement.

The large, sliding door gives some barn/alpine villa chic to the flat. The statement piece has nothing to do with contemporary sliding doors that are crafted from manmade, synthetic materials. This surprising choice draws attention to the door, making it both functional and highly attractive.

What’s Your Wood Style?

Do you want to give your flat uniqueness? Are you eager to experiment with unusual wood grains, tones and wood-like materials?

We’re eager to join you on the exploratory journey. Home Guide’s team has a lot of experience with unusual applications and creative solutions. Just let us know what you want to accomplish and we’ll come up with a wooden décor element that meets all your needs.

Contact Home Guide now for a no-obligations first consultation.

When it comes to classic, timeless interior design materials, marble is one of them.

It’s been around since the Ancient Roman and Greek empires. The appeal of the smooth, beautifully patterned rock is as high today as it was numerous millennia ago. And while we probably don’t create as many statues as members of those ancient civilisations, we’ve discovered a wide range of applications.

There are various reasons why marble has managed to retain so much appeal. For a start, it’s an incredibly versatile material. It is also tremendously long-lived, providing an excellent return on investment.

If you’re wondering about the introduction of marble in your home’s interior during 2021, you should definitely stop pondering. Here are some of the main reasons why marble is an amazing material to work with within just about every room. And if you need a bit of inspiration, we’ve also included a couple of uses to get you thinking about upgrading the interior design of your home.

Here’s Why You Need Marble Elements in Your Home

The use of marble isn’t just limited to flooring and we’ll give you a couple of examples of beautiful accessories and functional furniture pieces in the next section of the guide. If you want clean, contemporary interior design with natural materials, introducing a couple of marble elements in your home (or even the office) will work really well.

Timeless materials have a beauty that doesn’t fade. When installed and sealed properly, marble will remain unchanged for generations. It is solid, it’s a perfectly hygienic material and the colours/patterns wouldn’t fail due to cleaning and washing.

On top of being sustainable and very long-lived, marble is also incredibly versatile. Natural marble is available in numerous colours and patterns. There’s white, black, red, pink, yellow, green and grey marble to name a few. All of these varieties come with colourful streaks throughout the material. This means every single marble piece is unique. There isn’t a second one like the item you own.

While very long-lived and versatile, marble can be expensive. This is something you need to account for if you’re planning interior design upgrades. Luckily, you can source marble from many places to compare prices and benefit from discounts or you can opt for an alternative.

The market already offers an array of possibilities. Marble-inspired homogenous tiles and laminated quartz are two budget-friendly choices. They look really good and telling the difference between such materials and marble is nearly impossible. In addition, they give you versatility and ease of maintenance, just like the real thing.

Now that you have an idea about the range of choices, let’s check out some of the ways to add marble elements to your home.

Creative Ways to Bring Marble Sophistication to Your Living Space

Marble floors and kitchen countertops are two popular choices but they’re not the only ones. Cabinet doors, feature walls and table tops can also benefit from marble’s elegance and unique appearance.

Here’s an example of using marble two ways – as a flooring material and as a table top.

The marble table is custom-made to emphasise the natural stone theme even further. It’s slightly different from the tone of the floor to create a point of visual interest while still being in line with the overall interior design concept. As a natural material, marble works really well with other natural materials like wood. One brings warmth, the other is cool, which creates a bit of beautiful visual contrast.

We chose the marble table for this 621 Bukit Batok home since it creates a sense of luxury while also being very practical and easy to clean.

Marble is also an exquisite material for the creation of a pristine bathroom sanctuary and a personal spa.

This River Valley condo has a large enough bathroom that we made even roomier through the selection of neutral tones, whites and the right kind of lights. The marble-inspired homogenous tiles are paired with silver accessories to replicate the feel of an exclusive day spa in one’s very home.

As previously mentioned, marble can also be utilised in various creative ways. A feature wall is one of them and here’s a perfect example of how it enhances urban chic.

This City Life condo living room brings together elegance and warmth. The feature wall provides an easy opportunity to incorporate marble in the design and create a polished, cohesive interior design concept.

A marble feature wall can be quite heavy – something to account for if you dream about introducing such a statement piece in your home. To address the issue, many homeowners opt for laminate instead. It looks realistic and it is much lighter, which facilitates the installation.

We cannot underestimate the importance of marble for the creation of pristine kitchen interior designs.

Here, we have two examples that create different colour schemes and very specific atmospheres by utilising one and the same material.

In the first kitchen example, we used marble-inspired homogenous tiles to create a very luxurious and dark backsplash. The rich yellow lights add even more to the feeling of richness and luxury.

The second kitchen design incorporates larger marble surfaces – the backsplash, the kitchen island and a feature wall. For that project, we worked with natural Arabescato Orobico marble or Italian grey marble.  The unique colour and texture of this marble (grey with streaks of white and gold) makes it very elegant and a classic choice for every part of the home.

Finally, we cannot have a complete inspirational list without looking at the applications of marble in commercial interior design.

Cool and expensive-looking, marble is the perfect choice for every single office. It creates the right kind of reputation for the establishment and impresses visitors as soon as they enter the premises.

This dental surgery reception area we conceptualised is a perfect example of the claim.

The unique natural marble slabs give the space a bit of clarity, while also facilitating cleaning and maintenance.  That specific pattern

Everyone Can Enjoy Timeless Luxury

As you can see, marble has dozens of applications. You can go for small and discrete marble elements that accentuate the rest of the interior. You can have an entire feature wall to instantly elevate the home design concept.

Even if you cannot afford genuine marble, there are many ways to bring its classiness into your home or office.

Contact Home Guide today if you’re looking for a trusted home renovation contractor in Singapore to help introduce marble elements to a renovated home or office. We’ve worked extensively with the material and we can make personalised recommendations in line with your needs and the desired aesthetic outcome.

How do you know that a renovation contractor is the best one for the job? Is it even possible to make such a decision without seeing them in action? The short answer is yes and here’s the longer explanation.

Choosing a renovation contractor and an interior design team is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make for the future of your flat, office or commercial venue. This is why you need to invest some time and energy in doing your homework.

Many things will give you information about the reputation and professionalism of a team. Their communication style, range of completed projects, years of experience, warranties and referrals are all important.

But there’s one more thing that can help you feel confident in your final decision. An interactive 3D virtual tour of the premises that demonstrates the scope of the renovation will put the project in specific dimensions. Yet not all interior design companies or renovation contractors provide such design services to their customers.

Getting Multiple Quotes Is Essential but It Can Get Confusing

You can’t count on the preliminary interactions with just one service provider, especially if you’ve never worked on remodelling and interior design projects in the past. If you’re not selective enough, you’ll end up with a subpar offer that doesn’t necessarily meet all your needs.

Having a couple of preliminary consultations will make it much easier for you to compare services side by side. Such documents outline the specifics of the interaction, the cost and the timeframe for the completion of your project.

And while you’ll get clarity about the market and the scope of possibilities, you can also become a little bit confused.

Quotes aren’t always black and white. You may like a few aspects of one offer and a few aspects of another. Running into such a situation may slow down project execution and it may potentially contribute to choosing the wrong company for the job.

To prevent such issues from occurring, you can seek additional types of information from Singaporean renovation contractors.

How Interior Design Visualisations Can Help

Most reputable home and office interior and renovation companies can give their client 3D visualisations of what the completed project is going to look like.

While such services are pretty much the norm, most of them are not available free of charge. You’ll have to already made up your mind 100 percent on engaging the interior design service and have already made a deposit in order to benefit from the visualisation. Furthermore, this deposit does not come cheap as it is usually calculated as 10-20 percent of your total renovation contract.

The good news is that the market is starting to change. Competition is intensifying, which is why many renovation contractors are starting to change their approach. Some of the best renovation contractors and interior design companies out there are beginning to give clients access to a non-contractual 3D visualisation design service.

You should definitely take advantage of this opportunity because an interactive 3D simulation of the finished work will give you a great starting point to work off. You will be able to make better decisions based on the visualisation in terms of furniture arrangement, dimensions of carpentry, material, colour scheme, etc. Having a sure decision also helps in cost saving as it reduces the likelihood of last minute changes during the renovation, which will definitely incur additional cost from the re-purchasing of material to re-building of carpentry.

Very often, it’s very difficult to imagine what the outcome of a renovation is going to look like without a visual aid. Even if you have a vision and a few specific pointers for the contractor, imagining the finished property in its entirety is going to be pretty difficult.

Renovation contractors use professional software programs that can visualise every single detail of a specific property. Based on your input and the contractor’s vision, you’ll get a clear projection of how the property will be transformed.

In addition to the usual quotation, the interior design visualisation will give you a very specific idea about project execution. When these two elements are presented alongside each other, the choice of the final contractor becomes a much easier task.

The Way Our 3D Virtual Tour Service Works

Home Guide is a home interior design company in Singapore that offers clients a non-contractual 3D visualisation of the completed remodelling work. This means you do not have to sign a renovation contract with us and you do not need to pay a deposit.

Our 3D virtual tour provides a ton of vital information you cannot obtain in regular floor layout plans. Check out what the 3D 360º Virtual Tour looks likes and experience it for yourself!

Here’s how the solution works.

Instead of signing a renovation contract with Home Guide, the 360º virtual tour will be considered as a design service chargeable for a small fee that is in no way close to the deposit you need to pay in contract. This service is applicable across residential homes, commercial and retail spaces.

We will create the visualisation according to your requirements and preferences that we will gather during the free of charge first consultation with our team. Thereafter, we will proceed to create layout plans and 3D drawings. Upon confirmation, we will produce the 3D 360º Virtual Tour of your dream space. Find out more details about the engagement process of the visualisation design service.

Finally, if you are satisfied with the visualisation and our professional service, and decide to continue working with Home Guide on the execution of the project, the design fee for the 3D 360º virtual tour will be waived from the overall renovation cost. This means it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. Without a contract, you get a detailed consultation, a visual of the outcome and a free professional solution that can help you make up your mind and organise your design.

Don’t hesitate to contact Home Guide and inquire about our preliminary consultations or the interior design visualisation opportunities. Or you can schedule a first consultation if you’re ready to get the process started sooner than later.

It’s inevitable – a lot of change has come into our lives due to Covid-19. If you’re one of the Singaporeans interested in finding a brand new BTO flat now, you probably know already that some construction delays have occurred because of the anti-pandemic measures. And while postponing your plans isn’t fun, that extra time can easily be put to good use.

Do you know exactly what your new home is going to look like?

If you aren’t confident, do spend some time thinking about interior design. The right interior design consultancy service can be very beneficial, as you’ll get to visualise and you’ll have readiness to commence the project as soon as you come into possession.

To get you thinking about the upcoming BTO renovation, we have the following suggestions for you.

Try a 3D Visualisation

We are visual creatures. Many people cannot imagine what their home is going to look like, unless they get an actual chance to see a project and plan specific aspects of the execution.

Having a professionally-created 3D interactive virtual tour developed specifically for your new BTO flat’s parameters will help you pinpoint all the details and the specifics you like. Such projects are executed by home interior design visual artists and they come as close to the actual home interior design as possible.

To benefit from a 3D visualisation, you need to work with a design team that understands your needs and the style you’re going for. Always check out the portfolio of designers and home renovation experts to find out if their experience is in line with what you’re looking for.

3D visualisations also give you a chance to pinpoint things that sound good on paper but that you don’t like all too much. The project can be edited to meet your criteria and to give you a very specific idea of your post-renovation home.

Use the Time to Find Your Inspiration

Is this going to be your first home renovation? If so, you may be at a loss on where to start.

BTO construction delays due to Covid-19 give you the time to research and find your inspiration. You can seek creative solutions from so many different sources of inspirations – from Pinterest, our interior design blog, to your current neighbour’s new flat.

Just like a 3D visualisation, this kind of inspiration shows you many details and elements you could find difficult to imagine otherwise. You’ll see many ideas executed in an array of ways and you’ll pick and choose the elements that you’d want to have in your home.

It’s a good idea to seek inspiration before reaching out to interior design professionals. By showing them what you like, you’ll make it easier for the team to do a good job and personalise the execution to your standards and aesthetics.

Visualise the Interior and Take at Least One Element Out

If you are not an interior design yourself, you might go overboard when adding stuff into the visualisation just because you can.

Here’s a simple rule that designers adhere to – simplicity speaks louder than overly elaborate designs.

Putting too much on display or featuring many elements with distinctive personalities will easily create visual and physical clutter. Eclectic designs can be a lot of fun but they need visual harmony and balance in order to work – something a trained eye or a professional interior designer will be able to put together easily.

If you’re trying to come up with your own visualisation, always remove one element from the “finished” project. Keeping designs functional and clean isn’t easy and you’ll discover the challenges as soon as you get started.

But worry not! Even if you don’t know how to approach the simplification of your interior design visualisation, there are professionals out there who can help. Designers like the Home Guide Interior Design Company knows what it takes to make a BTO flat comfortable without going overboard.

Seek Distinctive Pieces

BTO construction delays also give you the time to hunt and buy some statement pieces for your flat. If you have a very specific taste and an artistic vision, you’ll soon find out that acquiring high quality pieces is not an easy task.

Art is one of the most enticing décor elements. It can instantly brighten up an apartment and give it a distinctive vibe. It can be sophisticated, modern, abstract, colourful, monochromatic and so many more things.

Many people are afraid of seeking and buying art because they’re not “connoisseurs.” Understand one thing, however. What matters in such instances is what brings you pleasure and makes you feel good, not what critics call a masterpiece.

Buying art should be an exciting process, it should feel almost as a treasure hunt. The extra time you will get due to construction delays is going to provide you with enough opportunities to research, refine your taste and pinpoint the distinctive pieces that will make your BTO flat unique.

Decide on the Best Renovation Partner

2021 gives you amazing opportunities for affordable and transformative home renovation.

Home Guide is the team that can give you the perfect outcome within the specified timeframe and budget. We’re known for our commitment to quality, excellent communication and meeting deadlines.

If you contact Home Guide now, you’ll benefit from a free first consultation. We’ll discuss your flat’s current condition, your vision and other aspects of the project that interest you. Based on that information exchange, we’ll put together a tailored project bound to transform your home and turn it into the residential space of your dreams.

It became quite obvious that the Covid-19 pandemic and the Circuit Breaker period will cause some delays in BTO construction.  We previously reported that BTO construction work stopped altogether while social distancing and quarantine measures were in full effect.

Later on, official announcements tried to reassure potential buyers that work would be accelerated upon the lifting of the Circuit Breaker restrictions. Still, HDB confirmed that some delays in construction launches were to be anticipated.

As a result of these developments, many Singaporeans interested in getting a new home turned their attention from new BTO flats to resale HDB apartments.

Are you now making plans to acquire a resale flat for your family? If so, you’ll have to account for the specifics and the need for home renovation. Partnering up with the right home interior design team and understanding the challenges you’re about to face will help you transform the flat quickly and create the perfect living space.

Loss of Interest in BTO Bidding

A Channel News Asia report revealed the fact that some prospective buyers have decided to refrain from bidding on BTO public housing flats. The loss of interest came as a result of construction delays related to Covid-19.

And while there are ways for construction teams to make up for lost time, numerous families are not willing to postpone the acquisition of their new home or a bigger property for their family. As per the report, some buyers would have to wait anywhere between five and seven years before they could move in the much-coveted BTO flat.

Making the switch to an HDB resale flat makes sense for those who want to move in urgently. The resale market, however, poses some very distinctive issues in need of a tailored solution.

The Cost of HDB Resale Flat Renovation

Check out this resale cost comparison – it will give you a good idea about how the money you’ll spend on BTO and HDB resale improvements is going to compare.

The fact that somebody else has already lived in the apartment could increase the cost of renovating an HDB resale property. This is why checking out multiple flats and assessing their condition before buying will be imperative. Expenses linked to renovating resale flats can vary greatly and it’s up to you to pick the right option.

Needless to say, a BTO flat will be cheaper to renovate. Still, you can do numerous things to bring down the cost of HDB resale renovation while still enjoying the perfect home for your family.

Tips for Executing a High Quality, Affordable Resale Flat Renovation

Planning and doing your homework in advance are two of the essentials that will help you save some money on the upgrades of a resale flat.

A major renovation of an average resale flat could cost anywhere between 50,000 and 90,000 dollars. Luckily, you wouldn’t need to complete a major renovation most of the time.

If you feel like you’ve found the perfect resale flat, sit down and write a list of the things that you feel should change. Putting the information down on paper results in a much clearer idea of the project’s scope. Such notes will also simplify communication with the renovation team you’ll hire.

When planning changes, always think of the long-term needs your family will have. As a new home buyer, you’ve probably checked design trends and décor magazines. You’re inspired by minimalist, clean and perfectly organized homes.

Understand this, however – a trend that is hot right now may not necessarily stick around for a long time. Changes you make to a resale flat should be functional. They should improve the living conditions, increase the value of the property and at the same tome make the flat suit your lifestyle. Changes for purely aesthetic reasons can be too costly without giving you anything in return.

Be practical, pick colours, materials, products and décor carefully. If you’re not a professional in the realm, have a consultation with a home renovation and home interior design management company. The ideas that seem great to you right now could be difficult to execute or completely whimsical. Interior Design Professionals who gain a good understanding of your original concept will be capable of building upon it to ensure an amazing outcome.

HDB Resale Home Renovation: Check Out Our Expertise

Home Guide’s team has been completing HDB resale flat renovations for decades. We know what it takes to erase the traces that the flat’s previous occupant left and to give you a space that’s comfortable and harmonious and completely yours.

Our HDB resale flat renovation package is tailored to the needs of people like you. When we embark on the home renovation journey together, we will ensure complete engagement. The Home Guide philosophy is all about comprehensive solutions. Our team will manage every single step (from planning to the finishing touches) so that you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.

If you’re dreaming about moving into your brand new home as soon as possible, you can accomplish the dream through the purchase of an HDB resale flat.

Don’t be scared about the issues or the scale of renovation work you’ll have to face. With the right professionals by your side, you’ll get the home of your dreams in a matter of months. Contact Home Guide today to get started.

Home Guide Makes Home Renovations a Breeze

2021 gives you amazing opportunities for affordable and transformative home renovation.

Home Guide is the team that can give you the perfect outcome within the specified timeframe and budget. We’re known for our commitment to quality, excellent communication and meeting deadlines.

If you contact Home Guide now, you’ll benefit from a free first consultation. We’ll discuss your flat’s current condition, your vision and other aspects of the project that interest you. Based on that information exchange, we’ll put together a tailored project bound to transform your home and turn it into the residential space of your dreams.

New year, new home! Keeping up with such a resolution, however, isn’t necessarily easy. Some homeowners will lose steam as the days go by and the project will be postponed indefinitely.

Home renovation doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. It’s fairly easy to kick-start 2021 with an upgrade to your home, if you follow a couple of simple steps aimed at getting the process started.

Start Simple

Sometimes, a small change can have a really pronounced effect on your home’s appearance and functionality.

Most home owners give up on their renovation resolution because they imagine extensive demolition, lots of noise, lots of dirt and hours of clean-up after everything is done. The best home renovation contractor in Singapore will know that a very small change can deliver an exceptional result.

A change as simple as repainting the walls in a different colour will open up a room and set a very different mood from the one you experienced before. A few strategically placed partitions (or the removal of such) will also give you a brand new layout without forcing you to go overboard with the remodelling.

If you’re keen on refresh your living space in 2021, consider a simple, seemingly small modification first. Consult a professional home interior design company about the anticipated outcome. Chances are that you’ll get the result you want in a few quick and easy steps.

Focus on Versatility

Instead of coming up with a grand but impractical project, prioritise versatility to kick-start your renovation in 2021. Here’s what we mean by the concept.

Multi-purpose furniture is an excellent example of a versatile choice for your home’s interior. This is an especially good solution for smaller, space-starved flats. A coffee table that doubles as a storage unit is incredibly versatile and perfect for the living room. Sofas that come with pull-out beds are also amazing for better organisation and saving space.

Versatile living is also about functional zones that create many activity areas within one and the same space, movable partitions you can use to get some privacy upon need, feature walls that make the most of vertical space and smooth transitions from one area to another.

Always Budget in Advance

Let’s talk about a more practical aspect of doing your home renovation – budget. Great ideas must be balanced with a carefully and clearly worked-out budget in order to inform all the important spending decisions along the way.

To select the best home renovation contractor in Singapore and make sure that the team is the most suited one to the task at hand, you’ll need to do a budget calculation in advance.

The cost of a home renovation in Singapore depends on the size of the flat, the types of work you want to complete and the specifics of the contractors you’d like to hire. According to the home renovation platform Qanvast, the average renovation in Singapore costs 67,000 dollars for a resale HDB and 44,000 dollars for a new HDB flat. That is the amount you’ll need to spend on a complete overhaul of your entire living space.

Check out this guide in which we discuss the cost of the most popular aspects of a Singaporean home renovation.

Get in Touch with Home Renovation Contractors

The next step you’ll have to undertake is actually get in touch with home renovation experts. Use the consultation to ask the important questions and get a feel for the specifics of the upcoming partnership.

Some good questions to ask during a first meeting with a renovation team include the following:

• Do you have experience with the specific type of work and style I need to have done?
• Can I check your portfolio and will you be willing to provide references?
• Are you HDB licensed/certified and can I count on you to handle the documents and renovation requirements?
• How will be communicate during the project and how can I get in touch with you?
• Will I get a visualisation and a plan before the renovation begins? Can I request edits for free/how much is additional work going to cost?
• How much will the project cost and what’s the timeframe for execution?
• How long have you been in business?
• Will you handle the finishing touches and the cleanup?

While these are some of the most important questions, you should definitely go ahead and personalise the first meeting. Think about the type of work you’d like to do and base your list of inquiries on those.

Home Guide Makes Home Renovations a Breeze

2021 gives you amazing opportunities for affordable and transformative home renovation.

Home Guide is the team that can give you the perfect outcome within the specified timeframe and budget. We’re known for our commitment to quality, excellent communication and meeting deadlines.

If you contact Home Guide now, you’ll benefit from a free first consultation. We’ll discuss your flat’s current condition, your vision and other aspects of the project that interest you. Based on that information exchange, we’ll put together a tailored project bound to transform your home and turn it into the residential space of your dreams.