Create the abode of your dreams with expert interior advice on home renovation in Singapore.
First times for anything can be daunting. The first time you rode a bike. The first time you fell in love. The first time you were employed for a job. Now, you’re thinking of designing your first home – but how? The uncertainty and the lack of experience approaching home renovation in Singapore might leave you anxious and turning to Google for help. Fret not! I’ve got five design tips to guide you on your journey towards creating the home of your dreams.
5 interior design tips for home renovation in Singapore
Tip 1: Find a focal point
Begin by asking yourself a few questions. How is the space oriented? When you look out, is there a great view? Where does the best light come from? What draws the eye? Look around your home to find the “biggest” and most defining features. Start from there. Big windows provide the perfect backdrop to orient your layout accordingly.
At the end of the day, you want to spend as much time enjoying your focal point. So envision yourself in the room and make sure that, while using the space, you’re facing it. Focal points come in many forms. Celebrate them as strengths of the home, while concealing or deflecting the not-so-great ones.
Tip 2: Furniture or art?
Consider your furniture as pieces of sculptural art that tell a story instead of simple pieces for utility and function. You don’t need a trade-off between choosing function over aesthetics, or vice versa. A fine balance between both is key in creating a home that’s both functional and beautiful.
It’s fine to invest in a practical, comfortable sofa as comfort is important – especially now that we’re spending so much time in our own homes. But to add variety and enhance visual interest in the space, mix it up with accent chairs or interesting side tables. Or supplement with everyday home goods and lifestyle pieces like a beautiful vase or a striking marble tray.
Tip 3: Have a variety of lighting
Ambience is everything and lighting is key to creating the right atmosphere. Warm light creates a soft glow and is preferred in residential spaces. You want to control the amount of light for a couple of lighting scenarios. This can be done by introducing a variety of floor and table lamps. If you’re doing a gut renovation, wall sconces are a great way to accessorise a wall. Coupled with ceiling lights, a range of lighting types will enable you to create different moods for different occasions at different times of the day.
With the option to work from home likely to stay, you need a home office you love and can work in. Proper lighting creates a workspace that’s both comfortable and productive. Leverage on natural lighting! Daylight is the most conducive working environment. Position your work desk in front of a window so you can look out. The light from the window will naturally illuminate you for any Zoom video calls. Task lighting is also important, but treat this as an opportunity to add design flair to your workspace – an interesting desk lamp is a quick and effective way to add character.
Tip 4: Styling and layering
This is the final, and often overlooked, stage of interior design. It’s what will set your home apart. Interior styling and layering your space hinges on turning to different textures, shapes, patterns and colours. These lend personality, depth and dimension, and they say a lot about who you are and the lifestyle you live.
Treat styling your room like how you treat fashion and styling yourself. Almost anything in your room can be layered and styled – from floor rugs and pillows to lighting and textured curtains for windows. By mixing a variety of objects, furnishings and textures, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that’s uniquely yours.
Tip 5: The beautiful and the ugly
When it comes to sourcing objects for styling, not everything has to be new. Some of the best compositions come from mixing things up. For example, pair a $3,000 antique with a $10 flea market find. Look beyond regular retail: explore various sources, go thrifting for pre-loved items, and curate your own personal collection that you love and enjoy.
Going through a home renovation in Singapore can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. I hope these five tips guide you as you begin your journey to create your perfect space!
