Article Category: Design Trends

DC Vision Design Pte Ltd

As apartment dwellers living in limited spaces, most of us dream about owning a large, spacious bathroom. Unfortunately, this is a luxury we can’t afford.

A few simple strategies, however, can be employed to create an illusion of a bigger space! From carefully selected colour palettes to the installation of specific fixtures, we have got you covered.

Interested in finding out how you can to make your toilet appear roomier and spruce up its current look? Check out these modern HDB toilet design ideas below!

Flooring and Walls of HDB Toilet

Match the Colours of the Tiles and Walls

Northwest Interior Design Pte Ltd

Contrasting tile and wall colours break the space into distinct areas; it divides the bathroom up and makes it appear smaller.

On the contrary, blending the colours makes it hard to distinguish where each area begins and ends. This produces a continuous look that makes your bathroom look larger.

Use White on White

Penta Design & Contracts Pte Ltd

White can reflect any available light, rather than absorb it. Thus, incorporating white bathroom accessories and fittings into your toilet brightens it up and makes it look bigger.

Wash Basin, Mirror, and Vanity Cabinet in HDB Toilet

Use a Pedestal or Wall-mounted Sink

Design 4 Space Pte Ltd

A large, built-in vanity can dwarf a compact HDB toilet and make it feel cramp.

On the other hand, a wall-mounted or pedestal sink is the perfect option for a small bathroom. These fixtures create an open feeling within your bathroom and make it feel bigger. In addition, the freed-up space can also be used to store items and house some shelves.

Go Big with Your Mirror

Flo Design Pte Ltd

To make the space appear larger, The Spruce recommends that you swap your current mirror for a bigger one. A large mirror can contribute to the sense of spaciousness and lengthen the look of your bathroom walls.

Because of its reflective properties, it can also transform the look of your toilet and create the impression of space.

Install a Floating Vanity

Sky Creation

A floating vanity is a perfect solution to space constraints. This fixture makes a bathroom appear roomier and frees up floor space.

While the additional space may seem insignificant, having more room can make a drastic difference in tight areas. It also serves as additional storage for your daily essentials.

Toilet Bowl in HDB Toilet

Use a Wall-mounted Toilet Bowl

Weiken.com Design Pte Ltd

Because these fixtures are typically smaller in size, wall-mounted toilet bowls are perfect for HDB bathrooms with limited space.

They also trick the eye by making the space seem bigger. Besides, these toilet seats are gorgeous and elevate the entire ambience of your bathroom.

Install Racks or Wall Shelves for Additional Storage

D5 Studio Image Pte Ltd

The area above your toilet bowl often ends up being underused and forgotten. However, when short on space, every inch of the bathroom matters.

Maximise the space by placing a standing rack or installing some wall shelves to create additional storage.

Shower Area in HDB Toilet

Use a Glass Panel

New Interior Design

Replacing the shower curtain with a glass panel or door is another great way to expand the look of your bathroom. The glass opens the space up and allows more light in, giving an optical illusion of a larger toilet.

Tip: opt for a frosted or tinted glass panel if you prefer more privacy.

This option allows more light to filter through, keeping you covered while making your shower experience feel less claustrophobic.

Ditch the Bathtub

Design 4 Space Pte Ltd

A relaxing soak sounds like a wonderful idea after a long, tiring day. However, installing a comfortable, freestanding bathtub just isn’t feasible in a small HDB toilet. These fixtures are often too bulky and eat up valuable real estate.

When designing your HDB toilet, install a shower stall instead; it’s smaller and ensures the efficient use of space. Aside from that, according to plumber Shane Bruce, make sure that you set up the proper slope so drainage happens right!

Create a Separate ‘Wet Zone’

Einstein Studio Pte Ltd

The area where most of the water-based activity is carried out is known as the wet zone. The dry zone, on the other hand, usually refers to the toilet and vanity counter.

For HDB flats that permit the separation of these zones, splitting them up can help free up more bathroom space.

This layout provides you with a larger shower area and shields your vanity area from humidity. It removes the possibility of mildew and muck build-up, helping to maintain its condition. This is an important consideration for those who store beauty products on the vanity counter.

Lighting in HDB Toilet

Install Bright Lighting

Stylerider Pte Ltd

Good lighting is essential in tight spaces as it helps to make a small area look big and open. This is crucial in a small HDB bathroom which often doesn’t have much natural light.

The toilet is also where most of us groom ourselves. For these reasons, the presence of good task lighting is paramount.

Some examples of task lighting include:

• Wall sconces
• Vanity mirror lights
• Pendant lights
• Ceiling spotlights

Additionally, to ensure that your bathroom is sufficiently lit, multiple light sources can be installed at different locations. A grid of ceiling lights or mirror lights, for example, will help you avoid shadowing and make the space feel brighter.

Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

i-Chapter

Natural light helps to open a space up to make it look larger. The problem is that the windows in HDB toilets are incredibly small and bear semblance to a ventilation shaft.
To rectify this issue, avoid placing plants or laundry near the windows. This prevents you from blocking any light from entering the bathroom.

Alternatively, you can opt for glossy and light-coloured surfaces that can reflect light to create a brighter space.

Designing Your Dream Toilet

Achieving your dream HDB bathroom design can be challenging when faced with limited square footage. However, you shouldn’t let a small bathroom hold you back.

Contact our list of professional interior designers and discover how they can help today!

Women know what women want. This fundamental truth largely explains the success of the sister-and-sister team behind Metier Planner, Principal Designer Jocelyn Shu and Senior Designer Jaslynn Shu.

Sister-founders of Metier Planner, Jocelyn Shu (L) and Jaslynn Shu (R) 

HomeRenoGuru: Tell us about the challenges and benefits of being female founders of an interior design company?

Jocelyn: We always knew that co-founding a company was never going to be easy, especially in a male-dominated industry.

However, up till now, we feel that being female designers comes with more pros than cons. In today’s market, clients are looking for design excellence, quality of workmanship and increasingly, the communication chemistry between the homeowner and the designer. Decisions are no longer solely based on stretching your budget, or renovation speed.

Many of our female clients feel that it is easier to communicate with us, as we help to better understand a woman’s needs. From our experiences, we believe that female designers can be as meticulous as male designers too.

HomeRenoGuru: Where and how do you think that female interior designers have the edge over male designers?

Jaslynn: As females, we know that we ourselves have endless wants and needs. Often, female needs are never discussed, or simply overlooked during the planning stage of home renovations. When we are managing a project, many female clients will step in and start telling us how much space they need in terms of volume. However, they often give little thought to the practicality of how the storage space will fit into their homes and daily lifestyles. That’s where a designer comes in.

Jocelyn: We believe that we are better able to plan an area when we are also the end-users – for example, a vanity cabinet with mirror, a customised dresser, a wardrobe compartment with a hidden dresser, or even a kitchen fitted out for housewives. We have found that more of our female clients open up to us during our discussions because of this. This open channel of communication greatly helps us in customising the compartments based on their lifestyles, while incorporating their partners’ and families’ needs as well.

HomeRenoGuru: From your experience, how do women’s home renovation wish-lists differ from men’s?

Jaslynn: This is solely based on our personal opinions and professional experiences, and our views may differ from those of other designers. That said, we’ve found out that more and more women are becoming great multi-taskers, from being a supervisor at work, to a caring mother and wife when they are back home.

Given that females are constantly juggling their time between work and personal lives, it’s immensely helpful if they have their things stored in an orderly manner. Not only does this decrease the time required to go through their day-to-day routine, it helps to create a more convenient environment in which to work around their homes. Ultimately, this helps in generating more time to spend with their loved ones at home.

Female clients’ wish-lists tend to be a little longer than male clients’, as we try to take into consideration their daily routines when configuring a space that is both ideal for the wife, as well as the husband and the family.

HomeRenoGuru: Who typically wears the pants when planning a home renovation – the husband or the wife?

Jocelyn: (LAUGHING) Now that’s a tricky question. It really depends on the couple’s characters and their needs for the entire home. Generally, wives have more say when it comes to the kitchen and bedroom area, as most of them are the chefs at home. But we do encounter male chefs who cook yummy food, in which case they tend to be the ones who organise the wardrobes and storage areas.

In general, women rule in the kitchen and when it comes to planning the kitchen, according to Jocelyn

Metier Planner excels at functional female-friendly kitchen designs

HomeRenoGuru: How many female interior designers work in your company?

Jaslynn: Our team is small and friendly. Currently, we have three to four female designers on board.

HomeRenoGuru: How do you decide to allocate a project to a female or a male designer?

Jocelyn: All of our designers are professionally trained, from product knowledge to project management tactics. Our male designers also stand out from the crowd and they are as meticulous as our female designers, too. We do not apply specific criteria in allocating projects. It’s more about the fit and communication with the client, as every client is different.

HomeRenoGuru Can you share some projects designed by women for women?

Jaslynn: Due to space constraints, a compact, makeshift dresser was designed for the lady homeowner of a 2-bedder apartment at Telok Blangah. A busy career woman by day, she required a quick make-up session before work, and a place to apply facial products before bedtime. We concealed a sliding tray in her wardrobe, which can be brought out to use as and when she prefers.

A sleek built-in wardrobe in this master bedroom…

… conceals a dresser with a handy pull-out table
Jocelyn: This monochrome master bathroom in a 3-bedder apartment at Bedok South was the result of a quick change of plan after the wife intervened and tweaked the original plan. She expressed her vision of a chic and simple monochromatic bathroom, where she could store her facial products instead of just toiletries. To deviate from simple wall and floor tiles, we created borders to give the overall design an edge. We can still recall picking out the tiles on the spot at Hafary. We listened, responded and changed the colours immediately!

This master bathroom plays with the high-contrast impact of black and white, utilising eye-catching borders to literally give the design an ‘edge’

HomeRenoGuru: Do you have a parting message for female homeowners and couples regarding the benefits of engaging a female interior designer from Metier Planner?

Jaslynn: We are able to diligently assist clients in planning their renovation, from the smallest details to the overall theme of the house. At Metier Planner, our designers carefully oversee your home renovation from start to end, making sure that there are no communication breakdowns at any point in time.

Jocelyn: Our designers have very unique ways of expressing their designs and thoughts, and are adept at focusing on the fine details. For example, we would suggest having a customised dresser incorporated into the wardrobe, rather than getting a ready-made dresser off the shelves. This allows us to cater to the client’s preferences in designing the custom dresser.

This concealed dresser is a perfect example of the benefits of women designing for women – in particular, the first-hand insights it brings to the design process

Jaslynn: Being females ourselves, we understand ladies’ needs and wants. We respect everyone’s input and will never dismiss your concerns as trivial or frivolous. We always strive to share our experience and insights with everyone who steps into Metier Planner.

Jocelyn: At Metier Planner, we are all for ‘women designers for women’!

Jocelyn, Jaslynn and Morris Teo, Managing Director of HomeRenoGuru

History of Scandinavian Interior Design

Scandinavian interior design is one of the trending renovation themes in the recent years.

But how did it all begin?

In 1954, a design show with the name “Scandinavian design” was created to travel from the United States to Canada. It aimed to showcase Nordic designers’ works and encourage an optimal balance between functionality and beauty in design.

Characteristics of Scandinavian Interior Design

Love Home Interior Design: 4 Room BTO

Minimalism

Traditional Scandinavian homes are often small and have no space for clutter and chunky furniture. Naturally, this minimalist feature has been brought over to newer, larger homes and become a key characteristic in Scandinavian design.

With an emphasis on balancing functionality and simplistic beauty, themed HDBs rely on the purposeful placement of furniture. All it needs is a few classy pieces to tie the look together.

Natural light

Scandinavian countries experience prolonged periods of darkness (known as polar nights) so natural light is always maximised in their interior design.

Sheer curtains are often used in Singapore’s rendition of this popular theme to let light seep in without being too jarring. Having natural light also brightens up the entire room so you don’t have to use filters in your selfies!

Absolook Interior Design: 5-room HDB

All-white, muted palette

The colour palette of a Scandinavian home plays a part as well. It usually consists of not more than 4 neutral shades with a focus on whites and lighter colours.

Coupled with the presence of natural light, a muted palette further illuminates Scandinavian homes to tackle the darkness. Aside from that, they also have the added benefit of making rooms look more spacious and classy.

Design 4 Space: Condominium 

Wood elements 

Scandinavian design always includes wood elements, at any corner of the room. But not just any wood – lighter woods are preferred to give the home a chill holiday vibe

Nature-inspired 

It’s no secret that Scandinavians love nature! So, outdoor elements are brought into their homes by incorporating live plants.

Flower expert Bouqs recommends to pop some freshly cut flowers on the table or some plants at the corner of the room to transform the aura of your interior.

Pop a plant or two on your table or at the corner of your room to add some life to any room in your home. The natural light will give them all the sunlight they need; all you have to do is to water them!

Amazon Interior Design: 4-room HDB

Simple accent decor

Some simple decor (such as paintings, illustrations or jars) may be displayed to complete the overall look.

However, decor should be kept to a minimum to keep in line with the minimalistic and clutter-free properties of Scandinavian design.

Homely textiles

While keeping it simple, textiles are sometimes used to add some texture and warmth to a room. Some common examples include

• carpets,
• throw pillows,
• curtains,
• towels and
• bed linens.

These features are made to add a stylish and functional touch to your home.

Scandinavian Interior Design in HDBs

In Singapore, the high cost of living usually translates to smaller living spaces and lower budgets for renovation.

This makes the Scandinavian theme very attractive to homeowners, since it achieves the minimalistic Insta-worthy look everyone dreams of while still being practical and functional.

Here are some design inspirations for the different rooms in your HDB!

Scandinavian Interior Design: Living Room

I Chapter: 5-room HDB

Long windows can be installed to maximise natural light in your living room. This livens up the space and highlights the light wood furniture.

To add some fun and liveliness into your home, choose a unique lighting for your dining table and add some potted plants at strategic spots.

Meter Square: 5-room HDB

A feature wall with colour blocking can also be used to inject some colour and tie in all the elements of wood. Only functional and simplistic furniture (i.e. sofa and coffee table) are included to keep with the minimalism.

Scandinavian Interior Design: Kitchen

Design 4 Space: 4-room HDB

For HDB kitchen designs, this galley kitchen features all-white cabinets finished with light wood countertops. Most appliances such as the fridge, microwave and oven have been built-in to contribute to the clutter-free characteristic of Scandinavian design.

To add on, the white brick wall and backsplash offer a polished feel to the entire kitchen.

Scandinavian Interior Design: Bedroom

All About Designs: 5-room HDB

This bedroom is like a textbook for Scandinavian interior design – live plants, light coloured wood furniture, neutral palette, textile carpet and simple accent wall art. All of which complement each other to give you a homely, inviting bedroom for a good night’s rest.

Swiss Interior Design: 4-room HDB

With a strong muted palette, this bedroom highlights a wooden closet and flooring together with a platform for the bed. Natural light is also a huge element in this room with the long windows.

Moreover, since minimalism is key, the platform doubles up as a storage space under the bed to prevent clutter.

Scandinavian Interior Design: Study Room/Office

Starry Homestead: Condominium

This simple, all-white study room/office illustrates a classic minimalist Scandinavian look. To spruce up the room, some wall art is used to liven up the space.

Other Genres of Scandinavian Interior Design

Other than a strict Scandinavian theme, many homeowners have explored mixing other genres in, such as contemporary and rustic elements.

Contemporary Scandinavian Interior Design

Contemporary Scandinavian comes with an added twist. Popular examples include adding in

• pastel colours,
• patterned tiles and
• darker colours such as brown or black.

This is a complementary contrast compared to the regular light-coloured Scandinavian theme.

Here’s how you can easily bring these tweaks into your home!

Starry Homestead: 3-room BTO

Prefer darker wood furniture over light wood? This 3-room BTO kitchen features dark brown cabinets with black kitchen appliances and stoves. A classic modern twist to the regular theme.

Metier Planner: 5-room HDB

This office space ticks all the boxes of being contemporary Scandinavian – black furniture, track lights and ceiling fan combined with wood furniture in a minimal space.

Rustic Scandinavian Interior Design

A rustic Scandinavian home is said to incorporate barn house-like vibes and slightly raw elements. For example,

• an exposed brick wall painted over with white or grey tones, or
• wooden furniture with a grainy look and rough edges.

All About Designs: 5-room HDB

This living room features a rustic TV console feature wall with all-white and light shaded furniture. Notice how potted plants have been nicely incorporated to add to the homely feel of this living room.

Bringing the Scandinavian Look Into Your Home

When it comes to Scandinavian design, think simple, functional and beautiful. Too boring for you? Add in some rustic or contemporary characteristics to inject some personality into your home.

If you’re still unsure about where to start, contact our interior designers or check out this list of HDB renovation ideas to kickstart the process today!

The Two Big Guys

Our kitchens are where we cook, eat, entertain, and socialise. Therefore, it’s important to create a space that fulfils all these requirements.

With the clever usage of kitchen layouts and designs, even the smallest spaces can cater to your every need.

Ready to get started? Check out these 7 beautiful HDB kitchens designs to get inspired!

Open-concept Kitchen

Design 4 Space

This design is one of the most popular designs among Singaporeans; 7 out of 10 homeowners opted for this concept when HDB carried out a trial run in 2012.

Additionally, the government recently announced that they’ll be extending the open-concept kitchen to BTO projects. This means that such kitchens will soon become the standard in HDB flats.

It’s easy to see why the design is so immensely popular; it allows more light into the area and enables you to keep a watchful eye on your kids while you cook.

Having an open kitchen is a great option. However, cooking grease and odours may spread throughout the whole apartment easily.

To mitigate this issue, here are some tips for you:

• Install a kitchen hood

GV Design & Construction

A good cooker hood prevents unpleasant smells from lingering in your home; it sucks away pungent odours, leaving your home smelling fresh.

• Identify a good hob spot

Renozone Interior Design House

Consider placing your cooking hob next to a wall. That way, a kitchen backsplash can be installed to contain grease splatter when you cook.

In this 4 room HDB kitchen design, a tiled wall is chosen as a backsplash to make cleaning up a breeze.

Single Wall Kitchen

Le Interi

Kitchen space is scarce in Singapore. As such, constructing a single wall kitchen could just be the solution to your space limitation problems.

As its name suggests, this layout pushes elements within the kitchen to a single wall. The need for lesser cabinets to be built helps homeowners to conserve floor space and construction costs.

It also allows for increased efficiency. A well-planned design will avoid having work zones that are too far apart. In addition, you can also prep, cook, and wash up in a single space. This enhances your convenience and improves productivity in the kitchen.

Open Shelving Kitchen

New Interior Design

Unlike most kitchens with rows of cabinets built-in, having open shelves is unconventional. It creates an illusion that the kitchen is larger than it is.

These shelves are also an excellent way to stow away your necessities. On top of that, they offer you an area to display your proud collection of tableware.

Kitchen Island

Form & Space

A kitchen island is arguably one of the most coveted kitchen designs. Besides its impressive appearance, it’s also extremely functional since it doubles as a storage unit and a space for meal preparation.

Most homeowners in Singapore are apartment dwellers. This means that space is a restrictive factor that prevents us from building an island. However, it’s not impossible!

Here’s how you can incorporate an island counter into your kitchen:

• Install a multi-purpose island

DISTINCTIDENTITY

Save space by incorporating your cooktop, sink, and storage into your island. You can even furnish it with some additional seats to convert it into a dining area.

• Use a portable island

You don’t have to limit yourself to a bulky, stationary island situated right smack in the middle of your kitchen. A portable island counter works just as well; roll it out when you need more space and tuck it away when you don’t!

Galley Kitchen

Rezt & Relax

Galley kitchens are a standard of HDBs; they’re distinguished by their narrow layout and parallel kitchen tops. Such kitchens are designed to be compact and practical, making them the perfect solution for HDB owners with limited space.

If you’re considering a galley layout, here are things to take note of:

• Abandon the upper cabinets

When designing a galley kitchen, the aim is to make it feel as spacious as possible. You can do so by reducing the number of tall cabinets used. Alternatively, you can also keep your storage to one side instead of having them on both sides.

• Keep things off the countertop

Maximise space by having as many built-in items as you possibly can. For instance, a built-in oven is preferred over placing the appliance on the counter.

• Use a combination of light and dark colours

Stick to a darker, heavier colour for the base cabinets and paint the upper cabinets in a lighter shade. This helps to lessen the feeling that you are stuck in a hallway.

L-shaped Kitchen

Design 4 Space

A functional kitchen should be designed with the ‘working triangle’ kept in mind. The arrangement creates a coherent workflow between three of the most critical kitchen elements: the stove, sink, and fridge.

Additionally, the layout consists of two walls that are adjoining and perpendicular, forming an ‘L’ shape.

Because of its ergonomics, this kitchen configuration brings about numerous benefits such as:

This layout works best in small to medium-sized kitchens. For bigger spaces, the L-shaped kitchen can also fit a kitchen island – perfect for those who require extra work or storage space.

U-shaped Kitchen

Design 4 Space

The u-shaped kitchen, as it’s aptly named, features a horseshoe-shaped work area; cabinets and counters are lined against three walls with an open end for access.

A u-shaped kitchen design is great because it’s

• Efficient

The layout is designed for high efficiency – you can move effortlessly between your sink, cooktop, and fridge.

• User-friendly

Having countertops on three different sides will provide you with ample space for cooking. Additionally, it makes your appliances easily accessible.

Things to Avoid When Designing Your Kitchen

Northwest Interior Design

Dim lighting

Having proper lighting is essential in a kitchen; it helps illuminate the space to make it brighter and safer to work in. Besides, a poorly lit kitchen is a less than desirable place to cook in. It also increases the risks of cooking-related injuries due to poor lighting.

Insufficient storage

Cabinets and pull-out drawers are the first thing that comes to mind when you think about kitchen storage. When designing your kitchen, place them such that you have adequate space to open them without hitting another cabinet or drawer.

Poor workflow

Bad workflow planning can lead to an impractical kitchen that turns cooking, cleaning, and preparing meals into a nightmare.

Therefore, thorough planning is vital when designing your kitchen.

As a general rule of thumb, the storage area should be located near the entrance. This helps to minimise the distance when transporting groceries to the cabinets or fridge.

Additionally, the area for preparing and cooking your food should be closely situated. This limits the amount of time spent transferring ingredients to the pan and lessens the risk of spilling hot food.

Bonus Tip: How to Select an Interior Designer

DC Vision
Choosing the right interior design (ID) firm is vital. The right company ensures that you achieve the home of your dreams with minimal stress.

Unfortunately, ID horror stories are rampant. Homeowners often find themselves stranded with half-completed renovations after the hired firm flees with their money. They face the double whammy of losing a substantial amount of money and having to hire a new ID.

To avoid being a cautionary tale, ensure that you address these questions before deciding on an ID:

Is the company HDB-licensed?

There are a ton of rogue ID firms in the market that are out to scam customers.

A company that’s registered with HDB signals that the firm has undergone proper training. Furthermore, it indicates that they understand the ins and outs of renovating HDB apartments.

Both of which indicate that they will design your kitchen with the appropriate guidelines in mind.

What contractors do the ID firm work with?

Some IDs have their own factories and employ their own contractors; others get the handiwork subcontracted out.

Generally, the former is preferred. This is because the usage of subcontractors blurs the line of responsibility between parties involved. When issues crop up, fee quotation might increase due to the need to negotiate between the ID and the subcontractor.

There’s also a risk of subcontractors cutting corners and delivering mediocre, unsatisfactory work.

What is the firm’s payment scheme?

It’s imperative that you know how the ID firm will be charging for the project. Progressive payment is the norm in the industry. If a firm asks for you for a 50 % deposit, it’s best to turn them down.

What is the project’s timeline?

Homeowners are recommended to request for a detailed project timeline. While this timeline may be a rough estimate, it allows you to conduct occasional on-site spot checks if needed.

However, if there’s a delay, you’re advised to avoid micro-managing. Instead, question the cause of the delay and how quickly it can be resolved. This allows you to manage your expectations and assess the capability of your ID.

Designing Your HDB Kitchen

There are plenty of tweaks and designs you can choose to change the make-up of your kitchen. From opting for an open-concept kitchen to installing a portable island for flexibility. Having a HDB kitchen with limited space doesn’t mean you need to stick to boring, utilitarian designs.

Learn how we can help you revamp your HDB flat’s kitchen. Contact us for a free quotation today!

At least a quarter of all local homeowners choose a Scandinavian or a Scandinavian-inspired theme for their home renovations. Ironic, really, considering the stark contrast between the cool climes of the Nordic countries and our sunny tropical weather. The question is – are Singaporeans tiring of Scandinavian design?

HDB Executive Apartment Pasir Ris Resale| Cozy Ideas Interior Design Pte Ltd  

Is It Even Scandinavian…

Before we establish the enduring or waning popularity of Scandinavian décor in Singapore, we should first ascertain its authenticity (or not) in the local context.

By definition, Scandinavian interior design embodies simplicity, minimalism and above all, functionality. It is a democratic design movement, based on the belief that good design should be accessible to the masses. Within Scandinavia, it was originally called ‘functionalism’. It emerged in the early 1900s, reached its peak in the 1950s and lives on in the ‘IKEA’ aesthetic.

In general, Scandinavian designers favour natural materials such as wood, leather and cotton over synthetic ones, and light, neutral colours over dark, dramatic ones. They draw their inspiration from nature.

https://www.homerenoguru.sg/design-project/le-interi-bukit-batok-5783/?imgid=47917

HDB 4 Room Bukit Batok | Le Interi

In the 60s and 70s, Scandinavian designers began to experiment with new materials like fibreglass and plastics. Though the materials changed, the clean lines remained.

In Scandinavia, a light-filled interior and the absence of clutter conspire to create a comfortable, inviting indoor environment during the long cold winter months. In Singapore, they are likewise a logical response to our climate – but in our case, to provide relief from the heat not the cold. They are also particularly suited to our compact living arrangements, since light colours and a lack of ornamentation visually enlarge a space.

HDB 5 Room Waterway Sunbeam | Luova Project Services

Above all, Singaporeans are a practical bunch of people, just like the Swedes, Danes, Norwegians, Finns and Icelanders. Our embrace of Scandinavian design is no doubt related to our world-renowned love of efficiency.

Scandinavian interior design, interpreted in the local context, no doubt differs from its original form and context. But the very fact that it has been adopted for practical reasons related to climatic conditions and space constraints, and adapted to incorporate the durability and cost-efficiency of modern building materials, is true to the essential spirit of the pragmatic Danes and Swedes who birthed it.

Into the Light

Scandinavian interiors are characterised by an abundance of natural light. ‘Naked’ or barely dressed windows that admit sunlight are the norm.

HDB 5 Room Punggol Place | Inspire ID Group Pte Ltd                                         

Wooden It Be Nice

Wood, the lighter the better, is the favourite material of Scandinavian designers. In the local market, solid wood is costly, prone to swelling due to the moisture content in the air, and fodder for termites. However, the rise of laminates enables an easy-to-maintain wood-like look at a fraction of the price.

HDB 5 Room 118 West Ridges at Bukit Batok | Noble Interior Design Pte Ltd

Come In, Outdoors

Almost every Scandinavian house has a splash of greenery – nature’s air purifier and a one-of-a-kind piece of living décor. Not surprisingly, the Nordic countries are leading the world in sustainability and healthy living. Though we live in a garden city, as a nation we are lagging behind our Nordic counterparts. But we’re playing catch-up!

HDB 4 Room West Quarry @ Bukit Batok | Swiss Interior Design Pte Ltd

Here to Stay

In conclusion, so long as Singaporeans pursue pragmatism over whimsy and favour functionality over frivolity, Scandinavian design has a home in our homeland.

Whether you intend to opt for a Scandinavian décor theme or are veering towards Victorian, rustic, tropical, industrial or any other concept, you are no doubt conscious of cost. Though ‘cheap and good’ is the elusive ideal that we true-blue Singaporeans covet, ‘cheap’ is not always ‘good’. What you should be aiming for is genuine value for money.

HomeRenoGuru can match you with established and reliable interior design companies that fit your budget and your theme, Scandi or otherwise. Why not request a no-obligation quote right here? You’ll stand a chance to win home renovations totalling $30,000!

From traditional Chinese architecture to the art deco era and nautical inspired porthole windows, circles have never gone out of fashion. Look what we ‘spotted’.

Peepholes in Partitions

HDB 4 Room Punggol Central | Eight Design Pte Ltd

This quietly understated living and dining area is jazzed up with an eye-catching partition formed from die-cut circles of varying sizes. It separates the area by function without obstructing the flow of light and air.

Window Within

HDB 5 Room Waterway Ridges | Luova Project Services

This statement-making circular interior window separates the study area from the living area. It enables privacy without isolation, and creates a striking focal point that dominates the space while opening it up.

Framed!

HDB 5 Room Blk 801B Keat Hong Close | In2Space Interior Pte Ltd

This utterly unique room divider, comprising an assembly of stacked circular and backless box frames, separates the entrance hall from the dining area without blocking the light or enclosing the passageway. Its clever design allows the contents of each frame to be viewed from both sides.

Mirror, Mirror

HDB 5 Room 213A Punggol Walk| Starry Homestead Pte Ltd

The masterful touch of a simple rimless circular mirror creates a strong yet low-cost focal point at the junction of the living and kitchen areas in this Scandinavian-inspired home. The rounded end of the countertop, echoed in the curved backs of the stools, continues the circular theme, inviting the eye of the onlooker to skip from curve to curve.

Chain of Circles

HDB 5 Room Blk 954 Hougang Ave 9 | Swiss Interior Design Pte Ltd

In a space dominated by straight lines, the cluster of a circular table and circular upholstered stools breaks the grid and creates a gathering spot for breakfast, tea and conversation. The circular theme is picked up by the cylindrical room diffuser and perfectly circular teapot.

In a Roundabout Way

Condominium Hillview Peak | Meter Square Pte Ltd

In a room cloaked in neutrals and arranged in parallel rows, the sudden visual disruption of two circular pink and green ottomans magnetises the eye. In a roundabout way, this pretty pair inject a playful note in an otherwise understated space and make a comfortable room memorable.

Whatever you do, do not go round in circles searching aimlessly for an interior designer with nothing and nobody to guide you. Enlist the help of HomeRenoGuru.sg to find a reputable interior designer to match your budget and your brief. Why not requesta free renovation quote right here?

You’ll stand a chance to win free home renovations worth a total of $30,000!

Are You Still Not Using Grey in Your Interior Design?

Grey has shed its drab image and emerged as the new neutral of the twenty-tens. From the palest whisper to deep and dramatic, it is versatile and beautiful. And, it goes with absolutely everything.

Life in Monochrome

Condominium Waterfront Waves | Ciseern by Designer Furnishings Pte Ltd

This grey interior design mixes classic with contemporary. A white chesterfield sofa sits comfortably on top of a pony hair rug and alongside a post-modern chair – and why not? The elegant mid-grey walls tie everything together, beautifully, in this eclectic yet monochromatic colour scheme.

Mid-Grey Mid-Century Modern

Condominium Tree House | Flo Design Pte Ltd

A mid-grey feature wall in this Singaporean condominium is the perfect foil for a mid-century modern sofa, Scandinavian-inspired light wooden pieces and statement pendant lamps. It adds warmth without fussiness and cosiness without clutter.

Luxe Meets Groovy

Condominium Decosia Studio Apartment | Cosy Living Pte Ltd

The deep grey TV feature wall in this Singaporean studio apartment emulates upholstery and endows the living space with a look of clubby luxury. The white moulded plastic chair, long-necked lamp and statement curtains inject a shot of grooviness.

Shades of Grey

Condominium Waterbay | Modern Haus Renaissance Pte Ltd

Grey is layered upon grey in this richly textured yet essentially neutral-hued living space. A light grey sofa and an eye-catching grey floor rug, one shade deeper, are framed by charcoal grey drapes. This grey interior is saved from gloom by billowing white net curtains.

Barely There Grey

HDB 4 Room 633B Senja Road | ID Gallery Pte Ltd

Subtly grey-tinged white saves this space from feeling cold and stark in this 4-room HDB interior design. A seemingly white craftstone feature wall is, in reality, faintest grey. Grey cement screed lookalike floor tiles and a patterned grey and off-white rug pick up on the suggestion of grey. The result is a space that is light and bright yet warm and inviting.

Though shades of grey are wholly desirable in a home, when it comes to a home renovation, there are certain things you want in black and white. Like, a fixed handover date and a warranty for workmanship. Don’t risk encountering ‘grey areas’ in your contract. Enlist the help of HomeRenoGuru.sg to find a reputable interior designer to match your budget and your brief. Why not requesta free renovation quote right here?

You’ll stand a chance to win free home renovations worth a total of $30,000!

6 Ways to Proudly Display Your Hobby

Here are some way-cool, dust-free ways local homeowners have found to display their collections.

Toys, Glasses, Liquor and More

Living in space-strapped Singapore, most of us are all too familiar with the snowballing problem of collecting clutter. But holidaying is so much more fun when you have a collection to add to – be it your favourite superhero paraphernalia, your whiskey line-up, your designer handbag habit or any one of a countless number of themes you can build a collection around.

The trick is to be selective, not indiscriminate, and go for quality over quantity. The same principle applies to your display cabinets or shelves. A classy cabinet can make cheap trinkets look like priceless treasures!

Strip Search

HDB 4 Room 785 Woodlands Rise | Starry Homestead Pte Ltd

LED strip lighting frames and illuminates this cabinet filled with big boys’ toys. The wood-grain backing blends in with the brick veneer feature wall and neutral colour theme, attracting the eye without dominating the space.

Welcome Committee

HDB 4 Room Sumang Lane | Flo Design Pte Ltd

A little corner of the entrance hall has been transformed into a ‘welcome home’ statement in the form of a recessed cabinet. It’s a small collection that makes a big statement about the chill and cheerful personalities of the homeowners.

Read All About It

Scandinavian| Rezt & Relax Interior

While printed matter may become a thing of the past, some old-school literary fans still love the physicality of turning the page. This cool bookshelf cum storage unit with a sliding blackboard pulls together the Scandinavian and industrial elements of the room while managing to be both fun and functional.

Toyzone

HDB 5 Room 233C Sumang Lane | Fineline Design Pte Ltd

This Star Wars collection on steroids requires a full floor-to-ceiling wall of storage cabinets. The glass shelving is almost invisible, allowing the army of Storm Troopers and other interstellar collectibles to virtually float in space.

Marvellous Miscellany

HDB 5 Room Punggol | Swiss Interior Design Pte Ltd

Who says you can only collect one thing? This TV feature wall encompasses toys, liquor, holiday souvenirs and more. Recessed lights throw the spotlight on the collectibles when the TV’s off. And when the TV goes on, the lights go off and the collectibles recede into the darkness.

Crazy About Qoo

HDB 5 Room 677C Yishun Ring Road | Darwin Interior

No, it is not a giant vending machine. It is a hard-core soft drink fan’s mind-boggling collection of Qoo cans and bottles. Sandwiched between panels of concealed storage, it’s an efficient use of space and a one-of-a-kind statement-making feature wall.

As you can see, there’s no end of things to display, and no end of ways to display them.But sometimes too many choices can be confusing. If you’re looking for an interior designer, we can help you zoom in on a shortlist of companies that suit your budget and needs. In fact, you can request a free renovation quote right here.

What’s more, you’ll stand a chance to win free home renovations worth a total of $30,000!

Get a load of these eye-catching, rule-breaking living rooms that are anything but understated.

Though probably more than 90 percent of homeowners dial down the creativity and colour in the living room, since unlike a bedroom it must cater to all household occupants, there’s a brave minority who make a loud, proud statement from the entrance hall onwards. Be it through a bold use of colour, lighting effects, wall murals or other inventive means, these rooms are screaming with personality and crying out for attention.

Walls that Wow

Condominium Tropika East | Rezt & Relax Interior

Wow. Really, that’s the most fitting word to describe this luminescent purple and blue modern, graphic living room. The double-volume ceiling accommodates dramatic pendant lighting and a typographical wall mural in the shape of a crucifix.

Paris, Tampines

HDB 4 Room Tampines St 42 | Darwin Interior

Holiday at home – with a view of the Eiffel Tower. A monochrome colour scheme with mocha accents is dominated by this cool full-wall digital print in black and white with a hint of sepia.

Puzzle Magic

Condominium Nautical Sembawang | The Two Big Guys LLP

Here’s a living room you’ll never be able to figure out. Its eye-catching feature wall is clad in jigsaw piece-shaped wooden veneers, complete with negative spaces for ‘missing pieces’. The quirkiness is echoed in the sloping ceiling, eclectic furniture and splashes of primary colours.

Crossing the Lines

HDB 4 Room 360B Admiralty Drive | Luxurious Design Pte Ltd

This living room would be as plain as plain can be except for the striking geometrical wall mural in a surprising combination of off-white, camel and teal blue. Areas of flat colour are outlined by criss-crossing lines reminiscent of intersecting spotlights.

Quirky Cabinetry

HDB 4 Room 164 Rivervale | Love Home Interior Design Pte Ltd

The very seventies combo of brown and turquoise has been applied to a pair of intersecting honeycomb-shaped floating shelves that dominate the space. Podiums at staggered heights and slanting lines make a big statement in this small living room.

Lodge a Compliment

Condominium Vue 8 Residence | Albedo Design Pte Ltd

With its antler-inspired light fitting, mounted deer’s head and faux fireplace, this living room stirs memories of a hunting lodge in mid-west America. It just goes to show that place is nothing and space is everything. Cross the threshold of your front doorstep and you can transform your home into a microcosm of your favourite place on the map.

Of course most people’s favourite place in the world is their home. It’s no wonder that Singaporean homeowners are flocking to HomeRenoGuru.sg in search of reputable and affordable interior designers to help make their dream homes real. Why not join them and request a free renovation quote right here?

What’s more, you’ll stand a chance to win free home renovations worth a total of $30,000!

There’s something about bricks that says ‘homely’. Enter the popular hipster hack of brick veneers – wafer-thin tiles that create the perfect illusion of bricks without the hassle of laying them. Behold these eye-catching tricks with bricks.

Handy for Scandi

HDB 5 Room Tampines Street | All About Designs Pte Ltd

This cool, minimalist Scandinavian-inspired interior manages to be both warm and airy, thanks to the variegated exposed brick feature wall in shades of palest silvery grey and white, paired with light blonde wooden flooring and all-white furniture.

Perfect Imperfection

HDB 4 Room 56 Teban Gardens | Cozy Ideas Interior Design Pte Ltd

A full wall of distressed, motley brown exposed brick wall veneers gives a retro rustic vibe to this comfortable and essentially simple interior. Splashes of black on the TV console and track lighting add contrast and create focal points in an otherwise neutral space.

Red Riding Hood

HDB 784C Woodlands | The Two Big Guys LLP

The full wall of aged-looking red brick veneers creates an instant industrial chic vibe, while black track lighting and utilitarian wall-mounted bikes complete the look. The shades of red are picked up and picked out in the floor rug and the rich mahogany hues of the eclectic vintage wooden furniture.

Fabulous Fragments

HDB 4 Room Blk 462C Yishun Ave 6 | Swiss Interior Design Pte Ltd

This jagged-edged wall of exposed brick veneer looks like a snapshot of a work-in-progress. But far from looking like an abandoned building project, it injects a dynamic energy into the space. Cement screed flooring and exposed piping nail the rugged warehouse aesthetic.

A Little Bit Country

HDB 5 Room HDB Eunos Damai | U-Home Interior Design Pte Ltd

Multi-hued brown brick veneers provide the palette for the earthy colours that cloak this living space in a welcoming warmth. An interplay of glossy and matt textures adds visual interest to a theme that is quiet and cosy, never bland and boring.

Stand Divided

HDB 4 Room 316B Punggol Way | Fineline Design Pte Ltd

A column of white exposed brick veneers, interspersed with recessed niches, flanks the subway tile-covered wall that divides the entrance hall and the kitchen. Conventional wisdom says shouldn’t work – insufficient contrast in colour, two clashing textures… and yet it does. After all, rules are made to be broken.

These tricks with brick veneers go to show that a simple hack – in this case the prudent use of a trending modern material, beats hacking an entire wall. It can certianly save you a whole lot of money, time, noise and dust. Speaking of saving time, money and in this case legwork, why not ask for a free renovation quote here? We’ll connect you with an interior designer who matches your needs and budget.

What’s more, you’ll stand a chance to win free home renovations worth a total of $30,000!