Sometimes the most satisfying projects to work on, are those where we have to completely overhaul a home, allowing us to start with a fresh blank canvas. This was the case when we were approached to create the home interior design for an HDB apartment in Shunfu road.

Knowing that our client wanted a space that would suit their needs, with both children and pets, we had to get creative with the renovation process. To ensure the finished look was both stylish and functional, we used a combination of fresh colours and interesting textures and created plenty of storage to hide the clutter of daily life.

This Singapore apartment is effortlessly sophisticated, belying the practical functionality necessary in every room. At Home Guide, we always strive to achieve a balance between form and function, and in this before and after piece, we show how we managed just that.

The Layout Plan of the Apartment

The Living Room Situation before our Interior Design Work

The living room started out as a gloomy closed space, with dated wall tiles and small grimy floor tiles. The room was dominated by the black shutters over the windows, which not only blocked out any natural light but also created a sense of heaviness.

The 3D Drawing of the Proposed Living Room Interior Design

The Living Room After our Interior Design and Renovation Work

After stripping the room entirely, we fitted timber-look vinyl flooring, adding durability and style. The walls were painted, we added texture behind the TV using a contemporary wallpaper and we replaced the dominating black shutters with softer blinds in light beige. The furniture is welcoming, and practical with the geometric rug and leather sofa stars of the show. Now, the space feels open and airy, perfect for the whole family, and everything from fun and games with the kids, to elegant entertaining with friends.

The Kitchen Situation before our Interior Design Work

The kitchen was one of the most dated rooms in the house, with awful boxy cabinetry, strange counter heights and a very 70s colour scheme. Even the tiling on the walls and floor was sad, and everything had to go.

The Kitchen After our Interior Design and Renovation Work

Like a big breath of fresh air, the new kitchen adds positive energy to the home, with fresh and modern fittings, perfect for a large family. We replaced the windows to allow for the free flow of light into the room. Timber floor tiles by Hafary, ad a touch of natural timber and the blueberry cabinetry with brass handles are a subtle nod to nautical style. Finally, we added integrated, above-counter cabinetry which blends seamlessly into the wall, providing valuable extra storage.

The Master Bedroom Situation before our Interior Design Work

This room was unrecognisable in the before photos. The space felt closed and boxy, exacerbated by the conducting running around its perimeter. Though the windows added natural light, the white walls and beige tiles were uninspiring and we could not wait to get started on the renovation.

The 3D Drawing of the Proposed Master Bedroom Interior Design

The Master Bedroom after our Interior Design and Renovation Work

As with many bedrooms in Singapore, space was limited here, so we decided to keep the space as functionally simple as possible, adding interest through our use of pattern and texture. We kept the bed elegant and simple and hid all additional elements in the wardrobe. To keep it interesting, we added Modernstone’s geometric wallpaper and then complemented it with strong vertical lines of parquet-look laminate by Lamitak on the door to the bathroom and a section of the wardrobe.

The Master Bathroom Situation before our Interior Design Work

As with the rest of the apartment, the master bathroom was dominated by dated tiles and exposed plumbing, but not of the contemporary edgy sort seen today. We knew the PVC piping had to go, and that some clever design work would be necessary to keep everything flowing correctly.

The 3D Drawing of the Proposed Master Bedroom Interior Design

The Master Bathroom after our Interior Design and Renovation Work

We love the final result in the master bathroom, with not a hint of the white and grey from before. We created a simple bulkhead to discretely house the plumbing, then drew the eye away by our use of texture and colour for the vanity and walls. We love how the Hafary wall tiles look just like natural timber, which contrasts with the reclaimed wood look of the vanity. We kept the room feeling open and light by using seamless floor and wall tiles in the shower to finish the look.

The Second Bedroom Situation before our Interior Design Work

The second bedroom looked more like a closet when we first saw it and it was dark and depressing. The same dark shutters that were in the living room were used here, and they did nothing to create the cosy feel of a bedroom. Our client asked us to convert this room into a study area, so we knew we had to get creative.

The 3D Drawing of the Proposed Second Bedroom Interior Design

The Second Bedroom after our Interior Design and Renovation Work

Once again, the most noticeable difference is the natural light that just floods the room. We replaced the windows and fitted them with frosted glass, maintaining privacy but welcoming light. We added a pop of fresh aqua on the focal wall to add a bit of energy to the room, and added functionality with a wall-length desk unit, with storage at either end.

The Common Bathroom Situation before our Interior Design Work

This was one room in the apartment that had been, at least partially, upgraded, however as the work was incomplete we decided to start from scratch with a new design.

The 3D Drawing of the Proposed Common Bathroom Interior Design

The Common Bathroom after our Interior Design and Renovation Work

We enhanced the narrow space by creating vertical lines with the Hafary wall tiles, which draw the eye into the room. Then, create openness, we lifted the cabinetry and created a floating vanity. Overall, we wanted to keep the design calm by bringing natural elements into the room, so it almost feels like a cabin in the woods, rather than a bathroom in busy Singapore.

What could be more cheering than a bright pop of colour in the middle of the living room. One of the easiest ways to freshen things up is to use accessories. Cushions rank among the most popular since they’re functional and they can literally transform a bland and boring living room.

If you want to spruce things up and pick the right accessories, you should definitely follow these tips from the Singapore interior design experts.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Cushions

The entire process starts with picking the right set of cushions for your living room.

What should your primary consideration be? If your answer is colour, you’re correct. The selection of a cohesive colour palette is one of the primary principles of residential interior design. Talk to your interior designer if you don’t know yet what the living room colour scheme is going to be. For the cushions to be right, they will either have to be in a complimentary shade or they’ll need to contrast the primary tones.

The next consideration is prints and patterns.

A solid block of colour can look pretty stylish, especially if the rest of the living room appears to be somewhat busy. If you want cushions that stand out, however, and turn into a focal point, patterns and prints will be ideal.

Experienced interior designers will tell you that you can opt for a combination instead of having all of the cushions being the same. Once the colour scheme is chosen, you can opt for one solid colour, a simple print and a more complex print. This trio results in some dynamic appeal. The most ornate print is the one that will be setting the mood, hence the respective cushion should probably the largest and most prominent one.

Finally, think about the type of fabric that’s going to be best. Fabric durability is essential. Woven patterns tend to be much more long-lived that fabric that features a printed image. If you have pets, microfiber will be an ideal option because it’s very easy to clean and maintain.

The style will depend on the overall interior design concept. Velvety cushions are obviously not a good pick for an interior that is to look trendy and modern. This fabric is much better suited to vintage and traditional interiors. Leather is a good choice for modern apartments, plus it’s exceptionally wear-resistant.

Step 2: Arranging the Cushions for Maximum Effect

Now that you’ve acquired the right cushions, it’s time to start think about how these can be organised and scattered in the living area for maximum effect.

One of the biggest questions that many Singapore homeowners have when starting with home interior design is where to start. The answer is simple – do what feels right. You can begin with a pair of matching, solid colour cushions. As you get a better understanding of the living space and what you’re trying to accomplish, you can get a bit more daring with the accessorising experiments.

A general rule of thumb to follow is the 2:2:1 ratio. This means that five cushions are considered the optimal number for a sofa in the living room. Choose two same sized, solid colour cushions for a start. You will also need two cushions with a simple pattern and one standout piece that’s more elaborate and eccentric than the others.

Such cushions can be arranged as follows – start from the outside with the solid colour cushions and place the statement piece in the centre of the sofa. You will have a symmetrical arrangement that doesn’t look too busy and that lets the most beautiful item shine.

Obviously, this is a general guideline. You’re free to break the rules if you feel that a different number of cushions or a different arrangement will work better for your HDB flat or condo.

Step 3: Creating More Visual Interest

To create a bit more visual interest, you can play with the sizes of the cushions. There is no need to have different colours and patterns if this concept isn’t well suited to your idea of a beautiful living room. Just choose several colour/pattern cushions that have different sizes. You can play around with the arrangements to ensure both comfort and visual appeal.

If you want the living room to feel more relaxed and casual, you can group the pillows together instead of arranging them in a specific way on the sofa.

A final thing you may want to try out is being a little bit more eccentric.

This is your home and chances are that you’ll be spending most of your time in the living room. If a traditional throw pillow is not a real representation of your identity, you should definitely opt for something bolder.

Metallic and shiny colours, even neons, are ideal for statement pieces. When you opt for such accessories, however, you should make sure that the rest of the residential interior design is simple. Having too many items that are fighting for attention will result in a busy design that looks cluttered rather than relaxing.

You can play with proportions, shapes, prints and even cushions that are handcrafted by artists. The guidelines are in no way to be enforced 100 per cent. You’re still to rely on your imagination in order to make your home unique.

Bring Ideas to Life With The Right Interior Design Professional

Interior design professionals can help you with accessorising your living room and your entire home. Choosing professional assistance is a good idea when you have a certain concept you can’t bring to reality on your own or when you’re clueless about how to transform your living space.

Professional teams like the Home Guide interior designers can work really hard to create the home you’ve always been dreaming of. The approach is always personalised and based on your preferences. Don’t be afraid to share what you’re looking for – contact us today to make your home better and much more beautiful.

A ‘focal point’ is an essential part of any interior design. It helps ground the entire aesthetic without compromising the holistic value of the design. This basically means that when you have a nice, attractive focal point, all the rest of your design simply falls into place. This focal point becomes the literal ‘focus’ of your space, which helps keep the mind grounded while helping you to embrace all the different parts of the design. Today, we will be sharing 5 mainstream focal points that can make your home interior design seem like a total knock-out.

Light Fixtures

When you’ve got the right centrepiece, you’ll definitely feel a cohesive quality in your home interior designs. An attractive light fixture can make a great focal point. From chandeliers to a group of pendent lights and even an avant-garde fixture in a category of its own, an attractive light fixture can definitely make your space seem grander and better.

Flower Arrangements/Decoration

Did you know that flower chandeliers are going to be all the rage in 2018? It’s the start of a new year for interior design in Singapore, and what better way to style your home better than to invest in one of the edgiest ideas. Even if your arrangement or decoration is completely artificial, rest assured that it can make a great focal point that is both visually soothing as well as attractive at the same time.

Pedestal Floor

Pedestal floors are basically a step-up that individualizes a single zone of an open floor plan. So if your living room is located on the pedestal floor, it becomes the focal point of your interior design. This particular technique is basically introducing the idea of ‘focal objects’ on a slightly larger scale. Instead of a single item, you’re using an entire area of your home interior design to make your space look more grounded.

Area Rugs

Area rugs of various hues and textures can make for the most interesting focal points. The best part is that since they’re not eye-level with the users angle of sight, you can be as bold as you want to be with the colours, textures and even patterns. For example, a hot pink wall will seem off-putting, but a hot pink area rug will seem charming and effectively contrasting.

Indoor Screens

Another contemporary take on the focal point is the indoor screens. They can either be mild steel grills or you can opt for laser cut screens. Both have their own pros, but both can also offer some pretty amazing, customized designs that have potential to be amazing focal points. You can use these as partition walls while retaining a sense of privacy in your home interior designs.

At Home Guide, we take a lot of pride in delivering only the best to our clients. We’re well aware of the changing trends, the latest greatest, and how to manage trendiness within context of our client’s vision for their space.

Now that 2017 is gone, and 2018 is just started, there’s definitely going to be a whole new set of Singapore home interior design trends to look forward to. Some of them are going to be classics, while others are going to be like a flash – there and gone in the blink of an eye. So further, we’re going to follow with 6 ways you can make your homes the absolute trendiest in 2018.

Statement Ceilings

‘Up above the world so high’ might be the rhyme to take inspiration from, because 2018 is going to be all about statement ceilings! Statement ceilings tend to be flashy and decorative in a non-subtle way. They feature showy designs that are avant-garde and flamboyant in fashion. So if you want to set yourself apart from everyone else when it comes to Interior design in Singapore, this is a trend you should definitely invest in.

Spa-bathrooms

Have you been eying that spa-Jacuzzi or those intense jet-sprays for a while now? Because now you’ll get to invest in them without feeling like going totally overboard. 2018 is going to see an up-rise in luxury bathrooms that are going to embrace a softly soothing and tranquil material palate that is going to look absolutely gorgeous in a luxurious setting.

Flower chandeliers

While 2017 has been all about feature flower walls, 2018 is fashioning a new mould for a similar concept. You’ll be seeing a lot of flower arrangements in the form of chandeliers. They’re may not be exactly HDB interior design friendly right now, but trust that your designers will come up with clever ways to integrate these fashionable arrangements in your home interior designs.

Rounded furniture

Tired of boxy, square-ish, rectangular furniture arrangements? Well, you’re going to have some fun in 2018, then. The usual, taciturn arrangement that embrace straight-laced geometry are so last year. In 2018, you’ll see home interior designs that are going to feature the best of circular and rounded furnishings. From sofas to coffee tables and even beds, you’ll see a huge uptick in the blending of round shapes in contemporary interior designs.

Floor patterns

Floor patterns can definitely add a sexier edge to any simple or boring old home interior design. From the traditional herringbone pattern to customized tile arrangements, 2018 is going to bring you the best of all sorts of floor designs. So if you’re bored with your plain old flooring, you should definitely look forward to this particular trend.

Break out the traditional furnishings

Classical revival through furniture design is another trend that you can look forward to in the home interior design genre. First off, it can help add a rich, decadent ambience to your HDB setting, and you can even go for a ‘royalty in the times of contemporary’ theme. This trend will mostly be interpreted through tufting, jewel toned upholstery and even wall beading a la traditional wainscoting.

As you can see, there’re a lot of new, hot trends waiting to become the next big thing on the looming horizon. You can trust us, at Home Guide designs to be fully updated on these newest, hottest trends, and consult you accordingly.

Flooring is quite possibly the most understated part of an HDB interior design. It often gets overlooked for the other, bigger counterparts that make up a home interior design. However, it is important to understand the importance of a good floor. From materials to finish and even patterns, the flooring determines what the overall impact of your interior design actually is. It has to match the style and aesthetic of your walls and ceiling in order to give off a holistic ambience. If the floor doesn’t properly match the rest of the interior design, your entire HDB might end up looking mismatched and out-of-order. Below, we’ll be sharing 5 ways you can make your floor more interesting.

Custom tile patterns

Not many home owners are aware of this, but you can definitely customize tile patterns to make your HDB interior design more interesting. You can have them cut in personalized patterns that fit in the size and dimension of your space. You can choose various colors or patterns of tiles and have them arranged in either linear or geometric patterns.  For example, if you want to highlight the foyer, then you can have a centralized tile floor in one color and the periphery tile floor in another color. It’s a good way to add contrast in the space.

Large tile features

Usually, people use either 1’x1’ or even 2’x2’ square tiles for their homes. But once in a while, someone wants to have a more homogenous surface to walk around on. In such cases, you can definitely purchase larger tile pieces. They’ll give your floor a more sophisticated and singular look than a more compact tile pattern.

Having a central focus area

You can make you HDB interior design interesting by using different techniques to make the floor stand out. One of these is by creating a step-up pedestal in a centralized area in your HDB. This could be done for either a living room or a dining area. This is a clever hack to create solitary or focused spaces inside an otherwise open floor layout.

Breaking out the vinyl

Vinyl is an affordable alternative for authentic hardwood floors. It’s relatively inexpensive and is available in a number of different grains and textures. Vinyl floors are easy to maintain, and you can easily clean them without much hassle. Their aesthetic is also quite qualitative, and homeowners tend to flock towards this particular floor finish for its easy accessibility.

Going full hardwood

Hardwood floors are the most expensive ones out of the lot. However, they offer an amazing aesthetic and functional value. They’re long lasting and feature some authentic warmth and rustic quality to any interior design.

At Home Guide Designs, we always consider the entirety of your HDB interior design. Our team is well aware of the importance of proper floor finishes and detailing, and we definitely deliver a very holistic end product.

Residential interior design is always personal. At Home Guide Design, we take utmost care in articulating the personal preferences of the client into the actual designs. Learn how we find harmony between the clients’ choice and design detailing in the renovation journey of this residential HDB in Bukit Batok.

The Finished Work

This luxurious HDB in Skyline, Bukit Batok is the epitome of understated elegance. Just like the Skyline towers offer a unique but desirable landscape, this HDB offers an eclectic vibe that matches its top notch location.

The clients came for a design consult three months prior to obtaining TOP, which allowed the Home Guide team to make instant headway with the project.

This HDB is designed on the Modern Classic theme. The Home Guide design team went for a dual aesthetic by merging classical and modern elements in the same space. We used a timeless dark and light colour scheme which embodies this residence in sleek sophistication. Together, the furnishings, lighting and material finishes give off an upscale, high-end vibe that is the height of urban chic.

Consultation

Interpreting the client’s expectation is extremely important while designing interiors, especially since residential projects are always based on personal preferences. We took some time to talk with the clients – a couple in their twenties – and deduced that they had a taste for a classic design. Since they came for consultation as soon as they got TOP, the early stages of designing started pretty quickly. As with most Singapore interior design projects, especially for HDBs, we needed to also take into account design and renovation guidelines.

The 3D Model

After some detailed discussion with the client, the Home Guide team created a beautiful and realistic 3D model of the home. The 360^o animation of this 3D model allows the client to ‘walk’ through the design to get a feel of what the end result might look like virtually. This is a great way for them to understand the details and request relevant changes afterwards.

The Behind-the-Scenes Essentials

The actual site location was a five room HDB with simple white walls. It was a brand new unit, so it was easy to carry out each aspect of the interior design – colours, materials, furniture, wall designs and lighting – perfectly according to the final design that the clients approved.

The Challenges

Every renovation/remodel project can encounter small hiccups while the work is being done. It can either be the delayed delivery of materials, or some other site set-back. Home Guide consults with the client about every possible issue that can arise during the project so they don’t get spooked by the slightest bump in the road.

Before & After: Practical Detailing & Design of Each Room

Layout Changes

The original layout consisted of three bedrooms, instead of the proposed two. When you’re blessed with a large real estate, you can go for some of the most coveted dream home essentials; the most desired of which is always a walk-in closet. Therefore, the clients wanted to convert the second bedroom next to the master bed into a large walk-in. The solid wall between the two bedrooms was hacked and the second bedroom was successfully turned into a dream walk-in closet complete with a dresser and powder room.

The Bar Counter & Dining Area

The dining area and bar were designed adjacent to each other. The dining space was given an individualized feel with an elegant chandelier and a shimmery accent wall that has been painted a glimmering grey colour with Nippon’s special Momento Effect paint.

The bar counter is extremely classy with a vintage design aesthetic. It has more seating capacity as compared to the usual eat-in bars in residential projects and seamlessly connects to the hidden shoe storage area in the walkway.

The Living Room

The living room has a ritzy, glamorous ambiance that has been achieved through strategic lighting and the use of deep, rich colours. The customized media wall divides the room visually, but the space behind still allows a glimpse of the bookshelf when one is seated on the sofa.

The Kitchen

Small classical elements and dark tones are used in the kitchen interior to embrace a sense of continuity. The beautiful contrast between the dark cabinets and pale countertops prevents the space from looking monotonous. The burnished gold handles top off the design with elegance and sophistication.

The Master Bedroom

The master bedroom is almost unrecognizable after its complete transformation from stark to luxurious. It comes complete with a cozy bay-window seating area.

A lighter colour palate has been used to brighten up and set the master bedroom apart from the rest of the interior design. The bright white colour scheme coupled with the mirrors visually enlarge the space, making it seem more airy and comfortable. The feature wall at the head of the bed prevents the design from looking too plain. The tufted white cushion head makes it seem exclusive and luxurious.

The Walk-In Closet

The converted walk-in closet has been designed with all-white wardrobes. This simple design is extremely elegant and would make it easy to keep the space clean. The vanity is strategically placed near the window because natural light is the best for putting on makeup!

Conclusion

Home Guide’s designers pride themselves on expert articulation of a client’s dream home vision into the perfect reality. This HDB interior design is the perfect example of how a simple concept was skilfully adapted into a trendy, stylish and elegant interior design.