Renovating your home is exciting… until you realise just how many interior designers there are in Singapore. Who should you pick? What should you look out for? And how do you even begin comparing them?

Step 1: Research

The first question you should ask yourself is often the most simple: what do you like?

Our favourite way to start is by diving straight into Instagram and searching up renovation hashtags like #sginteriordesign or #renovationsg. Most interior designers showcase their signature work on Instagram, and some firms specialise in particular looks or design philosophies.

If a design speaks to you, pay attention to the phrases used to describe it — mid-century modern, Japandi, eclectic, and so on. Not only will this help guide your search, it will also help your designer understand better what kind of aesthetic style you’re going for. You can also save the pictures you like into a mood board, and check out renovation videos on YouTube. We find that these often give you a clearer sense of costs and help you to plan
your budget better.

During this early discovery phase, you might already stumble upon potential IDs worth meeting, which brings us to the next step: setting up a date to meet with your designer.

Step 2: Meeting Your Designer

Funnily enough, finding the right designer can feel a bit like matchmaking. After all, you’re picking the person you’ll be building your dream home with. That’s why it’s important to meet with a few designers before you make your choice.

But how do you know which one is the right one for you?

• Project Delivery:

Does their proposed timeline align with what you had in mind? While renovation hiccups are unavoidable on any project, set clear and realistic expectations for when the renovation will be completed and be ready for you when you want to move in.

• Be Prepared with Your Budget:

While top interior design firms do tend to charge more, the sign of a good designer is one that can deliver while working within what you can afford.

Typical Renovation Costs for New BTOs in Singapore for 2025

• Communication is Key:

Is the designer responsive, and can you communicate well with them? While this may sound like a given, it’s important for you to be able to trust your interior designer to manage your renovation and keep you updated. Good communication can make all the difference between a small hiccup or a renovation nightmare.

• Read All the Reviews:

It’s good to read the positives, but it’s especially important that you read about the bad and go through every negative review to find out what are some struggles other homeowners have faced with your designer or their firm.

Don’t forget to tap on your personal network too. Friends and family who’ve recently renovated can give you honest, unfiltered reviews — the kind you won’t always find online. Sometimes the best recommendations (or warnings) come from the people around you.

But what are some red flags to look out for?

• The ‘Yes’ Man.

At this stage, you probably already have an idea of what you want your new home to look like. However, any designer worth his salt must be able to explain why they disagree with your ideas if they think it may not work, and to offer a feasible alternative.

• Vague or Missing Breakdowns of Costs in the Quotation.

If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You don’t want to sign off on a contract and be saddled with a bunch of extra costs later on once the renovation has begun.

• Proposing Illegal HDB Renovations

Some designers may suggest altering structural walls or making changes HDB doesn’t permit. That’s an immediate red flag. You want a designer who respects regulations and will safeguard your home, not jeopardise it.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to finding someone you can trust—someone who listens, gives you honest feedback, and isn’t afraid to tell you when something won’t work. When you feel comfortable asking questions, raising concerns and sharing your Pinterest dreams, that’s when you know you’re in good hands.