How much time do you dedicate to the selection of the right lights for your home? You have to make a number of important choices – type of bulbs, light colour and intensity, fixture design. All of these matter and the effects are going to be both functional and aesthetic.

Like other aspects of interior design, lights change with each passing year.

New designs and new technologies marry exceptionally well to deliver fresh possibilities and deliver smarter, more personalised solutions.

If you’re about to choose new lights for your flat in 2023, here are a few of the top trends to consider and the reasons why these may be a great choice.

Sustainable Lighting Solutions

Sustainable interior design isn’t a new thing. In fact, it’s been gaining popularity for several years in a row. As a part of it, you should consider the selection of sustainable lighting solutions. They’ll continue being hot in 2023 and beyond, they’ll reduce your home’s environmental footprint and they’ll also result in a more manageable electricity bill.

LED bulbs deliver excellent longevity and their energy consumption is super low in comparison to standard bulbs.

Studies suggest that LED lights consume about 50 per cent less electricity in comparison to incandescent and halogen options. Quality LED lights also have a lifespan of anywhere between 30,000 and 50,000 hours (in comparison, fluorescent lights have a life of about 10,000 hours).  Controllability and instant on are other great features of these lights.

Other sustainable lighting solutions worth exploring this year include the installation of dimmers, tactical task lighting and motion sensors. The selection of the right paint colour for each room can also contribute to more energy-efficient lighting systems.

Layered Lighting

Designers and interior design experts predict that 2023 is going to be the year of layered lights.

The term layered lighting refers to the use of different kinds of light to create functional zones and a balanced space.

Usually, layered lighting has three components – ambient, task and accent lights. While one sets the overall mood, the other two can be used to increase the usability of the space and direct attention where it needs to be.

Using multiple light sources can deliver great, dynamic results if you know what you’re doing. As a general rule of thumb, ambient lights should be softer, task lights focus on brightness in specific spots and accent lights highlight art, wall décor and some of the most intriguing architectural elements.

Globe Lights

Also known as bubble lights, these ones are going to be very, very popular over the course of the year. The reason why the design never goes out of style is because it matches just about any interior design concept.

Spherical fixtures can be clustered together to deliver mid-century vibes. Depending on the material that the fixtures are made of and their opacity, the sentiment can be quite retro and nostalgic.

If futuristic and modern is your thing, opt for LED globe clusters. Clean and super sleek, these are the perfect choice for a minimalist home. Globe ceiling pendants give you the in-between option that’s versatile and a great match to many popular home interior design styles.

Sculptural Fixtures

Anyone who feels inspired by a more artistic and unorthodox approach towards light selection should consider sculptural fixtures and lamps.

Sculptural lights are being promoted because they allow for the execution of a popular 2023 trend – the use of lighting as a focal interior design element and a statement.

There’s a big selection of sculptural lights – from ornate and classical to abstract. Various materials are also used to enforce the specific statement and give each individual piece more depth and meaning.

Some sculptural lights are also inspired by the beauty of nature – the gracefulness of three branches, the movement of the ocean waves or the immaculate clarity of glass. Beautiful natural silhouettes can easily add fluidity and serenity to the home.

Sculptural lights are also going to work really well with another 2023 popular interior design trend – curvaceous shapes and lines that create better movement and less angularity than traditional edges and sharp lines.

Bespoke Lights

The world has been moving away from mass-manufactured items. More home owners than ever before want pieces that are unique, that are reflective of their personality/lifestyle.

If you have a very particular idea for a light fixture design, go for it. Bespoke lights are an amazing way to add personality to your home without making a compromise with the design vision.

Bespoke solutions aren’t going to focus on just fixtures or individual pieces. In fact, many homeowners are choosing entire lighting systems that are custom-made to make the most of the available space and layout.

Anyone who’s considering the selection of bespoke furniture may want to have some wiring installed into those pieces. When such choices are made in advance, the addition of lights built into the individual unit becomes much easier.

Every single interior design element matters and you shouldn’t leave its selection to chance. Lights and other décor work together to give you the most in terms of visuals and function. Contact Home Guide if you want the right idea, the perfect project and the most tailored execution for your flat in 2023.

Is the ambiance in your home somewhat gloomy and lifeless? If so, you could be missing optimal natural light levels.

Many people believe that maximising daylight without extensive renovations is impossible. The good news is that excellent results can be achieved through the power of smart interior design changes. A few basic upgrades can really transform the space and make it brighter. Here are a few approaches bound to deliver notable changes.

Choose the Right Colours

Tweaking the colour scheme a bit will instantly change the level of light in the respective space.

And by colour changes, we don’t necessarily mean getting the walls repainted. Picking new accessories and textiles will have an equally powerful effect.

The general rule of thumb is that light colours like white, beige, taupe and light grey can reflect light rather than absorb it. As such, these tones have the power to make any room appear brighter (even if there aren’t too many windows for light to enter through).

Shiny surfaces like silk, for example, will also do wonders in terms of reflecting light and creating some additional brightness. Playing with the colour and the texture of accessories is a cool way to upgrade the interior design and also get rid of some unnecessary dimness.

Clean and Declutter

This is probably the simplest tip that will work so well for all homeowners. For a start, decluttering is something that everybody can do. On top of that, it will deliver a range of interior design benefits.

Imagine tall piles of things standing against the wall, close to the window or in the middle of the room. Clutter has the power to distract and affect your mood. In addition, it prevents sunlight from reaching every corner, making the room appear a lot gloomier than it actually is.

Take a look around. Is there too much stuff occupying space instead of being neatly tucked away? If that’s the case, you’ll need to get rid of the junk before considering another house upgrade option. Chances are that a few days of cleaning and reorganising will have a profound effect on the appearance of your living space.

Check Out the Exterior

In order to reach your rooms, light needs to have unobstructed pathways through your windows.

That’s why you need to think about both the interior and the exterior when trying to make your rooms brighter.

Is there a lot of greenery outside? Or maybe you have too many things on the balcony that stand in the way of proper illumination? Sometimes, awning can also be a problem, especially if it’s not positioned correctly or at the right angle

In these instances, your home’s interior wouldn’t have to be changed in order to get results. You’ll have to do something about the exterior obstructions. A simple tree trim will often give you a night and day difference (literally!).  The same applies to climbing plants – they look pretty but they do need a lot of maintenance in order to maintain the building’s functional appeal.

Try Sun/Solar Tubes

Sun tubes or solar tubes as they’re sometimes called work as a simpler, easier to install and less expensive alternative to skylights.

A sun tube is a device that “carries” natural light from one part of the flat to another.

Solar tubes work best for flats that are located immediately underneath the roof of the building. Otherwise, they can be a bit more challenging to install.

These devices are very flexible – they can work around obstructions or be positioned at an angle. Assembly is also fairly easy because everything required is going to be provided in the kit.

Give Sunlight a Boost with Artificial Light

Sometimes, good effects will be very difficult to achieve in spite of your best efforts.

In those situations, you’ll need to get creative with all of the tools at your disposal. If you can’t increase the amount of sunlight entering your home, give it a boost with the right kind of artificial light.

The easiest thing to do is concentrate artificial light (in the form of task lights, for example) in the areas and corners that natural light doesn’t reach. A standing lamp in one of those spots will be a great addition that wouldn’t impact the overall environment. At the same time, it will eliminate the sunlight problem in that specific zone.

In order to retain full control over your light experience, install dimmer switches. These will give you the freedom to gradually increase artificial light intensity as day turns into night.

If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a home upgrade, do strategise and research alternatives first. In most cases, you’ll come up with clever solutions that are inexpensive and that have a high transformative potential.

Are you struggling to find the approach that’s going to change your home for the better? Contact Home Guide now. We will work to match your preferences to the specifics of the available space. By tailoring our approach to these two essential criteria, we deliver results that surpass expectations every single time.

Over the course of 2022, construction materials in Singapore became more expensive (an average increase of six to eight per cent on an annual basis). That trend is expected to continue in 2023, making renovations more expensive than they used to be.

If you need to upgrade your home right now, you’re probably going through the calculations a thousand times. Could you possibly reduce some expenditures without compromising the quality of the outcome? Is it possible to replace some expensive construction materials and still get a result that looks elegant and even luxurious?

The short answers to both of those questions are “yes.”

Having a limited budget will reduce your ability to purchase expensive construction materials. In such instances, you’ll need to be resourceful and clever about the choices that you make. By following a few strategic tips, you can get a high quality renovation that’s not going to break the bank.

Get a Detailed Quote

This is an important first step for everyone doing a renovation and it’s even more vital for people who have a limited budget.

Get in touch with several contractors and ask for detailed quotes.

A well-written, professional quote should include a price breakdown. How much does labour cost and how much will you have to spend on materials?

This information will give you a good idea about the most expensive aspects of the renovation. When you have these numbers, you’ll find it much easier to decide when to look for alternatives and how to effectively reduce expenditure without making a quality compromise.

Small Tweaks, Big Impact

Instead of instantly seeking replacements with expensive renovation materials, try to come up with a few design tweaks. By changing the scope of the renovation or the manner in which it’s going to be carried out, you could reduce expenditure and still enjoy fine materials.

Take a look at the original idea.

Are there luxuries you simply like but they’re not going to necessarily improve the functionality of your flat? If that’s the case, you can easily cut those items out and focus the budget on the biggest and most strategic improvements. This approach allows you to get fine pieces and to also improve the functionality of the design concept.

If you’re not a trained professional, you may find it difficult to judge and modify the scope of the design. Partnering up with experienced an experienced interior design company is essential in such instances. While some people worry that such a partnership can be expensive, it’s one of the best ways to carry out a cost-efficient renovation that will yield a high return on investment.

Reuse and Repurpose

Reusing and repurposing will save you money while still giving you high quality materials to work with. At the same time, such a decision is going to boost the sustainability of your project.

Glass, wood, bricks, plastics, stone, metal and plasterboard are all construction materials you can reuse and repurpose.

This tip is best for renovation projects that involve some demolition and heavy remodelling. Don’t let essential resources go to waste! If you choose the right contractor for the job, they’ll salvage lots of valuable stuff that could be put to good use in your brand new home.

Even if you’re not demolishing a lot, there are still ways to reuse what’s already in your flat. Refinishing floors and cabinets will give those a second life without costing you a fortune. Metal pieces can also be polished. Think twice before throwing stuff away. Sometimes, a fresh coat of varnish and some paint will do miracles.

Choose Affordable Alternatives

The construction market today is really wonderful. Technological developments and innovation have resulted in an array of materials. Some engineered options look incredibly good and they’re also very affordable.

Laminate is a great alternative to solid wood. When you choose well-made laminate, you’ll make it impossible for people to tell it’s not the real thing. On top of being more affordable, laminate is much less likely to warp, twist or shrink.

Bamboo is another beautiful, affordable choice that can replace hardwood in your home.

There are various other options worth exploring – engineered marble, prefabricated panels, reclaimed timber, engineered wood, cork, veneers (instead of natural stone) and even cellulose (a replacement for expensive insulation materials) are all good choices. Many of these materials have qualities and aesthetics that surpass the appeal of expensive traditional choices. Don’t be afraid of researching and acquainting yourself with the possibilities.

Organise Your Own Deliveries

The cost of having materials delivered to your address can be overwhelming.

Talk to your contractor about the prospects of organising your own deliveries. Looking for a transportation service on your own can help you save a serious sum that would be best spent on the renovation itself.

As a final tip, do get contractors and interior designers involved during every step of the way.

These professionals are on a mission to deliver the outcome you anticipate. They also have the professional network and the know-how required to produce the most cost-efficient solution.

Home Guide’s interior design team knows what it takes to make budget renovations outstandingly powerful. Contact Home Guide now to find out more and to benefit from a well-planned, properly personalised, budget-friendly renovation.

Many people find it nearly impossible to discover the aesthetics in unfinished interior design compositions. When done purposefully and intentionally, however, such incomplete executions can result in something really exciting and even visually stunning.

Unfinished interior design is earning more and more fans because it delivers unorthodox and unique results.

If you’re seeking distinctive elements for your space, this may be the one approach worth pursuing. In order to make incomplete interiors work, however, you’ll need a good understanding of composition and how to break the main design principles.

Preserve and Frame Unique Features

A thorough home renovation will give you that fresh and modern look many families want in their home. How about a space that carries unique design or architectural elements you’d like to preserve?

In such instances, the unfinished look will provide wonderful opportunities to showcase those authentic elements within the framework of modern interior design.

Exposed beams, bricks and metal fixtures can all look super cool when left visible. You’ll be getting a kind of industrial execution that can be very difficult to bring to a residential space without feeling overpowering. Purposefully unfinished design will do wonders to balance out the various elements coming together.

Uncovered Concrete Adds a Sense of Ruggedness to a Polished Space

Uncovered, rough concrete can also be used to achieve some visual contrast through textural juxtapositions.

Just imagine the appearance of exposed concrete pillars against the pristine beauty of smooth walls covered in a soft pastel coloured paint. There is something very raw and rugged about the unfinished element, something that will make even the simplest of interior designs come to life.

Designers have experimented with this approach in residential spaces and the results are quite stunning. You can easily find photos of such projects on Instagram and Pinterest. Anyone who enjoys stripped-back aesthetics and elements that look a bit puzzling at first can make such design choices work really well.

Stripping Walls from a Finish to Make a Creative Statement

How do you imagine walls in the typical Singaporean flat? They’re almost always covered. Paint and wallpaper are both common choices but chances are that you’ve never seen an exposed wall in a modern house.

Because such solutions are pretty much considered the norm, stripping walls from any kind of finish can have a really striking effect.

There have even been internationally-acclaimed interior design projects that involved the removal of wallpaper and leaving walls as they are in the aftermath. Peeling plaster and even small strips of the old wallpaper have been left in place to make the appearance of the wall distinctive.

With this kind of unfinished execution, you’ll quickly and easily be creating textural or structural contrast. The bare wall will also be the perfect canvas for the placement of art. If you go for modern paintings, rather than abstract and modernist artwork, you will be elevating the artistry of the interior design almost instantaneously. Such a choice will also make the pieces you’ve picked even more impressive. Sometimes, the quality of the display is everything!

The Natural Beauty of Materials

Some materials are so beautiful and awe-inspiring that they don’t really need a lot of treatment in order to shine.

Simplicity, especially when you’re working with high quality elements, can speak a lot louder than fancy and complex executions.

That’s why the world of interior design is seeing a return to untreated natural materials.

Wood that isn’t varnished and smoothed out looks completely different than its treated counterparts. The same applies to natural stone. While many kinds of natural stone are porous (which makes the use of sealant a must for spaces like the kitchen and bathroom), they can still be used without additional treatment in the creation of accessories or decorative pieces.

A little bit of imperfection is simply going to add to the character of a certain material or the item that’s made of it. This is an easy opportunity to stray away from mass-manufactured aesthetics and give your space distinctive vibes.

If you’re looking for ways to make your home distinctive while infusing character in the renovation, try intentionally unfinished design. Contact Home Guide to get professional home interior design and execution. Find out why Home Guide is your perfect partner.

Innovation is getting the world of home interior design to evolve rapidly, and often than not due to new technology and materials. Nowhere is it being more evident than in the kitchen. Smart appliances, intelligent lighting systems and innovative materials are all contributing to better experiences, reduced expenditure and easier maintenance than ever before.

So, what materials are best for the kitchen and should you invest in those over the course of 2023? Let’s find out!

Marble Lookalikes

We have previously discussed the greatness of marble and the characteristics that make it such an amazing choice for kitchen countertops.

Marble, however, is expensive. It’s also a porous type of stone that needs to undergo sealing before it becomes a good choice for the kitchen.

The good news is that marble lookalikes are available at a fraction of the cost. At the same time, many engineered materials have become very technologically-advanced. Not only do they look as good as genuine marble, such synthetic alternatives also have a number of properties that make them an amazing choice for the kitchen environment.

Marble alternatives are temperature-proof, non-porous, waterproof and very durable. As a result, they yield an excellent return on investment. Available in many colours and varieties, they deliver the uniqueness that comes with individual slabs of marble.

High Performance Plastics

These engineered materials are considered excellent choices for areas where they could be exposed to adverse influences (temperature, humidity).

High performance plastics like polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) have outstanding resistance to damage. PPS, for example, is unusually flexible, temperature and humidity-resistant. Also, there are no known solvents for PPS, making it completely indestructible following exposure to chemicals.

Kitchen utensils and coatings made of such high performance plastics will give you an affordable renovation that produces very long-lasting results.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo is another engineered material that gives you the best of both worlds – the natural and the synthetic.

It is crafted from cement and fragments of natural stone.

Because of these characteristics, terrazzo is one of the most affordable kitchen materials for the creation of backsplashes, countertops and decorative elements. Each piece has a distinctive appearance and design. Terrazzo is also very resilient and easy to maintain in an impeccable condition.

Terrazzo panels can also be sanded down. In time, such a quick procedure can easily freshen their appearance and give them a bit of the sparkle that was previously lost.

Paperstone

Are you focused on reducing your home’s carbon footprint? If so, choose an innovative material like paperstone in 2023.

This is a really cool option that can have multiple uses in the kitchen. Paperstone is entirely made of recycled office paper and water-based resins. Processing occurs in such a way that the material becomes very reminiscent of natural stone. It is also very sturdy, waterproof, shock and crack-resistant.

Like many other engineered materials, paperstone is available in a variety of shades and patterns. It gives you variety, plus the feel-good vibes linked to using recycled materials for your sustainable space.

Viroc

To a sense, Viroc is similar to terrazzo.

It is a synthetic material that consists of cement and pine wood.

The two get mixed together and forcefully compressed. The end result can look like natural wood or it can resemble the appearance of stone.

Because of its toughness and versatility, Viroc is a perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor projects. The strength of cement works with flexibility of wood to give this composite material unique toughness. In addition, Viroc is UV-resistant (it’s not going to fade due to sunlight exposure), fireproof and completely non-toxic. Viroc is also free from VoC, which turns it in a perfect sustainable material.

Kitchen innovation is easy to achieve, as long as you have the right concept and a interior design partner to bring it to reality. Contact Home Guide if you’re dreaming of the perfectly streamlined, functional home kitchen delivered by the best home renovation contractor in Singapore. We’ll come up with a tailored process that gives you the ideal layout, design and materials selection.

The world of interior design is evolving at the speed of light and technology is a huge driver. Practices that were the norm just a decade ago have been modernised or they’ve become obsolete due to tech innovation. Each new year brings on opportunities worth exploring and embracing and this one is no exception.

It’s 2023 already and we’re prepared for some exciting interior design modernisation in the home interior design industry. Here are the top tech innovation developments and the type of impact these are expected to have.

Augmented Reality Makes Visualisation Effortless

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual staging are two tech innovations that deliver lots of opportunities during the interior design planning stage.

They work very effectively because they offer real-time simulations and visualisations based on a current layout or the specific condition that a flat is in right now.

With AR, homeowners can take a real-time look at a certain room and the way in which it can be changed through the addition of new colours, textiles, accessories and other home décor elements. All of that’s possible via a smartphone app.

Such preliminary planning allows for a ton of customisation while also reducing the risk of costly mistakes. With augmented reality, homeowners can get a very accurate idea about the manner in which their space will be transformed. They wouldn’t have to spend money on expensive items and renovations that would deliver questionable results at best.

Interior design professionals can also enjoy the flexibility and effortless use that such apps bring to the table. AR can be used to verify ideas, bring them to a particular space and find out how simple tweaks can enhance a project or reduce its attractiveness.

The Connection between Artificial Intelligence and the Human Mind

You may be thinking that robots and artificial intelligence (AI) will soon replace human designers to conceptualise and execute projects from start to finish. This isn’t the case. Interior design planning and execution are highly creative processes that rely on human intuition and personal relationships  that machines don’t have the capacity to complete. Rather, AI and the human mind will work together to give clients better customisation while reducing overall delivery time and expenditure.

Artificial intelligence is a type of technology that has the capacity to grow and learn with each single project being completed. As the database is becoming more and more populated, the AI tool gets more sophisticated and capable of intricate solutions.

When interior designers employ AI in their line of work, they can always pinpoint the right choices, materials and procedures. This way, clients will end up spending a lot less on a project that takes into account every single preference they have.

AI is making interior design more accessible and flawless at the same time. While coming up with very specific renovation solutions and techniques, such technology can also produce spectacular visualisations aimed at helping a customer get a clear understanding of the path ahead.

3D Printing Making Everything Possible

Customisation and tailor-made solutions have been mentioned a number of times already. That’s because more clients than ever before are looking for home renovations that are unique and personalised.

One tech innovation that will simplify custom-made solutions and make them more affordable is 3D printing.

3D printing has broadened the scope of possibilities in many fields ranging from medicine to aeronautics.

With 3D printing, interior designer and renovation contractors can accomplish a number of things. For a start, they can create three-dimensional models that give customers a chance to immerse themselves in the specifics of the home improvement.

Through 3D printing, renovators can also produce custom pieces for their clients – from art to décor pieces and accessories to furniture creation and even custom construction solutions.

Many professionals are already integrating 3D printing in their work very successfully – including furniture, decor, small scale models of the actual home and even entire homes. Apart from offering unique designs, they’re also crafting sustainable solutions and a speed of execution that can’t be compared to anything else.

Programmable Home Features

The last tech trend that deserves special attention in 2023 is programmable home features. This trend is in line with the other innovations that give homeowners more control over the execution of the project and over their environment. In other words, it produces smart homes that change alongside the people that inhabit them.

With programmable home features, Singaporeans can adjust just about every element in their living space. Light intensity and colour, air humidity, temperature, security features, cleaning solutions and even cooking can all be programmed and controlled via an app (yes, that means remote capabilities).

These aspects of programmable home control are just the beginning of something much larger. When paired with AI, such technologies will soon “know” enough about the lifestyle and the preferences of the homeowner. As a result, they’ll come up with predictive programmable solutions that will optimise the environment beyond what’s possible with mass-manufactured interior design products today.

We are entering an exciting new stage in the interior design field. Technology is broadening horizons and offering capabilities that more and more home renovation professionals are becoming comfortable with.

Home Guide’s team has always prided itself in the openness to new solutions and procedures. If you’re eager to employ tech-based renovation for your living space, contact Home Guide now. We’ll suggest the solutions and carry out the execution that make the most sense and will yield an optimal return on investment.

Plywood is an affordable material crafted from sawdust, leftover pieces of wood, bark and other timbre pieces. Processed and glued together, these create a board that has numerous visible layers and a very distinctive appearance.

While some people don’t really enjoy the look of plywood, it’s an incredibly versatile material. The fact that it’s also affordable comes as an added benefit.

If you want the beauty and warmth of wood without the added expenditure, do consider plywood for your next renovation project. Here are some of the best ways to make it an elegant part of your brand new interior design.

Warm and Elegant Ceilings

The typical ceiling is all white and made of drywall – an appearance that’s a bit too mediocre and sterile. The addition of plywood boards will quickly transform your interior. And the fact that the material is positioned high makes plywood difficult to distinguish from regular hardwood.

An added benefit of using plywood for your ceiling is that you can customise its appearance. A light-coloured or a dark stain can immediately give you a comprehensive transformation. While light tones are great to make the space appear bigger, darker tones deliver a ton of elegance.

The shape and size of the plywood boards depends entirely on the size of your ceiling and your individual preferences. Pairing plywood with a couple of solid beams will give you that Alpine chalet feeling without getting you breaking the bank.

The Perfect Kitchen Renovation

We simply can’t skip over the multiple uses of plywood in a kitchen renovation.

The first thing you need to understand about such a project is that plywood isn’t a waterproof material. Fortunately, waterproofing this kind of wood is a fairly easy task. Sealants, varnish and epoxy can all be used to achieve this effect while also transforming the appearance of the board.

Cabinetry and wall panelling crafted from plywood give you something very different from the traditional kitchen appearance. Plywood can also be used as modular storage systems, as well. These look a bit more innovative than standard cabinetry and can be a very functional choice for a space-starved kitchen.

You can even discover plywood tiles on the market and these are tremendously versatile. It’s really up to you to decide whether to place such tiles on the walls, floors or somewhere as a decorative element in the kitchen.

Plywood as a Flooring Material

Who wouldn’t want to have splendid hardwood floors in their flat? Unfortunately, genuine hardwood can cost a fortune and many Singaporean homeowners simply can’t afford it.

If you’re one of the people looking for an alternative, plywood will be a lovely choice.

Plywood sheets and engineered wood panels are very practical and aesthetically pleasing. Very often, they’ll look just like a genuine hardwood parquet. And if that’s not your thing, you can adopt a more innovative approach. Plywood that looks like tiles or larger boards will be much more interesting and unconventional.

Finally, if you want something really, really modern, choose plywood that’s covered in a coat of paint. You’ll still get the pattern of actual wood and a fresh colour that will quickly open up the space or tie into the rest of the interior design.

The Elegant Style of Plywood Furniture

Furniture items are often statement pieces that really serve as a focal point in a particular room.

Plywood can give traditional furniture a very interesting twist, especially if you want something fresher and more unusual.

Chairs, tables, storage systems, entertainment units, bookcases, nightstands and many other furniture pieces can be made from plywood. Even larger pieces like beds are easy to make from plywood boards. The material is very sturdy and easy to stain/colour, which results in distinctive vibes that tie in with the rest of the interior design.

You can even have plywood headboards, folding desks, stackable shelves and rockers or recliners. Plywood is a material that will easily be crafted in various shapes. Beautiful curves and clean lines will work with the layered appearance of the material. Plywood also looks lovely alongside other materials like leather, velvet and natural textiles like cotton and linen.

You don’t always have to go for the most expensive option in order to enjoy beauty and quality. Plywood gives you both. It’s perfect for DIY projects and for more complex executions. Let the Home Guide team help you with the selection of the right materials and designs. Contact us now and we’ll do our best to meet your budget while giving you that dream home you’ve always wanted.

Fast Furniture

The term fast furniture refers to mass manufactured pieces. They are affordable, readily available and completely featureless.

You don’t want any element in your home to be personality-deprived. That’s why it’s time to ditch fast furniture and look for signature pieces instead.

Apart from being so boring (and even ugly!), fast furniture isn’t necessarily the bargain you think it may be.

That’s because fast furniture isn’t perfectly matched to your home’s aesthetic and function.

Multi-purpose furniture pieces are such a better pick. True, they will often need to be custom made. That’s especially true for home owners who have a very particular idea in mind. Multi-purpose furniture, however, can replace a couple of pieces. That’s how it actually saves money. Also, going for such products reduces clutter and gives you better living conditions. All of these perks are worth investing in.

Alternatively, you can seek vintage items that have a distinctive look. Many of these authentic pieces brag fine craftsmanship and high quality materials. Depending on where you’ve found them, vintage furniture pieces can cost a fraction of fast furniture’s price tag.

Don’t be a follower in 2023, work with Home Guide’s home interior designers for a one-of-a-kind beautiful and personality-filled new home We can help you express yourself and create the most authentically unique home. Contact Home Guide for a definitive transformation.

Over the years, we have witnessed numerous interior design disasters. 2022 had its fair share of tragedies. Some of them were so bad that they deserve a bit of elaboration before we leave them behind and never look back.

Overstuffed Furniture

Interior design professionals have been trying to get rid of overstuffed furniture for several years now. Hopefully, 2023 is going to be the one during which the trends catches its last breath.

Functional and comfortable are becoming the norm for furniture in a world after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the old rules are no longer applicable as people are spending more time than ever before at home.

The living room is the one space where people enjoy the most time together. It also has to serve many different purposes. For many Singaporean families, the living room is a place where movies are watched, games are played, books are read and even exercise occurs.

Overstuffed, bulky furniture kills a lot of the space that can be dedicated to such activities.

Seating doesn’t have to be massive in order to feel comfortable. The right kind of padding and the right shapes deliver enough support without the need for the excessive use of stuffing. Not only do overstuffed furniture pieces make the living room feel too claustrophobic, they also give it a dated appearance.

Matchy-Matchy Everything

There’s nothing that screams “amateur” more loudly than a matchy-matchy interior design.

Matchy-matchy home décor is very prominent in the living room and the bedroom.

Just imagine matching textiles everywhere – curtains, duvets, rugs, bedsheets, towels… The horror of it all! Such designs look flat and stuffy. They prevent the space from breathing and they lack layers or depth.

The best interior designs are the ones that use varying textures, colours and prints. Different elements can work alongside each other beautifully. The goal is achieved through complementary or contrasting choices. Making such elements work together, however, isn’t an easy task. In the absence of professional assistance, many people will refrain from experimenting with different layers.

It’s time to get rid of matchy-matchy decors and hire interior designers to make your spaces more sophisticated. The execution of a home renovation project doesn’t have to be expensive. Just pinpoint the right changes and look for the right team. Doing both will help you enjoy the best possible return on investment.

The All-White or All-Black Kitchen

All-white or all-black kitchen spaces (or bathroom spaces for that matter) can look pretty good on paper. Monochromatic designs are always pristine and elegant to look at in magazines. In real life, they lead to interior design disasters.

An all-white kitchen is tremendously difficult to maintain in a stellar condition. Every spot, every scratch or piece of discolouration will show. Hence, the beautiful sparkly colour will soon start looking dated and worn out.

Don’t try to create a minimalist, sterile environment in any of your living spaces. There’s nothing comforting or exciting about such interior design choices. While they can definitely be a part of a modern interior design, you will need a bit of colour and charm to create something enjoyable. Considering ease of maintenance will also be important to bring together a beautiful home renovation that’s also easy to keep in an optimal condition.

TikTok Interior Designs

Please, please, don’t try to copy an interior design project you’ve seen on TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest.

There’s something particularly generic and soulless about interior design concepts shared on social media for views and likes.

The aim of these clips and images is to get you hooked and emotionally responsive. This doesn’t always translate to comfortable living.

Bringing a TikTok renovation to your home doesn’t take into consideration the specifics of the space or your individual needs. You may lose a lot of distinctive appeal and even functionality by going for a copycat interior design execution.

If you want trendy, talk to an interior designer. These professionals have a good understanding of the latest developments and the manner in which these can be translated to your home’s interior.

Fast Furniture

The term fast furniture refers to mass manufactured pieces. They are affordable, readily available and completely featureless.

You don’t want any element in your home to be personality-deprived. That’s why it’s time to ditch fast furniture and look for signature pieces instead.

Apart from being so boring (and even ugly!), fast furniture isn’t necessarily the bargain you think it may be.

That’s because fast furniture isn’t perfectly matched to your home’s aesthetic and function.

Multi-purpose furniture pieces are such a better pick. True, they will often need to be custom made. That’s especially true for home owners who have a very particular idea in mind. Multi-purpose furniture, however, can replace a couple of pieces. That’s how it actually saves money. Also, going for such products reduces clutter and gives you better living conditions. All of these perks are worth investing in.

Alternatively, you can seek vintage items that have a distinctive look. Many of these authentic pieces brag fine craftsmanship and high quality materials. Depending on where you’ve found them, vintage furniture pieces can cost a fraction of fast furniture’s price tag.

Don’t be a follower in 2023, choose beautiful and personality-filled interior design ideas. We can help you express yourself and create the most authentically unique home. Contact Home Guide for a definitive transformation.

It’s a brand new year and the time has come to freshen things up by giving your home interior design an update. But what exactly should you choose for your home renovation project? Which home improvements make the most sense?

Our home interior designers have a couple of suggestions in terms of 2023 upgrades. Obviously, you have to pick renovations that are in line with your living situation and preferences. Still, looking at some of the top trends for the year will give you a bit of inspiration to explore the full scope of possibilities.

Soft Edges and Curves

Take a look at your rooms – lots of the design elements are angular. You’ll probably notice lots of edges and sharp lines. While that’s pretty much the norm in the world of interior design, soft edges and curves are starting to gain prominence again.

This trend can be executed in a number of ways – from the selection of curvaceous furniture to the creation of arches and soft recessed niches on the walls.

Curves come with a bit of retro flare but they can improve the flow of the design and make the space look much more harmonious. Soft edges take away some aggressiveness from the home’s interior, lending it a sense of comfort and even romance. If you’re looking for the perfect relaxing atmosphere, this is the interior design trend to embrace right now.

Blast from the Past

We’ve already touched upon the comeback of retro and vintage trends and it is not slowing down!

Vintage interior design trends always seem to be making a comeback. There’s a reason why home décor from the past decades reappears every once in a while. Every period has its charm and distinctive aesthetic signature. Choosing the right decade results in impressive, unique home décor choices that look much more artistic and exciting than typical modern styles.

According to interior design experts, 2023 is the year during which we’ll see the return of 1970s designs.

Design from the 70s started making a comeback in 2022. This year is going to be another one during which it will keep on going strong.

The decade was characterised by a return to nature, rich textures, lots of handmade items, geometric shapes and bold colours. Many of these elements are highly demanded today.  If you need to, check out 1970s interiors on Pinterest. Chances are that you’ll quickly fall in love with the quirkiness, sustainability and harmonious nature of it all.

Fun with Stencils

Are you getting tired of simple, monochromatic walls? If so, you’ll be happy to find out that stencilling provides a fun alternative that is super easy to employ.

Wall art created this way is once again taking inspiration from period interior design.  The use of stencils was especially prominent during the 1930s – yet another well-forgotten opportunity that we’re just beginning to rediscover due to its uniqueness and transformative potential.

Stamping and wall prints were especially prominent parts of both the art deco and art nouveau movements. Today, pre-made stencils are very easy to find in home improvement stores. These can even be printed at home if you have the right equipment.

It’s really up to you to decide whether your stencils are going to be highly elaborate and very decorative or a bit more minimalist. Geometric shapes, florals, animal silhouettes, abstract shapes – these are just a few of the possibilities. You can also choose the right colour for stencilling. Some make the project simple by using black to create silhouettes. Others employ brighter colour(s) to breathe life into the interior design.

The Hideaway Home Office

Our world will never be the same following the Covid-19 pandemic. We learned to do lots of things at home. Business has also been changed. Many companies saw the benefits of the remote work model and turned it into a temporary thing.

If you’re one of the lucky people who have the freedom to work from home, you definitely need a home office. The problem is that many Singaporean flats lack the space required to dedicate to a professional area that’s well-designed and distraction-free.

The hideaway home office is a perfect solution for this problem.

The term refers to an area that can be concealed effortlessly or that’s positioned in an inconspicuous way. A little corner or a nook, for example, can easily be transformed into a home office. For the best result, seek a space that can’t be utilised in any other way. Turning it into a functional corner will add more value to your flat and provide opportunities to extend functionality.

Using multi-purpose furniture or movable partitions to create a hideaway home office also rank among the excellent ideas that many interior designers will employ over the course of 2023. Such solutions deliver a ton of flexibility and while they may be expensive (chances are that you’ll need to order custom pieces to match the available space), you will get to enjoy an excellent return on investment.

Over the course of 2023, we will see a focus on sustainable, comfortable, harmonious and distinctive interior design. Classics will make a strong comeback and homeowners will enjoy the freedom to personalise in any way they fancy. As interior designers, we are excited about the possibilities and the extent to which interior design projects can be elevated and tailored.

Contact Home Guide now if you want to enjoy brighter, happier and more exciting home in 2023. Working together with our interior design team and home renovation contractor, we will give you the dream space that you’ve always fancied but never considered actually bringing to reality.

Barbiecore interior design came to the spotlight in 2022 and the trend’s still going strong despite being called “too much” by some experts. And too much it definitely is. That’s precisely what draws some people to barbiecore interior design and turns them into dedicated fans for life.

The name has probably given you an idea about this interior design style but what’s the essence of barbiecore? Answering this question will help you decide for yourself whether to embrace the trend or cancel it completely.

What’s Barbiecore Interior Design

Inspired by the world’s most famous doll, barbiecore interior design is a part of a brand new obsession with Barbie. Numerous stores and brands have taken on the Barbie aesthetic, adding it to their collections or creating specialised pieces.

Candy-coloured and super cute, barbiecore interior design is an essential element in that cultural phenomenon. Various designers have embraced the real dollhouse aesthetic that barbiecore brings to the picture.

Barbiecore interior design is whimsical, a bit naïve and filled with sugar. It’s very pink and very playful in a girly kind of way. Because of its nature, barbiecore is definitely not a good choice for those who love everything neutral. Rather, it will be embraced by people who want to make a statement and who are even considered a little bit eccentric.

While it may seem like something too kitschy and out there, barbiecore is shaking things up in the interior design world for a reason.

Why Is Barbiecore Trending?

A few developments play a role in the current popularity of barbiecore interior design.

This type of interior design creates a dream, taking you back to your childhood. It’s reminiscent of days when most people were feeling free, happy and excited about life. Essentially, barbiecore is about a lot more than just a doll. It makes a statement in a world that’s riddled with so many troublesome developments. Barbiecore creates an escape that’s fun and sweet, the kind of escape that many busy and stressed out people need.

We’ve talked a lot about the power of interior design to affect mood and mental health. That’s the reason why barbiecore is here to stay, even if most people can’t really understand or approve this aesthetic.

It’s also important to point out that barbiecore can have degrees and nuances. Some people will embrace the all-pink concept. Others will choose pastel tones that are candy-coloured and that create a similar fantasy world without being in your face. While it may seem initially that no variations and personal interpretations are possible with barbiecore, this isn’t really the case.

How to do Barbiecore?

Do you feel kind of intrigued by this home décor idea? If so, consider adapting barbiecore to your lifestyle and the specifics of your flat.

You don’t have to go all in to enjoy a bit of Barbie positivism. The simplest way to test out the concept includes the selection of one big, prominent décor item that corresponds to the aesthetic.

For example, you can have a bright pink sofa in an otherwise neutral living room. Or if your sofa spots a more “normal” colour, choose fuchsia pillows to have a much-needed accent piece that will never go unnoticed.

You can also work with different shades of pink. Bubble gum pink, neons, darker tones (think of raspberries) and even pinks that border on yellowish and orange tones are a good choice. If you look for shades of pink online, you’ll be surprised by the amazing variety that the colour brags. From champagne pink to orchid pink, you definitely have a lot to work with.

And if going big isn’t your thing, choose small details. These can still make an impact if you’re strategic about the selection and its placement.

To have a up the stylishness, opt for natural materials like dark wood and natural stone. A pink trim on the coffee table will be playful enough to contrast the rest of the contemporary neutrality without appearing aggressive or tacky.

We have one final tip for you – when in doubt, talk to the experts. With an experienced home interior designer in Singapore with a good residential interior design portfolio barbiecore stylish and tailored to address your needs. Home Guide’s team will love working on such an assignment – a challenge that’s fun and filled with potential at the same time. Contact Home Guide now and let’s begin work on your dream home together.