6 Renovation Hacks to Save You Money.
Make your budget work for you.
Interior Designer or Contractor?
When it comes to making the most of your budget, a key decision is whether to go for an Interior Designer (ID) or a Contractor. An ID firm will usually be more expensive, however, what you might save in money, you will have to invest a lot more time into sourcing, selecting, briefing and managing your Contractors. There are some Qualities To Look For In An Interior Design Company if you do choose to go down that route. Undecided, we have a handy guide, Should You Pick A Contractor or Interior Designer For Your Home Renovation In Singapore?
Follow a cost-saving design theme.
A good example of where you can save money by choosing a budget-friendly theme is minimalism. A minimalist design is not only stunning and devoid of clutter, but it’s also not as costly as other design aesthetics. As a bonus, a minimalist theme will give the illusion of a bigger space which is great in Singapore where home sizes are shrinking. Another great budget-friendly theme is Scandinavian which incorporates clean lines and again goes for the illusion of space. That being said, if you have your heart set on a theme, that’s where you work with your Interior Designer or your Contractor to find budget-friendly solutions that work for your space.
Moveable versus built-in furniture.
Build-ins like TV accent walls and platform beds may look stunning, but they easily burn a hole in your wallet. When the time comes to upgrade, you'll be stuck with yesterday's trend and will also be looking at extra costs to take them down. As time passes, not only will you have to live with built-in furniture, but if you decide to upgrade, you'll have to pay extra to have them removed. Other than being built-in, permanent fixtures like platform beds can quickly go out of style, meaning you will need to spend again in the future.
Forgo The Feature Wall.
You can also save on home renovation costs by painting your walls instead of getting them wallpapered, or by painting an accent wall instead of building a feature wall.
Paint is not only less expensive than wallpaper or feature wall materials, it is also a practical choice if you wish to change the look of your home every few years. Let’s not forget, if you wish to remove and replace walls and stone, you will need to do another set of renovation work. Also, if you are going to sell your apartment in the future, will your feature wall be outdated, therefore bringing down your sale price?
Consider Vinyl or Laminate Flooring.
Flooring materials will consume a substantial portion of your budget, especially if you choose options like hardwood, tiling or marble. Vinyl or laminate flooring can give you the look of wood or marble for less. Their cost is just a fraction of their more expensive counterparts, and they're just as durable and easy to clean.
Styling To Bring It All Together.
Think you need to do everything all at once? Check out our styling tips to make your home look like it comes straight from a home interior magazine without busting your budget.