Are you decorating your brand new home or giving a makeover to your old rickety house sometime soon? Or been cracking your brains on what’s the best interior design concept for your very own space? We totally get you! Finding ideas on interior design can be pretty daunting, so we’ve decided to whip up a list of five thematic style ideas for home interior design – turning your personal pad into a work of art.
Industrial – for a grunge-chic look
If you’ve a penchant for history and everything else vintage, this one’s for you. A growing popular choice amongst interior designers and modern homeowners, the industrial theme pays attention to mechanical details and functionality, and is all about divulging the intrinsic state of the space – giving your home a raw unfinished, warehouse-inspired appearance. Exposed pipes and ducts; weathered gray walls; wood and metal surfaces; old-school furniture finds and antique light fixtures; these are some of the cornerstones for an industrial interior design style, exposing the masculine yet vulnerable facet of the vicinity. For an even more rustic industrial look, get a vintage clock, rustic cushions, and stainless steel counter.
Our Interior designer recommendation: E&A Interiors
Established by Chlöe Elkerton and Elizabeth Acland, this Singapore-based interior design studio has garnered lots of press attention – including ours. Check out our interview with Chlöe Elkerton where we learnt that she prefers a more neutral palette for her humble abode, whilst introducing luxury elements such as brass, marble and velvets.
E&A Interiors, #04-24, The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Road, Singapore 239351, p. 6702 4850. See website for further details.
Zen – for a calming nature-inspired look
If modern lifestyle is taking a toll on you, perhaps it’s time to design your every own Zen-inspired sanctuary where you can feel at ease and attain inner peace. The Zen theme mainly focuses on the concept of subtlety – clean furniture finds and minimal décor; the usage of earthy colours like white, grey and beige; parquet or wooden flooring; welcoming soft and natural light; and our fave: decking your place with lots of greens and candles! A form of escapism from our erratic modern-day livelihood, Zen-inspired interior design effortlessly exudes tranquility and serenity, bringing a sense of calmness back to your home.
Our interior designer recommendation: Arete Culture
Founded in 2010, Arete Culture is an interior decorating firm specialising in quick home facelifts. Arete Culture also believes in transforming your home into beautiful and functional spaces – perfect for the Zen seekers.
Arete Culture, #09-08, Lam Soon Building, 63 Hillview Avenue, Singapore 669569, p. 6310 8098. See website for further details.
Minimalist – for a clean and slick look
If you agree that less is more, you’ll probably like this. The minimalist theme is the go-to style for homeowners who wish to declutter their home (and eventually their life). While tucked away storages are handy-dandy, wallpapers are a big no-no here. A minimalist home is also usually fixed with mirrors, creating an illusion of having wide-open spaces. A golden rule of thumb to note is that symmetry in the space is vital, creating minimal focal points is key, and consistency with colour scheme is crucial. Tilting the equation in favour of function rather than form, this theme helps to reduce your home to a cleaner and clutter-free space, enhancing your mood and multiplying your level of happiness in the long run.
Our interior designer recommendation: Make Room
Make Room is a design studio and retail store that provides interior design and styling services, and also an eclectic collection of homeware and furniture. After skimming through their portfolio, we’ve totally fallen for their clean minimalistic interior style concepts that exhibit a touch of retro charm.
Make Room, #10-01, Tan Boon Liat Building, 315, Outram Road, Singapore 169074, p. 9113 1274. See website for further details.
Retro – for a fun and colourful look
A fan of vivacious patterns, bold colours and retro charm? Then you’ll definitely go head over heels for the retro interior design style. Spunky colours like pink, orange and red; old-school furniture with quirky patterns; classic chandeliers and diner-style kitchen; don’t be afraid to go wild with it. The retro theme can absolutely be fun, fashionable and timeless – if you do it right. One tip is to pick an era from the past that you love, and using pop culture as inspiration can further enhance the retro-style you going for. Most importantly, do it moderately ’cause you’d want tasteful, not tacky!
Our interior designer recommendation: Make Room (see above)
Hollywood Glamour – for a sophisticated upscale look
Time to transit from merely admiring the glamorous havens of Hollywood stars through flipping through magazines, to realising your fantasy and creating your personal glitzy abode. Sophisticated, elegance and vogue are just a few adjectives to describe the Hollywood Glamour theme. This theme advocates self-expression by showcasing your personality through luxe fabrics, lacquered finishes and fanciful details of the space. Up your Hollywood game by introducing bold patterns like prints and stripes, neo-classical art décor, and even chinoiserie objects. Opt for small-scale furnishings, and remember to avoid putting your furniture against the perimeter of the room, or worse – gathering them around the TV.
Our interior designer recommendations: Elliot James Interiors
An interior design consultancy that advocates on luxury, opulence and style, Elliot James Interiors is your go-to interior design expert if you dream of having that industrial or glamorous feel to your home.
Elliot James Interiors, 1 Balmoral Crescent, Singapore 259882, p. 8499 8885. See website for further details.
Bonus recommendation: Qanvast
Not exactly an interior design consultancy per se, Qanvast is a handy-dandy home remodelling and interior design app for homeowners who are searching for design inspiration, expert advice and reviews on various interior design firms in Singapore. Perhaps, you’ll stumble upon your interior design golden ticket on this useful app!
Qanvast, see website for further details.