An average home renovation is far from a cheap endeavour.  The cost depends on many things and the scope of the upgrade is probably most important. Anyone who’s thinking about comprehensive remodelling is probably wondering about the price tag.

But the cost itself isn’t enough of a concern on its own and without some context. It’s important to determine whether a certain upgrade is justified in terms of return on investment and comfort it’s going to deliver. If you don’t know how to decide whether a renovation is worth the money spent, here’s how to find out.

Think about the Potential ROI

The term return on investment (ROI) refers to the profitability of an investment. In other words, how fast will a home renovation pay itself off and start delivering financial benefits?

Here’s an example to help you understand the calculation better.

Let’s say you decide to spend on low-flow (water conservation) accessories for the bathroom. These deliver a return on investment that stems from the increased consumption efficiency and reduction in the water bill you’re going to get.

A low-flow sink, for example, can reduce the flow of water by about 30 per cent. A low flow toilet saves even more water. Conservative estimates show it pays itself off in about seven years, after which you will be enjoying the money saved.

The same logic can be applied to any other home upgrade – new windows and doors, insulation, kitchen appliances, HVAC systems, etc. Don’t just look at the current price. Put that in perspective and consider how the renovation is going to affect your spending habits in the long run. If you’re going to enjoy some savings and cost reductions in the year to come, a home upgrade is definitely worth the money spent.

Quality of Life Upgrades

The way in which a home renovation improves your life quality is a bit less tangible than the ROI you can actually measure.

Yet, this is the second important thing you’ll have to consider before spending your money on anything.

Just think about an aspect of the renovation and the manner in which it’s going to impact your lifestyle.

Let’s go through one more example to illustrate the concept. Imagine you’re renovating a guest bedroom and you install spectacular marble floors there. Marble is definitely a beautiful, exquisite material. The fact that it’s installed in the guest bedroom, however, should make you wonder about the need for such an investment. If you don’t use that space too much yourself, chances are that you’re not going to experience noticeable improvements in your quality of life.

Thus, the biggest spending should be concentrated on the home areas that you use the most. Think about problems and missed opportunities you’re currently dealing with. Having an upgrade tackling those issues in the most comprehensive way will make both practical and financial sense.

Thinking Long Term

Near-sightedness is a very big problem when it comes to realistically assessing the value of a renovation.

The final thing you have to do to decide if an investment is justified is to consider the long-term perspective.

Perhaps you’re spending a lot of money on a thorough upgrade now. But if that upgrade is going to save you money on maintenance and repairs in the years to come, it’s definitely worth taking on. Just consider the warranties you’re going to get for both materials and craftsmanship. These give you a pretty good idea about the problem-free lifespan of a certain home update.

Also, think about how long you plan to live in the respective home.

Are you planning to start a family soon, a life choice that will necessitate a move to a bigger space in a couple of years? If that’s the case, investing in expensive home upgrades right now to enjoy in the future doesn’t really make sense. You’ll be much better off saving some money and investing that amount in the acquisition and the renovation of a new family home.

Final Verdict

The worth of a home upgrade isn’t 100 per cent objective – you have to think about the actual ROI and the way in which your lifestyle is going to be impacted.

Generally, remodelling projects worth taking on are the ones bound to fix design, structural or functional flaws. They’re also the ones that can result in more comfortable and affordable living in the years to come.

As a person who isn’t a professional, you may lack the experience and the perspective to assess aspects of a renovation and the ways in which these are going to leave a print on the property (for good or for bad) in the future.

Home Guide’s experts are here to offer you a thorough consultation. Contact Home Guide if you need more clarity on different home upgrades and the financial effectiveness of those. Together, we will examine multiple renovation scenarios to determine the one that would make the most sense both in terms of ROI and lifestyle enhancements.

Get Insurance if You Don’t Have It Already

Here’s one final thing that will help you enjoy your brand new home without a single worry.

Consider some insurance in order to protect your property and get coverage for eventual damage.

Most of the time, a home renovation is an expensive endeavour. Of course, there are excellent promo offers but we’re talking about typical expenses. You’re investing in your flat and your iving space. Protecting that investment is very important if you don’t want to spend a lot of additional money on future repairs caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Home insurance is a must-have even if you’re not worried about eventual accidents and problems. It’s best to be prepared for a worst-case scenario than to be caught off-guard. Good and affordable insurance options do exist so you really don’t have a reason for skipping the step.

So, are you ready to plan and finalise the best home renovation of a lifetime? If so, contact Home Guide. We’ll be there during every step of the way, to guide you, give you professional know-how and execute every part of the renovation in a way that delivers exceptional results.

Focused and committed to the changes, you gave it all while the home renovation was ongoing. Now that the remodelling is completed, what do you need to do? You may feel as if in a vacuum, lacking the commitment or direction to finalise a few essentials in order to label the project done.

Still, there are several things you’ll need to engage in after a renovation. Handling these last few bits will give you peace of mind and the opportunity to relax, fully enjoying the fruit of your labour.

Do a Comprehensive Walk-Through One Last Time

Most reputable contractors will have you paying the last instalment after the renovation is completed.

Don’t rush to make that payment and call it a day. Instead, have a last walk-through to observe both the big picture and the details.

It’s a good idea to give yourself a day or two after the renovation is completed. Distancing yourself from the job that has been done will give you a fresh perspective and a chance to spot issues you previously didn’t pinpoint.

Go through the project specs and the agreement before doing the walk-through. Make sure the contractors have completed every single process listed on paper. If you feel unhappy or dubious about a certain aspect of the renovation, bring it up before paying. It’s better to postpone the finalisation of the project a little bit than to accept the finished product and have regrets for years to come.

Think about Deep Cleaning

While contractors will usually handle construction left-overs and dispose of them, you’ll still need to carry out a thorough, deep cleaning.

Depending on the type of renovation you’ve had completed, chances are there’s a lot of fine dust and debris everywhere. Vacuum cleaning and dusting once isn’t going to cut it.

You will need to plan for some comprehensive and in-depth cleaning immediately after the remodelling. For best results, do hire professionals. These people have the knowledge and the equipment needed to get rid of fine, stubborn and pesky construction waste.

If you do choose the DIY route, be prepared for lots of work. You’ll need to go over the flat a number of times in order to get it spotlessly clean. For most people, that’s not an option or they’ll simply end up being dissatisfied with the results.

No matter what option you choose, make sure that the space is spotless before bringing furniture and accessories in. Once these get in place, cleaning will become a mission impossible.

Air New Spaces

Even if contractors use sustainable, safe materials, there will still be that construction smell in the air. It will linger on for a fairly long time and you’ll definitely need to do something about it immediately.

Good ventilation and airing rooms on a daily basis will both help you improve the situation quickly.

It’s best to get an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Not only will it guarantee good air quality in the years to come, it will also trap dust and particles left over from the construction. Get the air purifier working non-stop for a couple of days before moving in the space.

Open windows are also your best friends in this situation.

Keep in mind that airing the space isn’t going to work before you complete the clean-up. If there are traces of construction materials and chemicals left behind, you’ll be dealing with the symptoms rather than the root cause of the problem itself.

Come Up with a Maintenance Timeframe

This is another practical thing you may want to do with your contractors before ending the project. In fact, you can use the final walkthrough to address this aspect of keeping your space in a pristine condition.

There are some tasks you need to complete regularly as a homeowner. For example, natural stone has to be re-sealed periodically, you’ll need to do re-caulking in a few years and wooden floors have to be re-finished every seven to 10 years.

Ask your renovation team about these processes – the time’s perfect to use their know-how and plan for some future upgrades. Knowing how often to engage in these maintenance jobs will help maintain the quality of expensive materials and finishes.

Get Insurance if You Don’t Have It Already

Here’s one final thing that will help you enjoy your brand new home without a single worry.

Consider some insurance in order to protect your property and get coverage for eventual damage.

Most of the time, a home renovation is an expensive endeavour. Of course, there are excellent promo offers but we’re talking about typical expenses. You’re investing in your flat and your iving space. Protecting that investment is very important if you don’t want to spend a lot of additional money on future repairs caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Home insurance is a must-have even if you’re not worried about eventual accidents and problems. It’s best to be prepared for a worst-case scenario than to be caught off-guard. Good and affordable insurance options do exist so you really don’t have a reason for skipping the step.

So, are you ready to plan and finalise the best home renovation of a lifetime? If so, contact Home Guide. We’ll be there during every step of the way, to guide you, give you professional know-how and execute every part of the renovation in a way that delivers exceptional results.

Does it seem like your home office is missing something? Perhaps a cool and functional décor piece that will give everything a modern twist? If you’re wondering about the possibilities, consider the selection of a glass floor mat.

Is this something you’re learning about for the very first time? You’ve been missing on a lot. Glass floor mats have become a big trend (just check out Pinterest and Instagram) because they’re sleek, sophisticated and they also serve a very specific purpose.

What’s a Glass Floor Mat?

As the name suggests, this is a mat made of glass that’s meant to go on top of the floor and underneath your office chair (or another piece of furniture that has legs).

Product specifics may depend on quality. These mats, however, are often made from tempered glass or another reinforced material. As a result, the mat is scratch-proof, crack-proof and capable of withstanding lots of weight (and movement).

Sometimes, glass chair mats are completely transparent. Some designs may have a bit of a tint. Choosing one or the other is all about the visual you’re going for. A completely transparent mat is good to put over a beautiful carpet. The tinted one becomes a part of the interior design and can work with other colours in the home office.

Glass floor mats are an upgrade from office floor mats made of plastic. Their predecessor was mainly targeting affordability and convenience. Glass mats are much more beautiful and much more durable. While they necessitate a bigger upfront investment, these pieces produce a much better return over the years.

Reasons Why You Need a Glass Floor Mat

So, why exactly should you think about the addition of a glass floor mat to your home office?

Let’s start with the obvious one – a chair mat will protect your flooring. Hardwood floors are very prone to scratches and dents, especially when you go through repetitive movements every single day. Very often, the floor underneath an office chair is scratched and stripped from varnish/sealant. Getting the floor renovated is a lot more expensive than protecting it through the addition of a floor mat.

The same applies to carpets, especially thicker ones. Repetitive movements can damage the fibres – something you definitely don’t want with an expensive office rug.

Glass mats are also very smooth and easy to glide over. Some manufacturers claim this property makes them healthier than hard floors. The idea here is that the mat lowers the strain on joints and your back when you’re moving around in the chair.

As already mentioned, tempered glass is scratch and dent-resistant. It will remain in good condition for many years to come. This property makes it an affordable and sustainable choice. If sustainability is your primary thing, you’ll be happy to find out that many glass mats are made from recycled glass.

When speaking about benefits, we also need to mention the shortcomings of getting such a piece for your home office. The number one issue with glass floor mats is that they’re heavy. Hence, you will need some help with the installation. Also, the glass can get stained easily. Regular cleaning and maintenance are very important if you’d like such a piece to look pristine and presentable.

Tips for Adding a Glass Floor Mat to Your Home Office

Do you like the idea of having such a piece of protective gear in your home office? If so, you’re probably wondering about the interior design tips that will help you make the most of your brand new acquisition.

The first and most obvious thing to do is think about the size. It will depend on how much you “travel” in your office chair. A mat that is too small will restrict your movement. A very large one will cover up a large portion of the beautiful floor without protecting anything (plus it will give you a bigger area to clean on the regular).

Next, think about the thickness of the mat – yes, there are options.

Obviously, the thicker the mat is, the heavier it’s going to be. The added weight, however, will contribute to the protective properties of the mat. Thicker mats are recommended for carpeted floors. A thinner one will work well on hard materials like wood and tiles.

You also have the choice of different mat shapes. Square and rectangular mats are obvious choices but they’re not the only ones. Circular and elliptical mats have a smoother appearance and can fit better in certain home offices (ones that feature streamlined and ergonomic pieces). In some instances, more unorthodox shapes will also be available or you can have the mat custom-cut to meet your specific needs.

Finally, we recommend getting a clear mat to showcase the beauty of the floor underneath. A transparent one is less obtrusive than tinted choices. Plus, this is one less thing to worry about when choosing interior design elements for your study.

If you need help with a home interior design concept thatt includes a home office,  contact Home Guide. We know what it takes to create an environment that’s beautiful and conducive of productivity at the same time.

Who’s your favourite celebrity and how much do you know about their lifestyle? Have you checked out the magazines for more information on their home? Have you secretly imagined yourself in a luxurious, celebrity-inspired space?

Getting the look of a celebrity home doesn’t have to cost you millions. It’s much more about clever choices, effective styling, the selection of the right materials and colours. Working with an experienced Singapore interior design teams can deliver results beyond what you would have considered possible.

And if you’re looking for some basic tips to introduce the celebrity concept to your living space, look no further.

Choose Unique Furniture Pieces

Here’s the biggest secret of achieving the celebrity look in your home – the rich and famous usually don’t go for mass-manufactured pieces.

Many celebrities and their designers choose custom furniture, antique items, collectables and one of a kind décor pieces.

The best way to achieve the same “status” in your home involves hunting for treasures that don’t look as if they could be discovered in about 100 furniture stores.

Again – it’s about the look and not the price tag. You don’t need designer furniture to get the feel of expensive, artistic uniqueness. Just choose funky, exciting items with a bit of personality. If they match your aesthetics and they feel quirky/different/authentic, you can certainly bring them home.

Vintage stores will give you access to so many incredible finds worth treasuring in the years to come. It’s even possible to come across authentic antiques that are beyond reasonably priced.

Alternatively, get furniture custom created for you. This is an especially good idea if you like a certain designer item that you can’t afford. A carpenter can create an option carrying a similar spirit at a fraction of the cost.

Have Fun with Art

Art is another beautiful element that can add uniqueness to your space.

There are no rules when it comes to artwork selection. In other words, you don’t need a genuine Picasso to make your home look lavish and expensive.

It’s up to you to decide whether you’re going to honour the work of a talented local artist or if you’re going to get a print of an acclaimed piece that you really enjoy. Furthermore, you don’t have to limit the choice to paintings alone. Sketches, posters (even vintage ones), photographs, sculptural pieces, woodcarvings – all of them can add some colour and uniqueness to the space being decorated.

With art, it’s important to be selective and to curate the pieces that you display. Don’t go for quantity. Choose a couple of really impactful and meaningful artworks to display in your home. Make them the star of the show – keep the rest of the design clean and minimal. When featured alongside interesting furniture pieces, artworks can really elevate a rather simple interior design concept.

Luxurious Fabrics

A couple of textile décor elements also have the power to stand out. Curtains rank among the most impressive ones.

If you have the budget for it, choose curtains made of lavish fabrics like velvet, linen and even silk.

The very same concept can be used in the bedroom – one of the places that feature the most textiles. High quality bedsheets, spreads and duvets don’t just look good. They’ll also give you a ton of comfort and a chance to relax wholesomely in the end of a busy way. If there’s one thing to splurge on when decorating, linens would be it.

Opulent Chandeliers, Modern Light Fixtures

What’s the one thing that stands out when a celebrity home walkthrough is shown on TV? Usually, there’s a massive chandelier hanging in the mansion’s entryway. It makes an immediate statement and its sparkles are impossible to miss.

Light fixtures are very important for both functional and aesthetic reasons. A beautiful chandelier is a piece that can instantly turn a simple room into a luxurious one. There’s simply something incredibly attractive in the way that the chandelier elements reflect the light and glitter like pieces of jewellery.

If a traditional heavy chandelier isn’t your thing and you’d like to go for a modern celebrity home, approach light fixture selection in the way you’d pick furniture.

Avant-garde, modern pieces that don’t look cookie cutter are the safest bet. Luckily, stores today offer a huge range of light fixtures – from simple and modest to very impactful. But don’t just look at the shell and the exterior. The way in which a fixture is going to interact with the light will also need to be considered. You need a well-lit home that has a warm glow. Hence, fixtures that have a dimming or a dulling effect aren’t optimal (unless you’re choosing those to create some ambiance lighting).

Don’t Get Too Caught Up on Replicating a Concept

Trying to replicate your favourite celebrity’s home in your flat to a tee is only going to cheapen the concept.

You have to select improvements that are personalised and that match the specifics of the space.

A celebrity home is more about the spirit and much less about the individual pieces (or their price).

If you don’t know how to create a comprehensive idea that works well with your flat, call for some reinforcements. Home Guide’s home renovation team knows what it takes to add a touch of luxury to interior design. Contact Home Guide now and you’ll soon be diving deep into the celebrity experience.

Allergies are on the rise worldwide, studies show, and Singapore isn’t an exception from the trend. Global warming and living in overly-clean and sanitised environments both contribute to such developments, researchers believe.

As per the latest data, over 13 per cent of people in Singapore suffer from hay fever. Dust mite allergies are also very common –  nearly 80 per cent of allergic episodes are attributed to those. Asthma patients are even more sensitive – 85 per cent of them are also allergic to dust mites.

Even if you’re not an suffering from any allergies, you may still worry about exposure that may develop into allergies in the future. Protecting young children and the elderly from allergens is a very good idea. Luckily, you can accomplish the goal through the power of clever home interior design.

Let’s Start With Floor Selection

We often bring allergens inside with our shoes. Additionally, mold can grow on many surfaces and it can aggravate allergy symptoms. Even people who don’t suffer from allergies should not be exposed to mold. Exposure to large amounts can lead to wheezing, breathing difficulties, skin itchiness and rashes, watery eyes, fatigue and even chronic headaches.

The right kind of flooring is important to keep mould growth at bay. Floors cover the entire surface area of the flat. Hence, they need to be made of a mould-resistant material. Also, you don’t want carpeting and textiles that may trap allergens and keep them inside.

Hardwood floors are considered an excellent anti-allergen type of flooring. When treated correctly, hardwood also reduces the risk of mould appearance. Tiles and natural stone will also reduce the risk of mould appearance (plus they’re so easy to clean).

Bamboo is another good choice and it has natural antibacterial properties. As far as textiles go, choose short-pile rather than fluffy rugs if you need to have some of those. Wool and sisal are two other great choices that do not trap allergens and can be cleaned effortlessly via a regular vacuuming session.

Say Goodbye To Curtains

As already mentioned, textiles are the main culprit behind allergen accumulation in the home. Switching to hard floors is one way to address the issue. Getting rid of those heavy curtains is another good idea.

Curtains, regardless of fabric, can attract dust, dirt, allergens. This is especially true for heavier curtains that have several layers.

If you want an option that’s easier to clean and much more practical, choose blinds.

Blinds today are as diversified in appearance as curtains. Venetian blinds, roller shades, micro blinds and panel blinds are just a few of the choices. Some are made of lightweight textiles, some are crafted from metal. There are even blinds made to resemble other materials. Faux wood blinds look so realistic you’ll find it nearly impossible to tell the difference.

You can find blinds in all colours and patterns to match the rest of your interior design. There are even anti-dust mite and anti-allergen options on the market that are treated in way to reduce the risk of unwanted particles sticking to the surface.

Declutter

Allergens need surfaces to accumulate on.

If you have lots of stuff just thrown around, you increase the risk of allergens remaining on surfaces instead of being cleaned.

Clutter makes it so easy for dust to pile up. Thus, you need to consider smart storage solutions and ways to get rid of all knickknacks currently covering the surfaces.

Not only will smart storage help you get rid of allergens, it will also let rooms breathe. You’ll benefit from more space, a less chaotic environment and a chance to boost the functional appeal of your flat. Having a small apartment is no excuse. We’ve already given you a number of ideas to add smart storage to a space-starved flat.

Keep Nasties Out of Your Home

In order to reduce the need to address allergens when they get inside your home, think about ways to seal unwanted particles out of your living space.

It’s very easy for allergens and dirt to enter your space through window gaps or gaps underneath the door. Getting those properly sealed will reduce allergen exposure significantly.

Do check older rubber seals on windows and doors for mould – it’s possible for them to provide the perfect conditions for allergen proliferation. If that’s the case, you’ll need to replace old sealants immediately.

On a simpler note, you can use a few incredibly inexpensive pieces to keep allergens out of your home. A well-designed doormat is an example of such a cheap piece of home décor. High quality doormats trap a lot of dust and allergens, even when people don’t go through particularly vigorous shoe cleaning.

Prioritise Leather Furniture

Just like carpets and curtains, certain types of upholsteries are absolute allergen magnets.

Choose furniture materials carefully to simplify cleaning.

Leather is an excellent choice for allergy-conscious flat owners. It’s very easy to clean, plus it doesn’t let particles stick to the surface. Quality leather is available in many colours and it’s a super durable material. While you’ll need to spend a serious amount on leather furniture, you’ll get an excellent return on investment.

To make your home healthy place to live in, you have to be strategic about interior design. Let us help and guide you through the process. Contact Home Guide if you’d like to focus on healthy, wholesome living that also prioritises elegance.

Creating a focal point in the living room, the bedroom or a kid’s room is easy with an area rug. It unifies an interior design idea, ties elements together and draws attention to the part of the space where it is placed.

Area rugs come in different shapes, they can be made of various materials and they’ll also brag different colours/patterns. Choosing the right one depends on a few things. Should it be colourful and visually striking? Should you choose a simpler one, using it as a way to highlight more ornate pieces?

Both approaches can work but you have to pay attention to the big picture. An area rug doesn’t work on its own – it creates a zone alongside furniture pieces and other decorative elements.

This being said, several area rug trends work really well in numerous flats. If you’re seeking expert recommendations and intriguing concepts to bring to your home, you’ll find several suggestions in the following guide.

Authentic Vintage Rugs

Vintage rugs are an absolute treasure. If you ever come across one, do cherish its authenticity and stunning design.

Vintage rugs can be executed in Persian style, they can be art deco, art nouveau, Indian, Turkish, Aubusson rugs, Moroccan, kilim rugs, Ottoman embroidery rugs and so many others.

Recognising an authentic vintage rug isn’t easy. The intricate Persian rug is so popular and sought-after that it will often be counterfeited. Generally speaking, authentic vintage rugs are made by hand and they look very different from machine-manufactured carpets. If you don’t know how to judge authenticity, you may want to leave the task of vintage rug selection to an interior designer.

Alternatively, if authenticity isn’t that important, choose a vintage rug that you simply like. The quality of the decorative patterns and the colours should simply be a good match to the rest of the interior that the rug will be added to.

Environmentally-Friendly Area Rugs

Sustainability has been in vogue for some time now. It can be evident in various home décor elements, including the area rug.

A sustainable rug is a good choice for a green home. Environmentally-friendly materials and techniques aren’t just good for nature, they can also benefit the inhabitants of a flat. The absence of harsh chemicals and synthetic colourants is a good thing. Especially if you have kids or you’re suffering from conditions like respiratory diseases.

Plant-based rugs made of jute, sisal, linen and even sea grass are all excellent and very durable sustainable choices. Opt for rugs dyed with natural colours.

Such rugs come in many shapes and sizes. They also have different thickness and textures. As an added benefit, you’ll get an item that’s completely biodegradable and that has a very low carbon footprint.

Textured Area Rugs

Just like colour and pattern, texture can make a statement in the world of interior design.

A fluffy, shaggy texture is comforting. The texture of suede and velvet, on the other hand, invokes feelings of luxury and sophistication.

Textured area rugs create a large tactile surface and also deliver a bit of visual interest. This is especially important in a minimalist interior designed home dominated by smooth and clean surfaces. Minimalist doesn’t have to be sterile. You can still feature some cosiness in the right elements and an area rug provides an ideal opportunity.

Animal hides and faux-hides give you the perfect example of a textured area rug that will never go unnoticed. The same applies to wool, fur, faux fur, silk (a very high maintenance material, be careful with such choices!) and plush.

Rug Layering

Who says you should be counting on one area rug when you could be featuring a couple of those in the same spot?

Rug layering is a next-level approach that results in unparalleled visual interest.

To make layering work, you have to pay attention to size, scale, material and colour compatibility. It’s a lot to pay attention to. If you don’t have a keen eye for detail, however, you could end up with an absolute mess.

Flatweave rugs, for example, are ideal for layering. They’re tightly woven and very often –reversible. A flatweave rug can be executed in many colours – from bright to subdued. Thus, featuring a neutral and a saturated flatweave rug on top of each other will give you a visual that works well.

If you want to try layering for a more dramatic effect but you don’t know what you’re doing, get the professionals to help you out. An interior designer knows exactly what it takes to make two seemingly different pieces to work together harmoniously.

Contemporary Area Rugs

If vintage isn’t your thing, opt for modern.

Contemporary area rugs are usually more functional, streamlined and cleaner.

They offer comfort without being very noticeable. Because of these qualities, a contemporary area rug is ideal to use with standout pieces of furniture and décor.

Contemporary is a general term and you’ll find a wide range of options under the umbrella. While neutral and muted colours dominate, they aren’t the only choices.

Area rugs can be a lot of fun to play with, especially if most of your home features hard flooring materials. Contact Home Guide to explore the power of these pieces and seek overall assistance in bringing a very specific interior design concept to life.

Deciding to display artwork on your walls gives you many directions to explore. Murals provide a wholesome opportunity to do something different and make art much more prominent in your flat.

A mural is any artwork that’s painted directly onto the wall. As such, it can be a lot bigger and much more impactful than a painting or a photograph.

Because of the pronounced effect, however, adding a mural can become an absolute disaster to the interior design of the home if done incorrectly. There are a few basic rules to follow when choosing murals in order to make them work well with the rest of the interior design without blending in.

Start With Place Selection

Mural placement is very important.

As already mentioned, a mural is created to stand out and be noticeable. Thus, you need to choose a part of the flat that ensures enough visibility. Also, that area should be fairly deprived of other standout pieces. A mural can be minimised through placement and unless that’s something you want to achieve intentionally, make sure that the piece is the star of the show.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a wall that’s not obstructed by furniture and fixtures. It’s also a good idea to refrain from hanging other art pieces nearby.

If you have a lengthy hallway that opens into the living room, you’ll definitely benefit from the placement of a mural there.  Usually, hallways have no windows or other obstructions that stand in the way of the art piece.

You may also want to select a wall that gets enough sunlight (opposite a window) in order to naturally highlight the colours of the mural.

Nothing Overly-Complicated

While murals can be quite intricate, choose a simpler design for your home.

An intricate, large painting on a wall can be difficult to observe and savour in its full glory at a close distance. Such murals are best when painted on exterior walls. Inside a home, a complex design can start looking very busy and even claustrophobic.

A more simplistic design will work better. Pick a theme and a minimal composition to represent it. There can still be some ornaments and intricate patterns. Just make sure there aren’t too many of those fighting for attention. A single ornamental element (like leaves on a vine, for example) executed throughout the mural will create some cohesiveness and give you beautiful details without looking too busy.

Intricate and complex murals can work in large flats but there is still the risk of overdoing the artwork. If you’re adamant on featuring such wall art in your place, consult a professional mural painter and an interior designer. These two professionals can pick the size, scale and the colour scheme that will work best within the room you’ve chosen for mural placement.

Get The Wall Prepped and Protect the Art Piece

Mural creation isn’t just about the painting itself. There’s a preparatory step and a final process that both need to occur for the artwork to be fully protected.

Wall preparation involves painting with a primer or applying a base coat for the mural. Also, make sure there’s no damage to the wall and if you need to, deal with some caulking to fill in gaps. This is something you can execute on your own in order to save some money. Many painters include the preparatory step in their service fee so inquire before attempting a DIY project.

Murals also need to be protected from the elements, even if they’re located inside.

Protective coating and varnishes should be applied on top of the painting. These protective layers eliminate the risk of damage due to moisture and sunlight exposure. They protect the colours and their brightness in the long run.

If You Are Not An Artist, Leave It To The Professionals

Mural creation isn’t the same as applying a coat of paint. The job is a lot more intricate, a lot more difficult and specialised. When working on details, you can lose sight of the big picture. If this happens, the composition is going to lack balance and unity. Also, there’s always the risk of ending up with something that looks devastatingly amateurish.

Professionals know how to come up with the concept, how to compose, scale and translate that concept to the wall. They also have specialised paints and tools that result in impeccable visuals.

The DIY approach can be very expensive, especially if you commit various mistakes along the way. It’s a much better idea to share the concept with a professional and let them do their job.

If you’re confident that you want to have a mural in your flat, let your home interior design company know. An experienced interior designer works with various contractors and home improvement professionals. They’ll be capable of recommending the right expert for mural creation.

A mural is definitely worth looking into if you want something dramatic, artistic, unique and outstandingly beautiful to feature in your home. Contact Home Guide to work on such a bold vision for your space. We’ll embrace the concept and support it with the interior design that will let the mural shine. Learn about why Home Guide is the home interior design and home renovation partner you should work with.

Trying to renovate and furnish a small flat like a 2-room BTO often seems like mission impossible. Chances are that you feel pressured to give up on things you enjoy because there isn’t enough space to accommodate everything. Deciding about abandoning certain elemnts you’ve previously considered important isn’t easy.

The good news is that giving up pieces of furniture can have an amazingly liberating effect. On top of that, you can ditch certain elements completely guilt-free because they’ll be doing very little for the functional and aesthetic appeal of a space-starved flat.

Oversized, Bulky Pieces

A massive couch has become synonymous with comfort but that’s not the case.

You don’t need a bulky, chunky, over-stuffed piece to enjoy amazingly relaxing seating. A streamlined sofa will do just as well.

The secret of a comfortable couch is the shape and size of the pillows/cushions. Proper softness and support work together to deliver the relaxing experience everybody craves in the end of a busy day.

So, instead of looking for fluffy and large, go ahead and test a couple of sofas in a furniture store by seating and trying to get comfy. You may be surprised by the cosiness some of the minimalist pieces deliver.

Entertainment Centre

In the past, larger entertainment centres made a lot of sense.

Television sets used to be bulkier and they needed solid shelving/wooden surfaces for support. There were additional pieces like DVDs, VCRs, speakers and movie collections (whether on tapes or DVDs). These have pretty much become extinct and you solely need a streamlined, flat-screen TV.

So, unless you’re a massive gadget fan who has lots of audio and video equipment, a giant, bulky entertainment centre doesn’t make sense.

Even if you have enough space for such a setup, you can still replace the entertainment centre with open shelving. It will look lighter and neater. Open shelving is also a good idea if you don’t need a solid wooden construction that will overpower the entire living room.

A Vanity or a Bedside Table

Small bedrooms can be a real challenge because in a traditional setup, you’ll have to feature various massive pieces – a bed, a closet, a chest of drawers, a vanity and two bedside tables.

Some of these pieces can be ditched and you’re not going to lose any functionality.

Alternatively, you can use one item that serves several purposes.

Having a vanity placed next to the side of the bed will result in its intended purpose while also doubling as a bedside table.

You can also use a regular desk next to the bed. It will give you a large enough area for the placement of some essentials (a light, books, a clock, personal care items) while also giving you a study or work corner.  Thinking of two purposes for a single space is the best way to make the most of a tiny flat.

Dining Table and Chairs

Is your flat lacking a separate dining area? In that case, get rid of the traditional dining table and chair set. These occupy way too much space you shouldn’t be taking away from another purpose.

Do you have a kitchen island separating this room from the living area? The island can turn into the perfect spot for socialising and sharing a meal. Just get a few tall chairs and you’ll be good to go.

Alternatively, a foldable table can be placed in the kitchen (mounted on a wall, for example) and it can be pulled out only when needed. Smart, multi-purpose and hideaway furniture pieces give you lots of flexibility. Be creative and think about solutions that work with your space. Chances are that such solutions have already been developed and they’re easy to buy.

Separate Beds for Kids

Giving two or more kids enough space in a small flat is the most daunting task a parent’s going to face. Having kids sharing the same room results in an even bigger nightmare.

Relax and take a breath, there are things you can do to ensure everybody’s satisfaction.

Beds take up lots of horizontal space because they’re big pieces (even if you choose minimalist designs). There’s a simple rule you can follow in order to address the problem – go vertical. It works for storage units and it’s also going to work for beds.

Bunk beds provide the perfect opportunity. They’re comfy, they can be very stylish and they live lots of room for the placement of desks, wardrobes, storage units and other essentials.

A similar approach will work well in the guest room. You may want to think about bunk beds that feature built-in storage units if you’d like to save up on some more space.

Contact Home Guide if you want a home interior design company in Singapore with the experience and skills to transform any space of any size into a place you can call your dream home. Home Guide is the the only home renovation contractor in Singapore that you need to make your dream home become a reality!

When it comes to home interior design in Singapore,  aesthetics, style and current trends are factors where we usually focus on in the early stage of planning. One important factor that usually gets forgotten – personality. Your home will look like a beautiful shot from an interior design magazine but without personality, it will lack soul.

Infusing personality in a home interior design project while still following the rules of good design isn’t easy. You’ll have to strike a really fine balance between doing what’s reflective of you and choosing the solutions that enhance the parameters of the living space.

Working with a Singapore home interior design company is the best way to get functional and beautiful results that still exudes your personality, your soul, your essence.  Some of the approaches professionals use to infuse personality in their work include the following.

Make Heirlooms and Collectibles Central

Do you possess family heirlooms like solid, authentic pieces of furniture, tapestries or handcrafted accessories? Are you a collector or do you have beautiful family pictures that you’d like to display proudly throughout the flat?

Such items are unique due to the fact they’re linked to your heritage, interests and life.

One of the easiest ways to personalise home décor involves turning such pieces into the focus that all other interior design choices revolve around.

For example, you can create an entire gallery wall that displays your favourite pictures. Choose a frame design and style that ties nicely into the interior design trend that you’re going to be exploring throughout the flat. Alternatively, you can choose a colour that matches the rest of the palette. This way, you will be putting emphasis on what matters to you the most and you’ll be using the rest of the décor as supportive pieces.

Be Your Own Art Curator

Your personal style will shine through in the most powerful way if you choose the art for your home.

This may seem like a daunting task for many people, which is why they’ll leave art selection to the interior design pros. After all, knowing what paintings are of actual great quality isn’t that easy.

Art doesn’t have to be threatening. Looking at and exploring its merits is a purely subjective process. When you look at a few pictures, you instantly know which ones you’re drawn to and which ones don’t tug on your heartstrings.

Stop thinking about art quality or depth. Just concentrate on what you like, what makes you feel good. Such art is most probably a good reflection of your inner world.

Giving your interior designer a few art pieces to work with is going to make their task so much easier. An experienced professional in the realm of home décor will immediately know what you’re drawn to, which will facilitate the selection of the other design elements.

Let Personal Interests Be Part of The Home

A reflection of your personality doesn’t have to be visual – it can be functional.

This means creating functional zones and areas dedicated to some of your most favourite activities.

Do you enjoy a good novel every once in a while? A reading corner or a room will give you many lovely hours of relaxation if that’s the case. Or maybe you like working out? If so, think about setting up a home gym. You can also have a spot for doing yoga and meditations or the ideal kitchen for lots of delicious baking.

Having such a zone will instantly make the home décor personal and suited to your needs. Very often, it’s not about the decorations. Rather, interior design is about the lifestyle that you’d like to pursue every day.

Play with Textiles

Fabrics and textiles rank among the most powerful tools in your interior design personalisation arsenal.

That’s because you have the choice of colour, texture and pattern. All of these give lots of spirit to even the smallest of accents. Textiles give you the choice of being bold and daring or picking visuals that are inconspicuous yet stylish.

If you are a fan of comfort and spending cosy time at home, choose shaggy and textured fabrics like velvet, for example. These are so fun to touch and they’ll instantly make you feel relaxed.

Lovers of nature can select florals and materials like cotton and linen. A few rope accents can also work really well to break up monotony and inject spirit into the whole execution.

Have Custom Pieces Made for You

Our final tip is to always curate the items that come into your home. Very often, less is more – a few beautiful and well-made pieces can make a much bigger statement than a wide selection of mediocre knick-knacks.

High quality, antique furniture can really stand out. The same applies to custom-made pieces.

Customised furniture gives you value as it matches your home in an optimal way. You also have control over the quality of materials, size and furniture style.

If you have an empty space underneath a staircase, for example, you can order a custom-made shoe cabinet that has a triangular shape and that matches the space. You can also repurpose old furniture pieces or items of personal importance to you. Your child’s crib can easily be transformed into a bookcase. You’ll be keeping an item that you have an emotional connection to and you’ll be getting a unique item for your home.

As you can see, injecting personality in home décor can be subtle. When the right choice is made, you’ll be delivering a really powerful message. If you’d like some guidance or even comprehensive assistance, contact Home Guide. We can work on the project from A to Z, delivering the very specific concept that you have envisioned.

How much will a home renovation cost? What are the expenses linked to some of the essential aspects of carrying out a property upgrade? These are important questions all property owners ask before getting started with a home interior design project..

Unfortunately, the cost of renovation and construction has been increasing across the globe over the course of 2022. Singapore is far from an exception.

Why Are Renovations Becoming More Expensive in Singapore

More expensive materials and labour costs are both contributing to the overall price hike.

There have been multiple news reports recently on Singapore’s construction sector suffering from the lack of skilled employees. Not only has this issue increased the cost of construction, it has also slowed down the execution of numerous important projects. And while foreign workers have come into Singapore in an attempt to stabilise the sector, the absence of skilled labour is still a major issue.

A report published in Business Times also states that the price of core construction materials in Singapore is to continue being high over the coming few quarters.

Supply disturbances due to international affairs, as well as ongoing supply chain issues are both to blame for the situation. These have affected the availability and the cost of staples like steel, concrete, cement, bricks and wood.

According to financial analysts, the global recession and supply chain issues are likely to keep prices unreasonably high in the foreseeable future. By mid-March, for example, Singapore saw a 15 per cent increase in the cost of steel. By the end of the year, the growth in the price of the material is likely to remain at 12 per cent or even higher. For cement, the price growth by the end of 2022 is anticipated to reach the shocking 20 per cent.

All of this information sounds disheartening to those who are trying to bring their dream home to existence. Does the price hike mean waiting for the situation to normalise before starting a renovation? Not necessarily. Being smart and strategic about upgrades can help. Here are a few additional pointers and tips to bring down expenses.

Best Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Construction and Renovations

A report by The Straits Times suggests that since the start of 2022, all construction materials have become 30 per cent more expensive in Singapore on the average. With manpower shortages, this may seem like a hopeless situation. But if you need to carry out a renovation right now, you can still get the job done within a reasonable budget.

The first and most important thing you need to do is find the right contractor for the job.

A good team that’s driven by your best interest will recommend the construction and renovation projects bound to deliver the best results at the most manageable cost. Carrying out DIY work right now is far from the best approach. You may think that you’re saving money but your absence of knowledge could end up costing you a lot. Also, you probably lack the professional networking opportunities that an experienced and properly licensed home renovation contractor company in Singapore benefits from. These often result in better prices and reductions than the ones available to general consumers.

Dedicate enough time to doing your research, asking questions and getting a few quotes to compare side by side. Going through this preliminary phase will give you a good idea about the market right now and what reasonable expectations are.

As always, check past work, credentials and licenses (including HDB licensing) before getting the project started. These requirements are universals and you shouldn’t make a compromise for the purpose of bringing down expenses. In other words, an offer that appears too good to be true probably is.

Another good practice is to start the planning process as early as possible. If you contact construction and renovation companies ahead of time, you can get a good understanding of the big picture and you could also enjoy some additional discounts.

Don’t hesitate to seek out promotional offers. Home Renovation Promotional packages like those developed by the Home Guide professionals are meant to deliver the best possible return on investment. These packages concentrate on the types of work that will produce an optimal upgrade and will eliminate unnecessary wastage of resources, cost and time. Don’t hesitate contacting Home Guide to find out more and learn about the numerous ways in which renovation expenses can be reduced. 

Regardless of the current complicated situation, life must go on. Don’t postpone your dreams – some reports suggest that the current economic crises could continue impacting global supply chains and costs until 2026 and even beyond.

Instead of waiting for better days, be smart and strategic.

You can do many things to make financially-savvy decisions that will move your projects forward. Do consider the right partnerships and home changes. Do take enough time to plan, inquire and modify aspects of the renovation that aren’t such a good idea. By involving yourself in these essential steps, you’re going to save money and you’ll also enjoy a much better outcome. The same applies to giving up on the DIY approach and letting the professionals handle all aspects of the renovation.