Interior design plays a vital role in many aspects of living. It’s crucial for wellness and proper relaxation. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, various home interior trends have come to reshape homes as we’re all spending more time in our residential spaces than ever before.
In this context, creating a home that exudes positivity and uplifts the mood has become even more important than ever.
What’s more positive than colours like yellow, orange and red?
Warm tones can instantly bring a smile to your face, especially if they’re used to brighten up spaces that are otherwise drab and bleak.
The best aspect of using warm tones is that you don’t need bright and obtrusive colours to achieve amazing results. Pastels can also bring a sense of cheerful warmth as their bolder counterparts.
Warm and sunny yellow or cheerful orange can also be introduced through accessories and textile elements like cushions, pillows and throw rugs.
There’s a ton of research about the way that nature affects mood and mental predisposition. Greenery is an absolute must-have if you want to feel happier when spending time at home.
Potted plants create a relaxing environment. Even if you feel stressed out, you’ll instantly become more relaxed when entering your urban “jungle.” There are so many easy to care for plants that you’ll get excellent results even if you’re not the most skilled gardener.
Bringing nature inside your home is possible through the utilisation of various other techniques.
Materials like wood, stone and rattan are all excellent. You can also incorporate seashells, pebbles and even tree roots into the artwork or accessories that you display in your home.
With a more pronounced focus on wellness, many interior designers are now recommending the addition of a meditation room or a relaxation corner to a residential space.
A meditation or zen corner doesn’t have to be big or detached from other spaces. It can be a part of the living room or the bedroom. Using movable partitions or paneling will create the sense of seclusion that’s required to slow down and focus on mindfulness.
Zen spaces are typically minimalist, clean and functional. Hence, you don’t need a large budget to execute such a project. Soft lights, a high quality mat, plants and scents can all give a meditation space the required personality. Everything else depends on personal preferences and the intended use of the zone.
It’s a well-known fact that clutter contributes to anxiety. If you want to feel happy and inspired at home, choose an interior design style that results in order, cleanliness and lots of available space. The minimalist interior design style is an excellent foundation from which you can start creating a home full of positivity.
Sustainability isn’t just about reducing utility bills. It can result in more comfortable living and it also delivers the fulfilment of knowing you’re doing something beneficial for yourself and for the environment.
There are lots of approaches towards green living you can employ, depending on the specifics of the flat and the residential building itself. If you don’t know how to approach such home improvements, get in touch with interior design professionals. They’ll go through the specifics of your living space to determine what’s going to work best and how the right solutions will enhance your life.
This is another trend that’s becoming so hot because of the positivity that it brings to living spaces. A library or a reading corner is a must-have if you want to detach yourself from reality every now and then.
Reading is a wonderful way to explore new worlds, satisfy your curiosity and expand your mindset. Luckily, you don’t need a large apartment to enjoy a reading space. Just like a meditation room, it can be a part of the living room or the bedroom. A library is also easy to place anywhere, including a hallway.
If you’re not a fan of reading, you can create a zone dedicated to your favourite activity or hobby – photography, art, solving puzzles or writing poetry. Just focus on an activity that makes you happy and make it focal for the respective area.
Contact Home Guide if you’re looking for positivity and inspiration in your home. It doesn’t take a lot to enjoy good vibes every single day of your existence. Also, you don’t need expensive or luxurious makeovers to make the most of a living space. Just think about your priorities and communicate those with your interior design team. The results will definitely wow you, especially if you pick experts with sufficient experience and a thoughtful, creative approach like Home Guide.
Prior the 1990s, wall-to-wall carpeting was pretty much the norm in homes across the globe. It created a sense of comfort and it was quite often used to make smaller spaces look bigger. Eventually, however, the trend faded. Accent pieces replaced wall-to-wall carpets, creating functional corners and giving spaces a visual focus.
Interestingly enough, wall-to-wall carpeting is making a comeback today.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, people are seeking lots of homey comfort once again. That’s precisely what wall-to-wall carpeting delivers. Since it covers the entire floor, however, there are some special considerations to go through before installing. Colour, texture and durability rank among the most important ones.
So, if you’re looking forward to introducing the trend in your home, here’s everything that you need to know.
Wall-to-wall carpeting may seem like a good idea but like any other interior design trend, it’s not perfect for every home.
On paper, installing a large piece of carpet across the entire floor may seem great. Once you complete the project, you may find maintenance a bit cumbersome. So, test out wall-to-wall carpeting in a smaller room that isn’t characterised by heavy foot traffic. This way, you’ll get to explore all pros and cons in real life, finding it easier to choose for the rest of your home.
A guest bedroom or a home office would be great for the test. They’re usually smaller and you wouldn’t have to spend a ton of money on the carpet. At the same time, such spaces can definitely benefit from the extra comfort that floor-to-floor carpeting is going to bring to the table.
If you love what the carpeting delivers to these spaces, you can continue with the execution to the rest of the home.
All carpets add some texture to the space. In some instances, the texture is a lot more pronounced. Shaggy carpets are ideal to sink your feet in but they may be an absolute nightmare to clean.
Choose a texture depending on the amount of time you can dedicate to home cleaning and maintenance.
Shorter fibres and synthetic materials are usually easier to clean. A fabric like polyester also gives you a lot of durability – a feature that makes it perfect for a high traffic area.
As a general rule of thumb, you should be vacuum cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting at least once per week. Professional deep cleaning once each year is also a good idea to keep the carpet looking fresh and clean.
Be careful about materials like velvet and corduroy because they attract and trap lots of lint and dust. These can be a nightmare to clean, even if you have a super powerful vacuum at your disposal.
Treat wall-to-wall carpeting the way you would the selection of paint colours for the walls and the ceiling in the respective room.
A wall-to-wall carpet isn’t an accent piece. It covers the entire surface area of the room. Hence, keep it simple and less obtrusive. Don’t employ the same approach you’d use to choose a smaller rug.
Neutral colours and monochromatic carpets are going to be best.
If you’d like to make things a bit more visually appealing, you can always layer on top of wall-to-wall carpeting. That means treating it like any other type of floor and placing colourful rugs on top.
Choosing simpler and more neutral wall-to-wall carpeting also facilitates interior design changes and upgrades when you get tired of some (or all) home décor elements.
Some people are bored by neutral or plain colours. If you’re one of them, you can introduce a bit of patterning to spice things up.
Wall-to-wall carpeting typically blends into the rest of the room and creates a canvas for other pieces to pop. When employing a more minimal approach towards interior design, however, you can turn wall-to-wall carpeting into the star of the show.
Keep it soft and small as you would otherwise risk visual clashes. Neutral tones and classics like geometric shapes are safe choices that will look good in just about any space.
Now, here’s the big question – DIY installation or choosing a professional team for the job?
Unless you have some experience with carpets, choose professional assistance.
Skilled contractors can fit and stretch the carpet correctly to avoid folds and ugly bulges across the room. Wall-to-wall carpeting should make a visual statement without being obtrusive. Achieving these goals on your own is nearly impossible when working with such large pieces.
On top of that, professional installation can actually save you money by significantly reducing the risk of errors occurring due to poor sizing and miscalculations.
Contact Home Guide right now if you want the perfect wall-to-wall carpet and a home décor that makes a statement. We will produce a cohesive, personalised project that holistically ties all elements together. Whether you’re looking for a modern or a more traditional execution, you’ll get an outcome that surpasses your expectations.
Do you want to invite colour into your life? You’re in luck. A bright, bold and beautiful trend is making a comeback, getting homeowners across the globe to smile. Colourful wallpaper is becoming popular once again. In fact, it’s labelled one of the hottest wall décor and interior design trends of 2022.
Many people believe that the wallpaper trend is outdated and it has become obsolete. This is no longer the case! There are so many different designs, some of them innovative, some bringing the retro nostalgia to centre stage. Stylish, well-designed, colourful wallpapers provide one of the easiest ways to bring energy and positive vibes into the home. For the purpose, however, you have to put a bit of effort into curating the right design for your home.
There are numerous reasons why colourful wallpaper is making a comeback right now.
For a start, it provides one of the simplest and most practical opportunities to immediately shake things up. Wallpaper is easy to install and easy to take down. Depending on quality, it can feature beautiful visuals, patterns, graphics or even 3D effects.
The popularity of wallpaper has been going up for about a decade. With this brand new reprisal, the range of market options has started to increase. If you do some quick shopping, you’ll come across numerous choices. Quite a few of those are very bold and eccentric.
People are becoming more adventurous with their home interior design. Many Singaporean homeowners are breaking the mold in an attempt to personalise and bring a unique vibe to their décor, driving a comeback of the bold, colourful and eclectic.
Manufacturers feature a wide range of colour schemes and patterns. Chances are that no matter what your preferences are, you’ll find at least a couple of fun and suitable possibilities when shopping for wallpaper.
Wallpaper differs from paint and other wall treatments in a couple of important ways.
For a start, it brings a lot more depth and dimension to the space.
You don’t have to go for a very textural wallpaper to achieve those results. The right pattern and the right colour combination can create the illusion of layering and create visual interest. Paint is typically flat. That’s a good thing when you’re looking for a blank canvas. But if you want a wall to be the accent in a room, plain and monochromatic paint isn’t going to cut it.
If you are to create the level of detail that wallpaper brings to the table in a more manual way, you’ll have to dedicate a serious amount of money to the project.
That’s the second important reason why you should consider the selection of colourful wallpaper for at least some of your rooms.
Even high quality, special effects wallpaper is a lot more affordable than other types of wall treatment meant to achieve a similar result. You can achieve a mesmerising effect without breaking the bank. Just dedicate enough time to researching wallpapers and selecting the right one. You’ll be surprised by the intensity and visual impact you’ll get to achieve this way.
Finally, when thinking about wallpaper, you could be imagining tacky or psychedelic effects like those typical of 1970s décor. While these options certainly exist, they’re not the only ones. Kitschy is just one of the choices you have. But there are many other options, including tasteful colour combos that make a statement.
You have to be strategic about the use of colourful wallpaper, otherwise it can quickly overpower your interior design.
You don’t have to go too exaggerated to make a statement.
If you choose a bold colour, pick a more subdued pattern or visual. Or vice versa – go for striking patterns and a more classic colour palette. Bold patterns and bold colours can easily become too much unless you want a striking accent wall that will make a statement people can’t miss.
As a rule of thumb, you should always get samples to check out and consider before buying full scale. A sample will give you a much better idea about the intensity of a colour or the texture of the wallpaper. You can also place the sample against other key décor pieces to make sure they’re not clashing with each other.
And here’s one final tip from us – when in doubt, come up with a theme.
A theme (like nautical, Scandinavian, regal) makes it much easier for you to visualise what you’re trying to accomplish. With a theme to pursue, you’ll find it much easier to tie everything together and achieve the cohesiveness that’s so important for good and memorable home design).
Contact Home Guide if you want your home to look unique and achieve optimal functionality. We’ll guide you, conceptualise the renovation on your behalf and carry out every single step so that you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. All that’s going to be left for you is to sit back, enjoy the ride and feel amazed by the spectacular transformation you’ll observe in the end.
How many shades of white are there? Too many, especially when you’re trying to choose the perfect tone for your brand new home renovation. And chances are that you’ll go for white at least in some spaces. For most homeowners, using the the colour white is a no-brainer.
White comes in massive range of tones. There are warm and inviting white shades, cooler tones and everything in between. Choosing the right nuance depends on many things – the overall colour scheme, the mood you’re trying to introduce, the size of the space and whether you’re attempting to make it look bigger or smaller.
Choosing the right shade of white paint is all about knowing your space and recognising the needs that will arise as a result of your lifestyle. Going through a couple of practical considerations will make it much easier for you to make a selection that you will feel satisfied with.
This tip is very important for the selection of every paint colour but even more so when we’re talking about a classic choice like white.
White has the power to reflect light, unlike black – a colour that absorbs all of it. That’s the reason why white is often used to maximise natural light. It also makes smaller spaces appear larger and brighter because of that very same property.
So, the first thing you have to do before selecting a shade of white paint is examining natural light in your flat.
Rooms that brag a lot of natural light will look exceptional, no matter what tones you go for. Warm, cooler or pure white will all make such spaces shine and appear pristine. Darker rooms are going to be a bit trickier to handle. Cool tones can create a rather sterile and uninviting environment in such spaces. Warm whites are a better choice but don’t stray too far from pure white. Having a lot of warmth may actually result in a dingy effect if you don’t have enough natural light entering the room.
Once you’ve narrowed it down to warm, cold or pure, you’ll need to get acquainted with the various nuances of the white colour.
A white paint can have various undertones. Bluish and reddish ones are most typical. But it’s not uncommon for white paints to also have green or yellow undertones.
Just go to a local store and check out the range of white paints. Having colour samples to look at side by side will give you a very good idea about the various kinds of undertones and how they affect the appearance of the main colour.
If you still have no clue, hold the samples against a white sheet of paper. The undertones will reveal themselves immediately.
Certain kinds of white read more modern than others. Hence, you can review the characteristics of the interior design style you’ve chosen for your home to make the right selection.
Pure white is clean, minimalist and modern (a lot more so than warm white tones). If you’re going for Scandinavian interior or any other functional style, that would be the colour of preference.
Warm whites appear a bit vintage. They’re a great choice if your interior design is ornate and somewhat nostalgic like a boho home, for example.
Cooler shades will match interior design styles like industrial.
When in doubt, stick to neutral and pure tones. It’s very difficult to make a mistake with such shades. Prominent undertones will be a bit more difficult to match, which is why you may want to leave such selections to the professionals in the field of home interior design like Home Guide.
Good paint isn’t just about the colour. It combines the shade with a texture and a finish to deliver a well-rounded and visually-intriguing outcome.
So, when considering white paints, you shouldn’t focus just on the undertones. Look at those in the context of the paint finish.
Matte tones look sophisticated and cool but they’re high maintenance. Such surfaces can be more difficult to clean and they’ll show imperfections. That can be a problem when we’re talking about a colour like white.
Glossy and semi-glossy finishes look bright and reflective. They’re also a lot more low maintenance than matte paints. If you have kids or pets, that would be the kind of finish to go for.
Needless to say, the market features some more specialised options. Metallic and pearlescent finishes are super exciting but they’re very dominating. As a result, such white paints should be used sparingly and solely for the purpose of creating a focal point.
These are some of the most important pointers to go by when choosing white paint for your home. Don’t be afraid of swatching and putting your favourite tones to the test. Getting paint samples can be somewhat costly but nothing is as expensive as painting your entire home in the wrong shade.
To avoid such disasters and get your home’s interior looking spectacular the first time around, contact Home Guide. We consider ourselves one of the best in home interior design in Singapore, so trust us to curate the best colour scheme for your space, we’ll also make sure that it’s coordinated spectacularly well with every other prominent interior design and decor elements.
Who wouldn’t want to have the perfect, modern and tremendously functional kitchen? Even if you’re not that keen on meal prep, a streamlined kitchen design can still be important. It will inspire, bring the family together and cater to the needs of the busy urban professional.
If you’re researching kitchen design ideas right now, you may have come across a trend called waterfall countertops. Waterfall countertops have turned into a craze since 2020 and they’re still around. Many interior designer companies swear by those and recommend it to their clients.
So what exactly is a waterfall countertop and what makes it so popular? Let’s find out!
A traditional countertop ends abruptly and the edges are sharp.
Waterfall countertops have the material extending vertically down (hence the name). A typical waterfall countertop has the granite, quartz or other materials used for the horizontal surface going all the way down to the floor.
The rationale behind waterfall countertops is easy to understand. The design ensures continuity and makes the piece a lot more seamless. They’re a good choice for work surfaces, as well as for kitchen islands.
Waterfall countertops are also easier to clean and maintain (in some instances, they’re even considered completely maintenance-free). As a result, a waterfall countertop can be expected to last many years and be a lot more durable than a standard one.
Will waterfall countertops eventually die off as a fad that’s simply not capable of standing the test of time? We believe such an outcome is unlikely.
If done well, a waterfall countertop can be both visually effective and functional. It adds to the practical appeal of the piece, which is why many people embrace the trend. While its popularity will probably decrease somehow in the years to come, the waterfall countertop is here to stay.
One thing you need to keep in mind about this idea is that a waterfall countertop necessitates more material. As such, it will be more expensive to execute. This is one fact that will have a definite impact on the popularity of such countertops. It’s also important to understand, however, that the design maximises durability. As such, it ensures an excellent return on investment.
So, you’re sold on the idea and you’re keen on executing a waterfall countertop. There are a few important things to keep in mind when working on such a kitchen element.
For a start, there are a few materials that work really well for the creation of a waterfall countertop.
The right material should look good, it shouldn’t be too heavy and it will need to be easy to sanitise. Granite, quartz and travertine are all excellent choices. The same applies to synthetic and engineered materials created to replicate the appearance of natural stone. Such materials are a lot lighter while also being tremendously durable. As such, they can make the extension easier to execute.
Luckily, there are also a few unorthodox choices that have become popular materials with the rise of the waterfall countertop trend. Concrete and wood are two such materials. Both of them can be sealed for easy cleaning. In addition, the materials can be employed for the execution of a DIY project. If you do a quick online search, you’ll come across numerous such projects that look good and super original.
Next, you will need to choose the right fabricator to execute the waterfall countertop for you. Typically, such pieces are custom-made. They need to have specific dimensions in order to match the size and scale of your kitchen. You may also have additional requirements concerning the waterfall element, which is why a custom piece becomes necessary.
You’ll need to ask a few questions in order to come by the right fabricator. The stone cutting technique they employ is important. It’s also vital to ask about the types of materials that they work with and where stone is sourced from.
Finally, decide if the countertop is going to have additional functions or if it’s just going to serve its main purpose. Some waterfall countertops double as islands and as such, they need to have enough space for seating. Alternatively, you may want to consider incorporating some cabinetry into the design to maximise the availability of storage space. If storage is a priority, you can cover the sides of the countertop partially, which creates a dynamic and fun design.
Waterfall countertops give you elegance and a ton of versatility. They’re perfectly matched to a modern kitchen interior. And they will work amazingly well in your home when executed right. Contact Home Guide now and our home interior design team will help you with design and conceptualization, our home renovation team will execute a beautiful kitchen that includes a waterfall kitchen counter top. We’ll make sure that the end result is cohesive, polished and personalised to meet every single preference you have for your living space.
How do you add more colour to your living space? That may seem like a simple question with an even simpler answer. But achieving the result isn’t necessarily easy.
Having too much colour in your flat can result in visual clutter and chaos. And if you’re afraid of taking it too far, your execution may seem meek and lacking in character.
Professional interior designers dedicate a lot of time to choosing the right colour palette that appears harmonious and allows for the execution of bright accents. If you’d like to bring more colour in your flat and your life, you should definitely consider learning from the professionals. Here are some of the suggestions we have for you.
One of the easiest strategies involves the selection of a fairly neutral colour palette and the use of a brighter paint on one of the walls.
Such an accent will break up the monotony of the gentler tones and also create a pop of colour that’s visible and impressive enough.
Accenting one wall is an excellent approach for spaces like the living room and the bedroom. As a rule of thumb, choose a brighter colour that contrasts the main palette. For some visual consistency, choose a couple of accessories in the same bold tone (throw pillows, a rug).
If you’re not too confident about executing a massive contrast, create visual interest by painting the accent wall in a tone that’s a few shades darker than the main colour in the flat.
Does an entire accent wall seem like too much? You can still employ the approach to adding more colour but make it a bit smaller.
Does your flat feature a nook, a niche or another recessed space? Use that architectural characteristic to make a brighter colour shine. This is also a great approach to direct some attention towards collectables, souvenirs or other items that you’d like to display in the niche.
As an added approach, you can choose a paint finish that differs from the rest of the flat.
A matte pop of colour is instantly going to get noticeable. The same applies to a coat of paint that brags a sleek and shiny metallic finish.
Potted plants or a couple of bouquets in stylish vases will instantly brighten a space and make it feel more colourful and exciting.
It’s up to you to decide whether you’re going to choose live plants or bouquets/table centrepieces.
There are easy to care for flowering plants that even newbies will be successful with. You can also go for decorative greenery that has beautiful, patterned leaves. Such plants don’t bloom but they’re still beautiful and exciting. Usually, non-flowering plants are even easier to take care of.
As an added approach, you can opt for colourful and exciting pots.
Replace traditional plastic pots with something a bit more exciting. Ceramic pots are solid, durable and they can be actual works of art. Don’t be afraid of going as eccentric as you want to, as long as the particular style makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face.
What’s more colourful than a painting, a poster or some intricate tapestry?
Many homeowners are afraid of featuring art because they don’t consider themselves connoisseurs. But you don’t need a degree in art history to appreciate beautiful pieces and display them proudly in your home.
We’ve already talked about choosing paintings and knowing how to buy art in line with your overall interior design concept. Here’s just one more important tip about the process – trust your gut. You don’t need a painting that costs a fortune. You also don’t have to worry about understanding styles and art movements. If you enjoy something and that respective piece makes you feel good, go for it. Just choose the right wall for the placement of art and make sure there are no other accessories/décor items fighting for attention nearby.
You can feature different pieces of art alongside each other and they don’t even have to be stylistically similar. That’s how eclectic interior design works and it can be a huge success as long as you’re consistent with your choices.
Every single flat features lots of fabric. It provides amazing opportunities for the introduction of colour.
Window treatments like curtains are quite prominent and visible. These features make curtains a perfect choice for the introduction of colour.
Go for saturated, rich tones. They’re simple enough to look stylish and bold enough to get noticed. For some additional visual interest, opt for interesting textures and patterns,
Colour surrounds us and it’s a powerful psychological element. That is why you have to be strategic about its introduction in your home.
Let us be strategic together! Contact Home Guide if you want a bold, colourful, exciting and unique home. We understand the power of every single interior design creation and we know how to use it in order to renovate your home to a Don’t hesitate to spruce up your flat and bring its best features forward. We’ll help you out quickly, efficiently and in the most budget-friendly way.
Do you believe that you have to sacrifice functionality and comfort for the sake of achieving minimalism? This isn’t true. In fact, a minimalist home often possesses warmth and character beyond anticipation.
A minimalist interior design can serve numerous purposes while maintaining tidiness and ease of maintenance. Obviously, those are major goals for the kitchen – a space that needs to be well organised and clutter free. A minimalist kitchen can be super functional and exciting to spend time in if you put effort and planning into the conceptualisation of the design.
Minimalism can be fairly easy to achieve in your current kitchen. A few changes and upgrades will deliver really noticeable results. Hence, if you don’t need to renovate the kitchen right now, start out by attempting the following.
Decluttering the counters and other visible services will contribute to a transformation that’s difficult to believe.
Many homeowners don’t notice clutter accumulating in the kitchen. Caught up in meal prep and everyday routines, they don’t see stuff piling up.
Try to look at your kitchen as if you were seeing it for the very first time. Chances are that you’ll notice lots of stuff that doesn’t really need to be displayed on the countertops and other surfaces. Take this opportunity to organise things inside cabinets and the pantry, make use of that opportunity.
Not only will decluttering instantly make your kitchen feel more spacious and organised, it will also simplify cleaning and maintenance. That’s how you’re easily going to achieve some of the most important goals of minimalist design.
Minimalist interior design employs a simple philosophy – less is more. There are various décor elements you can minimise. The use of colour is one of those. If you don’t overdo the colour selection and you keep the palette restrained, you’ll quickly and effortlessly achieve minimalist aesthetics.
In minimalist design, you don’t want to have too much contrast and visual clutter. Use a few colours, preferably in the same family (two to three complementary tones are considered the norm). If you’d like to add noticeable and surprising focal points, do feature one contrasting colour. Use it sparingly to highlight accents and create a few clever spots of visual interest.
Neutral tones will work really well in the kitchen because they provide a blank canvas for other elements (appliances, furniture, decorations) to stand out. Lighter tones help make the space brighter, which is a way in which colour can play a functional role.
You can still feature by displaying pieces of art or some type of wall décor. Minimalist design can still have decorative elements, as long as some restraint is exercised. A single prominent piece of art or a functional type of wall décor (hanging beautiful placemats, for example) will feel right at home in a minimalist kitchen.
There are a few conventional kitchen design elements you can effortlessly get rid of without sacrificing functionality.
Clean lines are very important when it comes to minimalist executions. they’re super easy to achieve with frameless and hardware-free cabinetry
Removing hardware may seem like a step too far but it really isn’t.
Handles can be replaced by magnetic designs and sliding cabinet doors that open with a single push. Such cabinets can be found easily in Singapore and even if you can’t discover the perfect model in a store, you can have custom creations put together for your kitchen.
Because minimalism usually features fewer elements than other interior design styles, you have to make every single piece count.
For the purpose, choose high quality materials and well-constructed pieces.
Beautiful materials like solid wood, marble, granite and stainless steel make a visual statement without being excessive. They will create a sense of luxury and elegance, prompting you to enjoy the kitchen and spend more time in it.
Even if you can’t afford all these fine materials, there are excellent replicas on the market. Synthetic materials that look like actual wood or natural stone are very durable, non-porous and super easy to clean. There are still variations when it comes to synthetic materials that look like natural ones. Do ask your interior designer for recommendations on selecting elements that fit into the concept of your home interior design.
We can help you out with this choice and all other key decisions you’ll have to make when renovating your home. Contact Home Guide now and unleash the transformative magic of home interior design.
A small bedroom can feel really cosy but a single mistake in the arrangement will instantly lead to the accumulation of clutter. What does it take to maintain order and create the illusion of more space? The answer is simple – strategic home interior design is required!
Through a couple of simple techniques, experienced interior designers can create the illusion of space. Here are some of the most effective strategies that you can put to the test in your bedroom right now.
We’ve discussed the importance of colour and the psychology of colour when it comes to home interior design. Colour can play a very important functional role in the physical space and how people perceive a space.
Certain tones open up a space and make it look much bigger while others will optically create the illusion of a smaller room.
If you want to open up your bedroom, choose lighter tones. White, beige, light yellow, light blue or green are all good choices. Lighter tones will reflect more light – an effect that optically enlarges a space.
Avoid darker paints – if you want to feature such a colour, employ it sparingly. Turning it into an accent that creates a focal point will be more than enough.
Most of the time, we place and arrange items horizontally. A simple switch can help a bedroom become roomier and more organised at the same time. That switch revolves around using vertical rather than horizontal space effectively.
The walls provide excellent opportunities for the creation of storage space and the placement of bedroom essentials.
Built-in shelves that extend from the floor to the ceiling are inexpensive and a great choice for any bedroom, regardless of interior design style. You can also utilise vertical space that often remains unemployed – the wall above the door, a nook behind it, the space above a wardrobe. Use the higher spots for the placement of belongings you don’t need that often. More accessible shelves should be used for everyday essentials.
Apart from using the walls to increase the amount of available storage, you can also exaggerate vertical space to make the bedroom seem taller and roomier.
Vertical panels will work wonderfully well within that context.
A tall mirror, a wooden sliding door (hiding a closet behind) or even wallpaper featuring vertical stripes will all be good choices.
You can also employ a tall headboard behind the bed to achieve the same result.
Don’t go for a rectangular, chunky design – it will only occupy space without enhancing the room’s interior in any way. Choose an elegant, tall design (preferably executed in a lighter colour palette) to direct the eye upward towards the ceiling.
Take a look at the way your furniture is organised right now. Unless you’re a home interior design professional, chances are that you’ve committed at least a few mistakes that reduce the amount of available space.
Most of us have the tendency to push larger pieces of furniture against the wall. While this may seem like the intuitive thing to do, it will often contribute to a bedroom that feels much more claustrophobic than it actually is.
A bed pushed against the wall isn’t optimal. Instead, try to pull the bed in the centre of the main wall, leaving sufficiently big walking spaces on all sides. Even if these are fairly narrow, they will create some flow and a dynamic layout in the bedroom.
Speaking of the bed, consider getting a shape and design that matches the scale of the room.
All furniture should be sized correctly. This is especially important for massive pieces like the bed. A bed that has built-in storage underneath is a good dual-purpose furniture piece. You can also consider an elegant design that features tall bedposts – just like the headboard, these can elongate the room.
Good illumination will be especially important in the evening when you want to experience a sense of comfort without being overwhelmed by all of the stuff in the bedroom.
Create functional zones with different kinds of lighting – a space to get dressed, a reading corner, a wellness area. Depending on the intended activity, you can opt for more focused illumination or ambient lights that create a certain mood.
In terms of light colour, go for warm and soft. If possible, attempt placing lights close to mirrors. Having some of the glow reflected will increase brightness and spaciousness.
Interior design professionals will often employ these approaches and tricks with lighting to make the most of smaller HDB flats.
Home Guide’s home interior design experts are especially skilled when it comes to executing such projects. Contact us now if have a small bedroom that can really benefit from interior design techniques that optimize space. Even the tiniest of residential spaces can be transformed and enhanced through the power of strategic renovations and well-chosen home décor.
When thinking about wall décor, you’re probably considering rooms like the living room or the bedroom. The kitchen is a space that gets considered in more practical terms. That’s why many homeowners don’t even think about beautifying the walls of the kitchen. Decorating the kitchen walls, however, can really lift the aesthetics of the space.
If you’re wondering about the placement of wall décor in any room, just do it! The right picture, wall rug, tapestry, sculptural element or even mosaic can tie the entire interior design concept together and deliver some instant polish.
A splash of colour on the wall or an aesthetically pleasing peace of art will instantly make you feel good. Not just that, it can provide the inspiration required to create a culinary masterpiece your entire family is going to enjoy.
A poster on the wall or any other décor element will deliver an immediate transformation. Wall décor doesn’t have to be expensive or massive in order to make a statement. A well-curated piece will be noticed immediately and it will create a much-needed focal point in a space that’s usually more or less neutral.
So, how do you go about selecting wall décor for your kitchen? Here are a few pointers to help you get started.
There isn’t a right or wrong approach when it comes to choosing decorative elements. In order to ensure interior design consistency, however, you can count on some of the following pointers.
Hanging little pots on the wall or adding shelving to hold an herb garden on the wall will bring the beauty of nature and the functionality you need for meal prep together.
Plants are a welcomed addition to any space inside the home. They’re often missing in the kitchen, however. The lack of space is often to blame. Furthermore, cabinetry will occupy a lot of space and make smaller plants completely inconspicuous.
That’s why you can use plants as well décor. Herb pots can be fairly small and they’ll keep on growing year-round. If you’re a connoisseur who enjoys fresh herbs and spices, this is the right way to go with the kitchen wall décor selection.
We have seen many run-of-the-mill kitchen colour schemes – white, black, beige, brown, navy blue. Wall décor provides the perfect opportunity to feature a bright and fun pop of colour in the kitchen space.
Oil paintings, photographs, hanging canvas prints, posters, collages and even painted wood art are some choice to consider. Even colourful wallpaper will contribute to an immediate mood change in your kitchen space.
Tapestries, rugs and fabrics can also be utilised because they’ll do a bit more than adding some colour and pattern. Textiles will also give texture that increases visual interest. Speaking of which:
Wall décor isn’t just about colour and pattern. Texture is another element that can add depth and movement to the kitchen space.
Textiles aren’t the only choice you have when you want to add texture to the wall.
A metallic piece of wall art is going to be super fun and stylish.
You can also try out ceramic plates or pottery hung on the wall, mosaics, woven baskets or even placemats that get hung on the wall when they’re not being used. Think outside the box or visit a vintage shop – chances are that you’ll find a great piece that’s easy to put on the wall and display in the kitchen.
A simple chalk board hung on the wall is such a fun, interactive piece. It can also add a lot of convenience to the kitchen space.
A blackboard can be used to write down recipes or leave inspirational messages for family members to enjoy. You can even try creating your own art that’s reflective of your mood on that very day.
Hanging a corkboard will give you something similar. That one can be used for favourite family photos, pictures your kids have drawn, magazine clippings, recipes and anything else that you’d want to hang on the kitchen wall.
Don’t be afraid of thinking outside the box when it comes to personalising your home. Remember that interior design rules provide general guidelines for what looks good. Breaking those rules every once in a while, however, can deliver some stellar results. This is especially true for situations in which you come up with a strong vision that you believe in.
Contact Home Guide if you need expert help executing that vision. It’s our main priority to communicate thoroughly with clients, understand their goals and fulfil ambitious home visions. To learn a bit more about our the various home interior styles that we have achieved, check out our residential portfolio or ask us direct questions about kitchen renovations.
Hanging chairs are often reserved for outdoor spaces – they’re great for the garden or a beach area. Good home interior design, however, can take such atypical elements and make them feel right at home in any space. A lovely hanging chair can liven up a seating area, giving it a fun and notable twist.
In order to make hanging chairs work in your living room, you’ll need to follow a few strategic tips.
There are several reasons why you may want to consider the addition of a hanging chair to your living room.
For a start, it’s unexpected. Any unexpected interior design element will make your home an immediate talking point.
A hanging chair will also give you lots of comfort and a fun twist on a standard living area. Also, there’s such a big range of options to choose among. There are classic bubble chairs, hammock chairs, basket chairs, macramé and egg chairs. And these are just a few of possibilities. No matter what your sense of aesthetics is, chances are that you’ll come across at least one design to fall in love with.
A hanging chair can feel right at home in your living room if you choose the right one.
Rattan hanging chairs bring aspects of nature inside your home. They look outdoorsy with a resort holiday vibe and are a great choice for a living room that features other natural materials and elements. To create a little green corner, surround your rattan hanging chair with plants. A wooden coffee table by its side is also going to be a nice touch.
Hanging chairs made of metal add a sense of futurism and sleek beauty to the home. They’re a great addition to a minimalist home or a living room executed in in industrial style. Metallic elements may lack warmth, so such chairs can be complemented with décor items like blankets, a few throw pillows to toi make them more inviting.
Synthetics like plastic, acrylic or even synthetic rattan are great. They’re lightweight and super versatile. Such materials very often mimic natural ones and can be used to bring just about any interior design concept to reality. Synthetic materials are also much more affordable than natural ones – something to keep in mind if you’re trying to renovate and redecorate on a budget.
Hanging chairs require more space than a regular loveseat or a futon. That’s because a frame and a stand will be needed to support the piece of furniture.
If you surround a hanging chair with too many other pieces, it will look crammed. Also, you’ll be incapable of utilising its functionality in the best way possible.
This is why a hanging chair isn’t an optimal choice for a small living room, unless its design is truly streamlined.
Rather, a hanging chair should be used to create a separate zone in the living room like a reading corner. Trying to incorporate it in an arrangement with other pieces of furniture will be a fairly difficult task.
Make the hanging chair the star of the show. It can be accessorised and you can feature a couple of other furniture pieces by its side. Just make sure they’re not large and overpowering. If they are, you’ll have way too many prominent pieces fighting for attention.
This one is a practical consideration but it’s still very important.
The tip applies to true hanging chairs that are attached to the ceiling and not to a stand.
If this is the kind of chair that you want to feature in your living room, you’ll have to make sure that the ceiling’s structural integrity isn’t going to be ruined by the addition.
The way that the chair is hung will depend on the material that the ceiling is made of. Those who have plasterboard ceilings will need to look for a ceiling joist from which to hang the chair. This is required because plasterboard ceilings aren’t strong enough to support the weight of such a piece. In these instances, you may have to compromise with the placement of the chair to ensure safety.
Next, you’ll need to do some drilling, screwing and chair attachment. Anyone who doesn’t know what they’re doing should consider getting professional assistance for the sake of security. All of the hardware has to be secured properly for the hanging chair to stay put.
Anyone who is considering a hanging chair obviously enjoys interesting and unconventional ideas.
Hence, the concept can be taken even further than just featuring one hanging chair in the living room.
Why not add a swing there? It’s so uncommon that it will be a definite hit!
Also, you could feature more than one hanging chair. How about having two or even three of those? You’ll need a larger living room to support such an arrangement but it will be such a cool option for socialisation!
These are just two alternative options worth looking into. If you’d like to renovate your home to include a living room that is out of the ordinary, contact Home Guide. Our experienced and talented team of interior designers will create an outstanding living room concept that perfectly reflects your personality and lifestyle.