Creating a stylish home in Singapore can sometimes be difficult, and expensive, but there are some easy ways to get the look you want without breaking the bank. We asked the team at Singapore brand HipVan to help us out ...
Like you, we love scrolling through Pinterest accounts, thinking about what our dream home should look like. “That mirror looks perfect!” “I have to get that sofa.” “Oooh, what cushions should I get?” The list starts small and quickly gets big. Creating a stylish home can be difficult, especially if you are on a budget. So here is a list of the six best ways to help you save money while making your home look stylish and elegant.
1. Paint your walls
Paint color is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions to make when décorating a room, especially when the remaining décor will be based off the color palette. As a rule of thumb, neutrals like light grey, beige and off-white are generally your safest bet if you are looking for something effortlessly classy. However if you decide to paint, you can save money from having to paint an entire wall or entire room by choosing to paint only a part of the wall. This look is not only more subtle and easier for you, but it also allows you create an accent wall at a fraction of the price of a full repaint.
Another way to save on walls is to choose other key items to paint. If your home is originally white, you can choose to paint your doors black for a contrast and immediately add an expensive feeling to your décor. If you choose this option, however, be sure to add some black accessories to the rest of the space to tie the overall design together. Alternatively, create a conversation piece by painting colours to your door like the ones below …
2. Let’s talk about pillows
Pillows throughout your home serve two purposes. One, if they are chosen correctly, they can really increase the elegance factor; two, they provide your guests with a little extra comfort on the couch, and offer a cozy, layered feeling to your rooms.
Needless to say, always choose your cushions and pillows based on how comfy they are! It is much easier and cheaper to change the designs than the stuffing. For a plush, elegant appearance, larger pillows are generally better than the average 12-18 inch cushion size. For a contemporary feel, average sized throw cushions will do just fine.
3. Get your flooring sorted out
In Singapore, carpeted flooring it not really popular as it requires high maintenance, and can be quite unforgiving when it comes to spills and wet weather. If you have a higher budget and don’t mind spending on your flooring, hardwood flooring is a great option as it gives a natural and timeless look to any room. However, vinyl flooring is also great option, especially if you are on a budget. It is waterproof and extremely durable; easy to maintain and clean. These days quality vinyl flooring can also resemble wood in its look and feel. Another compromise would be to use hardwood for your bedrooms and use vinyl flooring for high traffic areas like your living and dining areas.
4. Choose the right things to spend your money on
Just like a good pair of shoes or a dependable coat, there are certain pieces in your home that you want to spend a little more money on. These splurge worthy items are usually the larger ones: mattresses, bed frames, sofas and your dining table. A good mattress is especially important since you spend almost one third of your life sleeping, we suggest buying a good mattress for your essential 40 winks.
Bigger pieces like your sofa and tables are also investment pieces because of their size and how they tend to be the center pieces of your respective rooms. Fun fact: Did you know and average sofa will host around 782 guests?
5. Layer in the details
Now that you’ve bought most of your furniture and it is all in place, does something feel like it’s missing? All those dream homes you’ve seen also seem to have a little something extra, right? That ‘something extra’ is a simple trick: layering!
A stylish home always has layers: Books and candles décorating the coffee table, a rug covering hardwood floors, throw pillows or a cozy blanket on the sofa and bed, sheer white curtains covering the windows — small details like these complete a home and make it more personal as well. By paying attention to layers and details, you can instantly upgrade your home to something you’ve been dreaming of. Besides, these smaller items cost much less, especially when you know where to source them.
6. Wait it out
Especially for new homeowners, you might be tempted to get your home furnished in time for your housewarming party, but you should actually do the opposite! Save your money by avoiding the common mistake of buying all of your furniture and accessories at once. By setting a deadline to get your things, you will fall into the trap of buying something you really like but is too expensive, or settling for something not up to your standards and replacing it later. Instead of doing that, let your larger pieces breathe and settle into your space first: This way you are able to slowly research and get what you actually want without breaking the bank.
This story was provided by HipVan, an online store that carries a wide range of furniture and décor products to fulfill all your furnishing needs. Visit them at www.hipvan.com
Still looking for some more interior décor inspiration? Check out our story about the best online furniture stores in Singapore, or if you want to drool over some luxurious furniture we’ve got you covered too. You can also check out our entire special section for the latest on furniture and décor news and where to shop.