Styling Tips For First-Time Homeowners.

Firstly buying your own home, whether it's a BTO, Resale HDB or Condo is an exciting time.

Finally, you are in your space, what could go wrong? One of the best things about owning your own home is this is your opportunity to put your unique and personal stamp on it.

Styling your home will add personality to your home

From buying furniture to selecting appliances to decide on soft furnishings, there's a lot to do. Well, if experience has taught us anything, the design and styling process can be overwhelming, to say the least. Fear not, we have the top tips and tricks to style your first home.

Which room to start with?

Well much as you may be tempted to say, ALL the rooms, your budget may not allow for that. In that case, pick the one or two rooms you will be spending the most time in to focus on first. In a typical Singaporean home is the living space and the bedroom.

There is no rush. 

Many times when people move into their new home, they find that they move things around and completely change their design as the months go on. Don’t feel like you need to rush to get everything completed all at once. When you move in, take some time to get a feel for the place before you make any final decisions. Your interior design choices don’t have to be made overnight. Remember home design is expensive, the last thing you want is to spend money on a statement piece that you decide you don’t like after 6 months.

Lighting Matters.

Lighting can change the entire feel of your space

Many people underestimate the power of good lighting in a home until they move in and find out that it is inefficiently lit. The two most important rooms to light well are the kitchen and the bathroom because of all the activities you do there. These rooms require a layered lighting plan and I would recommend working with a professional to get it correct. It’s not just the amount of lights there are, but the location and the color of the light are important. A professional will break it down into three zones, general, task, and ambient. 

Another type of lighting that is important is natural lighting. Consider your views out the windows and where you need privacy and where you don’t. This will help you sort out where you can let the light shine in. Even in the more private rooms, if you have a view out of the window you might want to see, there are window treatments that will allow for a full view when you want it and total privacy when you don’t.

Lighting can make or break a room! It can also create a huge impact and dramatically change the entire feel of a room - whether is artificial or natural. Making a concerted effort to keep windows clean and clutter free can dramatically increase the light that floods into a room - even painting window frames and window sills white can help. Many of our customers opt for garden rooms or orangeries with roof lanterns because of the sheer volume of natural light that they let in.

Have a think about lighting for different moods and occasions, or features in the home that you want to accentuate and layer your lighting to suit. Ceiling lights for cleaning or working, candle and side lamps for soft lighting for entertaining, up or down lighting to display art or photographs - the possibilities are endless! You can create a huge impact with lighting, and often for a minimal budget!

Express your own personal style. 

 If you’ve just bought your own home, you have permission to put your own stamp on it. It’s why people strive to buy their own homes; because they get to do what they want with it.

Don’t be afraid to be bold when you start to decorate. Use things that express your personality and don’t worry about matching everything up. If you’re decorating according to your tastes, everything will link together to create your own personal comfort.

Start with a neutral colour palette.

A neutral colour palette can allow you to add pops of colour later

It can be difficult to decide what to put on the walls when you first move in. Will you paint a modern color? Will you wallpaper? Will you fill the walls with artwork? Most people are hasty in their decisions just because they want to make the house their own. If you’re unable to decide or want to take your time making your decisions, neutral is the way to go.

Painting all the walls white when you move in will give you a blank canvas, not to mention nice, clean and new walls. You may even find that the light and crisp color works well for you. Neutral palettes with pops of color are a popular trend right now.

Choose accessories that change your room.

Accessories should be changed to fit your mood or the season. They bring character to any room. You want to have pictures in decorative frames of family and friends. Even a specific wall dedicated to a gallery wall is a great idea.

Colour can tie a space together.

Starting out with a blank canvas such as a new home doesn’t mean that you have to buy everything matching to coordinate your space. One great way to tie your room together is through your use of colour. So if you already have a sofa but now have the space for a coffee table, consider your materials and colour scheme. This will help to seamlessly combine the pieces together.

Many new builds will have a very neutral interior. So if you want to inject some colour into your space but don’t have the time or money to go all out on your decor, be clever with your furniture choice colours, such as colourful dining chairs or a bold coloured sofa set. Colourful dining chairs are a great way to add a stylish pop of colour to your new dining area.

The neutral scheme of many new build homes is a great opportunity to be bold with your colour choices. Don’t forget, you can always add textures such as a rug into your space to bring a pop of colour.

Measure twice. 

Don’t trust your eye rather than a tape measure. This is never a good idea when choosing your furniture, especially when buying online. Thinking your new sofa and coffee table will fit is very different to knowing that it will, so save yourself the stress and hassle on delivery day by knowing your measurements well before you place your order.

You have a budget for a reason. 

TOP TIP: One way to make sure you stick to the essentials is to make a note of your budget- and stick to it! Home Renovation can be an expensive time, so it’s a good idea to know how much money you have to actually spend on furniture before you set your heart on a sofa and dining set that is way out of your budget. Once you know what you’ve got to work with, then you can start shopping around. If you have any leftover cash, you can then buy those extra pieces on your wish list without any guilt as all the important pieces have been covered.

Start With Your Investment Pieces

A statement piece can be a focal point in the room

The term investment pieces can hold connotations of costing a lot of money but try to think of your investment pieces as just that- investments, not expenses. A good quality bed, sofa and dining table will provide comfort and seating for your family for years to come. So if you can afford it, it’s a very smart move to spend more on these staple pieces for your new home. Vital parts of any home, investment pieces will be the furniture that you use the most and keep the longest, so you’ll want to choose something that’ll last.

Be inspired. 

The glossy interior magazines do look stunning. However, sometimes the best styling inspiration can come from real homes. There’s a whole community of new homeowners sharing their design journey on social media platforms such as Instagram and Houzz, so be sure to follow people in the community. #newhome, #newbuild and #firsttimebuyer are great hashtags to get started. Then you’ll start to discover accounts that you love! You can also use the platforms to ask questions and even share some of your own knowledge. This can be invaluable when moving into a new home.

Start off by searching for relevant hashtags. This way you’ll find relevant accounts and people to follow. You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest as an example.

Most importantly.

Have fun! Moving into a new home does have its worries and stresses, but make sure you take a moment to think of the home you’re creating for you and your family; it’s a space to make new memories during mealtimes, family celebrations or even just relaxing at home.

All You Need To Know About Ceramic Tiles.

What is ceramic?

Ceramic tiles are typically used to create wall tiles, mosaics, and some less-trafficked floor tiles. Clay and sand form the two main ingredients in making ceramic tiles. Components of these products are ground into very fine powders. A mould is used to compress the mixture at high pressure, then water is added. A kiln is then used to fire these before they have been dried, primed, painted, and then glazed.

Perhaps ceramic tile is the only flooring option that can be used throughout a house. Most often, it is installed in kitchens and bathrooms as well as foyers, mudrooms, and similar high-traffic areas. However, tiles are often used in living areas and bedrooms too, especially in hot climates. Tile is, in essence, a no-fail option. Its drawbacks include its hardness and coldness, and ease of installation are problematic for DIYers.

The hard, solid surface of ceramic tiles repels dirt and dust, pollen, and other allergens. The particles stand out against a ceramic floor, so they can be easily cleaned with a mop or sponge if they do land there. As a result, asthma and allergy sufferers do not suffer from irritating materials in the air.

Ceramic Tile Cost

Among the more affordable flooring materials, ceramic tiles are one of the better choices. The price of tile flooring increases as you move into better-looking tiles and professional installations, however. The cost of installing a tile depends on its quality and complexity.

Maintenance and Repair

There is not much that needs to be done to maintain ceramic flooring-especially since their glaze makes them impervious to water and stains. That's why tile is chosen for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms that are wet all the time. Stains, dirt, and liquids are easily removed by sweeping, blotting, or wiping.

In order to keep the floor clean and free of dirt and loose materials, most routine maintenance consists of sweeping and vacuuming with a brush attachment. You can use almost any heavy-duty cleaner to remove set-in stains without having to worry about damaging the material.

Unglazed ceramic tiles, such as traditional Saltillo tiles, are more common than glazed ceramic tiles. Sealing these surfaces will protect them from liquids and stains. Additionally, all types of tiles present the risk of moisture and stains if the grout between them is not sealed regularly.

Physical damage doesn't usually affect ceramic flooring much, but cracks can occur if the installation is incorrect or the underlayment is defective. The quality of the installation can last hundreds of years if the flooring is well maintained. A single tile can be replaced relatively easily if it cracks due to a severe impact.

Design

Designers can create a wide variety of ceramic products using modern manufacturing techniques. Various designs and colors can be applied to solid tiles to make patterns and to add accents. Many hardwoods and natural stones can also be reproduced using these materials. Furthermore, the tiles themselves can be cut and shaped into triangles, rectangles, and planks.

Comfort and Convenience

Ceramic tiles are extremely hard, which makes them easy to maintain and clean. However, it can also make standing on it uncomfortable. The underlayment of hard ceramic floors cannot soften them as can be done with resilient floors. In environments where people have to stand long periods of time, these materials may not be appropriate. A dropped dish will almost certainly break against the hard surface if it is dropped in a kitchen. Also, the hardness of ceramic tiles may pose a problem in rooms where children or elderly residents are prone to falling over.

Throw rugs and area rugs can, of course, be used to offset the hardness of ceramics in strategic places, such as the kitchen work area, where people tend to stand for long periods.

Top Tips For Choosing Your Wall Paint Colour.

Whether you are a first-time homeowner eagerly awaiting your BTO or Condo keys, you are in the middle of renovating your resale HDB or Condominium or you are looking for style inspiration for your Landed Property, the process of choosing paint colours remains the same.

Choose colours you love (and can live with).

Firstly, picking paint colours can be overwhelming. The main thing to keep in mind and the easiest way to choose your interior paint colours is to start with colours you love. If you don’t like green, to begin with, you won’t like green when it’s on your wall and you are staring at it daily.

If you start with colours you love, you help yourself by narrowing down the paint colours you have to choose from but also if you choose some of your favourite colours, your colour scheme can grow from that. Your favourite colours can be the perfect inspiration for your scheme.

Curate images and pictures that inspire you.

If you think you don’t have a favourite colour, spend some time on Pinterest saving images that appeal to you. you. Soon enough it will become clear that you do have some colours which you are drawn to. Don’t only rely on Pinterest, there are many other sources of inspiration. Magazines and catalogues have long been a source of design inspiration. There is something about seeing a picture in print that will grab your attention.

The internet is of course awash with billions of pages of inspiration. Paint brands such as Dulux, Nippon and Benjamin Moore have interactive websites which can allow you to imagine what your home will look like.

Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are great sources of inspiration. Pinterest will allow you to create boards which are collections of images that you like, ensuring you keep all of your ideas together in one spot.

Don’t rule out neutral paint colours.

Neutral paint colours don’t have to be boring or laid-back. In the context of interior design, neutral means without colour. Neutrals such as beige, black, grey, taupe, ivory and shades of white can appear to be without colour, however, many paints have undertones. For example, beige may have an undertone of gold, ping or grey. White may be somewhat yellow, bluish, peach or ivory. Neutral paints in Singapore may be used in a couple of ways, either to create a soft, neutral or quiet look or as a backdrop colour for more dramatic accents such as bold curtains, feature walls or art prints.

Paint colour inspiration can be pulled from other elements in your home.

Whilst your interior designer (ID) might be suggesting colours that work within your scheme, be brave and look at the other elements in your space for inspiration. You may have an art piece that you are planning to bring into your space, why not look to use some of the colours from this in your scheme? Fabrics such as curtains, bed linen or cushions can also be a great place to start. Pulling a colour from your favourite cushion cover can be a great way to find a paint colour that will bring your scheme together.

In Singapore, people tend to start with their wall colours and build up their theme or style from there, however, why not start with a piece that you love and draw your wall colours from there?

Shades of colour matter.

So you have created what feels like endless Pinterest boards, saved images from Instagram, pulled together your favourite art print and still something feels off and that your room is not quite coming together? Sometimes all you need is a little adjustment to find the right paint colour. Before you abandon your paint colour choice, (and all hope) too quickly, consider a lighter or darker shade of the same colour. Many paint colours appear on a paint strip in gradual shades, but you can also ask your paint store to customize it by percentages of light or dark shades.

Undertones can work both for and against you.

If you have ever found yourself in a situation where you have painted your bedroom in what you thought was the perfect greige, only it came out too pink (or green or blue)? Thank the paint undertones.

You can be unpleasantly surprised by the undertones when choosing your wall paint colours. Simply put, undertones are the colours hiding beneath your favourite paint color. A simple beige may not be all that simple if it has a strong green undertone. The only way to accurately tell how an undertone will appear in your home is to sample the color. Undertones from other surfaces in your room can also change the way your paint appears due to reflection, so sampling would be ideal.

Visualise the paint colour in your own space.

This is easier said than done in Singapore. Dulux have some paint testers available from Hardware City on Shoppee, however endless google searches haven’t shown up the same option for other brands.

That said, both Nippon and Dulux have their own apps where you can visualise your chosen colours within your own homes. These can be hit and miss, but worth using to give you some idea of what the colours will look like in your home.

Make sure you look at the colours at different times of the day and in differing lights. The last thing you want is for you to love a colour in daylight but as soon as the sun sets, you can’t stand it.

Do what works for you but be practical.

You might be getting the keys to your BTO, your very first home and moving in with your spouse, don’t forget that your family dynamic may change in the future. Whilst you may envision pure white walls sitting alongside your brand new white leather sofa when you move in, don’t forget your circumstances may change. Will you be able to maintain a bright white wall with a toddler? If you like entertaining, will bright white be able to withstand high traffic areas of your home such as your entrance hallway?

Paint colours can always be changed.

It can feel like a leap of faith to decide on what colours work for your scheme and your space. The silver lining is that its relatively easy to repaint and change the colour you have chosen. Unlike built-in cabinetry which is more permanent, you can opt to change your paint colour at a later time. Whilst this may send you to a cool airconditioned room to lie down in fear, its comforting to know that in all your. home renovation decisions that you are making, some things you settle on are less permanent than others.

Most importantly.

Have fun with your paint colours. Your paint can change the feeling of your room or your entire home. You can always use soft furnishings such as a rug to bring your room together, paint is just one element in a larger scheme.

The Lowdown On Choosing Your Tiles For Your Bathroom.

Tile shopping can be fun, or tile shopping can be one of the hardest parts of your renovation.
There are so many patterns, textures, colours and styles, it can make your head spin (in a good or a bad way). Tiling can also drive up the cost of your renovation significantly so before you start, this guide will help you figure out what works for your budget, area and personal style.

Materials Matter.

• Glass: One of the most popular choices for bathrooms, glass comes in a huge assortment of colours and styles. Because it reflects light it can help to make a small bathroom look bigger. Be warned, however, glass can be a lot more expensive than other options due to the difficulty of installation.

• Ceramic: This is a winning option for bathrooms. Its durable, waterproof and for the most part stain resistant. Another plus is that it’s also resistant to bacteria and odours, your contractor will thank you as it’s easy to install but also when you look at your ongoing maintenance efforts, it’s easy to clean. If you are looking to put it on the floor, make sure that it’s slip-resistant to reduce the chance of accidents in the bathroom.

• Porcelain: Porcelain is another popular bathroom tile, it’s harder than ceramic, the tiles are a little tougher. It’s an ideal choice for bathrooms because it’s not very absorbent. Beware though, porcelain tiles tend to be more expensive than ceramic tiles. A big advantage of porcelain tiles is that the colour is not just glazed on the top. Instead, it goes right through the entire tile. For this reason, if you are unfortunate enough to get a chip in your tile, it’s not as big of a deal, the colour of the tile is the same all the way through and it will continue to be moisture resistant.

• Stone (Limestone, Slate, etc.): Look in any home decor magazine and you will see that natural stone is a great way to bring some texture into a bathroom. The challenge with stone however is that it tends to require more maintenance than traditional ceramic or porcelain. Due to its porous nature, it can hold onto grime and dirt. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider this type of tile, but be realistic on how much time you want to spend maintaining it. An option that may work for you? Consider using it outside of your shower area where there tends to be less dirt or soapy build-up.

Grout doesn’t have to be an afterthought.

Grout is necessary for filling the voids between the tiles and for making the surface stronger by bonding the tiles together. It also helps to keep the edges of individual tiles from chipping. Outside of having a very practical role to play, grout also plays an important design role. The key thing to remember is that grout doesn’t always have to be white.

Whether you choose light or dark grout can have a big impact. You can for instance match the grout colour to the tile colour which accentuates the tile. You could opt to contrast your tiles and grout which calls attention to the pattern.

A key tip, keep in mind that light grout requires a lot of maintenance. The last thing you want after spending your hard-earned money on renovation is for it to get dingy or grimy.

Size & Colour Matter.

Large scale tiles are very trendy right now, and they’re ideal for walls and shower benches. But unless you have a slip-resistant material, it’s better to use small scale tiles for the shower floor as they can help to reduce slip and fall accidents.

Pro-tip, take home tile samples and look at them within your own space. Look at them in different lighting to. try to envisage what they will look like within your own bathroom. Consider the natural light in your bathroom before deciding on the tile colour and finish. A semi-gloss or matte finish reduces glare in brightly lit bathrooms. As a general rule it’s safe to say that light colours make space feel bigger, but nowhere is this more true than in a bathroom. Bathrooms tend to be small, and sometimes they’re without windows, so it’s up to the decor and lighting to make the space feel open and airy. Before you choose bathroom tile, think about how the colour will impact the perceived size of the room.

Remember, you have options such as rugs to add to your room which can bring it all together.

Be Aware Of Your Budget

When choosing bathroom tile, you should always start with your budget or at least a range. Your quote from your Interior Designer (if you are working with one), will give you an idea of what range you have to work within.

This will help keep your fantasies in check as you go through the rest of the process. After all, you could fork over a fortune on just one piece of exquisite subway tile if you’re not careful!

Setting a budget helps you set parameters for the overall project. Now if you stray, you’ll have a flashing red warning light in your head. And if you choose to ignore that warning light, well…you may have an even more beautiful bathroom. But at what cost?

Once you’ve decided how much you can spend, your next step is to find out the total square footage you want to cover with tile.

Choose your most expensive tile first.

You may only want to use one tile throughout, and that’s fine, but if you want to use more than one tile choose your favourite first and then determine where you want it to go and how much of it you can afford. Since some types of tile can be very expensive you may have to be creative with your design for it to work within your budget and space. For example, a high-end tile could go up the wall behind the sink to become a feature or it could simply be used for a  niche in a shower wall. Choose bathroom tile accordingly to fit your budget.

Trendy or Timeless?

Try to select tiles that aren’t super trendy.  If they are too trendy, the bathroom will become dated quickly.  Also, do not select tile with resale in mind. Select for yourself and your design dreams

Wrapping up.

Before you jump into buying bathroom tiles, there are some crucial steps you must consider.

• Firstly, decide on a style for your bathroom or at a minimum have narrowed down your style selections or options before you go to the showroom. This will also determine what colour and design of tile to choose for your space. Next, consider your tile size preferences.

• Bathroom tiles are available in large and small tiles. Large tiles will produce a more attractive finish than small tiles. You can either choose to create a seamless look or mix and match tiles to create a look that is unique to you. If you’re mixing and matching tiles, choose no more than three different types of tiles. If you choose more tile types, you run the risk of making your bathroom look overwhelming or even small.

• Consider tiles for your shower space and make sure that they complement the rest of your bathroom.

• Before you purchase your tiles, make sure you consider the maintenance requirements.

• Finally, tiling your bathroom is a big investment of both time and money, pick a design that works for you and your families needs, whilst on-trend can be tempting, you will have to look at this for the next few years.
  

The Pros & Cons Of Vinyl Flooring 2021.

Vinyl flooring is an affordable, durable, and easy-to-install material. Find out the 4 Things You Need To Know Before Selecting Vinyl Flooring. Vinyl flooring is often confused with other types of flooring, such as linoleum and laminate. Due to their versatility, durability, and similarity to wood planks and stone tiles, luxury vinyl tiles and planks are becoming increasingly popular. There are many pros and cons when it comes to choosing vinyl flooring over other floor types. We break down the main pros & cons and what you need to know.

Pros

• Vinyl flooring is more affordable than wood, marble, or stone.

• Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and requires little maintenance. To keep it in good condition, you can sweep it with a broom and then mop it with a damp cloth.

• Floors made of vinyl are extremely water-resistant. Thus, even if you leave liquids on the floor for an extended period of time you won't have to worry about them spilling. No damage will be done to the vinyl when it's wiped off. Being water-resistant makes vinyl flooring an excellent choice when living in a humid environment, such as Singapore. If you walk on vinyl barefoot you are treated to a softer floor.

• Maintaining vinyl flooring properly can enable it to last for years.

• Its wear layer protects vinyl flooring from stains after spills, which makes vinyl flooring highly stain resistant.

• Without professional assistance, vinyl flooring can be easily installed

Cons

• Heavy furniture can leave permanent marks on vinyl flooring. Heavy or pointed objects can cause permanent marks on vinyl floors if they are dragged across them.

• It is not possible to repair vinyl tiles or sheets, so you have to replace them.

• There are more environment-friendly options, but they still contain plastic and are not biodegradable.

• Those with respiratory problems or allergies may be adversely affected by new vinyl floors due to VOC emissions.

• Installation on a bumpy floor is not recommended, since you will be able to see any small indents or bumps through the vinyl. There's even a chance that the vinyl will crack or become further damaged as a result of this bump.

• Time and direct sunlight may cause it to fade and turn yellow. This makes it unsuitable for outdoor use since it becomes discoloured quickly if exposed to sunlight.

• When rubber is in contact with vinyl flooring, it is susceptible to chemical stains. This may cause discolouration and tarnishing of the flooring.

So there you have it, vinyl flooring is indeed affordable, durable and easy to install. It does however need to be laid on a smooth surface and repairing is not possible.

You may also like: 4 Things You Need To Know Before Selecting Vinyl Flooring.

7 Tips To Maintain Your Floor Tiles.

Keeping your tile floors clean and looking new is as simple as following a few simple tips. No matter what you do, tile floors are going to get dirty from time to time. The dirt is going to be tracked across them, as you don't live in a continuous plastic bubble. It is inevitable that stains will happen. Occasionally, food becomes stuck and fossilized. Be sure to pay attention to your floor's details. Treat each mark immediately as it appears. It will make your floor look cleaner and last longer. Get tips on the right cleaning products and tools to use, how to clean tile grout, and how often to do it.

1. Dust And Vacuum Often.

Dust and dirt should be removed daily with a vacuum or fluffy dust mop to prevent them from becoming embedded in your tile and grout. Maintaining your flooring this way is the quickest and easiest method. Using a straw broom will scratch your tiles, so don't use it.

2. Put Your Mop To Work.

You should mop your floors once a week with warm water. As well as using soap as a cleaner, you can add gloss, shine, and colour to your tile. Before using any cleaners, check with the manufacturer to ensure your tiles will not be damaged.

You should always dry your floor right after damp mopping to prevent accidents, as well as to prevent new dirt from settling into the wet surface.

3. Clean Spills ASAP.

Wipe up spills with absorbent cloths to avoid dirt accumulation and slipping. In addition, it will reduce the chance of stains forming on your tile.

Clean dirtier spills with a cleanser or disinfectant. In order to prevent bacteria from setting into your tiles, you need to clean raw meat and eggs more aggressively. It might be a good idea to mop the area with water, since the chemicals may dull the tiles.

Use a vacuum or a fluffy dust mop daily to remove dust and dirt before it becomes embedded in your tile and grout.

4. Make Use Of Doormats.

A doormat should be placed on both sides of the doors leading into and out of your home. Water and mud won't be tracked indoors during inclement weather with this method. Use a bath mat in the bathroom if you have floor tiles.

5. Rugs Are A Good Addition.

Area rugs or runners should be placed in high-traffic areas. The entryway or a family room, for example, will not become dull, scratched or covered in the dirt if this is done. Need help choosing a rug? We have you covered.

6. Deep-Clean Regularly.

Every so often, you should deep clean your home. Cleaning with this method will prevent tiles from being damaged by stains and greasy residue. A gallon of warm water should be mixed with 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Kitchens benefit greatly from this natural approach. Vinegar can be substituted with 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol if you don't have any on hand.

You can remove hard grease from your flooring with fresh water and dish detergent. You can remove stains with a mixture of scouring powder and warm water.

7. Pay Attention To Grout.

Grout should be cleaned regularly. There is no need to buy special cleaners for this job. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the grout after spreading the paste on it and letting it sit overnight. If you are finished cleaning, remove the paste with warm water.

There you have it, with these tips you should be able to maintain your tiles for years to come, no matter what materials you use.

4 Things You Need To Know Before Selecting Vinyl Flooring.

1. What Is Vinyl Flooring?

As a flexible, practical and affordable floor covering, vinyl flooring is composed of multiple layers of different materials sandwiched together. In order to give vinyl floors the desired hardness while remaining flexible, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is mixed with other compounds. A urethane-based coating covers the top layer. Its water-resistance and stain-resistance properties provide durability and stability. Recently, companies have been working to improve the safety and eco-friendliness of vinyl flooring, by using materials that are organic and do not emit harmful chemicals.

2. How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Typically Cost? 

Singapore's average price for vinyl flooring is approximately $1.50 to $6 per square foot. Depending on the thickness (3mm to 5mm), the price will vary. Vinyl flooring is one of the cheapest types of flooring available.  Their life expectancy is between ten and twenty years, making them an attractive choice for budget-conscious individuals.

3. What Types Of Vinyl Are Available? 

Vinyl comes in a variety of designs, colours, and textures. With vinyl flooring, you can choose from a variety of visual appearances, including wood and ceramic-looking floors. Options with textures resembling wood and stone are also available. The colours and textures of these different designs can be customized to match a variety of interior design projects. The following three vinyl flooring types are described in more detail below:

• Vinyl Planks

Vinyl planks give the appearance of hardwood flooring. The texture and richness of vinyl plank floors mimic those of real hardwood floors. They have a variety of finishes and colours that you can choose from, depending on what kind of wood you intend to mimic. The dimensions and thickness of vinyl planks differ from that of laminated flooring, and they are generally installed via glue, similar to vinyl tiles. Usually, vinyl floors are installed over a layer of foam core that provides strength and rigidity. It minimizes walking noises and absorbs shocks. Planks of vinyl can be easily installed on concrete, tile, and wood floors. Vinyl flooring adds warmth and comfort to interior living spaces. 

• Vinyl Sheets

Rolls of vinyl sheets are 6 feet and 12 feet wide, much larger and wider than vinyl planks. Their thickness ranges between 2mm and 3mm, making them the thinnest type of vinyl flooring. There are many colours, textures, and patterns to choose from, so they do give you a variety of options. They have a fibreglass core that prevents them from expanding or contracting, helping them to maintain their original quality without cracking or rolling. Commercial use of vinyl sheets is widespread. It is due to their strength that they can resist abrasions from the heavy traffic flow.

• Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles are an excellent choice if you want a ceramic-tile look in your home at an affordable price. Tiles are available in nine-by-nine-inch or twelve-by-12-inch sizes. They are more durable and stronger since multiple layers of the same colour vinyl are fused together. It is possible with vinyl tiles to emulate patterns like marble, granite, and other stone-like materials, for a classic look. They are a cheaper alternative to these materials. For longer life and to withstand more wear and tear, some types of vinyl tiles have a coating and paint applied to the top layer.

4. Is The Thickness Of Vinyl Flooring Important?

It would be natural for human traffic to vary between living areas in the house. Your tiles will have a different depth depending on this. It may not necessarily be the case that thicker flooring means longer-lasting vinyl flooring! It is important to consider the thickness of the wear layer and vinyl. Typically, for low-traffic areas (e.g. bedrooms), a thickness between 2mm and 4mm will work well. It is recommended to use a thicker vinyl layer (4-6mm) in areas like the living room. Durability is determined by the wear layer. If the wear layer is thinner, users may find walking more comfortable!

Guide to Asian Zen Home Design.

How should you go about bringing Asian Zen interior design into your home? How can you master the look with authority? As inspiration, we're going to show you how you can use the interior design style in your home. We've got your back on what to source, celebrate, and how to use it.

Zen: What Is It?

'Zen' is actually the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese term 'Ch'an', which is the Chinese way of saying 'Dhyana', the Sanskrit term for meditation. Today, Zen refers to a state of self-awareness of our place in the universe, in addition to being at peace with our thoughts.

How Does Asian Zen Design Differ From Other Interior Design Styles?

Asian Zen interior design aims to create a home that promotes harmony, balance, harmony, and simplicity. Inspired by the concept of Zen and the importance of incorporating nature into your décor, something usually found in Asian interiors. A simple and minimalist style is achieved by layering rich textures with simple elements.

Furniture With An Asian Influence.

Another aspect of Asian zen interior design is furniture. The furniture influenced by Asian design is often minimal and made from dark wood. The contrast between that and your otherwise subdued colour palette would be perfect. Other great furniture choices include bamboo and rattan.

Cotton and linen should be used for upholstery and accessories such as throw rugs and pillows. Coloured fabrics look comfortable and undemanding, thanks to their natural hues. You can also use them creatively to give your home a pop of colour to make it a bit more dynamic and interesting.

Using Low-height Furniture.

There is nothing more Zen than floor-level furniture. When you sit at low heights, your eyes will generally be drawn upwards, helping you feel the volume of the room. Platform beds, floor mats, low sofas, pouffes, and ottomans are the way to go. If you want a more authentic Japanese look, pair a low table with floor-level cushions or bring in a futon. By keeping furniture pieces of different heights consistent, you can create visual harmony.

Lightness Is Your Goal.

As far as visual complexity is concerned, Zen interior design is all about lightness. It is said that light, minimalist and floating forms have a calming effect on the mind. Follow the less is more principle from individual decor pieces to the overall layout of the room. Lightness can be achieved by varying traditional decors, such as choosing bamboo furniture over solid pieces or translucent screens instead of heavy opaque doors. The appearance of bamboos and other thin, long-stemmed plants is lighter.

Pick A Natural Palette.

Throughout Asian Zen interiors, nature plays an important role, as you probably already know. Natural colours are usually at the heart of Zen palettes. Our recommendation for enhancing this style's sense of calm is to select the most neutral and natural hues in the softest shades for your primary and secondary colours, such as white, different shades of beige, or grey. As for accent colours, some popular choices include... natural colours, of course, but in bolder shades (such as green, yellow, orange, and blue).

Adding Natural Fabrics.

Choosing natural fabrics over impersonal synthetics is another way to celebrate your connection to nature. Additionally, you will reinforce their sense of comfort and cosiness to help them feel more relaxed at home. Linen, cotton, and wool are some popular Zen fabrics, and you can incorporate them in several ways, from curtains to throw pillows.

Zen Homes Are Minimalist In Design.

The Asian Zen interior design is minimalist as well. If you are surrounded and distracted by clutter, how can you focus on tranquillity and balance? Decluttering is an excellent way to start your journey to Asian Zen.

 In other words, you should consider only keeping those pictures or decorative items that have a special meaning to you or that are truly precious to you.  Ask yourself whether each of your objects sparks joy, as Marie Kondo says. In that case, it probably isn't suited for your minimalist Zen home.

Bring In The Light.

If you plan to build an Asian zen house, you will want to make sure your home gets as much natural light as possible. There are various things that you can do, such as opening up new window spaces. It is still possible to optimise the amount of sunlight reaching every room without demolishing and reconstruct.

By reflecting the light and directing it to the dark areas of the room, mirrors and reflective surfaces are ideal for maximising the amount of light available in the room. White and light beige are also good choices for walls.

Select artificial light bulbs that are similar to those in sunlight in terms of tone and warmth. Switch to dimmer switches or smart bulbs if you want to be completely in control of your environment. By adjusting the intensity of the light, you can change the ambience of your home easily.

Keeping Patterns To A Minimum.

This style is not suitable for heavy patterns in fabrics, wallpaper, carpets, or rugs. Think plain and simple, even if different textures all contribute to the overall finished look. A Zen world cannot tolerate chintz! Even a straightforward geometric pattern, or a touch of Japanese blooms, will work in a room or home.

If possible, keep lines simple and straight, with a few softer curves thrown in for effect. It would be best if elaborate table legs and swirls or embellishments were left at the door—also, angles and points with harsh, sharp edges.

Add A Splash Of Green.

To give your Zen style home the finishing touch, bring a little green into the decor. What about a bonsai tree? Perhaps some lush plants with large leaves to create a sense of calm? Zen-inspired interiors can also benefit from displaying a stunning orchid. The presence of plants helps to create more calm and oxygen in an environment. Even the tiniest plant can help to create a sense of peace in a room.

A Zen-inspired interior can be a place of complete relaxation and tranquillity when textures and colours come together in the right way.

Is It True That Resale Properties Always Cost More To Renovate?

Home renovation is not to be undertaken lightly.

When comparing new launches with resales, you've likely heard the saying, "resale properties require more renovation". It is thought that, since you need to hack up the previous work, it adds time and money.. Since the saying is so common, some buyers use it to motivate them to always stick with new launches.

Renovation costs vary from unit to unit, and no study has proven that resale properties will be more expensive to renovate. Moreover, it is impossible to predict the final cost of the renovations. 

Resale properties often have higher renovation quotes since they can end up being more expensive.

Important Cost Factors To Consider Are:

1. The Hacking Of Previous Works

2. Size Of Unit

3. The Current State Of Plumbing And Electrical Work

4. Appliances

1. The Hacking Of Previous Works.

You may find that hacking out the previous bathroom and starting again is the only option.

In many cases, you can mitigate the costs of these renovations by choosing to live with what is already there. It is one of the biggest wastes to hack up rooms that had been renovated just a few years before the unit was purchased. 

Consider resale units with an interior design you like. Adding what's missing in this way ensures the renovation costs are comparable to buying a new unit. You could use an overlay instead of hacking away and replacing an old layer of material.

Having this done prevents the need to re-waterproof surfaces in areas like balconies, kitchens, and bathrooms (you'll need a contractor to figure out the cost since it varies by unit).

2. Size of Unit.

It stands to reason, the larger the unit, the most it will cost to renovate.

It is important to keep in mind that older resale units are typically larger than newer ones. In the 1980s, the average 4-room flat was about 1,130 square feet.

Currently, the average 4-room apartment is about 969 square feet. Renovation costs are more closely correlated with the size of the unit than with its age. Buying a new condo unit isn't just about the difference in size - and the renovation costs associated with cutting up and replacing floors, walls, repainting, etc. over a greater area won't be comparable between a new and an older condo.

When you're buying an older resale unit, keep in mind that the space may be bigger - but that size will work against you on the renovation front. Before you decide to purchase a giant unit from the 1980s, remember that the maximum renovation loan is only $30,000.

3. The Current State Of Plumbing And Electrical Work.

If the plumbing is in good condition, this can save you money.

Several hundred dollars distinguish a new unit from a resale unit without extensive work on plumbing (and this assumes the new unit comes as is with basic fixtures).

There might not be a difference in cost between new and resale renovations if there is no electrical work required, and all light fixtures are in good working condition.

Make sure the property is in great shape before buying it to avoid high resale renovation costs. Make sure the seller fixes any plumbing or electrical issues before you buy the unit (or offer a lower price to compensate). 

4. Appliances

Relocating or replacing aircon will drive up costs.

Relocating the air conditioner is one thing you want to avoid. The wiring and piping need to be rerun; this can cost over $2,000 in some cases (at which point a new system may be more worthwhile).

Though refrigerators are usually replaced anyway, you might check to make sure the resale unit includes a functioning washing machine and dryer.

If all of these things are in good working order, you may not have to spend as much on a resale renovation after all. 

In Summary.

The fact that resale properties always come with a higher renovation cost is not true. Several of the cost differences we've outlined can be avoided. Several of the cost differences we've outlined can be avoided. 

6 Tips To Make Your Condo Renovation Go Smoothly.

Renovations for condominiums are more complex than those for HDBs. As a result, more planning and work is inevitable. Here are 6 tips to help you get started and keep your condominium renovation on track!

1. Management Corporation (MC) Must Approve Any Changes To Common Property

MC permission is usually required when making any alterations to common property. The changes usually include improvements to the external façade of the building, such as installing an additional awning on a common wall or installing new balcony screens. Additionally, be aware of how a strata development's majority rule can be taken to an extreme when it comes to the safety of children.

2. Renovation Activities May Be Restricted By Management Corporation (MC) Rules.

The estate's house rules may restrict the type of renovations that can be carried out. For example, the house rules may set limits on the amount of time and duration renovation work can be done during the weekdays and weekends. Aside from that, types of permitted renovations may vary among estates as well. The installation of glass curtains on balconies, for example, is only allowed in certain condominiums. Make sure that your Renovation Professional is informed about the rules that govern renovations in your condominium. If you are thinking about renovating your condominium, it is wise to consider remodelling professionals with condominium renovation experience.

3. Estate Access May Be Restricted.

Management Agent (MA) should arrange access for your Renovation Professional. Chances are if your condominium just obtained the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP), there are many other renovations going on at the same time. Because of this, the elevator and the visitor parking lots are limited in availability and access. Be sure to inform the MA staff, especially the security personnel, well in advance who and when your renovation workers will need access. In the case of limited access to the buildings, an experienced Renovation Professional will buffer in the expected delays and come up with a contingency plan in advance.

4. Make Arrangements For The Removal Of Bulky Renovation Waste.

While HDB flats provide a bulky item removal service for their residents, Renovation Professionals are responsible for the removal and disposal of the waste generated during the renovations. Some materials should not go into the refuse chutes, such as flammables, wet cement, and adhesive materials. Consult the MA before removing debris to find out if any guidelines need to be followed. The MA should be informed of the schedules for the disposal of waste. You are also responsible for the cost of replacing and/or repairing the refuse chute and/or the common property. Further, workmen should only use the lifts and staircases designated by the MA in order to minimize inconvenience to the residents.

5. Ensure a buffer budget is set aside.

Renovations can go wrong no matter how well they are planned. As such, a renovation budget should include a buffer, especially since renovating a condominium requires more overhead. You might have to take into account the costs of disposing of renovation waste, for instance. Typically, you can allocate 5 per cent to 10 per cent of your total budget for a contingency budget. Make sure you get a detailed breakdown of the renovation quote.

6. Planning permission will be required if alterations increase Gross Floor Area (GFA).

In the case of renovations resulting in an increase in GFA, you will need planning permission approval. If home improvement works to cause an increase in GFA, you will need the Secretary or Chairperson of the Estate's Management Corporation (MC) to sign the letter. A letter from MC has to include that 90 per cent of the unit owners have agreed to the proposed works. In addition to the proposal, a copy of the authorization letter is required for submitting it to the URA as part of the planning application.

8 Ways To Maximise Storage In Your Bedroom.

If you have little to no space in your bedroom, you really have no choice but to get creative with how you store your belongings. Thankfully, there are a ton of ways you can make your limited space work for you. Here are our top 8 tips to help you maximise storage in your bedroom.

Choose a bed frame that allows you to have storage underneath the bed.

1. Maximize Under The Bed Storage.

Simply put, this is one of the smartest and easiest ways to add a whole area of storage to your sleep space. If you don’t currently have any storage, you’ve got several options: Buy a new storage bed, DIY an under-the-bed storage solution, or raise your current bed and add storage containers.  The trick is to keep these storage solutions out of sight, which removes the visual clutter in your bedroom. 

2. Organize Drawers To Free Up Space.

Think folding like Marie Kondo and using drawer dividers. If you have a chest of drawers, take some time first to declutter anything that’s not being used, then refold all of your items, and you will be surprised at how much more space you have. If you have out of season clothes such as that winter jacket you used pre-Covidd when heading in colder climates, consider vacuum packing these bulky items to save you precious drawer space. 

3. Optimise Space In Your Wardrobe. 

While you are looking at your drawers, don't forget to take a peek inside your wardrobe. How well organised is this precious space? If you can buy hangers that allow you to hang multiple pairs of trousers, for example, would that free up space within your wardrobe? Would adding more hanging bars or a couple of shelves make your wardrobe work harder for you? Before you invest in new furniture, consider how well the pieces have been working for you. 

4. Consider Double Duty Furniture. 

If possible, make each piece of furniture within your bedroom serve more than one function. You can use a chest as your night table; could your desk also serve as a vanity? You may need to get creative with what function your furniture serves within your bedroom.

Consider building in a wall of wardrobes to add in additional storage to your space.

5. Consider A Built In Wardrobe. 

Carpentry can be expensive, so this may not be an option for everyone. However, if you have the space to install an even shallow or thin wardrobe along your walls, this will free up floor space. Choosing a light colour can help the wardrobe blend into the background rather than dominating the entire space. If your budget is tight, consider modular solutions such as the IKEA Pax system for your space or even head to second-hand marketplace Carousell for a pre-loved wardrobe that will fit into your space. 

6. Store Only The Essentials In Your Bedroom. 

This one may seem obvious; however, when you start to declutter your current drawers or wardrobe, you may find yourself asking, “does this item really belong in here?” You may, for example, be storing kids clothes in your master bedroom as they are too big for your child at the moment. Is this the best use of your space, or is there another place within the nursery to keep these? If you occasionally use your bedroom as a gym, does all the equipment need to live there, or would your dusty yoga mat be better stored in your bomb shelter?

Critically assess your clothing to see what is worth keeping and taking up storage space.

7. The Back Of The Door Is Useful Space. 

The back of the door is often overlooked as a storage space, but nowadays, you can add so much storage there with a little creativity. Think shelving, shoe storage, baskets. When the door is open, you won’t even see them. Another great solution is rather than have a stand-alone full-length mirror, use a mirror that hangs over the back of the door. 

8. Declutter Regularly. 

Whilst decluttering can be cumbersome and time-consuming, doing it regularly, maybe every 6 months, will be more beneficial in the long run than simply adding new furniture to store new items. Donate or sell items you no longer need or use. Throw away or recycle broken items regularly so that you are consistently freeing up space within your home. If you haven’t used an item of clothing for 6 months, ask yourself, do you really want to keep it, or would you rather free up space for that new item you just purchased? 

What Is The Most Relaxing Colour To Paint A Bedroom?

What are the best room shades for sleep? Sleep is not just rest, it is likewise just how our body repairs services, revitalizes and re-energizes for the next day. This is why having an excellent area to rest as well as recover in is so important for a healthy life. Our bedrooms are our safe space made to make us feel as in your home and comfortable as possible.

Even, the colours in your room can impact the high quality as well as the amount you sleep. It might seem surprising, but the shades in your bedroom can influence your mood, which consequently impacts your sleep. So prior to you pick a colour to paint your entire room, or buying a brand-new bedding collection, we suggest you take a look at which colours are the most effective for promoting relaxation and also healthy resting behaviours.

What is the Science?

Why is selecting the best colour so essential? Every marketing master recognizes that shades resemble magic. The very same chooses to sleep. Shades can influence your emotions and also your state of mind. For example, some research studies have revealed that checking out the shade red rises the heart rate as well as adrenaline flow. If that happens before bed, you can only imagine exactly how it may make you sleep.

Right here's just how shades influence your habits. Various colours affect your mood, which makes you act in a different way. Remember the colour red? There's a reason bull competitors make use of a red cape. And targets are red. They enhance enthusiasm, also anger, as well as excitement. Various other influences that shades may have are the taste of food, and exactly how warm or cool something really feels. This makes good sense; we even classify them cosy and also awesome shades. If you can comprehend the way shades affect you, you can decorate much more functionally, specifically for rest.

Especially, this is exactly how colours affect sleep. Softened or low-key tones advertise better sleep than even more lively primary ones. Additionally, this isn't simply an old wives tale. These suggestions are data-driven. Showing that the best bedroom colours for rest exceed just viewpoint. A research study of over 2,000 Travelodge hotels aided establish which colours assist and harm rest. It is additionally suggested to use a level finish over shiny. This assists colours appear softer, as well as softer methods sleepier.

Based upon shade psychology, research study, and also the referrals of sleep professionals, below are the very best bedroom colours for rest, in addition to the worst colours to paint your bedroom:

Blue Brings Calm.

Blue is the best colour for sleep. Blue is calming. Calming is sleep. The eyes even have special receptors in the retinas called ganglion cells, which makes the brain specifically responsive to blue. If there is one point you can do right, it's painting your bedroom blue. Without a doubt, this holds the location at the top of our listing for the very best room’s colours for sleep.

Not A Fan of Blue? Here are other great choices:

Yellow Brings Happiness.

Yellow is the second-best colour to choose for sleep. Wake up happy with yellow, sunshine walls.

Green Brings Outdoors Indoors.

Green is an organic colour that reminds us of nature. People sleeping in green bedrooms reported waking up feeling upbeat and positive.

Orange Brings Warmth.

Orange is a good colour because it is warm and happy. It is also said that orange helps with indigestion, which could be keeping you awake at night as well. Variations of orange to consider include terracotta or clay if a bright orange is not for you.

Pink Brings Softness.

This is a great choice for a bedroom, especially if you pick a soft muted pink colour that is more natural and close to a skin tone than a pretty pony. A soft natural pink tone is comforting and typically has soft orange undertones. Feng Shui often suggests using gentle colours that are similar to skin tones because they give us a calm zen-like feeling. We suggest against choosing a hot pink colour as it gets too close to the red family which is aggressive, energetic, and difficult to sleep around.

How to Maximise Space In A Small Bedroom.

In Singapore, space is at a premium; our homes are getting smaller. Based on 2018 resale transactions, the average area size of a 4-room flat across HDB estates across the island is around 1,027 sq ft. Meanwhile, 4-room flats in new Built-To-Order (BTO) projects offered in 2018 were roughly 1,001 sq ft. Bedrooms are getting smaller, but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, many homes need to do double or triple duty as not only a space for sleeping but also a home office or home gym. 

If you have a small bedroom, it’s more important than ever to get clever in making your space whilst catering for your home’s needs. To ensure a tight space fits all your needs, you'll have to get creative with your small bedroom layout, furnishings, storage solutions, and design choices. With the right pieces in the right places, the elements can come together to create a comfortable, organised retreat.

Whether you're looking for small master bedroom ideas or decorating advice for a little guest room, these tips on how to decorate a small bedroom will help you maximise whatever space you have available and make it feel much larger than it actually is.

Consider How the Room Functions.

To make the most of a small bedroom, you first need to decide how you plan to use the space. Sleeping is a given, of course, but you might also want to use the room as a home office area or a place to get dressed in the morning. You'll likely need to get creative with bedroom furniture arrangements to accommodate various functions. For instance, you could push the desk next to the wall by your bed so it can pull double-duty as a bedside table as well as your home office. Once you are clear on the room's functionality, you then know what is essential and what is nice to have. 

Build storage around the bed.

Bespoke wardrobes are the most effective way to get the most out of your bedroom storage. Building wardrobes on either side of the bed help to create a frame that holds the gaze on that one wall. This allows the remaining walls to be free of any obstructions, which will take up valuable space. Use the other walls for artwork or mirrors instead. You could use the space further by creating storage above the bed too, be mindful not to make the decor feel dated – or claustrophobic with too much going on. If in doubt, keep the shelving above the bed to a simple floating shelf, one on which to keep an alarm clock and display trinkets.

Bulk Up Your Bedside.

Storage space is one of the essentials in our bedroom checklist. But if you don’t have a lot of room, maximise the space next to your bed. Instead of a bedside table, opt for a small dresser or a compact chest of drawers instead. These function just like a bedside table but offer more storage for clothes, sheets, and other essentials. You can even pull in a set of baskets underneath for storing small items, such as books or pillows.

Opt for Double-Duty Pieces.

Smaller spaces mean less room for more furniture. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice storage! One of the easiest (and cost-efficient) small space hacks to maximise storage in a small bedroom is choosing pieces with multiple functions. Think of a bookcase that doubles as a room divider. Furniture with hidden storage. A dresser that doubles as a TV stand. A console table that doubles as a desk. Basically, make sure your furniture pulls its weight by giving you multiple functions!

Float Some Shelves.

If a small bedside table, chest, or bookshelf are all still taking up too much floor space, opt for a floating shelf or two (or three!), which leaves zero footprints and won’t clutter up a small bedroom that’s already tight on space. The best part is that these can go anywhere and double as display surfaces for cool art, personal objects, and plants.

Consider adding storage to your headboard.

Free Up Desk Space By Opting For Wall Lights.

These are one the best ideas for small bedrooms because they will practically give you more free space. Instead of heavy table lamps, consider mounting your lights on the wall. This is especially useful for anyone who has a teeny-tiny bedside table or none at all. You can use vertical space and keep other things on the side table instead.

Full-length Curtains Create An Illusion Of Height.

Another great idea for small bedrooms is to hang your curtains and drapery as close to the ceiling as possible. This trick works in adding visual length and tricks your eye into believing that your room is bigger than it actually is. Also, pick light fabrics for curtains—sheer cloth works best. This will keep the light coming in and not make your room look heavy.

This dresser doubles as a TV console whilst the iron bed and plant makes the room feel brighter and more spacious.

Plants Bring Life Into A Small Room.

Why should plants always stay outside the bedroom? Especially for plant lovers, you can bring greenery to your bedroom as well. When it comes to decorating with plants, choose a corner and place your favourite planter right there. Not only will this give a fresh feel to your interiors, but it also helps uplift your mood if ever the size of your room starts bothering you. 

Go For Hidden Storage With Fitted Furniture.

Having a small bedroom doesn’t necessarily mean lesser clothes or accessories. It simply means that you need to use every inch of space at your disposal. One of the best ideas for small bedrooms is to have concealed storage in fixed furniture. You can have an elevated platform and have drawers that come out of it. This is a clever way to add storage without making it too obvious.

Add Texture With Rugs.

Instead of doing up your walls, look down. Your floor can have some texture in the form of a rug. A little bit of texture goes a long way in adding some depth to a room. Choose something that merges with the rest of your decor, or go all out with a bold colour. You will not regret either.

Consider A Platform Bed.

Another great way to add more storage is to have it underneath your bed. And platform beds are one of the most popular ways of squeezing in storage in Singapore homes. For this, you can go for a regular bed with hydraulic storage or opt for a platform bed. You can also look for a bed that has an option or shelves for storage. A platform bed serves a dual purpose of being a bed at night and a makeshift daybed during the rest of the day.

What You Need To Know About Kitchen Renovation Costs 2021.

What is a kitchen renovation going to cost you? Do I need to reno my kitchen? Why is there such a difference between renovating a resale HDB kitchen compared to a BTO? These are very common concerns among homeowners in Singapore. Whether you want to redo your entire kitchen or renovate it in parts, you must know the details of what you are going to be spending on. Our guide is here to help you navigate.

Before you begin, do you need to renovate your kitchen? 

Let’s look at this objectively, whilst you might like an upgrade to your kitchen, it will cost you your hard-earned money and time to do it. Most kitchens will last at least 10 years before starting to look worn or are in need of a refresh. Having said that, a well-maintained kitchen can last 20 years. If a kitchen is only used for light cooking, for example, you may not actually need to renovate it right away. 

You should also look at other factors such as whether the kitchen needs to be refurbished.

• Are the tiles in good condition or are they chipped or worse hollow?

• Are any of the cabinet door hinges rusting or hanging loose and beyond repair?

• Is the grout in good condition or is it discoloured or missing or cracked? 

• What is the condition of the countertop? Are they stained or cracked from use?

• Is the piping in good condition or are there leaks? Remember leaks from piping can seep into your cabinets causing them to literally rot off the wall.

So maybe you have identified that there are some structural issues that renovating your kitchen would solve. The next question to ask, is are you going to do a full renovation, i.e. rip everything out and start again? Or would a partial renovation be sufficient e.g. just replacing the cabinet doors? 

In order to decide what best meets your needs, it’s a good idea to sit down and look at what works and what doesn’t about your current kitchen. This is a great time to decide if the layout that you have suits your lifestyle or whether it’s better to start from scratch and layout the kitchen in a different way. 

If you do decide to do a full kitchen revamp, obviously the costs will be higher to do this. Hacking out the old kitchen, replacing all the cabinetry and potentially changing the layout is a big undertaking which of course has costs attached to it. 

What factors determine the ultimate cost of your kitchen renovation? 

1. Space to be renovated.

The space to be renovated will determine the cost. Since the factors differentiate depending on the type of space to be renovated, the cost of renovation will also vary as well. 

2. Home Type.

The kitchen renovation costs of condo units, HDB units and landed properties can differ wildly. The layouts of private homes can vary wildly, therefore the costs can go up. 

3. Material used.

The type of material used in renovation hugely affects the cost of renovation. For instance, if you want to use unique, rare and expensive materials to renovate your kitchen, you should be well prepared to pay for this. Shop around to find materials that suit your style and your budget.

4. Where you buy from. 

We live in a free economic market, meaning that it’s up to the seller to determine the price. Whilst some companies will offer packages (more on that later), others will offer the same materials at a higher price. Always try to negotiate if you find the materials that you want but it’s outside of the budget you had set aside and needless to say, it pays to spend some time shopping around to compare pricing. 

5. The company you work with.

The contractor you choose to do your kitchen renovation will largely impact your renovation cost. If you choose a well experienced and established contractor, you will definitely pay him/her more for the service. Likewise, if you select a contractor who is not well experienced and established chances are that you will pay him/her less for his/her services. The contractor will be the one to tell you how much material you need to buy for renovation purposes.

6. How hands-on you are.

If you are planning to do a minor kitchen renovation, you can actually save more money if you do some of the work by yourself. Some simple work like replacing countertops or painting kitchen cabinets can actually be done on a weekend do–it–yourself. This of course all depends on whether you have the skills and can source the materials. 

So, how much does a kitchen renovation cost?

The total cost and estimated budget of a kitchen renovation in Singapore are usually around $ 10,000 – $ 15,000. depending on the process. If you want to find a cheaper one, you can choose a carpentry renovation project. It usually only costs about $ 5,000.

Tips to bring down the cost of kitchen renovation

While there are many ways to save money on kitchen renovation, here are some quick pointers:

• Save up on materials: Of course, opting for budgeted materials for the countertop and backsplash will go a long way in reducing the overall cost of renovation.

• Carpentry designs: Choosing a relatively simpler design for carpentry is a great way to skimp on the budget. It does not need to look boring but just needs to be less complex.

• Tile work: Save up on a huge cost by simply overlaying tiles instead of completely hacking and installing new ones.

• Reconfigure current kitchen cabinets: In some cases, you can update your kitchen cabinets yourself:

• Repair damaged parts by laminating them.

• Replaced more modern hinges, pulls, and knobs.

• Add lighting under the cabinet or over the cabinet.

• Install slide racks on the inside of cabinets and other storage systems.

• Repainting and changing the outer appearance of the cabinet.

Finally: Beware the Kitchen Package.

Many contractors and even interior design companies offer renovation packages that bundle accessories, materials, design and labour costs. These deals might be attractive if the items included are brand name fittings and accessories like Blum. On their own, branded items can be quite costly.

It’s worth noting that packages have a very specific scope of work and materials. Some renovation companies might put a limit on for example the size of countertops that is included or not be clear on the materials that they plan to use. Generally, if you deviate from what’s included in the package, you most likely have to top up to do so. Be sure to get a comprehensive itemised quote if you are considering a kitchen renovation package to avoid disappointment.

Consider taking up a package deal if the terms of the contract make the most sense for your budget and for your needs. Spend the time to determine your exact needs, shop around and get multiple quotes before you decide.

Pros & Cons Of A Walk In Wardrobe In Your HDB.

Walk-in wardrobes are popular choices for many homeowners in Singapore. They provide more space and can help you to stay organized too. This type of wardrobe is made of shelves, hanging space and sometimes drawers which are all used to store clothes as well as accessories. There are a number of pros and cons associated with the inclusion of a walk-in wardrobe – but the same can be said for all of the options available to you. To ensure that you’ve made the right choice for your home and needs, you will be required to weigh up each of the pros and cons. Some of these things you will be able to live with, others will be deal-breakers.

If you’re considering a walk-in wardrobe, you should know that there are various advantages and disadvantages to having one. Here’s what you need to know:

Pros

Organisation.

The upside to a walk-in wardrobe is organisation. For someone with a lot of shoes, dresses, etc., a regular wardrobe might be impractical. Walk-in wardrobes remove the need to play Tetris with clothes; no worrying that the whole wardrobe will spill out when you tug at a skirt. A walk-in also spreads out its inventory, so it’s easy to browse. No messing up the room while deciding which shoes/jeans / shirt to wear.

Privacy.

Another advantage to walk-ins is privacy. Some homeowners may choose to store jewellery in walk-ins, where it’s considerably safer than in a wardrobe. A walk-in is big enough for safe boxes if required; at the very least, it’s easier to conceal valuables in a large room than in a wardrobe. And if you’ve had anyone insist on using a room while you’re dressing, you’ll notice that a walk-in can actually help to ease congestion. Consider: a slow dresser can monopolise the bedroom for hours.

Maximise Possible Space.

Walk-ins also maximise the use of possible space. If you have a room with an odd shape, the little niches can be put to better use as a walk-in. You can use a walk-in to “square off “the niches, or even create triangular walk-ins. Both are more efficient than just hiding the spaces with more décor.

Cons

You need to be REALLY organized to have one.

If you're a naturally organized and put-together person, a walk-in wardrobe could work well for you. But if you are prone to bouts of messiness, you might want to steer clear, as this will be one more room that needs regular cleaning and sorting out! This is before we talk about the dust that gathers!

Pay More For Lighting & Carpentry

Since most walk-in wardrobes are dark, lighting is an issue. Be prepared to spend a bit extra on appropriate lighting. Task and accent lighting are a must, which translates to extra wiring and a higher power bill. Also, walk-ins involve a significant amount of carpentry. The furnishings of a walk-in are specific to its shape, so many of the shelves, cupboards, etc. cannot be purchased off-the-rack. This is especially true for smaller walk-in wardrobes, which cannot accommodate the inclusion of full-sized dressers or cupboards. That means custom carpentry work, which results in significant costs.

Sacrifice Space Elsewhere.

If you are renovating, you’ll find that the only way to add one of these wardrobes is to sacrifice space from elsewhere within the home. Often, it means that the other bedrooms get a little smaller, that your ensuite isn’t as luxurious as it could be or that your living space is left with awkward niches. If you can live with this, go for it!

Empty shelves will encourage extra spending.

If you don't have enough clothing to fill all of the shelves in your walk-in wardrobe, you might find yourself giving in to bad shopping habits, in a bid to justify the room! 

Walk-in wardrobe Tips.

Still, have your heart set on a luxurious walk-in space? Here are a few tips to make space for a walk-in wardrobe in your compact home.

1. Look At The Corners.

Corners are often dead spaces that go to waste in a room, but looking at them in the context of building a walk-in wardrobe might mean you’ve found the perfect role for the corner. Consider developing your wardrobe plan around the corner, making use of a customisable layout and clever partition ideas to ward off future organisational woes.

2. Use Vertical Space.

Vertical space allows you to store more no matter how small a space you’re dealing with. Applying this trick while designing a wardrobe allows homeowners to make use of available space. Hangers, open shelves and sliding door wardrobes leave extra square footage to actually be able to walk in. Loft storage can serve as hideaways for seasonal or bulky items– this way, your wardrobe remains largely clutter-free.

3. Skip the Doors on Your Regular wardrobe instead.

Here’s a clever way to make a regular wardrobe seem like a walk-in. Skip the doors and make the compartments deep enough to stand in. This trick magics a walk-in wardrobe out of what was once a regular wardrobe, just by skipping the doors and leaving the shelves open.

The Pros And Cons Of A Kitchen Island.

So you are thinking of installing a kitchen island in your HDB, Condo or Landed Property? Let’s look at the plus points and the drawbacks to installing a kitchen island. Ultimately, you want the kitchen island to be functional and add to the aesthetic of your home, but you need to ensure you have enough space and that it doesn’t disrupt the flow of your home. 

Pros

Space.

Firstly, keep in mind that the function of an island is to have all sides open to working on. If there isn’t enough space in your kitchen, you’ll end up bumping into it more than anything else. For unrestricted movement, experts suggest you need at least 1 metre of clearance on all sides when you draw up your kitchen island designs, without which the island may become an obstacle. 

If there is enough space for a kitchen island, there are still things to consider to make sure it’s suited to the design. Even in larger kitchens, sometimes it’s hard to get as much counter space as you want. An island can help create an extra landing space for hot dishes, extra prep space, or even a spot to do your baking. It can also play into the visual/aesthetic portion of the design if you choose to make that countertop a contrasting or accent colour.

Storage.

Similar to counter space, an island can provide more cabinet space under the counter. The area beneath can be used for additional storage to help you organize your pots, pans and other necessities. And, if you have the extra space, you can even add an appliance to your island.

Added Seating.

An island can also be used for kitchen seating by adding a breakfast bar to one side. An island with seating, such as barstools, gives you another place where friends and family can gather to talk and create memories.

Space Definition.

In an open concept plan, there are no walls on one or more sides of the kitchen. An island can provide added countertop space with no walls, but can also form a virtual divide between a kitchen and the adjoining spaces without closing it off. This can even out the work triangle and make space for the cook to work while still visiting the company in the other room.

Adding a kitchen island can easily convert a kitchen layout. For example, an L-shaped kitchen can quickly be turned into a U-shaped kitchen with an added island. Then, with an open concept plan, you can interact with those not in the kitchen while you’re creating meals.

Cons

Not suitable for wiring and venting.

The centre of your kitchen may not always be suited to wire or vent. Check with your designer to see whether it is safe to install a cooker or plugin appliances, so you can have a secure cooking experience.

Remember putting a cooktop on an island, it’s not only hard to vent, but a hot surface in an open area can be dangerous for children or people reaching across.

Disrupts the work triangle.

Ideal kitchen layouts with an island should have easy access to the cooker, refrigerator, and sink (the work triangle). An island can disrupt this structure and put obstacles in the way of preparation, cooking and cleanup.

Comparatively expensive. 

Adding an extra workspace in the kitchen means adding more materials which could mean greater costs. The extra countertop and cabinets might add up to more than the flooring that would otherwise take the island’s place.

Summary

In summary, there are quite a few considerations when looking at installing a kitchen island. If planned out correctly, it can add additional storage and counter space to your home. Poor planning can result in an island that disrupts the flow of your kitchen and incurs an additional expense for a kitchen island that you want to rip out.

A Guide To Mid Century Modern.

9 step guide to bringing the mid-century modern style into your home

The long-lasting popularity of the Mid-Century Modern style is based upon numerous factors. It provided us with tidy lines, mild natural curves, a love for various materials and designers that are idolized even today. But how can you bring it into your HDB, Condo or Landed Property? Follow our 9 step guide to create the ultimate mid-century modern style into your home.

Mid-Century Modern Style

Bauhaus designers and designers who migrated to America as an outcome of financial modifications in Germany after the Second World War started the style movement called Mid-Century Modern. It's defined by simplicity and performance. While there is some dispute about when the duration started, it approximately lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s. The ageless quality of the design, nevertheless, continues to interest today.

The differentiating functions of this style consist of a timeless, downplayed appearance, and tidy lines with very little difficulty.

• Performance is very important, as form follows function.

• Sleek and uncluttered lines with both natural and geometric lines.

• Very little ornamentation or ornaments.

• A mixture of both standard as well as non-traditional materials.

• The juxtaposition of various, and in some cases contrasting materials.

1. Wood Is Key.

Most of today’s furniture is made of engineered pressed wood. Let real wood take centre stage via the high-quality furnishings of the ’50s. These mid-century masterpieces have clean lines of teak, walnut, oak and rosewood. Maybe hunting for these old pieces seems like too much work. Or maybe an original piece from George Nelson or Noguchi piece is out of your budget. If so, there are plenty of modern-made replicas to be found that mimic these elements. Thanks to the increasing demand of this design movement, many retailers are grabbing hold of the trend by offering lower-end furnishings that nod to this style.

2. Use Modern Lighting. 

Look at any mid-century modern home and you will surely see dazzling modern marvels dangling from the ceilings or lighting up sleek side tables. Unique pendant lights and fixtures are not only functional; they are pieces of sculptural art. There are numerous online artists who custom-make these architectural lights. Look around until you find the piece that calls your name, and remember mid-century modern is not a matchy-matchy style, so no need to find lamp sets. Indeed, bold lighting is another must-have accessory to take your home back in time to this artistic era.

3. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.

No matter what style of décor you choose, mirrors are the perfect design accessory. They add a light airy feeling to any room in your home. If placed properly, a mirror can make a space look bigger by reflecting light into a room or highlight a beautiful backyard landscape by placing it opposite a garden door or window. A sunburst mirror is an icon of this era. It is simply a must-have accessory that shines mid-century into your home. There are plenty of replicas or originals to be found online or in stores.

4. Wall Colour – White Is Right

Most mid-century homes had walls covered in white paint. Why? Because it allowed for the high-quality furnishings to take centre stage. Mid-century homeowners were proud of the craftsmanship of their home and furnishings, and white paint let the rest of the room show off its lines. What an easy mid-century design solution!

5. Small Details Can Make the Difference

Sometimes it’s the simple things added to your décor that make the biggest style statement. One or two artistic metal wall plaques or a large graphic oil on canvas can make a bold style statement. For a modern look, don’t clutter your walls with tons of artwork. Keep it simple and clean with a few bold, high-end pieces of art. After all, isn’t it better to have one or two high-quality pieces instead of a bunch of inexpensive knick-knacks?

6. Wallpaper – If You Dare

While most walls benefit from clean white lines, a touch of glamour in a dining room can be added by simply papering one wall with bold glitzy wallpaper in a graphic pattern. If you don’t like the idea of permanent wallpaper, then try some of the higher-end wallpapers that easily peel off.  Homeowners in this time period loved their bold, graphic prints.

7. Mix And Match Different Styles

Just because you don’t have a Mid-century home, it doesn’t mean you can’t embrace retro style. With an emphasis on simple lines and purity of design, combined with the enduring beauty of wood, Mid-century timber furniture, such as these original Ercol sofas, have a timeless appeal, which sit well with other styles both old and new.

8. Introduce Retro Fabrics

For a quick and easy retro pop try updating a lamp with a shade in a retro print or styling a plain sofa with cushions made from 1950s fabrics. Mid-century designs are very functional and bright. Organic and geometric forms/patterns are most often utilised. In addition, mid-century modern designs explore traditional and unorthodox materials at the same time, they are based on contrasts and intriguing juxtapositions.

9. Be Bold, Be Eclectic, Be Experimental

Mid-century modern design doesn’t have to be exclusive. If you already have modern pieces you love and would like to keep in your home, you can buy a couple of mid-century furniture pieces that you’re missing. Determining whether these mid-century items will go well with the rest of your belongings depends on your style preference.

9. Keep to a Guiding Theme

A final thing to keep in mind is that pulling off a stylish mid-century modern design can be tricky. Eclectic choices and contrasting decisions can easily contribute to clutter and chaos. If you go for way too many ideas, you’ll feature distinctive pieces that will be fighting for attention. Thus, you need to come up with some guidelines before getting started with the execution

Your Complete Guide To Creating A Gallery Wall.

Why A Gallery Wall?

Are you looking for an alternative to the feature wall? Want to display your family photographs or art that you love in a way that matches your home design? Then a gallery wall might be for you. 

Gallery walls or photo walls have become quite popular over the last few years, providing an easy way to update your interiors, transform bland walls, create a focal point in your home, and bring some character and personality to your living space. Instead of using paint or wallpaper for a feature wall, you can do so with a gallery wall, and it can be placed anywhere in your home. Pulling a gallery wall of your own together might feel a little daunting at first. Art can be expensive, and curating personal items/photos can take a decent amount of time.

What is a Gallery Wall?

A gallery wall is a curated display of photographs, posters or prints, creatively arranged on a wall, commonly made using photo frames.

What kind of Gallery Wall to choose?

There are two main options to consider for your Gallery Wall: 

• You can create a Gallery Wall using your own photographs and art and purchase suitably sized picture frames to hang on the wall.

• You can buy a curated set of framed wall prints (these are often themed such as botanical or landscape prints), that you can simply hang on the wall.

Creating Your Gallery Wall.

1. Start Collecting. 

You need to know what you have to work with so your first step is to start collecting things that you think might work for your Gallery Wall. These can be photographs that mean a lot to you such as wedding pictures, it could be a keepsake or sentimental items such as your wedding invitations or it could be pieces of art or prints that you really like.
Remember inspiration can come from anywhere. It could be from your favourite coffee shop, at a friends place, a Pinterest board. There is inspiration everywhere, once you start to research you will notice Gallery Walls come in many different styles and there are very few set rules to creating them. 

Narrowing down what you want to have within your Gallery Wall is an important part of the process, you need to know what you have to work with. 

2. Build a Theme. 

When you have a selection of images or art that you're happy with, pick out your favourites. Start to group these by themes e.g. family celebrations, weddings, art prints that you love, holidays or trips. Be creative and focus on groupings that means something to you, after all, you will be the one looking at these days. For art or prints, select colours that go with your room decor or suit the tone of the space that you want to put your gallery wall in. Take your time to do these groupings. You may change your mind multiple times and that’s part of the process. 

3. Measure up.

Measure your wall space and lay your collection on the floor. Stand back and look at them all together (allow a bit of space between them for the frames). Does anything jump out as not quite working? If yes, take it out. Or is there room for you to add more? Take a photo of your possible combinations. You may end up with several combinations that work. Take photos of them all. It can be really helpful to use masking tape to lay them out on the wall itself so you can visualise where they will be.

4. Pick your frames.

When you are happy with the layout, get your frames. You need to decide whether you want them to blend in or contrast with the wall or stand out in their own right. Decide if you want them all the same, or if you want lots of different colours. A white or neutral frame is perfect for Scandi-style interiors, while black picture frames are more suited to contemporary or industrial themed interiors.

5. Hanging

You'll need nails or picture hooks and a hammer or even, command hooks. Draw lightly in pencil on the walls where the top corners of the frames will be. Measure and mark how much lower down the picture frame you want your nail holes. Start hammering and get them all up. Use a spirit level to make sure everything is straight. If you are not confident that you can do this yourself, ask a handyman to do this step for you.

6. Enjoy The Final Look.

Stand back, enjoy, and bask in the glory of your creation. Remember, your gallery can be easily be swapped or updated with new favourites whenever you feel like it. For example, if you've got new photoshoot prints, you can easily swap them into the Gallery Wall. Just decide what you want to take down and either remount or replace it with a similar-sized piece.

12 Tips To Set Up Your Home Office.

With the world in the midst of a global pandemic, and working from home being part of our collective new normal, many organisations are open to a more permanent shift to remote working even after the dangers of COVID-19 fade. For instance, Twitter has given the go-ahead for its employees to work from home “forever” if they wish and Shopify’s CEO said, “office centricity is over”.

There will be an ongoing need for homes in Singapore to be able to accommodate work from home in the near to medium term. With demand for larger homes increasing steadily throughout the pandemic, the option of simply shifting to a larger space to add in a home office is not always a practical solution. We have put together 12 key considerations when planning your home office within your HDB, Condo or Landed Property.

1. Create A Dedicated Workspace.

With space at a premium in Singapore, it can be difficult to have an actual room dedicated as your workspace but it's still essential to have a dedicated space within your home that you work from. With WFH being the norm in 2021 and even as Singapore or other countries across the region reopen, you need to future proof your home.  This cannot mean having your “home office” on your bed or sofa. Firstly this is not productive for you which will cause additional stress, but most importantly mixing work with your personal space will make it more difficult for your brain to adapt to “work mode”. Your couch and your bed are made for relaxation. You need to create a space within your home which you will associate with productive work. 

You may need to get creative with where to place your home office. It could be set up in a spare bedroom. It may mean carving out a dedicated space within your living room from where you will work. You can look at solutions such as glass or partition walls to split a room so you have a space for working. A great solution, if you are using a room as a sleeping space and a workspace, is to look at loft beds or murphy beds. Your key goal is to separate your work and personal life and create a dedicated zone from where you will work. 

2. Don't Sacrifice Form for Function.

Furniture can be multi functional

One of the biggest benefits of having your own home working space is that you are not limited to a soulless office cubicle. Solutions and options are endless as you can now get storage furniture that will match your theme. A desk doesn't have to be a large office table that looks out of place in your space. You should look to choose furniture which matches your space and most importantly that you like. The furniture in your work from home space should be functional yet work within your theme.  If your home has Scandanavian decor, warm wood and soft, comfy chairs or a loveseat are ideal if you have the space. A contemporary home office can feature artistic pieces or modern metal furniture.

3. Add Proper Storage.

This of course spends on your job and how much paperwork you may need to keep, but most home offices need to have some storage. If your room is being used for multiple functions, having dedicated storage can be used to store your work equipment such as your laptop at the end of the workday.

Your work from home office should have dedicated storage space for all your documents, to keep your supplies such as printer paper (or even the printer itself), out of sight. This shouldn’t mean that you have to spend hours searching for what you need daily. The storage you select needs to be functional and work for what your particular needs are. 

4. Choose A Desk That Suits Your Needs.

Choose a desk that suits your needs

Your desk height should be such that when you type on the keyboard, your arms and hands are parallel to the floor. Your feet should be flat on the floor, and your legs should fit comfortably under the desk. Many desks now come with height-adjustable legs. If you already have a table and cannot invest in a new one that supports this posture, get yourself a height-adjustable keyboard tray or a footrest to correct your alignment. If you have a large home office space, you could get a large table with lots of shelving. If you have to fit a table into a nook, consider a corner desk that will fit compactly in a corner under which you can tuck in your chair as well.

Another important factor is the access area to your home office. Can your large table be dismantled to move through the door? Or will it fit through the access passage? What desk you choose will also depend on your working style Do you just need a laptop and a water bottle, or do you need to surround yourself with pin-ups, photos, plants and the like around your laptop? A final consideration is how to hide unsightly cables. Holes or channels for cords are an excellent way to keep those pesky wires hidden. You could even have a hidden storage box mounted just under your table to store the unsightly wires and cables.

5. Consider Adding A Standing Desk.

A standing desk can help you be more productive

There is so much buzz around standing desks! There are so many great standing desks available on the market that will suit your personal style. Studies suggest sitting for long periods of time can cause serious health issues and weaken the overall strength and endurance of people who lead sedentary lifestyles.

Working at a standing desk means that you are keeping your back and overall posture at the best levels and actually burning calories while simply standing and working. Experts recommend using a standing desk for at least 3 – 4 hours a day.

6. Invest in a Great Chair.

Investing in a comfortable & ergonomic office chair is also an important design choice for your home office that will affect your productivity. A great desk chair will not only make you feel like you’re sitting on a cloud all day, but it will also provide lumbar support & help avoid back problems in the future.

A good office chair can boost productivity by allowing you to stay comfortable and focused for longer periods of time. The back is usually the first part of the body to suffer from sitting down all day. So look for a chair with back or lumbar support, which usually comes in the form of extra cushioning on the backrest. Not all office chairs come with armrests, but these are good to have as they give you extra support if you need to lean on something.

Also, consider material. Leather tends to be more expensive and feel more luxurious, but unless you’re prepared to sit in air conditioning all day, breathable material like mesh would be more appropriate in Singapore’s climate.

Another thing to look out for is adjustability. The best office chair in the world is pointless if it’s too high or low. Armrests and tilt may also be adjustable.

Bring plants into your home office

7. Bring The Outside Inside With Plants.

You should also consider decorating your home office with a few indoor plants. Indoor plants are a breath of fresh air to any space that they occupy, including your home office. Plus, they’re the type of decoration that won’t distract you from your work. They can also help filter out the air inside your home office design, while simultaneously improving your psychological well-being.

If you are not green-fingered, you can always opt for beautiful fake plants which will still add greenery to your home and make you feel like you have brought the outside inside. 

8. Forget “Office Beige”.

One of the biggest advantages of working from your own space is that you have the freedom to paint or wallpaper your walls to your taste. You need a colour that gets your work motor humming. For some people, that's a bright, cheery colour like orange or lime green. Others need a calming shade like botanical green or seafoam blue to perform. 

9. Your View Can Inspire You. 

Position the desk where you can stare at something more interesting than a blank wall (even if you do love the colour) when you glance up from the computer. Feng Shui experts suggest positioning your desk in the power position where you can see the door and your back is to the wall. Make the most of your windows' natural light by positioning your desk where the window is to the side. Investing in blinds or curtains means you can also control the amount of light coming into your room, essential with Singapore’s weather. 

10. Choose Accessories That You Love. 

Make your home office your own with unique accessories

Unless you're going for a contemporary look, choose extras that enhance the comfortable feeling of your home office. These can be simple such as a mug you love to have your Kopi from in the morning or a quirky pen holder. Hang inspirational prints on the walls, whether that's simply your kids' framed artwork or a classic painting. Remember, you can always have a virtual background for your daily zoom calls, giving you the freedom to accessorise your space.

11. Control the Noise Level.

If you’re the type of person that gets easily distracted by noise, you can invest in items that will help control the noise level that you hear from the outside world. It could be as simple as curtains to minimise the noise coming from your neighbours or a rug on your floors to cushion the sounds of your kids playing in the next room. A simple solution is to invest in some noise-cancelling headphones or a speaker for your desk.  

12. Invest in Suitable Lighting.

A desk lamp brings better light to your work from home setup

If you rely on natural light to brighten your home office, this can affect your productivity in ways that you might not be conscious of before. Since natural light changes as the day continue, you need to be mindful of the changing lighting situation in your home office. You must have noticed this situation in your office building – there are bright lights on throughout the day to add to the natural lighting. This helps employees stay in a fresh state of mind for longer.

Using desk lamps can help you zone out from your surroundings and just focus on the work in front of you. It may seem underrated, but good lighting can enable the best home office experience you need. You don’t want your home office design to be too bright that it makes it hard for you to see the screen and cause eye strain. You also don’t want it to be so dark that you struggle to make out what you’re trying to look at for work.

9 Tips To Maximise Space In A Small Apartment.

With space at a premium in Singapore, every centimetre counts

According to URA data, from Q2 2020 (remember Circuit Breaker was in place) to Q1 2021, the percentage of non-landed private property (including Executive Condominiums) transactions involving properties measuring 90 to less than 100 sqm fell from 11.27% to 10.54%. Meanwhile, the percentage of transactions involving properties measuring from 100 to under 120 sqm rose from 13.01% to 17.29%. The average 4- to 5-room apartment measures about 90 to 120 square metres.

With homes now having to perform more functions than ever before, think work from home, accommodating multi-generational families, our elderly living longer, maximising what you can do with your space is a key consideration for many Singaporeans. Buying a larger home, is for many, simply not an option. With that in mind, we have put together top tips to maximise your space. 

1. Declutter before choosing storage options. 

Decluttering will free up space for the things you really need within your home

It’s human nature to hoard things, we don’t want to let go and “you never know when you might need that again”. Clutter isn’t a specific challenge only to smaller homes, larger homes also can have storage issues.

The best advice is to declutter your space to only install storage space for those items that you truly want to keep.

A guiding principle you can use is that each item must meet two of the following three criteria: its beautiful, functional or sentimental. With this in mind, you can start to clear out one cupboard at a time and see how much space you get back to your home. 

Don’t know what you do with the items you no longer need? You can of course sell them using platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Carousell or there are also many charities and free Facebook groups where you can donate your items to someone who needs them. This means saving the planet by saving items that can still be used from landfills and giving your items a second lease of life. 

2. Make the most of your wall space.

Save space with wall mounted over the bed lighting

One rule to rule them all, “think tall when small”. With floor space becoming even more limited, you need to make your wall space work even harder to accommodate your needs. If you can, get storage options that go up to the ceiling, or at the very least that you can place items on top of to maximise storage space. Another option is to install shelving that you can place baskets or boxes onto to not take up precious floor space.

3. Wall mounting is not just for storage.

Similar to storage solutions that take up the wall rather than floor space, look at what in your home you can mount on your walls to give you back precious square footage. A great example of this is mounting your television to the wall, there are now many solutions available to hide the cables so you get a clean seamless look but save on space. Another option is to look beyond table lamps which again take up real estate in your home. A slim floor lamp or even wall sconces can save you space whilst still giving your home soft lighting options. The underlying principle to remember is that if you want your space to feel larger, then it has to look brighter. So don’t skimp on the lighting, explore different options to bring light into your space whilst maximising the space available to you.

4. Add built-in furniture.

Whilst this option is more expensive than freestanding furniture, it is worth considering what built-in furniture makes sense in your home, will give you additional storage and give the illusion of a bigger space. 

Do you have a recessed wall in your bedroom? Look at how you could get a custom-built wardrobe that makes the most of this odd shape but also adds storage for clothes. Platform beds are a great example of smart home design which takes up the same amount of space as a freestanding bed but has built-in storage. 

Look at your dining area, can you build in benches that will not only maximise the amount of seating you have but also can have storage built-in. 

5. Multi-purpose furniture

Nesting coffee tables can be put away when not in use

Make your space work harder for you by selecting multipurpose furniture. If you want multiple coffee tables that you can use when guests come over, consider getting nesting coffee tables that save space when not in use. Need a dining table that can accommodate you and your partner but you will need to replace it when your family expands or you have guests over? Why not look at an extendable dining table and have folding chairs that can seat additional guests. A dual-purpose ottoman is a great example that can double as storage space, additional seating or if you pop a tray on top, it can even work as a coffee table. 

6. Trick the eye with your window treatments.

Well hung curtains can change the feel of your room.

Swapping out the materials you use in your curtains can instantly change the look and feel of your space. The end goal, make your room seem larger than it actually is. To do this? Maximise the height of your room as well as the available natural light. That doesn't mean of course raising your ceiling, it's all a trick of the eye. 

If you want your ceiling to appear higher, hang curtains above your window frame. A good rule of thumb is to hang about two-thirds of the distance between the top of the window and the ceiling. Next, you want to maximise the amount of light that comes into your room. If you extend the curtain pole out approximately 15-30 cm to the side of your windows, when the curtains are open, you can push them all the way back from the window to let in the most amount of light.

Let’s face it, custom made curtains can be expensive. To save you money, consider buying store-bought curtains and using multiple panels. For example, IKEA may have the curtains you want but not the right width, you can use one pair of curtains i.e. both panels on one side of the window and one pair of curtains on the other side. 

7. Use mirrors to bring in light.

Mirrors reflect the light within your space.

Mirrors are a great addition to a smaller space as they double the visual space of an area whilst reflecting light around your home.  They also can break up a wall visually giving the illusion that you have more space than you have. 

8. Unify your colour palette.

Moving from room to room in a smaller space, whether it’s open plan living or a series of smaller rooms, is easier on the eye and opens up space if you have a neutral unifying colour palette. It can be quite jarring moving room to room full of bold colours when the space is quite small. That said, we are not advising you to abandon colour and go all white, you have plenty of options to bring colour into your space. 

Well placed art can bring personality to your home.

Pro-tip - you can look for paint that has a slight sheen to it, this helps to reflect the light and therefore give the illusion of a more spacious home. 

9. Artwork adds colour.

Yes, we spoke about having a unified neutral colour scheme, however, that doesn’t mean that your home needs to be devoid of colour or personality. Add bold splashes of colour with art. You can bring in personality but avoid the cluttered look by choosing one key piece per room that draws the eye.