Most homes nowadays have small spaces and could cost quite a fortune. This is especially true in Singapore where owning a modern home or condo is considered the height of luxurious living. However, not many homes and condominiums fit a feasible budget for some. But there is one type of home that is as luxurious and equally glamorous as the above mentioned. And that is the maisonette.

(So, you might be wondering, what is a maisonette?)

Strictly speaking, a maisonette is a type of HDB house that has two floors of livable space or in today’s modern definition, a penthouse. Unlike the other HDB homes, the masionette’s ground floor has the living, dining and kitchen areas while the second floor, accessible by stairs, has the toilet and bath and bedrooms. They were considered a luxury during the early 80’s, but slowly lost its appeal in the late 90’s.

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Suffice to say, most of the maisonettes have been replaced with the executive condominiums. Although, there are a few houses that are the genuine maisonette. And the best part, the maisonette is just within every feasible budget.  If you happen to own a maisonette, or are considering owning one, you’re probably wondering how to make it look stylish and luxurious. Fear not, here are several ways to have that amazing and luxurious maisonette renovation.

QUICK NAVIGATION

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  1. THE BASIC REPAIRS
  
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  2. MAKE A CHECKLIST
  
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  3. TO TILE OR NOT TO TILE
  
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  4. IDEAL STYLES AND THEMES
  
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  5. BRING IN SOMETHING OLD
  
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  6. CLEVER STORAGE IDEAS
  
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  7. WINDOWS
  
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  8. LIGHTING
  

1. THE BASIC REPAIRS

Like with most houses, the first thing you need to consider when working on your maisonette renovation is if the maisonette needs repairs.

• If there are cracks in the walls, patch them up and then paint over with a paint primer.
• Check the electrical wires and see if they are frayed. If so, hire an electrician and have them replaced.
• If there are broken tiles either on the floor or walls, consider either replacing them or retiling them.
• How about your stairs? If you have stairs that are concrete, check if they are still sturdy and strong enough. Or if they are made of wood, check and see if there are any termites.

If there are, quickly call for an exterminator and afterwards, repair them. Check also your door and window hinges. Once you have done whatever repairs were needed, you can start your renovation project   

2. MAKE A CHECKLIST

Take the time to look at your maisonette and ask yourself:

• What would you like to have? 
• How big is your living or dining room?
• Do you want to change your kitchen or keep it that way?  
• Do you have tall windows or short windows?  
• Are your bedrooms big or small?  
• Do you need to add more lights or change your fixtures?

Make a list of what you want to do for your maisonette renovation. Start with the top priority be it either a kitchen or bathroom renovation.  You can even list down the furniture you need and where you can buy them. You can search online for your materials and suppliers. More importantly, you will need professional services. You can also search for electricians, contractors and even designers who can help with your project. They can also help with your budget and will give you their opinion on what is feasible.

3. TO TILE OR NOT TO TILE

Let’s start with the floors. Now, depending on the style you are going for, most maisonettes will have tiles that will fit your theme. Another thing to look out for is molds. Check and see if there are any molds and if there are any, then you must treat it right away before setting in some new tiles.

If you are considering retiling them, remember that the tiling works will take up most of your budget for renovation. Go for neutral colored tiles, specifically white or light grey tiles as they will give the illusion of a bigger space. If the existing tiles are still in good condition and can work with your intended style, all you need to do is mop it clean. The same can be said for the wall tiles in the kitchen and bath.

4. IDEAL STYLES AND THEMES

This is where you can try out several stylish looks to your maisonette. There are many schemes to try out and you will be surprise to see that you can emulate a particular look with your home. The most popular style is the Modern Minimalist look; especially if the maisonette has particularly high ceilings the look is quite clean and organized and can easily adapt to any kind of interior. The minimalist look can even make the space look even more luxurious. To achieve this style, opt for furniture pieces that have less and straight clean lines. Opt for design elements such as steel legs, glass table tops, leather upholstery, custom built in cabinetry and minimal decorations.

Another look to consider is the Scandinavian design, which has since been experiencing a rebirth of sorts since the early 2010’s. This style is characterized by the use of natural wood, neutral and pastel colors and the iconic simple and functional furniture. Go for furniture with soft straight lines and made of wood such as oak and teak. For sofas, you can go the extra mile and opt for sofas that have storage and can be converted into a bed or even add more seating capacity.

5. BRING IN SOMETHING OLD

Just because you are renovating an old maisonette doesn’t mean you can’t make do with something you own. Quite the contrary, this gives you the opportunity to incorporate something you currently own into your maisonette renovation project. It could be anything ranging from an antique bed to an accent chair to even some family heirlooms like a painting or a statue. This helps lessen the cost of furniture in your project. Another clever idea is by looking around many thrift stores for quality second hand pieces like a dining set or a cabinet. You can search online for the nearest thrift stores. And it’s not limited to furniture. You can bring in hand carved wall art, doors and even some figurines.

6. CLEVER STORAGE IDEAS

As with most homes, the most important thing that you should never forget is storage. It is important to always have storage to keep most of the things you own in place. And believe it or not, regardless of the style or theme, customized and built in storage fits perfectly. And there are many creative ways you can incorporate storage in your maisonette. You can build a small bookcase under the stairs or even a small cabinet. If you have spaces in your maisonette walls, you can even create hallway cabinets that can be concealed with well-designed doors or panels.

The same can also be said for bedroom cabinets. While some maisonettes have bedrooms with walk in closets, there are some that don’t have that. So take advantage of the ample space and create storage pieces that can help enhance the interior.

Invest also in furniture that can provide storage. Ottomans, coffee tables, buffets, even sofas and beds. It is a good idea to have pieces that can help enhance the look of your maisonette as well as provide storage. This is what makes the maisonette a uniquely luxurious home.

7. WINDOWS

Most maisonettes will have spectacular views, all thanks to their well-placed windows. The same can be said for natural light. Curtains and window treatments are the go to solution for regulating light and sound as well as providing privacy for everyone. If you have tall windows, you can opt to have roller blinds. They come in various colors and patterns, but for a more modern and uniform look, go for plain, textured blinds. If you have standard sized windows or doors that open to a balcony, you can use floor length cloth curtains that help regulate the noise or black out curtains that completely cover the interior.

8. LIGHTING

Last, but not least is lighting. Just because your maisonette is on the top floor, doesn’t necessarily mean it will settle for the natural light. On the contrary, you will need to provide ample and suitable lighting for your newly renovated maisonette. However, this would depend entirely if you have average or very high ceilings. For average or standard height ceilings, which tend to range around 2.6 meters or 260cm, you can have recessed lighting for that dramatic effect or employ pin lights to evenly distribute the light. Now if you have high ceilings, you can have a drop pendant light hanging from the ceiling. There are many designs you can choose from, ranging from modern lights to classical chandeliers.

Apart from ceiling lights, you can also have floor lamps that provide task lighting for your living room, wall lamps for your hallways and stairs and table lamps for your bedrooms and desks. As much as possible, you need to make your maisonette’s interior as homey and comfortable as possible and providing ample light can help that.

And there you have it. With this tried and tested tips, it is a sure fire guarantee that your maisonette renovation plans will go on without any problems at all. You will find that it is both a rewarding accomplishment for you when you create a luxurious and stylish home without even making a huge dent in your budget.

One of the most iconic and frequently used style in interior design is the mid-century modern look. This look gets its name from the time it was first conceived, specifically during the late 40’s to early 50’s in Europe and America. This is characterized by the use of wood, specifically teak and oak; clean, simple lines and the principal of “function follows form”. A subcategory of mid-century design is the Scandinavian design.

Mid-century modern design is one of those styles that can easily be adapted into various areas of the house and is considered a timeless look. While it may look masculine in terms of concept, it can also be feminine due to the soft, precise details. That being said, here are a few tips and ideas that you can use in creating the mid-century modern interior design in your own home.

1. BUDGET , RESOURCHES AND INSPIRATION

Like with most interior design projects, the first step to consider is your budget and your resources. If there were words to describe mid-century modern, it would be retro and vintage. That being said, it is safe to say that finding pieces for your interior may prove to be something of an expensive scavenger hunt as original pieces would cost a fortune.

Fortunately, there are many companies and shops that sell mid-century inspired pieces as well as thrift stores that provide second hand quality furniture. Make a list of what you would like to find and use. You can also search online for ideas and registered shops that sell similar products. Take note of their addresses and their product line and if you can, try to compare between each supplier and see which one fits your budget and product offerings. Remember that mid-century modern relies heavily on practicality and functionality. Therefore, it is wise to have a realistic and practical budget while choosing quality over quantity.

Another tip to consider is by making what-is-called a mood board or simply a collection of photos and samples to visually aid on how the overall interior would look. You can use either a hardcopy print out of your board or Pinterest

2. COLOR PALETTE

What makes mid-century modern design iconic is the use of a neutral color base as its color scheme with a pop of color like teal, rust or even pastels. Neutral colors like grays, browns, whites and even blacks may be deemed as masculine, but with careful application, it would make your interior even more timeless. A go to tip for the walls is to use light colors such as beige, white and light browns. You can even go for some simple, geometric patterned wallpaper using these colors. Browns and darker colors can be used in furniture while pops of color can be used in accessories and accent pieces.

In terms of pops of color, you can never go wrong with these options. Teal is a go to for mid-century modern palette since it is iconic to the period and can easily be adapted into any period. Apart from teal, you can go for colors such as yellows, orange, and even soft reds for a warm and cozy look or even greens and blues for a calming and relaxing look. A rule of thumb in mid-century modern interior design is to keep color palette of your choice organized and clean.

3. FLOORS AND WALLS

Now that you have an idea on what you would like to achieve, you can start with the floors and the walls as they serve as the foundation of the overall interior. Walls, in many mid century modern interiors, tend to be done in a neutral base color of white and beige. You can however experiment with either exposed bricked walls or wood paneled walls as an accent wall. Floor tiles tend to range between light to semi dark tiles and often compliment the wall’s color. Go for off white matte tiles and avoid as much as possible glossy tiles.

4. FURNITURE PIECES

In a mid-century modern style, you need to remember that everything, including the furniture and layout must always adhere to the principle of function before form. This means that most ideal pieces for mid-century modern furniture is often times the simplest and the most practical. Iconic designers during this period are Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Alvar Alto and Isamu Noguchi have crafted iconic pieces using various materials that are still incorporated to this day.

Key characteristics of mid-century modern furniture are that they incorporate straight lines, less patterns and often times is a bold and functional statement piece.

When picking a sofa, go for those with minimal frills and details. Sofas that use light gray or beige upholstery are ideal since you can easily style it with various pillows or even a throw. If you have a small space, go for either of these options; an L-shape sofa that provides ample seating space or a 3 seater sofa. You can go the extra mile and have the sofa open up into a bed for additional sleeping space should you have any guests.

If you would like an accent chair in your interior, go for chairs with a nice wooden frame and provide ample comfort. You can even go for chairs like the Egg Chair, the Womb Chair or even the Eames Lounge chair. Take care to note the size; you wouldn’t want it to be too big or too small.

When choosing your dining set, opt for a practical and simple set made of sturdy wood. Go for simple 4-6 seaters in neutral colors or natural wood. You can achieve the mid-century modern look by getting a simple rectangular table and similarly styled chairs at any furniture store.

A good tip to try when making your mid-century modern interior design is by choosing furniture of the same type of wood and stain and upholstery and working around it.

5. ACCESSORIES and DECOR

While mid-century modern interior design is described as being straightforward and less cluttered, you can still incorporate a few decorative elements in your interior. For your walls you can create a nice wall gallery showing subtle and modern art or even a simple wall art installation. This can make your walls quite interesting.

For your sofa, you can use pillows of different materials and styles and patterns. Try mixing several plain pillows with one or two patterned pillows. Apart from the standard 19×19 inch pillows, you can also use round cushions and rectangular pillows for some diversity. You can also place a throw or blanket for that extra comfort during the cold seasons.

For that added comfort, you can opt to have a carpet on the floor. A practical size for the carpet should be around 160cmx230cm, although there are carpets that could measure up to 200cmx300xcm

Keep your coffee table top minimal with less clutter by having trays to organize all your knick knacks. You can even make it stylish by having a few modern vases on top of them. The same principle can be said for dining tables and console tables.

But for a more subtle way of showing your favorite décor, you can arranged them in an evenly spaced out manner on your cabinet, shelves or bookcases. You can arrange your books by color and size or by genre. You can then display your small knickknacks next to the books or in their own compartments.

6. LIGHTING

Lighting is essential when creating your mid-century modern interior. While some styles use general lighting, mid-century modern relies heavily on task and ambiance lighting to set the mood. Floor lamps and drop lamps are often used in order to highlight a particular area in the room such as a dining set, a sofa set or even a hallway. For a warm and cozy look, use lightbulbs that emit a warm white light while a bright daylight bulb makes the room seem a lot bigger than it normally is.

Another option to consider is to take advantage of natural lighting; especially if you have a good source of natural light and large windows. Allow natural light to enter and illuminate your desired space; it will give off a sophisticated and clean look.

Another idea for your interior, especially if you have a small place is by opting for an open plan layout. Having two or more areas in one room will actually make the space less constricted, therefore adhering to the style’s principle of a clean and sleek look. But perhaps the biggest tip of all is to have patience and be creative. The whole concept of the mid-century modern interior is to bring out the most of a simple, period style and make it completely unique and stylish,

So there you have it. Simple and very easy tips and ideas on how to create a mid-century modern interior design. It may be tough at first, but you will be surprise to see a beautiful and completely unique interior once it is over.

When it comes to studying, having a conducive and comfortable place is imperative. One would need a chair that guarantees absolute ease; especially if you would be spending the next five to six hours sitting at a desk. You would also need a desk wide enough to accommodate the numerous books, notebooks and electronic devices you use. You would also need storage compartments for your supplies.

But above all, you would need a space that is entirely yours! That being said, here are several professional tips and ideas you can use when beginning your study room interior design.

QUICK NAVIGATION

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  1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
  
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  2. MEASURE THE SPACE​
  
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  3. WHAT IS NEEDED AND CONSIDERED?
  
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  4. MAKING THE STUDY ROOM COMPLETELY YOURS
  
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  5. HIRE PROFESSIONAL WORKERS
  

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Like with most spaces, having the right location will contribute immensely to the overall look. This the first step in creating the perfect study room interior design. For some, they would like to separate the study room from the bedroom, while a fair few would like to incorporate it along with the bedroom. 

Go for areas in the room that have windows so that you can occasionally let fresh air as well as natural light. These are both good for studying and the eyes. It also helps if the window has a stimulating view to look at whenever you would like to take breaks. This view could be a garden, the sea or even a cityscape.

A clever location idea, especially if you have a small house is placing your study area under the stairs. To make it even uncanny, you can have doors installed so that it can be covered when not in use.

2. MEASURE THE SPACE

A very important tip to consider when creating your study room. As much as you would like to have your perfect study room made, you must also consider the overall size of your area. You would want to maximize the allocated space to accommodate all the essential elements, regardless of the size. You wouldn’t want your study space to be too big or too small right?

The same can also be said if your area has windows. You would want to make sure desk or cabinets are not too high or too low. You can start by making a rough sketch of the room. Once you have that drawn out, measure everything such as the length and height of wall you would be working with, the location of the outlets, and even the windows. This will help determine how wide and high your study room furniture should be.

3. WHAT IS NEEDED AND CONSIDERED?

Now that you have your space and all the measurements in order, it’s time to begin your study room interior design plan. Make a list of the things you need to have in your study room. The basic pieces are a desk, a chair, some storage pieces, built in or moveable, and for added comfort, a lounging sofa.

Let’s start with the desk. You must consider the size of the desk; most desks usually have a 60 centimeter depth and whose length would range from 100 centimeters to 150 centimeters. This is done so that it would accommodate at least two open books, a laptop or desktop or even several notes. Sometimes, the length of the desk would vary; especially if they are custom made. Look for desks that fit both your space and your intended look. If you like your desk to have storage, opt for those with either drawers or open shelves. Desks are often made with wood, but for a more modern look, you can have them made using laminated boards or even repurposed wood.

When it comes to chairs, consider how long you will be seating when you study. Take note also of the height and the type you are getting. More often than not, high back office chairs are usually employed since they are ergonomically designed to provide comfort to practically all types of bodies. They are also commonly seen in most study room interior design. You can also opt for colored upholstered variants of the office chair or wooden chairs with upholstered seats, depending on your study room’s overall theme. Avoid incorporating chairs whose seats are too narrow or too wide or whose back reaches to your lower back. As much as possible, when you go shopping for the chair, try sitting in each option and see which one works for you.

Another element you should never take for granted is storage. Storage is really important, especially for your books, notes and office supplies. While some people tend to work better in cluttered spaces, it is very important to have an organized working space for all of your things. These can include bookcases, file cabinets, file drawers or even custom built in pieces. Storage pieces can also add personality to your study room, particularly the bookcases. If you are the type who likes to showcase all the books you own, you can arrange them in rows of color, size or even genres on your bookcase.

And lastly, the study room doesn’t always have to be about sitting and studying; it can also be a place for you to relax and unwind. You can add a lounging area with a sofa or armchair or simply put two chairs and a table. If you have children, you can even place a small play area for them. If you have tall windows and a nice view to look, you can create a bay window type bench complete with storage. That way, you can both lounge and study at the same time. If you have a small study room, you can incorporate an accent chair as both your work and lounging chair.

4. MAKING THE STUDY ROOM COMPLETELY YOURS

As stated before, the study room is simply a place or space in the house where you either study or work at. But believe it or not, some people use the study room to their own needs. For designers and artists, the study room would have a drawing or drafting table as well as walls tapered with sketches or designs; for musicians, the study room can have instruments or even an entertainment center for music players and speakers; Or if you are a writer, you can keep it simple by having either a typewriter or laptop present on your working desk.

This tip is very important in making the study room interior design completely yours! There are many styles that may appeal to you such as the vintage style which is characterized by the use of carved, wooden furniture, engraved details and abundant use of either dark or light colors; the industrial style, which is a modern update on the vintage style characterized by the use of exposed metal, bricks, reclaimed or recycled wood and somber color palettes. A more common, yet versatile style is the modern, contemporary look which is characterized by the abundant use of neutrals with pops of color, straight lines, and customized, modular furniture,  Modular furniture, by definition, are pieces of furniture , mostly cabinetry, that come in various sized components that are put together on site. It offers the users the option to shape the look to however they would like.

Perhaps, the most important tip is adding a little bit of the user’s personality. This can be achieved through the use of accent walls to showcase the user’s favorite patterns or colors, favorite artworks and photos and even home accents like figurines and plants.

Another idea you can try is incorporating a common work area. This is a feature popular among students who like studying in groups. It can come in the form of a 4-8 seater table and chairs located a few steps away from the main working area. Or if you like the idea of lounging and discussing at the same time, you can have an area where you can place multiple beanbags or armchairs in a circle. This can be near the bookcases or the window.

5. HIRE PROFESSIONAL WORKERS

Once you have an idea on how you would like your study room to look like, the next and most important tip is to hire professional workers. There are many companies who provide all the materials you will need, especially those who specialize in modular furniture. It is important to seek their professional services so that you will be able to achieve the look you want. They can work with your needs and budget and the results are worth it. You would want to make the mistake of hiring workers who take advantage of your time and budget and deliver subpar work. You can find these professionals online. But before hiring them, ask for their portfolios so that you can see just how good they are.

And there you have it. These are tried and tested professional tips and ideas you can use when you create your study room interior design. Not only is it a long process that involves careful consideration, it is also a fun and rewarding experience that you will enjoy as you create your unique space.

Contemporary Interior Design is, by definition, an interior style that is occurring and happening at the same time. There is no definitive signature of a contemporary interior as it encompasses many styles through the last few decades. What is prevalent, however, is that the style is constantly evolving; taking bits of elements from previous styles and refining it to fit the current look and aesthetic.

Contemporary design uses popular materials from then and now in order to create a unique and adaptable look. Here are 6 characteristics of a contemporary interior and how you can create one in your own home.

1. COLOR PALETTE

Contemporary Design is by far, the most adaptable style there is. As such, the colors associated with this style are those that are transitional and can be easily adapted into other styles. The most common colors in this palette are browns, taupes, creams, and pure white; something of a muted earthy tone. This, coupled with several bits of a contrasting color, brings the whole room together.

You can achieve this look by painting your walls with light brown paint or for a more flexible color, an off-white or cream paint. You can even set aside one wall as your accent wall and paint in a contrasting color such as teal, gray, or even a darker brown.  Another idea is to employ a cream-colored sofa and accessorize it with different patterned pillows of the same pop of color. Or if you want to, you can even have the whole area in a singular color palette, with the accent color being on just one very bold piece. The only limitation is your imagination.

2. TODAY’S FURNITURE

Furniture that is often seen in this style tends to have simplified lines and surfaces, without any intricate details. This evolved from older, more elaborate designs with several of the elements slowly taken away until all that is left is a simplified and more classic look.  Contemporary furniture may also be taken from pieces that were popular in their day and are now enjoying a rebirth of sorts in the new style. Most of the furniture is made from light wood such as birch and oak, glass, steel, chrome, and even metal.

There are many designs to choose from, but a very good tip is to prioritize practicality, then function and form. Or simply “function follows form”; a philosophy made famous by Louis Sullivan. Choose pieces that possess the characteristic of straight lines since these will easily be dressed up with various accessories and pairs. Consider also the shape and size of the room.

If you have a small room, opt for a sofa that is both small and comfortable. Avoid bulky-looking pieces as they will make the room appear smaller. If you have an open plan type room where two areas can be seen, choose pieces that balance one another in terms of size and materials. You can even mix material finishes together to create a really unique piece of furniture such as an entertainment center or even built-in bookshelves.

3. FABRICS AND FINISHES

As stated earlier, the contemporary style is the most adaptable of all the styles. In this notion, it uses finishes and materials that are not only popular now but can easily be adapted into other styles shortly.

Fabrics, for example, have evolved from expensive, heavily woven brocades to light yards of silk, wool, linen, and cotton. These kinds of fabrics are abundant for upholstered pieces as well as soft furnishings like curtains and pillows. It also showed the sudden popularity of leather or leatherette. The same can be said for material finishes such as veneer, wood stains, stone, and even synthetic materials.

This is the part where you can get very creative. If you have an existing piece of furniture but would like to change its tattered and faded upholstery, go for solid-colored wool or cotton fabrics that can withstand wear and tear. A staple color would be neutrals, but you can opt for a different color; if you plan on it being an accent or focal piece.

Try experimenting with different patterns and textures in your fabric pillows. You will be surprised to see that plain-colored pillows lined with piping would complement pillows with geometric or minimalist prints.  You can even put a bold printed pillow on an accent chair. Opt for fabrics that are locally made like handwoven fabrics or fabrics made from natural resources.

4. LET THERE BE LIGHT

The most common lighting used in contemporary interiors tends to gravitate towards it being a statement or focal point in the room. While there will be general lighting that illuminates the room, each room will have signature lighting that easily brightens not just the place but the overall aesthetic. Floor Lamps, Table Lamps, and Hanging Lights fall under this category.

Oftentimes, they employ the use of bright fluorescent bulbs, but for some, especially those who favor a more traditional ambiance, they would go for incandescent lighting or even both.  Most contemporary designs for lighting fixtures would have sleek straight lines and smooth metallic finishes.

When choosing a floor lamp for your living room, if you are considering getting a floor lamp for that extra task lighting, go for a floor lamp that is neither too tall nor too short. Opt for one that is at least eye level for you. This means its top should meet the level of your eyes.

Or if you are getting a floor lamp that arches like an overhang, make sure you get one whose lampshade does not droop further down. When in doubt, go for floor lamps that are solid black or chrome plated. Another contemporary idea is to have track lighting highlight a particular piece of art that you might have on your wall. You could even highlight a wall gallery.

If floor lamps or hanging lamps are not your cup of tea, you can use recessed or cove lighting as it provides that much-needed drama and light for your interior. The best part of using this type of lighting is that it is adaptable to any type of style regardless.

5. CONTEMPORARY DECORS

Unlike most decors associated with a particular theme, contemporary decors are popular with what the current trend may be. But that doesn’t mean that there are decors that can’t easily be adaptable. Sometimes, a little bit of creativity is all one needs for contemporary design.

Contemporary decors include contemporary art such as pop art, modern art, and even minimalist art framed on thin black frames; bright and exotic-looking carpets made from dyed cotton and yarn, soft furnishings like pillows and curtains and little statues and figurines. If you like to have a wall gallery showcasing your favorite artworks or photos, choose a wall where it can easily be seen like your hallway, your foyer, or even your living room. To make them look uniform, use identical frames or frames that have a similar element like color and texture. Hang your wall gallery in any way you’d like. There are many ways of hanging artwork. If you live in a condo, a good tip is to consult the property manager and its engineer if the wall that you are considering for your wall gallery does not have hidden pipes and wires that you might accidentally hit.

If you have tall windows, try hanging your curtains a few inches above your window. This creates an illusion of height. Choose curtains that are of the right length. Contemporary curtains will often made out of printed or plain fabrics. A very popular type of curtain is the blackout curtain. These are curtains that, based on their name, completely darken or moderate the light coming into the room. It’s also good for acoustic management.  As much as possible, avoid using curtains that are of a heavier fabric and print. You can also have, if you’re not a fan of printed or plain colored curtains, soft voile curtains that not only moderate the light coming in from outside, it can also give your room a very breezy and comfortable feel. Which is the end goal of most contemporary interiors.

6. WHEN IN DOUBT, CONSULT A DESIGNER

If you are still feeling overwhelmed by all of this, you can always consult a designer. Most interior designers have spent years studying on how to make most of the space given. They will be more than happy to assist you in creating your contemporary interior. They will take into consideration how big the space is, how much your budget is and what you would like to see.

You can also give them a few requirements like what kind of special features or what colors you would like to see and they will provide you with various design solutions. If you are living in a condo and especially an hdb apartment, you can always check through a list of designers recognized and familiar with your property.

So there you have it. The takeaway from this is that when you opt for a contemporary interior, you are giving yourself several opportunities to try out different styles and looks. After all, variety is the spice of life, and having a basic canvas of sorts is even more fun.

About Modern Luxury Interior Design in Singapore

Modern luxury interior design blends sophistication with functionality, creating elegant yet highly livable spaces tailored to contemporary lifestyles. Characterized by sleek aesthetics, premium materials, and meticulous craftsmanship, this design approach elevates homes with a refined balance of comfort and opulence.

From high-end condominiums to landed properties, modern luxury interiors embrace clean lines, bespoke furnishings, and smart home technology to enhance convenience and exclusivity. In Singapore’s fast-evolving real estate landscape, this design style remains a top choice for homeowners seeking timeless elegance without compromising on practicality. Below are key characteristics that define the Modern Luxury interior design theme:

1. COLOR SCHEME OF THE MODERN LUXURY STYLE

As with all interiors, start with a basic color scheme. And since you are working with a combination of two styles, you will need to know the colors associated with the two styles.

• Modern colors would include the neutrals such as gray, black, white, brown, taupe, beige and even graige; the latter being a combination of gray and beige. They can also include metallic colors like steel and platinum.
• Luxurious colors are often bold colors like reds, purples, teals and even jewel tones like emeralds and topazes. Then there is also the metals such as rose gold and gold.

To achieve the modern luxury look, opt for ratio of 3:2 with 3 representing the modern colors and 2 being the luxurious colors of your choice. In essence, you would want to use at least 2 luxurious colors as your accent or statement color while everything else will be in the modern scheme. Any ratio would work so long as you use more modern colors than luxurious colors.  You can also make a mood or idea board as a guide.  For example, you can paint your walls in an off white color with some modern leather furniture and a few red accessories.

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2. FABRICS AND TEXTURES IN MODERN LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN

A key element to consider in modern lux design is employing the use of fabrics associated with the theme. There are a wide array of fabrics to choose from ranging from silks to linens. Modern luxury design will see the use of sturdy fabrics like cotton, linen and silk, as well as leathers and dyed fibers.

A good trick to try in your interiors is by making use of classic prints such as Greek meander frets, arabesque ogees, hound’s-tooth’s, and subtle geometry on accents such as curtains, pillows or even arm chairs and sofas. You can even use a carpet or rug made out of finely woven fibers and place them on the floor and you can put either a sofa or a dining table on top of it. This would make for a very subtle yet elegant touch. Take care not to overpower the textures as it may overwhelm the overall look.

3. CLEAN AND SMOOTH LINES

Another element present in modern lux design are straight and clean lines with hardly any curved or intricate details present. This is evident in the use of modern furniture, custom built cabinetry and masculine architectural elements like exposed beams and cantilevers.

This is a good opportunity to make the most of your space. If you have exposed beam cornices, you can imitate the look of a modern house by simply painting it in any neutral palette such as beige and white. Then sand it down so that it will have a smooth and symmetrical look. Choose furniture that has less adornments such as L shape sofas and rectilinear dining tables. Choosing these pieces will help build your interior and provide you with an idea on what to pair it with.

4. CLUTTER FREE!

While most interior styles will have more elements and motifs as their defining characteristics, modern luxury interiors rely heavily on Mies van der Rohe’s principle, ‘Less is more.’ In this case, less clutter and frills results into a bigger and bolder impact.

When you start accessorizing your place, lay out your accessories and pieces. Then, like trying clothes on, see what fits better. Always go for the more practical pieces as they alone can make the room look even more special. Then eliminate what is not needed.

In modern luxury interiors, you only need to highlight the basics. Don’t forget to space out your pieces in such a way that there is balance and that you can move around it. It will make your interior look clean without overtly making it look empty and bland. For other accessories like small statues, bowls and figurines, you can display them in open cabinets which will give off a pleasing and organized look. Take care to choose accessories that complement the overall color scheme.

5. NATURAL MATERIAL

Apart from metallic and jewel tone colors, another characteristic of modern luxury interiors is the use of naturally made pieces such as stone, wood, granite, marble and even concrete. Having stone and natural elements gives off a bolder, more elegant look. And the best part of having these elements is that it can last longer and can easily be used in other design styles.

Instead of using actual granite, why not go for a similar material like synthetic granite or quartz stone. They are both sturdy and will give off that clean, modern look. You can also bring in marble painted accessories like vases and trays; polished pebbles, carved minimalist wooden statues and even have some built in concrete planters. You can go further and have wooden dividers to serve as both accent and room divider.

6. BOLD FURNITURE

Modern Luxury interiors call for the use of simple, yet bold furniture pieces. The most common pieces seen in this type of interior include a full living room showcase that includes either an armchair, a 3 seater sofa or even a sectional sofa that make up the overall seating area; coffee tables that have either solid or glass counter tops that are supported by steel or metal frameworks; a dining showcase that includes rectilinear dining tables and high back dining chairs and a bedroom showcase with the beds having fully upholstered headboards or built in wooden ones.

When choosing the furniture, opt for a practical alternative to the aforementioned pieces. There are many .sofas that have the same straight and clean aesthetic that are quite reasonable and have good quality.  Take note of how big and wide your sofa will be. As much as possible, you will need to get a piece that is neither too big nor too small, but somewhere in between. You can also look for dining tables that have straight legs and ordinary table or glass tops. You can have high back chairs that are either plain or fully upholstered. Or you can even use iconic modern chairs. A more subtle option is to get furniture in a monochromatic scheme, save for one piece that will serve as your accent piece.

You can even consult a designer for a custom built cabinet and entertainment center that will not only make the most of your space, but it can also help keep several of your things organized.

7. GRAND LIGHTING

An interior wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t have a matching set of lights; in this, a grand lighting of sorts. Most modern luxury interiors utilize modern chandelier or drop pendants that utilize both straight and intersecting elements to create a showstopper of its own. The most common forms of lighting used in this interior include cove lighting, which give off a subtle yet dramatic feel; pin lights strategically placed around the room to light certain parts of the room; a chandelier or main lighting fixture that ties the whole look together and even some floor lamps for that subtle ambiance.

You can achieve this look by getting lighting fixtures that have unique and interesting elements like multiple hanging lights forming a spiral; Or modern fixture like the Sputnik lamp. Or even getting a tall and sleek floor lamp that droops to the center of the area. Another element to consider is that most modern luxurious interiors use bright fluorescent light in order to illuminate rooms and make them look bigger than they appear to be.

8. FINISHING TOUCHES

Like most interiors, you will need a few accessories to make it uniquely yours. And in the case of modern luxury interior style, you will need accessories such as modern vases, small figurines or even statement artworks.

To achieve the finishing touches, opt for artworks that are minimalist and modern in design. You can use triptych art frames that show line drawings or paintings done in soft neutrals and gold paints. You can also use figurines that have little gold or metallic finishes. White, gray or black vases can also be used. It’s all about bringing the most out of your interior.

Just because it’s associated with status and prestige doesn’t limit one’s desire to have this look. It’s all about understanding the basics of the look as well as using one’s creativity and practicality in making it a reality. The overall goal of this interior style is to bring out a clean and comfortable ambiance for both you and your guests.

The Secret to Successful and Stylish HDB Toilet Renovations without Regrets.

There is nothing more satisfying than having a place to call your own. And like most homeowners, you can’t wait to get started on renovating your basic house into your own dream.

And the first area you start with is the toilet and bath. You want to have the most stylish looking toilet and bath and you start searching the internet for hdb toilet renovation ideas. You then encounter some’ horror stories’ about how others had the worse experience when it came to doing their own renovations.

And some of these stories seem to constantly repeat themselves one after the other that you suddenly start thinking twice about renovating your toilet and bath. Fret not, for here is a list of the 11 renovation mistakes to avoid and what you should do to avoid them.

1. MAKING RASH AND ON THE SPOT DECISIONS

This is the most common mistake anyone can make when it comes to doing bathroom renovation in Singapore, be it a toilet or a living room. More often than not, people make “on the spot” decisions on what to do with their renovations because they feel it is the right choice or that they are in a hurry to move in. This results in spending more than what is needed or causing some unexpected damage to the toilets.

More important, there are some must-follow HDB policy, rules & regulations that will make you get penalized for violation. So, before you start, make sure to always get advice from a professional interior designer / expert on what are allowed and not allowed to do (rather than making careless & quick decision).

2. FORGETTING TO CHECK THE AREA FIRST

Another mistake most homeowners make is when they don’t check the area first. You may have gotten the keys to your house now, but you would not have the faintest idea if your renovation can be possible.

Many people do not well plan their space, thus don’t have any clues how much space they will need to afford all the items they want to put in. Some HDB toilets come in different sizes, so there is a huge possibility that you won’t be able to have that double sink counter you always wanted.

Sometimes, you might find that there are a few problems like leaks or odors happening in your toilet even before you start your renovating. It is wise to check the area first for any faults or problems and immediately report it to property manager. As they say, early detection can avoid serious complications.

3. SETTING A SKY’S THE LIMIT BUDGET

While you may say “money is not an issue”, in actuality, it is. If changing the plumbing allocation or buying designer fixtures and tiles is part of your hdb toilet renovation plan, then be prepared to spend a huge bulk of money.

Plumbing works involve changing the orientation of pipes and the flow of water and that involves breaking the walls and looking for the main water line, etc. The same can also be said if you will purchase fixtures and tiles especially if you already a tiled room and working fixtures.  As much as possible, try to work with what you have and if you must spend, prepare a practical budget.

4. DOING BATHROOM RENOVATION IN SINGAPORE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL

This is a very costly mistake anyone can make. Your house is one of many units inside the HDB building. As such, there are certain rules that homeowners must abide by (so remember to ensure HDB approvals & permits are applied for before starting your renovation).

For example, you would like to mount a towel rack by the shower. They will need to see where you intend to mount it and confirm if it will hit the hot & cold consume pipes or not.

Another example would be wherein you would like to knock down a wall in order to make your toilet a lot bigger. There are some walls that are designed to be load bearing walls and cannot be knocked down. It is very important to get their approval before you start. You don’t want to be paying fines and having your renovation plans put to a halt just because of that, right?

5. CHOOSING RANDOM MATERIALS

Of all the rooms in your house, your toilet is one of the most used rooms ever. It’s where you shower and wash after a long day. With that being said, it calls for you to give the toilet a personal touch. But that doesn’t mean you choose random materials on the notion that it’s stylish and expensive.

You need to consider several things. Tiles, for instance. If you get tiles that are too big, you will most likely make your toilet look small. If you get tiles that are slippery, you or anyone in the house could easily slip and have an accident when these tiles are wet.

The same can be applied for fixtures. When it comes to choosing materials for your toilet, opt for materials that can last longer and can save you a great deal of money. Go for tiles that can make the most of your toilet and fixtures that won’t tarnish or rust for the next ten or fifteen years. You might be spending a good amount of money, but investing in quality materials will make your renovation a success.

6. NEGLECTING PROPER VENTILATION

Just because it’s a toilet doesn’t mean you scrimp out on the small details. When making your hdb bathroom renovation plans, don’t overlook proper ventilation in your toilet.

A toilet that does not have proper ventilation results in poor circulation of fresh air which can trap moisture and bad odors, which then causes mildew and molds to grow. This can become a health hazard to you and everyone in your house. As much as possible, consider proper air ventilation.   If your toilet does not have any windows, opt for an air vent that can extract the odor and moisture.

7. BUYING AND DISCARDING WALL AND FLOOR TILES.

This is another mistake that is just waiting to happen. Especially if you are a new HDB homeowner. If you’re planning on removing any of the existing wall and floor tiles and getting new ones to suit your design, you might have to reconsider doing that until after three years.

Most units come with the walls and floors already tiled. They also contain a waterproofing membrane designed to prevent water leaking through to your neighbor below. As tempting as it may be, you are advised not to remove your existing tiles after three years of moving in (warranty time). In short, HDB will cover you the waterproofing membrane for 3 years, that’s why they won’t allow you to hack wall & floor tiles.

8. COVERING THE EXPOSED PIPES

If you’re the type that likes the look of a clean and sleek toilet and hates exposed pipes, that’s fine. We all want a sleek and clean looking toilet. But here is the clincher.

If there are problems in the plumbing, how can your plumber access your plumbing if the pipes are covered completely? That would mean demolishing whatever is covering it. And that would most likely disturb your neighbors, raise the attention of the property manager and if you’re not careful, you could end up destroying your main pipe line.

As much as possible, avoid covering your exposed pipes. They are exposed for a reason. If you really don’t like looking at it, don’t worry. There are many creative ways to hide your exposed pipes without covering them completely. You can have removable storage cabinets or if your style is industrial, you can just leave it as is.

9. HIRING SO CALLED CONTRACTORS AND DESIGNERS

You might have heard your friend tell you about this ‘professional’ who can make your renovation plan a reality without so much as costing you a fortune. You might have also read about ‘professionals’ who have done more damage than good when it comes to renovating an HDB house.

As much as possible, when looking for a designer or contractor to work on your renovation, hire the ones that have been approved and recognized by HDB. The reasoning for this is because they are familiar with how the unit is constructed and the rules of the property. Another reason for hiring them is because they have undergone training & have got many years of experience to do these all stuffs, that enable them to meet with the standards the property demands and give you the assurance that they know what they’re doing.

10. CHOOSING TRENDY DESIGNS AND STYLES

Like with most homeowners, you will be enchanted by the notion of having a toilet that follows the latest design trends like Pantone walls or the latest HCG toilet and so on. However, this might also be a very costly mistake on your part.

Trends come and go and as time passes, your toilet will have a rather dated look, prompting you to conduct yet another renovation, which means getting the approval once more, finding the approved designer and setting aside an even bigger budget. Instead of choosing trendy styles, opt for a style that doesn’t look dated and can easily adapt to any design. You can find different designs that will look timelessly stylish.

11. NOT WATCHING OVER YOUR RENOVATIONS

This is, by far, the biggest mistake anyone can make when doing bathroom renovation Singapore. While some will leave it to the contractors or the foreman, more often than not, the foreman isn’t always around and the workers, without someone to guide them, could easily make mistakes along the way or disturb the neighbors with the loud sounds. And once this reaches the property manager, you will be answerable to whatever fines will be implemented.

Take the time, even if it’s one hour a day, to oversee how the renovations are coming. You can even converse with your contractor on the progress. Regardless, this is your renovation project and you have to be present to see how it goes.

So, there you have it. These are the most common hdb toilet renovation mistakes that can happen. This is not to say that you will make the aforementioned mistakes when you start renovating.

However, it does help to understand how things works and what to do and not do. And by understanding them, you are on your way to having a smooth and hassle free toilet renovation that will leave you feeling both relaxed and relieved.

About The Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

There is one room in the entire house that is given as much importance and precedence as any of the other rooms. It is the bedroom. The reason for this is because this is where you will retire to after a long day’s work and where you will rest and relax. As such, you would want to create the perfect bedroom. But where to start? Here are a few bedroom interior design tips and tricks to consider when creating your picture perfect bedroom.

Style & Necessities – Bedroom Interior Design

It is important to have an idea on how your bedroom would look like. Think about what theme or style you want. Do you want to have a very luxurious looking bedroom? Or a very simple bedroom? What colors do you want? What furniture pieces do you want in your room? It is always good to sit back and think about what you want for your room. Consider the style you want.

Nowadays, most would like to have a modern bedroom, which is characterized by straight lines, neutral colors and multifunctional pieces that maximize both storage and the overall space. This is very popular with condos, hdb houses and small homes. Start by making a checklist of what you want in your bedroom, the style, the color, the pieces you will use and most importantly, your materials and budget. This will serve as a guide when you start creating your picture perfect bedroom.

Study Your Area When Renovating Your Bedroom

It is important to know your area. Or in this case, the size of your bedroom. Once you have an idea on how your bedroom would look like, it’s time to see if the space will allow it. Some bedrooms, especially the ones in condos, tend to be smaller than regular bedrooms. As such, certain furniture pieces may be eliminated or customized.  For example, you might have an existing bed that takes up most of the room’s space or a bed that makes the room barer. So it is best to gauge what specific size of furniture you will use.

Take note of windows and other access points like balconies, sockets and doors… This will help in placing each piece accordingly. If you have a steel tape, measure how wide and high your walls are. Do a quick sketch with the measurements and placement of windows and doors so that you can decide on where you would like to place what piece. Don’t forget your electrical switches and sockets, as they must always be readily accessible for your electronics.

“This Bed Is Just Right … “

Goldilocks wasn’t kidding when she uttered that famous ‘just right’ line about Baby Bear’s bed. Like her, it is very important to find the right bed for your bedroom. Beds come in four sizes namely single, double or full, queen and king; with the king size being the biggest bed and often used in large master bedrooms.

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In this article, we explained some key details about the bed size and how it is incorporated across different interior settings. Check now.

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The size of the bedroom will play a big factor when choosing your bed. Single beds are preferred in small rooms where there is one occupant or used in pairs if the room’s occupants are children or if the room happens to be a guest room. Double or Full beds have been the go-to-size for condominiums, hdb houses and small homes due to it being somewhere in between a single and a queen bed.  Queen and King Size beds have always been employed in bedrooms that are large and spacious.

Once you have decided on the size you like, pick the right mattress height for your bed’s mattress. An ideal mattress height must be at least 8” to 14”. This is to ensure that apart from having the perfect bed size, you’ll also have the perfect comfort when sleeping.

Built-in & Multifunctional Pieces – Bedroom Interior Design

The one thing that you must always consider is maximizing the storage capabilities of a room. Especially if the room is small. Bedrooms are notorious for having most of the occupant’s things. As such, it is vital to have ample storage for all your things like clothes, shoes, books and accessories while maintaining a clean and compact look.

Nowadays, closets have been built into the room’s overall architecture, giving the bedroom more space for other furniture pieces. A good multifunctional piece to invest in would be a bed that has multiple storage like drawers and hydraulic storage under the mattress. You can even opt to have your bed customized to a specific design with drawers and compartments for your things. Several options include a murphy bed; which is a type of bed that can be fixed or folded into a closet, a loft bed that can have both the bed and work desk made into one.

Another idea to consider is having your closet and desk customized against one long wall so that you can save space and make the most of it.  You can search for ideas and inspiration online for pieces that would help maximize your room. The only limitation is your imagination.

The Right Linens for Your Bedroom

Just like picking the right bed, it is important to pick the right linens for your bedroom. This includes bedsheets, blankets, and comforters and of course pillows. When shopping for your bed linens, check the pack for the thread count. This indicates how soft the sheet is. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet. Most bed linen thread counts range from 200-800.

White is the most popular color for beddings, but if you like a bit of variety, you can go for other neutrals like grey or beige. This leaves you the freedom to use pops of color in the form of comforters or pillows.

The Right Lightings for Your Bedroom

Similar to the bed, you need to consider lightings when it comes to your bedroom. This is because more often than not, you will need adequate lighting when you are inside your bedroom. Especially if your bedroom has limited windows. There are three types of lighting that are often employed in the bedroom.

• The first is Ambient Lighting; this type of lighting makes use of either portable or fixed fixtures that generally illuminate the entire room.
• The next one is called task lighting and you can see this with lamps on night tables. This kind of lighting is used when you need to work on a particular task like reading a book at night or working on your desk.
• The last one is called Accent Lighting and you can see this in cove ceilings or floor lamps illuminating a particular part of the room. This type of lighting is meant to ‘accent’ or focus on a particular part of the room, be it an accent chair, a unique ceiling design or simply a gorgeous bed.

Another tip to consider is the type of light you will use. For a cozy and intimate feel, use lightbulbs that give off a fluorescent yellow light and for general lighting, use lightbulbs that give off a bright incandescent white light.

Accent Pieces

Like every interior, an accent piece makes the room standout and makes it even more comfortable and distinctive. You can opt to have an accent chair by the window, especially if you’re the type that likes to sit and watch the view. Another decorative idea is to have an accent wall. This means that one side of your bedroom walls are of a different paint color and pattern. You can even opt for a unique headboard as your accent piece.

Adding Personal Touches

Your bedroom is your bedroom. That means you must include elements that represent you or your overall personality. If you like vintage and country style elements, you can have a handmade patched quilt that showcases all your favorite country patterns and prints. If you like bold and industrial elements, you can have two industrial lights hanging on either side of your bed or even incorporate an industrial pipe as your door handle. If you like to have a sleek and simple look, you can have wallpapers installed that would serve as your headboard. The possibilities are endless with the end goal being the creation of your ideal bedroom that you can rest and relax in.

When In Doubt, Consult A Designer

You might feel overwhelmed with so many ideas on what you want for your bedroom.  It is a good idea to consult a designer so that they can help you with your style. Designers are trained to understand what a client wants in their area and can come up with various options for them to choose from. You can ask their professional opinions if you should do major works or what pieces would work. They can also suggest places and suppliers for you to go to when you start creating your ideal bedroom.

So there you have it. Creating the perfect bedroom interior design may be a bit challenging at first, but once you have created it, you will find that sense of satisfaction when you go inside and lie on your well-made bed and relax.

When you think of Japanese style, one word will come to mind. Zen. While the culture of the country may be firmly rooted in millennia of history, modern Japanese interior design revolves around clean lines and minimalistic living. A fine balance between pieces of cultural significance and the clean, sleek lines of modernity, let’s take a look at some ways you could incorporate Japanese style into your home.

1. Nature

You don’t have to be growing a mini jungle to bring nature inside. Traditional Japanese plants can add a subtle touch of the style without being overwhelming. Go for a bamboo plant, orchid, palm or a bonsai tree; the key here is to keep the plant sleek and luscious green.

2. Sliding Doors

Without the permanence of a partition wall, traditional Japanese screens can divide a room up however you like. Known as a ‘shoji’, screens come in a range of different materials. From delicate paper to contemporary glass, light should always be able to pass through the screen, keeping the space as light and as airy as possible.

3. Lighting

Natural light plays a prominent part in Japanese interior design. If you are renovating your property, install large windows, maybe even floor to ceiling ones, that will let you see a lot of the outside world. If you do not want to replace your windows, maximize your existing ones by removing heavy drapery and curtains from around your windows. If this looks too bare for your taste, try a simple shade at your window or a light curtain panel.

4. Flooring

On the floors of most Japanese homes, you will find tatami mats. These large straw creations were once exclusive to the homes of the rich, but today you will find them in the majority of homes in Japan. Typically made from the straw of the rice crop, today it is common to see polystyrene or wooden ones as well.

5. Soak Tubs

The sound of gently flowing water can be incredibly calming and, as with nature, water is an important element in Japanese interior design. Now gaining popularity across the world, Japanese style bathtubs are ideal for soaking your troubles away, helping you to feel more zen at the end of a busy day. Deep with built-in seating, you can sit upright in a Japanese soak tub and still be surrounded by soothing waters.

6. Meditation Space

Once in that peaceful state of mind, the last thing you want is to return to the chaos of your kitchen or the noise of where your children are playing. Why not create a meditation space in your home to fully immerse yourself in relaxation? You don’t have to use it to meditate; iInstead, you could use it to simply read a book with a cup of tea. Achieve true tranquillity with natural light, green plants and a water feature in the space for an extra calming vibe.

7. Furniture

Many Japanese homes do not have rooms dedicated to a specific purpose, therefore the style often calls for furnishings that can be utilised in many ways. For example, sitting on the floor on a large cushion is common instead of having several armchairs filling the room. Low to the ground furnishings are also a good way to emulate the Japanese aesthetic if you do not want to sit on the floor.

8. Wood

Wood features prominently in many homes around the world. The key to Japanese style wood is in the texture and grain. A great way to bring wood into your home without the need to change all of your furniture is through the flooring or by the addition of a shoji.

9. Minimalistic

In your Japanese style home, lines should be clean, wood should be natural and lighting should be modern. Everything in a minimalistic space should serve a purpose. There is no space for clutter in a minimal zone home. You may wish to look at the art of Feng Shui to get a better idea of how this style of interior design could work for you.

10. Colours

Japanese style colours are kept very simple. Often featuring earthy tones of green, grey and brown, the inspiration for any accent colours should always come from nature and never appear too artificial.

11. Accessories

While minimalist living excludes clutter from your space, a home can feel rather cold without a handful of accessories. When it comes to incorporating Japanese interior design into your home, opt for Japanese style swords such as the Katana sword. If you don’t like the connotations of a sword, try a traditional Japanese lantern such as a toro. These lanterns are usually made from metal, wood or stone and can be striking additions to any home.

Remember, in Japanese style less is more, so take some time (or consult with an interior designer) to decide which elements you want to bring into your home.

INTRODUCTION ABOUT MINIMALIST INTERIOR DESIGN

In the realm of interior design, the concept of minimalist interior design has gained significant popularity, offering a simple, uncluttered aesthetic that resonates deeply with individuals seeking serenity amidst the bustling city of Singapore.

This article will give you an insight into the definition, origin, characteristics, and other diverse expressions of minimalist interior design, shedding light on how elements like color, pattern, materials, and furniture contribute to this intriguing theme.

Defining Minimalist Interior Design

The minimalist design concept follows the “less is more” ideology by visionaries like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who popularized this phrase. It is about creating spaces that are reductive, monochromatic, and clutter-free. This design style describes simplicity and elegance with clean lines, order, and harmony and accentuating the attractive architectural features of a space.

Trend Alert!

Minimalist interior design continues to be a prominent trend in Singapore’s home decor landscape for 2025. Several indicators highlight its sustained popularity and evolution as below:

1. Integration of Warm Minimalism:

The minimalist approach in Singaporean homes is evolving to incorporate warmth and comfort. Designers are blending clean lines and uncluttered spaces with cozy, earthy tones such as beige, cream, and soft browns. Natural textures like wood, linen, and wool are being utilized to create inviting atmospheres that serve as serene retreats from urban life.

(Source: thesingaporean.sg/elevate-your-home-with-2025s-interior-design-trends-in-singapore)

2. Emphasis on Functionality and Sustainability:

There’s a growing focus on functional minimalism, especially suited for compact living spaces common in Singapore. This includes the use of multi-functional furniture and smart storage solutions to maximize space efficiency. Additionally, sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled metals are being incorporated, reflecting a commitment to environmental consciousness.

(Source: interiordesigns.com.sg/blog/top-interior-design-trends-for-2024.html)

3. Adoption of Biophilic Design Elements:

Minimalist interiors are increasingly featuring biophilic design elements, integrating natural components like indoor plants, stone accents, and large windows. This approach fosters a harmonious connection between indoor spaces and nature, enhancing the overall well-being of occupants.

(Source: ecubespace.com.sg/minimalism-interior-design)

4. Color Palette Trends:

Neutral and monochromatic color schemes remain central to minimalist design. In 2025, there’s a notable shift towards warmer neutrals and earthy tones, moving away from cooler shades. This transition aims to create cozier and more inviting spaces.

(Source: interior.sg/articles-details/interior-design-trends-2025)

Origins and Evolution

The concept finds its roots in the minimal art movement of the 1960s, which celebrated the marriage between simplicity and functionality. Over the years, this approach has evolved into a design philosophy that extends beyond aesthetics, which is why Minimalist home design is considered an intentional lifestyle choice.

Dating back to the period where Japanese aesthetics, and ideas like “wabi-sabi” and “Muji” express the spirit of simplicity, imperfection, and natural materials, is where minimalist interior design first emerged and continues to evolve today.

Characteristics of Minimalist Interior Design

The Minimalism style is one of the most influential design styles in Singapore today. But what distinguishes this design from other design styles and makes it so popular?

This theme aesthetic uses a monochromatic or neutral color palette featuring shades of white, beige, and gray. This creates a backdrop that allows other design elements to stand out. Clean, simple lines contribute to a sense of orderliness. The design values the use of natural light, form, and natural materials.

Elements of Minimalist Design

The key elements that contribute to this interior design theme are crucial to achieve the actual “minimalistic effect” and create a delicate balance between simplicity and functionality.

• Colour– Simplify the colour scheme by using neutral tones and avoid extraneous colours. Occasional splashes of muted colors can be strategically introduced but keep it to two or three colours. Similar colours can be layered, for example, light wood tones for the TV console, coffee table, and sofa.
• Furniture– This is where the “less is more” philosophy is critically applied. Furniture pieces that are absolutely necessary with less ornamentation are chosen. Storage solutions that keep the space uncluttered are considered and create a harmonious blend of form and function. This gives the rooms a more spacious visual appearance.
• Textiles– In minimalist home design, clean lines, subtle textures, and neutral base color palettes create a calm atmosphere and introduce laid-back luxury. Fabrics such as linen, cotton, and wool are used for their natural and soft appearance. Simple patterns, like gentle stripes, add interest without overwhelming the space.

A crisp, monochromatic look with coordinating shading palettes can make a living room that is inviting and unwinding.

• Accessories– To create a wonderful space in minimalistic design, you need three basic elements: natural light, shape, and beautiful materials in an open floor plan. Limited ornamentation and decorative objects are used for a simple look. A lovely wall painting or piece of decoration such as a vase can avoid a rather boring look.
• Light– Natural light is a simple opportunity to enhance the aesthetics of any room. Maximizing light using large windows can create a healthy and peaceful indoor atmosphere. With options to include window treatments such as roller blinds or sheer curtains in neutral colours you can enjoy the practical benefits of controlled light and privacy.

With minimalist interior design becoming so popular, different variations have emerged, each with a unique twist. Some examples of such variations include:

Modern Minimalist Interior Design

This design theme is where modern décor meets minimalism. Modern Minimalist Interior Design is inspired by open and simple that were first seen in Japanese homes. It incorporates clean lines, a monochromatic or neutral color palette, natural materials, minimalist decorations, and simple furnishings.

It also focuses on the marriage between technology and aesthetics while prioritizing functionality over unessential overwhelming decoration pieces.

Japanese Minimalist Interior Design

Japanese Minimalism is a concept that follows Japan’s traditional Zen philosophy. This design incorporates a peaceful setting and consists of elements connected to nature. This simple, never-cluttered approach gives off a serene feeling that is reflected in a neutral palette, commonly in shades of white for hinged doorways, cabinets, cupboards, and walls.

Natural light floods the rooms through skylights and glass windows. The absence of nonessential internal walls is encouraged to open up spaces and allow an organic flow between the interior and exterior spaces. This minimalist design theme exudes sophistication and perfectly complements the urban landscape of Singapore making it a favourite choice for Singaporeans.

Minimalist Muji Interior Design

Minimalist Muji Interior Design encapsulates the essence of minimalism and combines it with Zen aesthetic principles. This style is inspired by the famous Japanese retail brand with a philosophy of “No-Brand Quality Goods” to ensure functional and quality household goods and clothing.

Therefore, this Muji style emphasizes functionality using high-quality and well-crafted furniture that can quickly adapt to changing needs. Clean and neat designs that use subtle colors and natural materials including woods, metals, cotton, and linen are favored. Décor pieces in uniform and linear shapes are used to encourage a clutter-free look.

This design theme also features bright and airy spaces and infuses a touch of the outdoors through plants to promote a healthy ambiance.

Extra Information About Muji Theme

The concept of Muji’s interior is exactly the philosophy it advocates: practical, clean, neat, organized and above all, functional. It is not overtly minimal and plain, but rather minimal with a touch of elegance.

>> About Muji Interior Design

Minimalist Wabi Sabi Interior Design

Minimalist Wabi Sabi Interior Design draws inspiration from the Wabi Sabi philosophy and celebrates the beauty of anything that has flaws and imperfections. This means respecting the authenticity of objects in their most natural and raw form.

Start designing a Wabi Sabi home by following the minimalist aesthetic. This design principle features open floor plans with ample natural light to create a spacious looking home. Multi-functional objects or storage solutions are used for clean and organized spaces.

Additionally, organic materials, brutalist furniture, vintage objects, a nature-inspired color palette, rough textures, and greenery complete the look. These are some points that have made this style the most beloved interior design trend in Singapore today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Minimalist interior design reflects lifestyle choices where each design element has great value in terms of functionality and aesthetics. From its origins in the minimal art movement to its incorporation of Japanese philosophies like wabi-sabi and Muji, minimalist interior design has carved a place in the hearts of Singaporeans.

Empira White is a unique marble quartz, its classical white base coloured in the purest of hues. This uplifting surface is an illuminating backdrop to the more dominant, almost black veins that traverse the countertop, creating an interplay between darkness and light.

Alive with emotion and movement, this structure is a refined rustle of fine lines atop shadowy alluvial layers that add depth. As Caesarstone’s latest interpretation of authentic Calacatta marble, Empira White elevates any interior – presenting the sophisticated beauty of natural stone alongside the durability and easy maintenance that are now synonymous with the Caesarstone name.

Kitchen Renovation & Mistakes To Avoid

Kitchen renovation might be among your most important investments (that can last for years, not only helps increase your entire house’s value, but also level up your lifestyle). However, during 27 years in this business, we have heard many sad stories about homeowners in Singapore who suffered really terrible & stressful experiences during their kitchen remodeling.

Below are #11 most common mistakes people make when renovating their kitchens (you will probably want to carefully check to avoid repeating them on your own project).

#1. Kitchen Renovation Common Mistake: Not Enough Storage Spaces

One of the most common mistakes when renovating your kitchen is to underestimate your demand for storage space. Take advantage of all storage opportunities you possibly have, even small add-ons such as cabinets, roll-out drawers, and tray dividers, … Wall-mounted pegboard is also a quite smart solution to increase your store space (and for decoration purposes as well) that you can consider.

#2. Don’t Keep Your Budget Under Control When Remodeling Your Kitchen

The expense to remodel your kitchen can quickly & easily rack up (especially if you don’t have a strict plan to manage your budget). A simple tip given is never to spend more than 15% of your house’s value on kitchen renovation. Additionally, kitchen cabinets may account for up to one-third of the total reno cost, so please keep it in mind before spending on other stuff.

#3. Leaving Kitchen Appliances Till Last

Shopping for kitchen appliances might not be the most interesting task during your kitchen remodeling journey, but perhaps, it’s the most important step many people forget to plan from the beginning. That’s true, we can see how much easier it is to pick your cabinets & countertops (with dimensions) to fit your existing refrigerators, induction/gas hops, dishwashing machines, and microwaves, … (Imagine that you did the whole thing in reverse, that could be a disaster).

#4. Kitchen Renovation Worst Mistake: Doing The Whole Thing Alone

Even if you’re going to implement your DIY kitchen renovation, you still should consult with an expert for some benefits below:

• Monitor & refine your remodeling plan: telling you what works and what doesn’t.
• Recommend you some reliable brands & wise choice of materials.
• Provide you with some tips & ideas you’ve possibly never heard about.

(And if you don’t know, Weiken is regconised as the most trusted reno expert in Singapore with over 27+ years in operation).

#5. Focus Too Much On Kitchen Design

At Weiken, we always strictly require beauty and aesthetic elements for all of our designs. However, the great balance between a design’s appearance & functionality is much more important (especially for kitchen remodeling).

#6. Lack Of Lighting

Everyone agrees on the importance of having enough lighting in the kitchen. Additionally, for specific tasks and use purposes, you may want to have different & proper lights, such as when preparing meals, chopping vegetables, manipulating kitchen appliances (task lighting), having dinner (soft lighting), and showing off your kitchen in normal condition (LED accent lighting).

#7. Overlook The Ventilation

The ventilation system is always a significant element to focus on during the renovation process, especially for open kitchens. A good ventilation system can not only prevent food odors from getting out into the air and sticking to the walls & furniture but also remove extra heat, smoke & moisture.

#8. Wrong Placement Of Kitchen Island

The kitchen island is an amazing solution to expand your preparation area. However, if your kitchen space is quite limited (with lots of appliances installed), an improper placement of the kitchen island may bring many troubles to you. For example, if the island is too close to other units (refrigerators, stovetops, …), it will badly affect the traffic flow inside your kitchen.

(For safety, you should leave at least 4 feet of space surrounding the island – that’s to allow a proper & convenient traffic flow and permit any kitchen components’ doors to easily open when being placed opposite to the island).

#9. Not Enough Counter Space

Try asking a housewife and she will tell you how frustrating & uncomfortable to cook in a kitchen lacking counter spaces. This normally comes together with mistake #3 above, that’s when you didn’t plan for all appliances & tools placed on the countertop at the beginning of the renovation process. There are, however, some cases where you prioritize aesthetics rather than functionality, but you still need to carefully consider them before engaging with the option of narrow counter space.

#10. Wrong Kitchen Flooring Choice

Never save your money by spending on cheap & thin flooring materials (that won’t last and perhaps will cost you extra for fixing). Modern vinyl flooring (from Floor Xpert, for example, with typical features: scratch resistance & water resistance) is definitely the best choice nowadays.

#11. Use Improper Types Of Paint

There are quite many types of painting in the market, that’s why you should clearly understand what the correct type to use for different purposes. For example: the latex-based type should be used for wall painting, while gloss paint is specific for metal & vinyl surfaces.

Introduction

“Hello everyone, my name is Lucas and I am an interior designer from Weiken.com. Using one of my latest project as reference, I will be sharing with you some design tips for your next renovation.

This project is a 4 Room HDB in Teban Gardens for a young couple. The design brief was to create a wide common living space not only for future children, but also for their dogs and cats. Scandinavian designs with contemporary elements are the couple’s preferred style and used throughout the apartment.

Living Room Design

The wide living space is achieved by combining one of the bedrooms with the living room. The effect of this widened spaced is visible right upon entrance and facilitates interaction between all users in the living room.

If space allows, a platform can not only be used as a space for storage, but also acts as a fine gesture to sensually demarcate a more private area from another. Allowing you to carve spaces out such as a lounge or a study area.

If you also have pets at home, cabinets with terracing steps can function both as a storage, and also play area for your pets to entertain themselves when you are away.

Bathroom Design

Now if the main colour scheme of the house is generally subtle, bathroom walls are one of the areas to be bold. In this project, we’ve chosen glossy fish-scale tiles with Japanese patchwork patterns to contrast with its environment.

HDB Yard Design

As for yards, new HDB units generally do not come with windows. It is often a good idea to install for safety of children and preventing rain from getting in during thunderstorms.

Kitchen Design

When it comes to kitchen, functionality will be the most critical. Maximise storage if you a lot of cookwares, and maximise the number of drawers to easier access to stored items. If you’re looking for hobs with minimal maintenance, you may want to choose an induction hob over gas hob as its flat glass top is much easier to clean.

Final Words

All you have seen today are generated in an 3D software. For the best immersion, you will be able see your future home up close even before construction through a Virtual walk-through during the design stage. 360 degrees 3D images will also be available for you to access on your mobile phone or computer anytime you want to have the best understanding of the design.

So, if you are still looking for a reliable interior designer, feel free to send an enquiry to Weiken.com and I, Lucas, will be pleased to assist you.

Always feel like you’re running out of space? Here’s some smart renovation hacks for you to try during your 2-Room BTO renovation.

After you’ve gotten your house keys, you’ll probably be stressed out about doing renovation as you attempt to fit in everything in your cosy home. It may be a challenge but with proper planning and renovation, a smaller space could also be as functional as larger spaces.

Whether you are preparing for your 2-Room BTO renovation or renovation for any smaller spaces, the below ideas will help to make better use of your small space.

1. Tear Down The Walls

Project: 590A ANG MO KIO ST 51

During your 2-Room BTO renovation, it may be a good idea to get rid of the walls and embrace an open-concept as the reduced barriers allows you to maximise space. Think about it, do you really require a wall between your kitchen and living room? Or a wall between your bedroom and living room even?

In order to create a practical  spaces (comfortable to live), sometimes you need to think out of the box and take bold steps. So, why don’t you try tearing down the unnecessary walls and converting them to partitions, glass-door dividers or sliding doors.

2. Keep It Light

Project: 591A ANG MO KIO STREET 51

One of the quicker ways to make the existing space look larger would be to make use of light color paints . Try painting the ceilings in light colors to create an illusion of increased ceiling height.

When planning for your 2-Room BTO renovation, make your home seem more spacious by using a consistent color throughout the various walls. The illusion of a larger space is created because the eyes are allowed to travel throughout and around the house because the room is painted with lighter colors.

When contrasting or different colors are painted on the walls, the human eyes tend to pause whenever the color changes. This causes the size of the room to seem smaller because the edges are emphasised. Or in other ways, you notice the boundaries. Whereas the space appears to continue when the same color is consistently utilised throughout the house, reducing the boundaries.

3. Mirror Mirror, On The Wall

Project: 16 SHAN ROAD

If an intricate and sophisticated renovation plan is not within your budget, how about creating an illusion of maximised space instead?

Incorporating mirrors into your renovation plan could do wonders by making your room look larger. Simply find the focal point and place some mirrors that angle toward it; this provides an illusion of depth.

• In the day, the usage of mirrors can help reflect sunlight and natural light, making the room look brighter.
• During the night, the mirrors can also reflect artificial light into the house, making the room feel less dull.

If you’re looking to make your home feel even warmer and cosier, you can also try placing the mirrors near the windows to bounce outdoor light deep into the room.

Don’t want to include placement of standing mirrors that occupy space into your 2-Room BTO renovation plan? Then try placing mirrors on the walls or even table tops instead — it helps to give an open feel to your house.

(Bonus Tip: Also try to opt for furnitures with mirrored surfaces or doors as much as possible to make smaller spaces feel larger).

4. Use A Foldable or Pull-out Dining Table

If you wish to go an extra mile to save even more space, typical dining tables are not the best option. Instead, if you don’t have a lot of people living in your home, try to opt for space-saving dining tables.

Such dining tables include wall-mounted tables or even extendable pull-out tables. Both types of tables will also provide you great flexibility in space usage.

When you need to use the dining area for other purposes, simply keep the table away. Then pull it out again and you’re ready to host your guests for a sumptuous dinner!

5. Re-purpose Your Bomb Shelter

It’s a well-known secret that many of us simply use our bomb shelters as store rooms. Instead of doing that, why not make it part of your renovation plan and turn it into a space that you’ll actually love – while not breaking any rules of drilling or hacking.

This is a pretty good tip to try during your home renovation. Here are some good ideas that will help inspire you when making the plan.

Idea #1: Mini Library

Photo Credit: contemporist.com

Ideal for both parents and the inner bookworm in you. Not able to fit in a full-sized library? Fret not, simply transform your BTO bomb shelter into a mini walk-in library for yourself or for your children. And this is one way you can make better use of the bomb-shelter in your house.

Idea #2: Hidden Walk-In Wardrobe

Photo Credit: Good Housekeeping

Instead of using the bomb shelter in your home as a storeroom, you could even convert it into the walk-in wardrobe that you’d always dreamed of. Remember, a smaller living space doesn’t translate into having to sacrifice the furniture or renovation style you want – all you need to do is find ways to make these items as multi-functional as possible.

Idea #3: Pet Room

Photo Credit: Musely

Another great way to maximise space by re-purposing your bomb shelter would be to convert it into a pet room. If you’re currently using your bomb shelter solely as a storeroom, how about clearing out the clutter and creating a pet room for your furkids?

The bomb shelter may not be spacious enough to be used as a full-fledged bedroom, but it may just be the perfect spot for your pets! Wouldn’t be a much warmer nest for them as compared to metal cages? Not forgetting, you could even store your pet’s food and belongings in the very same pet room.

And if you do not prefer having your pets roam around while you’re out for work, just add a pet-safe gate at the bomb shelter entrance. Of course, do remember to leave the bomb shelter door open to allow proper air ventilation while your precious fur kids rest in their very own pet room.

Struggling with Small HDB Bedrooms Design? We Know Your Pains!

We all feel the pain of living in an HDB / BTO flat today, especially when we struggle to incorporate our favorite stuff to the tiny master bedrooms (there’s simply never enough space for our demand).

…Yes, I’m talking about your bedrooms, the 1st place you start a new day, the last place to end a day & also the place where you will spend 1/3 of your life!

While Singapore BTO & HDB flats have been getting smaller over time, it doesn’t mean we can’t have our dream bedrooms come true. In contrast, do you know that a proper layout & design can totally create a miracle in turning a small bedroom into a functional & spacious haven without sacrificing beauty & style?

Don’t believe me? Let’s read #10 practical Lessons below (by Weiken) and start transforming your bedroom into a wonderful place.

#Lesson 1: Use A Platform

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 4-Room HDB at 104A CANBERRA ST

Consider incorporating a platform when designing your bedroom!

Having a platform under your beds not only helps bring a clean & tidy look for your bedroom, but also enhance the functionality by providing extra hidden storage (Either sliding-out OR top-opening style).

#Lesson 2: Place Your Bed At The Corner

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 3-Room HDB at 353B Anchorvale Lane

Although some people may disagree with me and think this layout will limit their choices of directions to access the beds, placing your beds at the corner is really an effective solution to make the most of your space.

#Lesson 3: Room Combination

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 4-Room Condo at 9A RIVERSOUND RESIDENCE

If your bedroom’s area is too small, why not consider hacking down the wall and combine 2 consecutive rooms together. Yes I know this may possibly lead to an extra cost (for hacking work involved) but it’s worth the price since the new space will be really much bigger and more comfortable!

#Lesson 4: Use Neutral Colour Tone (Go Soft on Colors)

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 4-Room HDB at 462D YISHUN AVE 6

Color always plays the vital role in interior design & home decor. That’s why when choosing the painting color for your bedrooms, it’s much better to stick with light & neutral color (White, Citrus Hue, Grey, Purple, Pink) to make the room looks spacious!

#Lesson 5: A “Bay Window Seat” May Work For You

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 4-Room HDB at 591A ANG MO KIO STREET 51

Rather than putting too many random seats around your bedroom, why not try incorporating a bay window seat? It can possibly become a wonderful area for reading books or simply taking a look through the window for relaxation.

Let’s get inspired by the Weiken’s design above and try connecting a bay window seat into your existing bedside vanity (it works like a charm!)

#Lesson 6: Recessed Shelves In The Walls

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 5-Room HDB at 587 WOODLANDS DRIVE 6

Well, if you want more storage spaces but not a fan of too many blocks present in the bedroom, an in-built shelf (in the wall) will be a must-go option for you. Additionally, recessed shelves also brings the modern & luxury look for your bedroom.

#Lesson 7: Tricks With Mirrors

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 5-Room HDB at BLK 487B CHOA CHU KANG AVE 5

The clever use of mirrors inside the bedroom well reflects the light throughout the room, thus providing more exposure & making every inches of your space looks sharper and brighter.

More importantly, the presence of mirrors also help create an illusion of a bigger bedrooms. However, please be careful when choosing the place for the mirrors. Below are some ideal position:

• Near the window
• At the corner
• At L-shape wardrobe

(Avoid hanging the mirrors on the wall opposite the bed, or facing the entrance door for a good health and peaceful sleep)

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 5-Room HDB at 587 Woodlands Drive 6

#Lesson 8: Bring The Nature into Your Bedroom

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 4-Room Condo at 95E Jalan Sendudok

The presence of some flower pots or indoor plants inside the bedrooms creates prominent elements for your space and make it look more eye-catching.

#Lesson 9: Light Supplying

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: 5-Room HDB at 831 WOODLANDS ST 83

When I mention “light”, it doesn’t always mean “artificial light” (from lamps), but also the “natural light”. Yes, that’s true, the more sunlight you can bring to the bedroom, the bigger your room will look (it’s also good for your health).

Addition to the natural light, I will recommend you to install some decorative lights along the walls. Especially if your bedroom is long and narrow, this will be a great tip to make the illusion of a larger space.

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: Landed House at BELGRAVIA VILLA AMK AVE 5

#Lesson 10: See-though Wardrobe

Click the Photo to Zoom in!
Project: Studio at ST THOMAS WALK

Avoid boxing up your wardrobe inside the master bedroom, instead, try to utilise the glass panels to make your room more transparent & brighter!

Conclusion

I hope these 10 lessons will inspire you to transform the current small HDB bedroom into a functional & cozy space today. For more reliable advice & unique ideas for home decor & renovation, please feel free to navigate to Weiken’s best project designs OR contact Weiken now!

Your home should reflect who you are. Our interior design concepts mirror the lifestyle of our homeowners and combining it with a strategic execution of a modern, contemporary design.

HDB homes are no different. Designing an apartment is no trick; from budgeting, to planning, to the execution, everything has to be swiftly prepared. As one of the leading interior design companies in Singapore, we provide quality home interior designing for HDB homes with 3 to 5 bedrooms.

We work with our client’s preferences while improvising using our personal touch. We believe that a home’s interior design should not compromise the living space of homeowners, and it has to lift the character of your homes.

Look through our series of works from our professional interior designers in Singapore. These selection can give you some inspiration for your own humble abode.

Our designers are industry experts who specialises in providing comprehensive home design solutions to help you build your dream home.

Special things come in small packages – even on apartments and condo units. Because no one says that you have to have a huge space to enjoy interior design in Singapore, many little houses are slowly turning into majestic homes. A common approach in designing a small space or a studio-type condo is through minimalism – a little furniture on the corner, a small table at the center, then it should be fine. But to make your place more worth living, you should go with the current trend of having a functional interior design.

Gone are the days of minimalist decorations, because it’s the time to create a space for your homes that serves all your needs. There are plenty of professional interior designers in Singapore who can help you in turning your boring, plain units into a trendy apartment. You may be surprised how a bare studio flat can turn into a magnificent entertainment room in the morning and a cozy bedroom at night.

Here are some tips on how you can make a bigger experience in your small home space:

• Paint the background plain. The wall colors are the basic foundation of a home design. Regardless of how enticing it is to play with wall colors and wallpaper designs, it doesn’t really go well with small spaces. It makes the house look smaller. White, gray, or chrome gives a lighter aura to your home. Also, it allows the furniture and other decorations to stand out.
• Use colors to differentiate spaces. Avoid using walls or dividers as it shrink the place. Instead, choose monochromatic palettes to create an illusion of a room separator. You can have a darker color for private, more intimate spaces like your bedroom, and a lighter, more welcoming color for entertainment spaces such as the living room.
• More than just one room. For small spaces, it may be impossible to equally-divide the spaces of your home for all its functions. Thus, you cannot make your bedroom just a place to sleep and rest. But of course, you would still want to entertain other people in your home while having the opportunity to make it your fortress of relaxation. The smarter way to make your place functional is to divide it into sections – your personal space and your ‘welcoming’ space. You can have your bedroom, study or office corner, and dresser in one side; while you can have the entertainment and living room in one side. The kitchen can also be your party place and your intimate dinner spot. Make each room in your serve many functions.
• Multi-use furniture. A sofa that can turn into a bed, stairs that has drawers underneath, coffee chair with mini cabinets on the side, and a wall bed that can cage everything a person needs are some of the most popular multifunction furniture for modern home designs. These types of furniture certainly save and maximise your space without limiting you from experiencing a fulfilling life.

• Built-in furniture. Instead of buying detached furniture and decors, utilise your walls as the foundation of your bigger furniture. For instance, there’s no need to buy an extra table for your home office desk and there’s no need to set up a TV rack and media cabinets. Build those cabinets and shelves attached to your walls, or other furniture like the bed, and you can save more space. Also, it looks cute.

• Frames above eye level. To make an illusion of having a tall ceiling, make sure to hang paintings and other framed pieces as high as it is aesthetically possible. For example, instead of hanging an artwork in line with the window, try to put it a few spaces horizontally and a bit higher vertically.

• Declutter, as often as you can. All the mentioned tips cannot be effective if your room will be filled with your “everyday” things. Nothing makes a home look smaller than hanging clothes, cluttered papers, and random personal stuff lying around the house. Any place will always look flawless on the first few weeks, but as time passes you may unintentionally accumulate mess. Make sure that you will maintain and keep your humble abode clean and neat all the time.

Get bigger experience on a smaller space The moment you step into your new home, you have already imagined how your life will be on a daily basis. From your uncontrollable busy working days to laidback lazy weekends, you must, at all cost, maximise the experience while you’re at home. As your home gets smaller, it requires more creativity to come up with solutions to save spaces while serving the purpose of your home. It may sound a bit easier but careful planning and placement of furniture may look harder than it is. Good thing, though, there are reliable interior designers that can help realize your dream home. Through creative interior design, living in an undersized space may not feel that small at all.

The best way to set the mood of your home starts with the correct lighting. That’s right. Regardless if your home has the most state-of-the-art furniture or an award-winning interior design, if the lights do not match the room, then you’re sure to be in a big trouble.

Lighting sets the ambience in your home. It has the ability to impact the mood of the people in the room. For example, a living room with bright and shiny lights means a welcoming aura; this is advisable to use when entertaining visitors. A dimmer light on the living room, on the other hand, represents intimacy and peace; this is recommended for romantic nights watching movies. Choosing the right lights can make your house more appealing and, well, homey. Believe it or not, lights have characters too.night.

More than just the mood, lights are also a good investment, and addition, to your home’s interior design. From traditional to contemporary styles, you will never ran out of decorative choices crafted in various materials such as metals, glass, bamboo, crystals, and more. What’s more exciting is that it also comes in different sizes and shapes – lamps, wall lights, chandeliers, etc. Lights also go in different colors; there’s yellow, white, blue, red, and even purple. Each color can match however you decorated the different parts of your home. Each tone and brightness can greatly affect the ambience of the house.

Lights for every room

One of the most popular, and trendy, lighting is the use of natural light. If your home is luckily located in a place with that has a good sunlight, maximise it. Especially in the living room filled it huge and tall windows, the natural light can bring out the elegant atmosphere around the house. Artificial lighting, on the other hand, has to be carefully planned.

You have to remember that each room has different functions, and these are helpful in planning your decorative lighting. For example, if you are going to light the study room you have to have adequate illumination to avoid eye strain. As for your bathrooms and dressing tables, it has to be adaptable based on how you use or need the place. Thus, a dimmer switch may be of great help.

For your entertainment room, you can add a dazzling glow to your TV rack or cabinet using a back panel lighting combined with an adjustable light level for the entire room. In this way, you can personalise the mood depending on the situation. Say if you are watching a movie, you can dim the lights or just keep the back panel lighting. And if you have guests and celebrating, you can have a brighter light.

Aside from the function of the room, you also need to consider the make and the fixtures in it. For textured surfaces like cabinets and dressers, you can add a soft light to create warmth. A plain bookshelf can still look more stylish with the help of some colorful lights.

Basic Lighting Tips

• Your home’s main lighting should be bright. At the end of the day, your home is still a place that needs to be lit. You can play around with different types of lights to set the mood of your home, but you still need to have a bright light to make the entire place visible.
• Size matters. Make sure that you will consider the ceiling height before you run to the chandelier store! You wouldn’t want your dangling lights serve as a curtain too, right?
• Lamps are nice but use it wisely. If you are to put a lamp on your office desk, remember that it’s not just a decoration. You have to place it in the correct angle that it lights the working area. Also, your bedside table lamp is also a good reading light. And most importantly, place the lamp in a convenient distance from the sofa or chair or bed.
• Lights are nice but it shouldn’t compromise your interior design. When choosing light fixtures for your home, ensure that it matches the theme of your home – from the furniture design to the wall colors.
• Maintain the lights as often as possible. Unlike other decorations at home, lights need to be maintained more often. Check or replace the bulbs when necessary; and make sure to wipe it from time to time.

Surely, each light has its function and effect on your homes. And as surprising as it sounds, choosing the best lights to set the mood around the house is no easy task. Home design may come naturally for some, especially if you are already certain on how you visualize your entire place. But for some who need some guidance to head in the right direction, you can seek help from professionals such as an interior decorator in Singapore to make sure that you are doing it right.

Nothing is more exciting than designing a new home, whether it’s your first time to live alone or it’s a new flat that you just moved into. New settlers can’t help but go for quick interior design tricks that can turn their new sanctuary into a haven of homey feeling. If you are one of those new homeowners who’s struggling to decorate your new home, we have a couple of tips here that can help you start a new life in your new home.

1. Lighter and softer colors for small rooms

If you have small rooms in the house, it will look a little cramped and loaded if it’s covered in high-contrast paint. To make the ambience feel a little lighter, use soft colors on the walls so it will reflect the natural light from the windows. In that way, it will look more spacious that it actually it. Darker colors can actually make a room feel smaller.

2. Decorative mirrors can brighten up the place

Instead of putting too many wall hangings such as paintings and photographs, try to install decorative mirrors on some places of the house. Aside from the fact that it is really functional, it’s also stylish and can transform a room for a more elegant look. Mirrors add dimension to your home, too.

3. Add a combination of designs

The tendency about new homeowners is that they frequently leave old things behind and just buy new stuff for the new house. Well, to add a little character on your new home, try mixing old and new furniture and display. Different patterns and textures can create an eclectic interior design, something that can add beauty to your home. You will be surprised how an old family heirloom such as vases and lamps can go perfectly with your new couch. Try to reinvent and mix it up a little.

4. Choose glasses instead of wall dividers

If you are to select a room divider, always go for a glass fixture. Glass dividers make the house look more spacious, also it can save electricity. You can add decorations to your glass walls through the use of stylish drapes and curtains. This gives you a dual option for privacy and style. Moreover, glass is also a better option than a door cabinet. In that way, the cabinets can serve as a storage and a dishware display at the same time.

5. Reinvent and recycle

Honestly, there is no need to buy new stuff to decorate your home. Unpack those baggage and rummage through your old stuff, find something worth recycling. It can be that old coffee table that only needs a couple of new books and sheets to make it look new. Or maybe the old shoe rack that just needs a little repaint so it can look like a new shelf for your living room. Interior design shouldn’t really be about new things; it’s reflecting your own style.

6. Plants are great decorations

We’re not talking about synthetic plants, ok? We mean real, living plants can add color and texture to your home design. More than just its decorative benefits, plants can help clean the household air and balance humidity, plus it absorbs pollution and it removes harmful gases from the air. Going green is a good to go.

7. It’s all on the floor

Little did most people know, the most important part of the house is the floor. From choosing whether you’ll go for hardwood or granite marble, up to deciding if you want to have a carpet or just a plain surface with decorative rags around, it’s tough to make a decision. The best solution? Use a variety of floor design. Each room can have different patterns or textures of floors. In that way, you can set the mood of each room while adding a bit of style on your overall interior design.

8. When all else fail, let a professional do it

Designing your new home can be pretty tedious. That’s why it’s good to know that here are professional interior designers in Singapore who can help you build the fortress that you’ve always been dreaming to have. By setting an appointment with an interior designer, you can share your thoughts and ideas of the house and they can help you bring it to reality. Nothing beats like going home in a well-maintained home.

Regardless of how big or small your office is, it always seems like you can never have too many shelves. Whether you use it as a way to display your office accessories, hold legal documents or store supplies in the pantry, shelving is a practical solution that adds the perfect hint of beauty and functionality to your office.

But, while you’re well-aware of your needs for storage, you may be practically clueless when deciding which shelves will allow you to dramatically upgrade the look of your office, without compromising its functionality and comfort, too.

However, upgrading your office with shelves shouldn’t be difficult when you know the three elements that make up a great shelf option: multi-functional, space-saving and aesthetically pleasing. So, to help you get started, Weiken.com, a trusted interior design brand in Singapore, searched the Internet to give you some of the best shelve samples, along with some tips on how you can integrate them into your office design.

Wall-Mounted Shelf

If you have a modern and minimalist office that exudes the need for a straightforward shelving solution, a wall-mounted shelf may be for you. Some shelf options keep the supports hidden behind the shelves, giving the impression as if they’re cantilevered from the wall.

Such shelf option is great for showing off books, décor, as well as file organizers. Just keep in mind to keep items that you don’t use often on higher tiers, while the ones you frequently use on the lower ones.

Built-In Shelf

When you have a small office, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to accommodate all your odds and ends, particularly when you want the office clean and organized. But, adding a built-in shelf provides more than just a place to store your stuff.

Made to maximize the wall space, built-in shelves offer adequate storage and display space without the need to give up floor space when it’s already limited. An added benefit, it can also add style and architecture to the interior.

Overhead Shelf

A storage directly above a small-space workstation allows for ample space for office necessities while keeping them within reach. The shelf in this picture comes in the same finish as the worktable, creating a sense of casual elegance and style.

Meanwhile, the under-shelf lighting enhances the overall look of the workstation, while adding a crisp look with its minimalist appeal. It illuminates the white tabletop, providing adequate light in order to make up for the light that could’ve been blocked by the storage.

Alcove

An alcove is a recess often formed by a wall being built further back than the rest of the wall. When used to its full potential, it can serve as an attractive focal point of a space.

If you’re in an office with such an interesting architectural feature, you can use the space for additional space to display your prized possessions and décor from awards, lamps to pictures and more. Meanwhile, for alcoves that run from floor to ceiling, you can create a cozy nook for some reading during breaks.

Here are some other shelf options you can consider:

• Multi-Tiered Shelf – This multi-tiered standing shelf is minimal and practical. It offers a modern update to your office, providing additional storage with less floor space.

• Industrial Design Shelf – You may think your office is the last place for an industrial furniture. But, this shelf, with its iron frame proves otherwise.

Choosing the Best Shelf for You

Your options for shelving solutions are limitless, but your choice should boil down to the one that will best suit your needs and taste. If you think shelves are created equal, you’re wrong. Shelves can come in a range of finishes and materials. If you have a traditional office, then a shelf with intricate design may suit your interior perfectly. But, if you want to create a sense of casual and modern elegance, then you may want to opt for a shelf with a minimalist design.

Choose what will work well with your office, and you’ll never go wrong with your decision. Nevertheless, you can always consult an interior design brand specializing in office design in Singapore.

“After much comparison and consultation with various ID firms, my partner and I still decided to go with Weiken.com. Aside from the expertise & experience they possess, we also found them to be one of the most cost effective” — said Mr. Charles Ding (Business Development Manager)

Christmas is in the air! For those who look forward to the Holidays, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of sparkling lights and festive decorations you furnish your home with during the start of December.

You are so delighted with the warmth of the holiday fire and the enticing beauty of your home that you just can’t accept the idea of packing up your decor right after the New Year, one more time. A post-holiday depression creeps in and you tend to want to keep your Christmas tree past its prime and leave the lights on for as long as possible.

But, with a few clever ways to make use of your festive décor year-round, you now have the excuse to extend your Christmas décor! It will not only save you from the trouble of packing up immediately, but it’s also an economical way to use your holiday decor for the next eleven months or longer!

In this article, Weiken, a trusted home and condo interior design firm in Singapore, enumerates the ways to repurpose your festive décor.

Clearance Items That Work All Year

To begin with, if you want your décor to work well beyond the holidays, you should stray away from ornaments that speak directly to Christmas. These can include Santa figurines, nativity scenes, poinsettias and mistletoe. Some alternatives such as snowflakes, pine cones, trees and other winter-themed accents are better in making your atmosphere feel more wintry than Christmas-y

Limit Your Colour Scheme

Further, as much as you’d like to add a touch of the traditional red and green colours, you might be better off opting for modern holiday colour schemes which can include silver, gold, white and other neutrals. Just keep in mind that regardless of your preference, limit your palette to three colours at most.

Add More Green

Anyone can easily associate red with green during the holidays. But, if you’re looking for something that will remain relevant year round, do away with red and instead, focus more on adding fresh greens indoors. Just as you would with a Christmas tree, these evergreens can be easily decorated with garlands and lights. Just imagine the unrivalled beauty and life they can add to your home.

Leave Your Christmas Tree Up

In terms of bulky, seasonal items, Christmas trees take the first spot. But, with some tweaks and a dose of creativity, you can give it a festive twist to suit any other occasion. For instance, you can string a garland of faux foliage around to give it an autumnal flair. Now, you no longer have to worry about where to store your Christmas tree! Meanwhile, check out some other ways to leave your Christmas tree all year long.

Furnish With Neutrals And Metallics

Lastly, to get the most out of your buck, top off your all year round décor with neutral and metallic elements. While it may seem impossible to pass off red and green for Christmas, glass, gold and silver ornaments work just as well. The only difference is that they look better, particularly when used along with natural accents such as twines and woods.

In summary, if you’re looking to spruce up your home with something that will remain relevant year round, then look for holiday decorations that aren’t too specific to Christmas. Try one or two of these year-round solutions and you’ll never have to pack everything away again the next season!

Some homeowners require nothing more than a basic kitchen where there’s just enough cabinets, counters and appliances to serve food on the table. But, if you’re a fan of Master Chef who loves to cook and spends most of the time in the kitchen, then there are scores of kitchen interior design and renovation ideas that will transform your kitchen into a place where you enjoy to work in.

As one of the best interior design firms in Singapore, we take kitchen remodels seriously. We believe that even if you don’t do much of the cooking, the style and functionality of your kitchen is more important than ever. After all, it’s where you start with your day – sip your first coffee and read newspapers in the morning.

So, where to begin? We share the best tips on how to upgrade your kitchen like a 5-star chef.

Choose Functionality Over Style

Although style and functionality go hand in hand, it’s essential to put purpose first. So, when renovating a kitchen, position the sink adjacent to the cooktop and countertop to form a triangle.

Because we engage these fixtures the most out of any other in the kitchen, they should be no more than 6 ft. apart to guarantee ease of movement when preparing food.

Maximise Kitchen Island

Part workspace, part dining table, part storage – a kitchen island just serves multiple purposes. Smartly placed in the centre of the room, it provides an additional countertop for cooking as well as storage – hooks, shelves and drawers – for your kitchenware. It also proves to be a great place to gather everyone when dining.

For best results, consider an island that offers all these conveniences, and pair it with seating that matches the overall design. When all these are considered, make sure that the island leaves enough space to ensure easy access to the kitchen.

Invest In Your Storage

In kitchen renovation, it’s not merely a question of having an adequate amount of storage, you also need to identify the types of storage you actually need. So, it pays to get these details right. Here are some of the typical options you can consider:

• Open shelves – The absence of cabinet doors make an open shelving a great way to display all your kitchenware and supplies in fancy containers. Install shelves from the countertops all the way to the ceiling to make good use of the vertical space.
• Overhead cabinets – Installing overhead cabinets is also a great way to maximise the space between the countertop and the ceiling, while at the same time conceal clutter that you may not have time to organise.
• Concealed storage – Creating concealed cabinets is a recurring approach we take on many of our interior design projects. It offers a barely-there look on the cabinets, thanks to the absence of handles on the surface.

Get The Lighting Right

You can’t cook like a five-star chef if you can’t see your kitchen properly. The solution to bring in adequate light is to make sure that you’re making the most out of natural light. Often it means installing shelves across and above the windows to keep them from blocking the light penetrating through.

Additionally, while overhead lighting may be a given, it may be insufficient in the kitchen as it has the possibility to cast shadows on the workspace. It can be solved as simply as by placing lights on the bottom of the overhead cabinets to illuminate the area where you prepare food.

Give Your Kitchen A Personality

Just as you would add personal touches to your living room, pouring your character into your kitchen will not only create a space that is truly functional but one that is the focal point of your home.

It can be achieved by planning everything down to the last detail from the paint colours, window dressings, flooring, materials and finishes – and while you’re after exceptional styles, you should also opt for ones that are durable and handles signs of wear and tear beautifully for years to come.

Kitchen renovations, while they can be costly and time-consuming, are always worth the dollars you spend to transform your space into a 5-star-worthy kitchen. So, it goes without saying that if you want your kitchen renovated, you want to do it the right way – and Weiken can help you with just that.

The successful Kevin Kwan book series Crazy Rich Asians that has recently been adapted into a multi-million box office film romps through the fictitious, opulent world of Asia’s super wealthy and their upper-class living in luxury properties.

In the series, Nick Young is portrayed as the protagonist who hails from a crazy rich, but secretive family in Singapore. But, no matter how fictitious his character may sound, many of the elements the author details were actually based on real-life encounters with Singapore’s super-rich – an upper-class of society that the masses can only imagine in magazines and on social media.

But, while the Kevin Kwan books speak a seemingly far-fetched truth, the city-state is actually home to millions of dollar worth of properties only the crazy rich can afford. Now, while you may not fall under this upper-class, you can and deserve to enjoy the grandeur of a luxury home even without spending the money you don’t have.

In this article, Weiken, an award-winning interior design firm in Singapore is revealing the secrets on how to achieve a million dollar-looking home without breaking the bank!

Add Lightning

Lighting is one of the essential elements in a space, but it’s also one that’s often overlooked. When upgrading your home, you’ll want to create depth in the room by having additional light sources such as table lamps and pendant lights. You can also place candles in reflective glass containers for a cheaper alternative to lamp shades.

Invest In Textiles

Another easy way to spruce up your room is to invest in textiles such as throw pillows and cushions. Now, while these may seem costly upfront, there are many ways you can save a few bucks like by hitting up your local fabric store to hunt for discounted textiles and sew them yourself if you’re feeling crafty. These can instantly make your room feel more cosy and luxurious.

Upgrade Your Window Treatments

Many expensive homes indulge the conveniences of having high ceilings and towering windows that flood the interior with natural light. Get this look by hanging your curtains as high and as close to the ceiling as possible and make sure that they’re long enough to touch the floor. Finally, for that warm and cosy feel, opt for sheer curtains that will soften the light when penetrating through.

Display A Large-Scale Art

A large-scale, attention-grabbing piece of art can imbue your space with an instant lux feel. If you’re on a budget, you can check out thrift stores for bargain artworks. But, if you’re feeling artsy, you can also do it yourself! All you need is an oversized canvas and the medium of your choice. After all, you don’t need to spend a lot to own an impressive piece of art.

Play With Textures

For a look that’s collected rather than matchy-matchy, mix up a variety of textures such as glass, wood, metal and textiles. You can make a trip to discount home furnishing stores for faux fur blankets, sheepskin throws and statement area rugs to achieve a look that is both elegant and luxurious without breaking the bank.

Replace Or Add Mouldings

To wrap this list, make your home look and feel more expensive by improving its interior architecture. We don’t mean a full renovation though. Simply add mouldings to your walls to create a distinct character to your space. But, if you already have mouldings in place, then you might want to replace them with something thicker for a more elegant look. You can opt to hire a professional for this job.

Final Tips

• Commit to a unified palette

A coordinating palette makes a home feel more intimate and intentional. Pick a palette and stick with it. So, whenever you come across affordable pieces that match your colour scheme, you can easily buy them knowing that they will blend perfectly with your existing interior.

• Go minimal

Living in an age when minimalism is coveted has its own perks. You are urged to make a space look more expensive by putting less in it – and buying fewer pieces means saving the money you could have spent on more accessories that you may not really need.

Of course, every interior design is individual to your home and to you. If you’re on a tight budget but are looking to upgrade your space into something the crazy rich will love, you can trust Weiken to give you the best advice on how to do exactly just that.

Designing a bedroom is relatively easy, but designing a kid’s bedroom is entirely a different matter.

Even if you’re feeling pretty confident in making sure that your kid’s bedroom looks good, chances are, you’re missing out on how to make it functional and kid-friendly. It’s easy to lose the idea of what it should be – a room that is more than merely a place to sleep but a sanctuary that will foster imagination, a safe environment where they can run wild and free.

It’s better to be prepared for the worst. So, as a trusted interior design firm in Singapore, we present this guide on how to childproof your kid’s room and some decorating ideas to boot.

How to Childproof Your Kid’s Bedroom

The first step in making the bedroom safe for kids is by childproofing it. If something poses a hazard to your child, remove it. The same goes when shopping for furniture: avoid anything that has the tendency to compromise the safety features of the bedroom.

In addition to making sure that every item is kid-friendly, it’s essential to take an overall approach to guarantee safety in your child’s bedroom. Here’s what to look for:

• All furniture should be sturdy – Secure shelves, dressers and other freestanding furniture pieces to the wall to make sure that they will not tip.
• Lock doors, drawers and cabinets – Lock all the storage items that your child shouldn’t have access to.
• Cover electrical outlets – Place covers on all electrical sockets to keep your child from touching them and risk electrocuting himself.
• Don’t attract your child to danger – As much as possible, never place toys on the topmost shelf as it could encourage your child to climb to reach them.
• Pad sharp edges – If you can’t avoid furniture with sharp edges, then you can opt place some corner or guards that can help prevent injuries.
• Check knobs – Child-friendly dresser knobs can be quite tricky: they should be too large to swallow and too small to serve as a climbing foothold. They should also be secured so they will not be easily pulled out.
• Store toys conveniently – Keep toys in easily accessible storage and avoid a toy box with a lid that opens vertically. The lid has a tendency to fall over your child when he reaches for a toy.
• Choose window treatments wisely – Moreover, avoid curtains that can be easily pulled down and Remove or keep any cord that can be dangling from the sides. Otherwise, keep them out of reach.

Store toys conveniently

Bedroom falls are not unusual. In fact, it’s among the top causes of death and injuries among children under 5 years old in Singapore. So, to reduce the risk of bedroom falls:

• Install a safety rail to the bed frame
• Move your child to a bed as soon as he starts to climb out of the crib
• Place area rugs with slip-proof mats underneath; and
• Provide a nightlight in the bedroom

An environment where your child feels safe offers far more benefits than you can imagine. It gives them the freedom to explore his surroundings while he is still learning how to be more alert and self-sufficient.

But, more than a safe bedroom, a child can also make the most out of living amidst a beautiful space. The problem is that many parents tend to hold off decorating until their children are older, thinking the kids will only damage everything else.

We don’t mean that your kids should always be spotlessly clean and organised – but we also not mean they can’t build towers and run laps in their Superhero costumes in a beautiful and kid-friendly bedroom.

Consider a style that will welcome the safety measures not to mention, the mess that comes with having a child and design accordingly. Our professional home interior designers in Singapore can help you with just that.

If you’re looking for a hand in creating a child-friendly bedroom, get in touch with Weiken today!

The time when you have to manually lock your doors and play music on the speakers are already a thing of the past in the smart home of today. It took years to get here but, the smart technology today has been demonstrating us the possibilities of a smart home. In fact, statistics predict the smart home devices industry will hit the $100 billion mark by 2023 as homeowners are aggressively adopting the advanced technology in the years to come.

We may not be experts in the smart home technology, but as a trusted home interior designer in Singapore, we have worked with clients who wanted to integrate artificial intelligence solutions in their homes. So, to give you an idea, we made a list of what we think are the most in-demand smart gadgets available today along with some tips on finding the right ones for you.

Smart Speakers

Image: Pexels

Smart home speakers such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home were the first ones to introduce us to the power of smart home technology. Alexa, for instance, the virtual assistant built into the Echo, responds to voice commands to play music.

But, not only that, when your speaker is connected to other smart devices like the thermostats and lighting, it allows you to control them without even leaving your couch. The Google Home, on the other hand, has the Google Assistant built into it, allowing you to add a to-do-list to your Google Calendar through the device.

Wireless Door and Window Sensors

Smart door and window sensors provide an added security for your home. They are considered a cost-effective security system that alerts you when an intrusive activity is detected. What’s great about them is that you can monitor these sensors using a smartphone app intended for them.

The app sends you a message or an email when suspicious activity is detected, alerting you real-time. It also allows you to verify if all the entry points are closed, regardless of where you are at the time.

Air Purifiers

Image: Your Best Digs

Now, to help you maintain appropriate humidity in your home, there’s a smart and compact device that purifies the air indoors. It features an aroma diffusion capability that eliminates bad odours from the room.

But, unlike its regular counterpart, a smart purifier allows you to track what sort of impurities are infiltrating the air indoors and control the air quality within your home. It’s also connected with a smartphone app that delivers this data in real-time.

Temperature Control

Smart thermostats are the evolution of the traditional heating and cooling control in your home. Thermostat devices such as the Nest Learning Thermostat and Ecobee4 have the function to automatically adjust the temperature when their sensors realise you’re not at home.

Such a setting not only makes it easy to control the temperature within your home, but also helps conserve energy, maximising the efficiency of the household.

Lighting Control

Along with these smart devices, a lighting control system completes your basic smart ecosystem. It provides you with the ability to control the brightness, warmth and colour of your lights with a smartphone app or even with your voice.

Aside from conserving energy, using smart bulbs also let you alter the ambience of the room through an app. Motion detection is also available on some brands.

Setting up your smart home can be as straightforward as placing a smart speaker in the living room. But, it’s complexity still depends on to what extent you’re willing to invest in your smart ecosystem and personalise it your preferred level of comfort.

Nevertheless, this list of smart gadgets can help you start with your journey to creating a smart home.

If you want a home bathed in light, there are a few adjustments you need to make. Through this, not only will you get to enjoy the benefits of natural light, but you’ll also have a home that is a design masterpiece.

Take inspiration from these Singaporean homes (full article link): https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/spaces-we-love-singaporean-homes-washed-natural-light

… His heart is full when he has a cozy home that he looks forward to coming back to after work. For those who would like to set up a meeting with Heartland Boy’s interior designer, Jessie of Weiken.com, simply leave a comment below and he can help link you up …

Read full article here: https://heartlandboy.com/hdb-bto-renovation-interior-design/

(https://bobbergdesigns.com/)

Creating your dream home need not be a difficult task. Let SquareRooms and Weiken.com help you. We are inviting all homeowners-to-be to meet us so that we can help you design your desired home. For a start, simply register your interest below and bring along your floor plan to get a free consultation with the designers.

Read full article here: https://squarerooms.com.sg/promo/squarerooms-presents-design-your-home-with-weiken-com/

Choosing an interior designer can be a daunting task with the sheer number of interior designers in Singapore. The last thing anyone wants is to end up a victim of a renovation scam. But even with the help of home renovation sites, there can be an overwhelming number of choices to filter through. Hence, we have researched and compiled this list of interior designers that you should check out for different desired home styles. With regards to how we curate our picks, please refer to the bottom of this article.

Read full article here: https://www.theweddingvowsg.com/interior-designers-singapore/

It’s the start of a brand new year and also the perfect time for a round-up of home trends and ideas from 2018. From chic monochrome spaces on Instagram to tranquil Zen dwellings from Facebook, here are the most popular homes that you were swooning over!

Our Top Facebook Favourites

1. It’s no surprise that this apartment (by Weiken.com) is a fan favourite. Light wood hues, dining bench, a platform and half-hacked kitchen wall? This Japanese, ryokan-inspired interior, with its serene atmosphere, checks all the right boxes when it comes style and function.

…. Read the full articles on Qanvast: https://qanvast.com/sg/articles/best-of-qanvast-the-most-popular-interior-ideas-of-2018-1747

Which Interior Design Firms should you hire so you don’t get scammed? To get you started, here are 5 companies that are CaseTrust-accredited and have done really swee designs in HDB flats.

Read full article here: https://blog.moneysmart.sg/budgeting/interior-design-singapore-casetrust/

While Weiken.com’s managing director Vincent Neo’s chief talent may be design, he is also a marketer at heart. A strong believer in branding, he has positioned his company’s strategy by taking inspiration from the branding campaigns of large companies like OSIM and Amazon.com. “Branding is crucial to companies in industries like ours where it is important to extend reach and build a strong reputation in order to ensure a consistent customer stream,” he explains.

Read full article here: https://www.smeportal.sg/content/smeportal/en/stages/grow/2015/Capitalising-on-a-Strong-Reputation-for-Business-Growth.html

It is common thinking that homes of the elderly should be just utilitarian bereft of any style. That’s not true with a semi-retired couple living along Kim Tian Road. When they met Emily Tan of Weiken, their brief was to create a modern home with clean lines and it had to be easy to maintain. The inclusion of plenty of storage space was also paramount. There also had to be more space for them to walk around.

Read full article here: http://homeplusliving.com/2016/02/16/house-tour-an-apartment-for-an-elderly-couple-demonstrates-how-style-and-function-can-coexist/

With many years of experience in the industry, Neo and Goh are both still constantly upgrading themselves to keep up to current standards. They place their heart and soul into ensuring their best for their customers. Committed to the Company’s philosophy of “placing a client’s design wishes first, coupled with design creativity, quality workmanship and excellent customer service”, they work towards their mission of turning their customers’ dream interior space into reality.

Read full article here: http://soe.org.sg/awards_2013_interview/vincent-neo-goh-joo-hong/

Weiken.com is one of Singapore’s largest and most prominent interior design firm, with widespread appeal and a host of celebrity fans. On 24 November 2013, the local company achieved yet another milestone with the grand opening of its new showroom at Oxley Bizhub. This new showroom is strategically located in the East, and specifically addresses the common challenge of working with small living areas.

Read full article here: https://www.lookboxliving.com.sg/happenings/weiken-com-showroom-grand-opening