Pricing and budgeting considerations will always dictate how a renovation project is carried out. Many home owners worry about the expenses associated with the completion of such work, which is why they opt for inexpensive pieces.
Such an approach, however, isn’t always the best one.
Cheap home décor and renovation products or supplies may end up having a relatively short lifespan. In the end, they’ll prove to be more expensive than their costlier counterparts.
This is why the Singapore interior design company carrying out the renovation should decide which items need to be costlier and when it’s ok to opt for affordable stuff.
The approach is known as the high-low methodology and it can result in the execution of high quality, long-lived home renovations.
What Does High-Low Stand for?
When the high-low concept is employed in the realm of interior design, it allows for the mixing of high end items with inexpensive products and supplies.
The ultimate goal of this approach is to produce a home interior that is stylish, classy in appearance and affordable at the same time. The interior designer doing the work will be making practical choices in order to determine what items need to be really high quality and where a bit of a money-saving approach can be employed.
To put it in simple terms, the high-low methodology is used to determine if the purchase of a cheap item will result in a good, comfortable and practical interior design. Some cheap items are as functional and durable as their expensive counterparts. These are the ones that can be used to save some money during the execution.
Determining which aspects of the project are “high” and which ones can benefit from the “low” approach will depend on several considerations.
It makes sense to invest more money in functional pieces and the ones that will be high use.
Durability does typically cost more than a mediocre item. For certain pieces of furniture, accessories and appliances, it makes sense to spend more money upfront in order to economise some funds over the years to come.
A sofa, for example, is already a relatively expensive piece of furniture. If spending some more money will give you 10 to 15 additional years of use, however, you should definitely consider the investment.
The same applies to the selection of flooring, especially in high-traffic areas like the entryway. Floors are subjected to a lot – dirt, cleaning, traffic and moisture. If the flooring material isn’t high quality, durable and properly sealed, you’ll find yourself looking for a replacement in no time.
To determine which items and areas in the apartments are the most heavy use ones, sit down with your interior designer and bring the floor plan to the discussion. Together, you can pinpoint the supplies and the products that you should never make a compromise with in terms of quality.
Basic Pieces Can Easily Be Jazzed Up with a Few Additives: Low
Should you choose custom-made cabinets for the kitchen or just generic wooden cabinets?
This is one of the examples of an item that allows you to go low.
A wooden cabinet is a wooden cabinet. True, custom-made pieces could feature finishing and a quality varnish that matches your preferences. Then again, a coat of varnish or paint is very easy to add on your own.
The quality of the cabinet will not be compromised if you select a more affordable product. There are many ways to elevate the experience of the plain wood and often, this approach will allow a ton of personalisation.
You can do the same thing with the kitchen counters. There are dozens of beautiful and durable finishes created to replicate the appearance of natural granite or marble. Opting for the cheap version isn’t going to reduce the lifespan of the counter and you’ll still be getting a functional, visually-pleasing piece. To jazz things up a little bit, you can always choose a fun backsplash for installation on the wall behind the counter.
Talk to us about our kitchen renovation package right now.
Art and Accessories: A Mix of High and Low
You can invest in genuine, expensive art if you have the funds. Authentic art pieces will only gain value through the years. Spending more on a piece created by a recognised artist is a good investment.
At the same time, decorative items in the house can be a mix of high and low.
What matters here is to avoid the items that look cheap. Believe us, there are very expensive accessories and home décor pieces out there that will easily cheapen the entire project.
There’s a well-known saying that money can’t buy you class. It holds 100 per cent true in the realms of interior design and renovation. Just because a decorative element has a high price tag doesn’t mean it’s not kitschy.
Trust your inner sense and your understanding of aesthetics when selecting home décor. It’s also best to opt for a couple of statement pieces instead of numerous low items scattered throughout the house. A plethora of decorations speaks of no unifying concept. In addition, no individual piece will be allowed to stand out and shine.
The high-low interior design principle makes a lot of sense. Not all expensive items are of equally good quality and not all affordable items look cheap.
Home Guide’s team embraces the selection and the skilful mixing of high and low items. We’ve carried out numerous such projects through the years that you can explore in the residential section of our portfolio. If you have questions or you’re looking forward to getting started with an apartment renovation, get in touch with us today.
