RenoNation.sg

Sorry but we think modern and scandinavian designs are starting to saturate the market. Do not be mistaken, it’s not that these themes are not beautiful in their own way, they very much are. But life is all about having fun and changing things up every once in a while. So we’re introducing a house that has a slightly more unique concept — Japanese!

Most of us love Japanese food, from the mouthwatering range of donburi to the refreshing varieties of sashimi. But food aside, have you ever thought about having a Japanese-themed home? Perhaps this post could give you some insight and inspiration. Hajimemashou!

The ingenious arrangement of various wood textures and the creamy, warm colour scheme blend together perfectly to form an aesthetically pleasing image. Here, everything looks clean and neat (a typical characteristic of Japanese design), and spaciousness and ease of movement are greatly facilitated because of the simple concept.

The chiselled design is taken to another level with the placement of eccentric art pieces around the house. The designer has opted for minimal lighting design, as evident through the house. As a result, there are no fancy lights to distract from the minimalist beauty of this space. Upon taking a closer look, one realises that meticulous planning has been involved down to the accessories and items on display. Japanese-looking cutlery, Japanese alcohol, even the cushions that adorn the dining chairs — they all fit into overall design seamlessly.

The sliding Shoji-esque doors further emphasises the Japanese theme. It’s almost as though we’ve stepped into a traditional Japanese home.

The bathroom is another work of art. Vanity cupboards finished off with shiny mirror panels visually enlarge the space even more. The designer not only has a knack for enhancing space, but also has a good eye for combining colours and textures appropriately. If my bathroom looked like that, I would probably be taking three or four baths a day.

With its conservative and cutting-edge concept, this design sure impresses in more ways than one. What do you think?

Interior Designer: Copper Design Associates Location: Faber Crest

Gone are the days where televisions were monochromatic, huge, and unbelievably heavy. Much like humans, these entertainment boxes have gradually evolved and come a long way as well. From CRT TVs to LCD TVs all the way to LED TVs, LG has always been a leader in the evolution of televisions. Working with ceaseless innovation, LG finally developed the slimmest OLED TV in the history of TV technology.

The conventional LED TV is illuminated by lights coming from the panel and several sheets, making it heavy, thick, and possibly even difficult to express true colours. LG’s OLED TV, however, doesn’t need backlights. Hence its incredibly slim design and ability to display flawless images. With this, we can safely say that when it comes to choosing the perfect television, it’s as simple as 6 alphabets: A, B, C, D, H, S.

  1. Perfect Angle

Do images on your television look washed out or slightly faded when you’re watching it from a different angle? Are you frustrated at trying to find the best way to place your TV such that it gives off the best picture?

We sometimes have friends and family over for gatherings and celebrations, right? Picture this: everybody is happily settled on the couch watching a Big Bang concert and having a good time… well, except the ones seated at both ends of the sofa because what they see is somewhat faded or washed out because of the terrible angle.

Time to check that off your worry list. LG’s OLED TV solves this old problem because of its self lighting pixels that ensure no distortion caused by light refraction. With 12 times* more accurate colour and 2000 times* better contrast ratio at 60 degrees, you can get a perfect viewing experience from any corner.

*Comparison against VA LCD TV

  2. Perfect Black

Admit it, you’ve found yourself squinting your eyes at the screen when it comes to darker scenes in your favourite movie, attempting to better understand what’s going on. Either that or you’re busy turning up the brightness level to get clearer images. Well, first of all, squinting isn’t healthy for those precious orbs of yours. Second of all, upping the brilliance of the screen honestly doesn’t do much except wash out the effect of the pictures. In some instances, the halo effect (occurs when a bright subject appears on a dark field and glows brightly) is unintentionally created, further disrupting what’s supposed to be an enjoyable viewing experience.

Thankfully, there is now a solution to this. Behold, infinite contrast and a 200 times deeper standard of black — the LG OLED TV’s self lighting pixels control light independently. This means that if there’s a part of an image that is really dark, those pixels are switched off to deliver very deep blacks. Because of this, there is almost no light leakage and the result is a clearer, more vivid image that’s perfect for dark scenes. Here’s a video to help you illustrate the point.

  3. Perfect Colour

You know how some people always say nothing beats seeing things for yourself in person? Or that what you see on a screen can never compare to its actual level of magnificence? Secret: it’s all about the television. The expanded colour scope of the LG OLED TV offers 99% of the Digital Cinema Initiative’s (DCI) colour standard — billions of perfect colours are revealed in perfect black. The result is a 64-fold increase in colour enrichment against conventional LCD TV, letting viewers explore an extremely impressive level of colour detail.

  4. Perfect Design

Have you ever wondered how slim a television can get while still providing a stellar viewing experience? The answer is 2.57mm. Yes, you didn’t read that wrongly. You won’t find a television that’s slimmer than this in the current market. That’s because LED TVs in the market have a rather complicated structure and require quite a few panels to operate, namely the LCD panel, top case, diffuser sheet, prisme sheet, diffuser plate, reflector, and cover bottom.

LG’s OLED TV, however, only comprises a super thin OLED panel and transparent glass plate, both of which combined are only as thick as the width of 4 credit cards stacked together. They’ve managed to do away with all the other panels and yet still make it all work. Your television can now be a statement art piece you can show off to family and friends.

  5. Perfect HDR

Have you heard someone bragging about their television supporting HDR? What’s so good about it? HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, which allows content to be expressed in a wider and richer range of colours, making it perfect for depicting everything from the brightest sunlight to the darkest starry night. The LG OLED TV is capable of expressing more than 20 stops of brightness compared to just 14 for the best LCD TVs in the market.

Unlike most TV manufacturers that only support the HDR 10 format, the LG’s OLED TV is the only TV in Singapore that is compatible with both Dolby Vision and HDR 10. The fact that Dolby Vision is being embraced by major Hollywood studios such as Warner and MGM serves as another factor in proving that the LG OLED TV is future-proof. Here’s a video to help you understand this better.

  6. Premium Sound

What’s good visuals without marvellous audio to back it all up? Sound designed by harman/kardon adds premium sound to your entire entertainment experience, allowing you to immerse yourself further in whatever that’s playing on the screen.

LG has brilliantly fused a soundbar as the stand for this masterpiece. It offers 60W front-facing audio with a 4.2 channel system, which delivers flawless sound to your ears. That’s not all, the stand/soundbar can even be folded backwards if you choose to wall-mount it.

  Editor’s Note:

On top of the six awesome features listed above, there’s another important reason why we think the LG OLED TV is the perfect television for your home. It has met all the criteria to earn its title as Netflix’s recommended TV. These include:

TV instant on: Your TV wakes and apps are ready to use right away

TV resume: If you were using Netflix when you turned the TV off, it will return to Netflix when turned on again.

Latest Netflix version: Your TV comes with the latest version of Netflix with the newest features

Fast app launch: Start Netflix quickly after you turn on your TV

Easy Netflix icon access: Netflix is prominent and easy to access on your TV.

With the popularity of Netflix and its relevance in the entertainment world today, you can rest assured that the LG OLED TV is meeting all of the requirements and providing the most it can for your entertainment.

  With all the above-mentioned qualities, the LG OLED TV perfectly shows everything the way it really is. Designed after how life should be, perfect picture quality is guaranteed because your eyes deserve the best. Believe in seeing perfection, believe in the LG OLED TV. You can find out more about LG OLED TVs here.

Remember all the fancy conceptions you’ve seen in sci-fi films? Lights that come and off simply upon clapping, and how everything can be controlled with the push of a button. Well, that time is here and now; smart homes are making their way into the market. Yes, we have gradually, unknowingly stepped into the future. Many products and appliances nowadays are equipped with advanced technology to make our lives easier and better. You’ve probably heard about The Visionaire EC, which is the first smart home EC in Singapore. Even though you might not be living there, plenty of goods in the market these days are already embedded with a whole host of interesting functions for you to enjoy a similar lifestyle. So without further ado, let’s welcome the future with tips on how you can “Smartify” your home!

    Living Room / General

  1. *LifeSmart’s Smart Home Wi-fi Camera

-Lets you keep tabs on what’s happening in and around your home -Simply view the live stream on your mobile device -Keep an eye on family members, pets, or the office 24 hours a day *Snap Shot: Can capture a moment and send it directly to your mobile device -Available for purchase @ S$199

  2. *LifeSmart’s BLEND™ Light Bulb

*Capable of producing over 16 million colour schemes with adjustable brightness and preset lighting sets -Provides flexibility to create the perfect ambience in any room -Currently sold out

  3. *LifeSmart’s Smart Light Switch

*Replaces your normal switch with smart home technology to make your life easier -In addition to traditional switch control of your lights and switch outlets, you can choose combination controls. -Available for purchase now @ S$129 (U.P S$159) *All the above can be controlled by the LifeSmart Station and LifeSmart App *For further enquiries, you can contact the LifeSmart team here.

  4. Dyson’s Pure Cool Link purifier fan

*Automatically removes 99.95% of harmful ultra fine particles as small as 0.1 microns -Automatically monitors, reacts, and purifies — then reports to your Dyson Link app -Comes with a night-time auto-mode. Your machine will continue to monitor and respond to air quality while you’re asleep, but only using the quietest settings. -Available for purchase @ all major departmental stores and electrical multiples @ S$1,099

  5. Samsung’s VR9050 ROBOT VC with Cyclone Force, 70W

*Comprehensive scan: An upgraded, high-performance FullView Sensor™ comprehensively locates even very narrow or small obstacles across a wide area. -Point and clean: A Point Cleaning™ controller lets you guide the Powerboat to clean dusty spots -Always charged — automatically: An Auto Charge function means you don’t need to worry about it running out of power and stopping -Virtually more protection: A Virtual Guard™ prevents your Powerbot from going into areas that you prohibited

  6. LG’s Styler

*Steam clothing care that refreshes clothes in a fraction of the usual time -Offers the NFC Tag On feature, which allows users to download specialised cycles to their smartphones to be uploaded to the Styler -Equipped with Smart Diagnosis™ feature, which can help the user quickly and efficiently troubleshoot mechanical issues. -Available in white @ S$2,999

  7. Sony’s X93D HDR with Android TV

-Connects to a wide range of Internet video services, such as YouTube and Netflix, wirelessly by using built-in Wi-Fi®. *Photo Sharing Plus makes it possible for up to 10 users to share photos and music from their smartphone or tablet wirelessly on the big screen. -Starting @ S$5,999

  8. LG’s G5 Friends Rolling Bot

-A companion device (for the LG G5 Smartphone) that rolls like a ball while capturing images and videos with its embedded 8MP camera *Not just a toy, can be used as a monitoring system for the home, pet care companion, as well as a remote controller for compatible home appliances. -Available for purchase @ S$498

  Kitchen

  9. Samsung’s AddWash Washing Machine

-Washing can be completed in just 59 minutes *Allows you to simply and quickly add forgotten clothes after your cycle has already started -Intensive stain removal -Big capacity, less laundry time -Guaranteed durability -Less noise and less vibration -Easy troubleshooting with Smart Check automatic error-monitoring system (detects and diagnoses problems and provides easy troubleshooting solutions using a smartphone app)

  Bathroom

  10. TOTO’s CW993VA/TCF993WA

*Actilight (keeps the toilet clean on its own, ridding it of both visible and invisible waste) -Automatic operation: lid opens, closes, and toilet flushes when sensor is activated -Auto soft light function for nighttime usage

  Do you recall that one scene in the movie Wall-E, where everybody had huge bellies and were just lying around because all the robots were doing all the work? Would that be utopia or dystopia? That said, which aspect of smart homes do you think is the most interesting or important?

*Best/unique features

With the right setup, a small room or even a tiny corner can be transformed into a functional yet amazing home office. Since modern apartments are usually short on space, homeowners have to be both resourceful and creative when it comes to setting up a functional office at home.

Challenges faced by Homeowners

In fact, homeowners have to think of ways to maximize the whatever space they have by utilizing vertical spaces through the use of racks and display shelves. Furthermore, an L-shaped or a specially customized desk helps homeowners to maximize those awkward nooks. In recent years, homeowners also have turned to mobile pull out office desks which can be easily towed away when it is not in use in order to create more working space.

Due to the limited space, many homeowners have also made their bedrooms pull double duty by incorporating a small office at the corner of the room. However, this is only made possible by ingenious space saver solutions such as foldaway or Murphy beds!

Smaller Home Office

Fortunately, vast advancements in technology meant that computers, printers, fax and scanners are getting smaller, slimmer and more compact. In fact, some of the devices are now all-in-one solution; printer, fax and scanner in a box! In addition, with the proliferation of cheap cloud storage solutions, books and files of data can be stored online and thus, this greatly reduced the need for physical space. This translates to huge savings in space and as a result,  modern home office now takes up significantly smaller physical footprint.

Nevertheless, without further ado, here are some most inspiring yet functional compact home office ideas from around the globe!

1. Mobile Office

Setting up a mobile office meant that you can work from virtually any corner of your home.

Source: restorationhardware

Source: resourcefurniture

2. Pullout Desk

A pullout desk helps to keep the clutter from sight and keeps the place look neat and tidy. A perfect solution for neat freaks (like me)!

Source: thedesignerpad

Source: pinterest

Source: buzzfeed

Source: trendhunter

3. Small Nooks

The small corners of your apartment are actually perfect for setting up a small home office and they can be easily hidden from sight with the help of a curtain or closet doors.

Source: hgtv

Source: dekrisdesign

Source: bhg

Source: myfunnydesign

Source: eurostylelighting

Source: eurostylelighting

Source: gtrinity

Source: remodelista

Source: remodelista

4. Bedrooms

You can maximize your bedroom’s usable area through the use of Murphy bed so that there is suffice space for the desk and chair.

Interior Designer: Fuse Concept

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: GS ID

Interior Designer: Linear Space Concepts

Interior Designer: The Mind Design

Interior Designer: The Interior Lab

Interior Designer: Maxwell Interior

Interior Designer: E & A Interiors

Interior Designer: Juz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: The Design Abode

Interior Designer: Unity Interior Design

Source: resources.made-in-china

Source: myfunnydesign

Source: resourcfurnitur

Source:apartmentgeeks.net

Source: resources.made-in-china

Source: bizdale

Source: hiconsumption

5. Living Room

You can also consider maximizing the living room’s usage by dedicating a corner of your home office. The ideal place is usually next to the windows as there is ample natural light.

Interior Designer: IPoise Interior Design

Source: blog.domayneonline

Source: imbrandon

Interior Designer: AD. I. WRKS

Interior Designer: DISTINCTidENTITY

Interior Designer: Collective Designs

Interior Designer: Urban Habitat Design

Interior Designer: 2nd Phase Design

Interior Designer: Maxwell Interior

Interior Designer: Ace Space Design

  Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Condo designs are often seen as polished, sleek, modern, and cool. Are you a HDB owner who’s looking for ways to up your interior design game? Well, we have good news for you. HDB designs can look as good as condo designs, too. Want proof? Here’s 14 of them!

  1. Condos tend to possess a certain ambience — one that strongly resonates through this interior. It might be the slightly warm hues, the textured, rocky wallpaper, or the overall sense of spaciousness. Regardless, we give it two thumbs up.

Interior Designer: Space Define Interior Location: Punggol Central

  2. Get the condo vibe here? As opposed to what some may think, a home’s colour scheme has a large part to play in terms of overall aesthetics. The intermingling of black and white makes this space interesting and refreshing to look at.

Interior Designer: Inzz Studio Location: Blk 336C Anchorvale Crescent

  3. Simplicity works best when it comes to wanting to create an interior that wows and impresses. Do away with messes and clutters, embrace the idea of neat and tidy with open arms.

Interior Designer: Icon Interior Design Location: Punggol Walk

  4. Tired of traditional home designs and concepts? Spice things up with something modern. Industrial touches such as track lighting and rustic, wooden surfaces are elements you might want to consider.

Interior Designer: Space Sense Studio Location: Punggol

  5. Feature walls and appropriately chosen wallpaper can make all the difference between a house looking fab and drab. The ones selected here not only fit into the overall theme perfectly, they bring you into another world altogether.

Interior Designer: D5 Studio Image Location: Yishun Natura

  6. Whip up a condo-esque HDB with these ingredients: well-arranged, uncluttered furniture, a feature wall of sorts (feel free to replace with wallpaper of choice), and warm, cosy lighting.

Interior Designer: Inspire ID Group Location: 485 Segar Road

  7. Just in case you find it difficult to believe, yes, this is a HDB. The fancy lights and stunning kitchen slash mini bar counter are but a few ideas you can play around with. This space really fires the imagination, all the way to the bathroom. If you want something similar, step up your design game and be bold.

Interior Designer: i-Chapter Location: Blk 612A Punggol Drive

  8. Contemporary/Minimalist seems to be the go-to theme of many homeowners today. The idea of having less cleaning up to do apparently has its effects on busy working professionals like you and me.

Interior Designer: AD. I. WRKS Location: 335B Anchorvale Crescent

  9. Can you imagine yourself living in such a cosy abode? Clean lines and quirky touches such as framed drawings and oddly shaped lights make this a really fun and intriguing place to explore.

Interior Designer: DISTINCTidENTITY Location: Sumang Link

  10. Balconies provide a good amount of additional space for you to get creative with. Most people turn it into a snug little rest and relax corner that’s perfect for afternoon tea, some serious reading, or lighthearted conversation.

Interior Designer: eightytwo Location: Parkland Residences

  11. There seems to be an abundance of space in this interior, which greatly adds to its cosiness. The overall design not only resembles that of a condo, but definitely passes off as an awesome guesthouse or traveller’s inn of sorts.

Interior Designer: Living Gaia Location: 261B Punggol Way

  12. An incredibly elegant and harmonious home dominated by fresh, white tones.

Interior Designer: 2nd Phase Design Location: Blk 152 Lor 2 Toa Payoh

  13. This house is characterised by large windows, open spaces, and gleaming, see-through glass panels. With earthy palettes and matching furniture in the mix, the result is a bright and airy environment, which is pleasing to the senses.

Interior Designer: Space Atelier Location: Capeview

  14. We all have words or quotes to live by. What better idea than to have them displayed somewhere for all to see? “Live every moment, Laugh every day, Love beyond words”. How sweet.

Interior Designer: KDOT Associates Location: 27 Ghim Moh Valley

  Well, what do you think? You wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference, would you? It really is up to your creativity and how well you convey your ideas and concepts to your designer. Find one that suits you today.

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

jQuery(document).ready(function($){gformInitSpinner( 5, 'http://www.renonation.sg/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.gif' );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_5').load( function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_5');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_5').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_5').html(form_content.html());setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_5').offset().top); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_5').val();gformInitSpinner( 5, 'http://www.renonation.sg/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.gif' );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [5, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_5'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gforms_confirmation_message_5').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}setTimeout(function(){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_5').replaceWith('<' + 'div id=\'gforms_confirmation_message_5\' class=\'gform_confirmation_message_5 gforms_confirmation_message\'' + '>' + confirmation_content + '<' + '/div' + '>');jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gforms_confirmation_message_5').offset().top);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [5]);window['gf_submitting_5'] = false;}, 50);}else{jQuery('#gform_5').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [5, current_page]);} );} ); if(typeof gf_global == 'undefined') var gf_global = {"gf_currency_config":{"name":"Singapore Dollar","symbol_left":"$","symbol_right":"","symbol_padding":" ","thousand_separator":",","decimal_separator":".","decimals":2},"base_url":"http:\/\/www.renonation.sg\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms","number_formats":[],"spinnerUrl":"http:\/\/www.renonation.sg\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.gif"};jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_render', function(event, formId, currentPage){if(formId == 5) {gf_global["number_formats"][5] = {"37":false,"38":false,"17":false,"5":false,"8":false,"9":false,"1":false,"41":false,"2":false,"27":false,"3":false,"35":false,"25":false,"26":false,"10":false,"18":false,"24":false,"12":false,"19":false,"20":false,"21":false,"22":false,"7":false,"34":false,"28":false,"32":false};if(window['jQuery']){if(!window['gf_form_conditional_logic'])window['gf_form_conditional_logic'] = new Array();window['gf_form_conditional_logic'][5] = { logic: { 38: {"field":{"actionType":"show","logicType":"all","rules":[{"fieldId":"35","operator":"is","value":"ALL"}]},"nextButton":null,"section":null},8: {"field":{"actionType":"hide","logicType":"any","rules":[{"fieldId":"5","operator":"is","value":"Commercial"}]},"nextButton":null,"section":""},9: {"field":{"actionType":"show","logicType":"all","rules":[{"fieldId":"5","operator":"is","value":"Commercial"}]},"nextButton":null,"section":""} }, dependents: { 38: [38],8: [8],9: [9] }, animation: 0, defaults: {"38":"10 - 12","35":"ALL","20":{"20.2":"","20.3":"","20.4":"","20.6":"","20.8":""}}, fields: {"37":[],"38":[],"17":[],"5":[8,9],"8":[],"9":[],"1":[],"41":[],"2":[],"27":[],"3":[],"35":[38],"25":[],"26":[],"10":[],"18":[],"24":[],"12":[],"19":[],"20":[],"21":[],"22":[],"7":[],"34":[],"28":[],"32":[]} }; if(!window['gf_number_format'])window['gf_number_format'] = 'decimal_dot';jQuery(document).ready(function(){gf_apply_rules(5, [38,8,9], true);jQuery('#gform_wrapper_5').show();jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_conditional_logic', [5, null, true]);} );} if(typeof Placeholders != 'undefined'){ Placeholders.enable(); }} } );jQuery(document).bind('gform_post_conditional_logic', function(event, formId, fields, isInit){} ); jQuery(document).ready(function(){jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [5, 1]) } );

Palettes that turn a dreary workspace into a delightful corner

Studies have showed that colour on the walls alone can affect one’s mood, and thus productivity. So when it comes to refurbishing a workplace, study room, or home office, choosing the right colours is key as it can ultimately impact how people work.

As a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to refurbish a space, why not tap on the power of colour to update the look of your work area? Here are three colour schemes that can either calm you down, heighten your alertness, or put you in a good mood.

  A calming corner

Low-wavelength colours such as restful green and calming blue – two of the most common colours in Mother Nature’s palette – improve efficiency and focus. They also lend an overall sense of well-being.

Since the eye focuses green exactly on the retina, it is considered the most restful colour on the eye, and can be mentally and physically soothing. Green is also said to improve concentration and induce calmness, making it a good colour for conference rooms and other areas where decision-making takes place.

Similarly, blue has positive connotations and emotions attached to it. As this gentle hue can soothe and lower blood pressure, it is recommended for spaces room where repeated mental tasks are performed, such as offices, study areas, and libraries. Light blue is a good background colour as it seems to recede and make a room seem larger. Deep blues, on the other hand, can have the opposite effect and make a room look smaller.

  Passionate and active

As a high-wavelength colour, red imbues a space with activeness and intensity. This passionate hue can cause an increase in heart rate and blood flow upon sight, and studies have also shown that it encourages alertness and prompt action. So if you envision a workspace at home that can get your energy up for better productivity, start exploring the many shades of red to include around the work desk.

This bold colour is best used sparingly, perhaps to add a lively accent to existing pale-coloured office spaces. Suitable for dynamic common areas, red can create a warm and friendly environment for the employees. For example, coral can easily perk up the room, while auburn can be used to create a cosy and sophisticated ambiance.

  Feeling fresh

Mellow yellow, often viewed by colour psychologists as the shade of optimism, is energetic and fresh. Brimming with optimism and happiness, it is believed to trigger innovation and is best used in work environments where artists, writers, designers and other creative professionals work. Because of yellow’s brightness, it can stimulate the nervous system and activate memory, but also cause eye fatigue when used in excess. So limit it to small areas to brighten up the space.

To fuel inspiration while working, include orange as well as it increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. In addition, this shade also energises, removes inhibitions and fosters sociability – great for the pantry or brainstorming corners.

What is a feature wall?

A feature wall is also known as an accent or statement wall that breaks up the monotonous pattern of other walls. This is especially useful when the walls are of the same flat color, design or material.

Why does having a feature wall matter to you?

The purpose of having a feature wall is to grab the attention of the visitor and become the main focal point of a room. In fact, a statement wall which is differentiated from other walls is usually used to accentuate and frame a particular decorative element for aesthetics interest. In addition, it is also pretty useful to draw attention away from undesirable aspects of a room!

Which wall should you use as a feature wall?

You might be surprised to learn that not any wall can be used as an accent wall. In actuality, the wall must have the following attributes to be a suitable candidate: it is usually the first wall which is visible when visitors walk into the room and be able to visually balance the dimension and sense of space of the room. In fact as a general rule of thumb, feature walls are commonly used with hanging TVs, paintings or even as bed heads.

Are you really to get inspired?!

Well, I dug around the internet to find out how feature walls are being used all over the world and here is the conclusion of my findings; unique feature wall injects vibrancy and personality in an otherwise ordinary space and they sometime pull double duty by offering as a storage solution for space challenged apartments.

_____________________________________________________________

Tip: It is best to work with home interior renovation professionals to find out which wall should be used as a feature wall and achieve the desired look.

_____________________________________________________________

Here are some Inspiring finds from the globe…

Configurable, sound-absorbing wall panels cum feature wall. Source: inhabitat

Amazing wall panel look like giant puzzle pieces.

Source: geometrix.ru

Feature wall that reaches for the sky.

Source: contemporist

Wall Art redefined.

Source: we-heart

Wall that interacts with its environment designed to reveal a message as it interacts with sunlight.

Source: experimentaltypography

Backlight feature wall.

Source: decoradvisor

Magical mirror feature wall.

Source: yelp

Reflective mirrored wall.

Source: architectureartdesigns

Bling feature wall!

Source: iidany.org

Crystal feature wall.

Source: designboom

Magnetic feature wall with polaroid photos.

Source: petapixel

Colorful fun feature wall.

Source: distrohome

Geometric-patterned feature wall.

Source: lovechicliving

Agate natural stone feature wall.

Source: decoart

Bold floral feature wall.

Source: avso.org

Source: backtothewall

Feature wall that brings nature right into your room!

Source: homeozoic

Source: homesthetics

Source: avso.org

Book case feature wall.

Source: officearc

Source: home-designing

3d colorful wall shelves.

Source: avso.org

Source: home-designing

Having a map as a feature wall.

Source: avso.org

Source: homedit

Inject a raw, utilitarian appeal, industrial style in your living room. Source: avso.org

Source: home-designing

_____________________________________________________________

Tip: These gorgeous finds from all over the world pose as a good starting point for you to discuss with the home renovation professionals on what is suitable for your home.

_____________________________________________________________

Accent walls that double up as storage solution

However, accent walls that double up as storage solution is the most versatile and practical solution for homes what lack storage space. Hence, these are most commonly found in living rooms or even in dining areas. Here are some excellent feature wall cum storage solutions for you….

Interior Designer: Chapter B

Interior Designer: Idees Interior Design

Interior Designer: JSR Design & Renovation

Interior Designer: Fuse Concept

Interior Designer: Luxespace

Interior Designer: Project File

Interior Designer: Living Gaia

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: Lux Design

Wardrobes that double up as an accent wall

Uniquely designed wardrobes can also double up as a feature wall for bedrooms!

Interior Designer: GS ID

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Interior Designer: Juz Interior

Interior Designer: Artisan Space

Bike storage cum feature wall

Behold! An ingeniously designed bike rack can be a statement wall too!

Interior Designer: ID Emboss

Source: avso.org

Statement walls for bedroom, kitchen and bathroom

Simple statement walls are usually found in bedrooms to add depth and make the room appear bigger than it really is. In addition, accent walls have also made their way into kitchens and even bathrooms to spruce up the place. Here are some really cool examples.

Interior Designer: D5 Studio Image

Interior Designer: E & A Interiors

Interior Designer: Project File

Interior Designer: D5 Studio Image

Interior Designer: GS ID

Interior Designer: E & A Interiors

Interior Designer: iPoise Interior Design

A few more examples….

Well, an empty wall is akin to a canvas, so do let your creativity run wild!

Do like and share if you have enjoyed this article.

Interior Designer: One Stop Concept by Norman Yeo

Interior Designer: Inzz Studio

Interior Designer: D’Atlaz Interior

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Because the living room is the entertainment hub of the house where warm family gatherings, exciting parties with friends, and movie screenings are held, we want to make sure we deck it nice and proper. The “star attraction” of the living room is none other than the television. Having a proper stand for it is essential for obvious reasons. There are quite a few types of television stands with varying purposes. We’re here to help you pick one that suits your home.

  1. Floating television stands

One of the most common designs in Singaporean homes, a wall-mounted unit allows for free floor space and a neat, subdued look. Televisions can be stood on top, or wall-mounted above the floating stand.

Interior Designers: JSR Design & Renovation, Edge Interior, Chapter B, Space Sense Studio

  2. Hutch

Cabinets or shelves are stacked atop a horizontal counter space. The television stand is but one of many variations. This is a greatly practical option for people who constantly find themselves in need of additional room to store items. With such an arrangement, you not only seamlessly incorporate the television into the overall design but achieve a clutter-free appearance at the same time. That’s two birds with one stone!

Interior Designer: I-Bridge Design

  3. Cabinet

The entire television can be hidden when not in use. This is useful for people who want to keep their homes neat and tidy.

Interior Designer: DISTINCTidENTITY

  4. Console

What’s good about the console design is that it has a complete shape that includes proper shelving and sufficient surface area.

Interior Designers: Prozfile, Innerglow Design

  5. Entertainment center

The entertainment center (not to be confused with hutch) can really add an element of wow to a living room. With its grand size, it acts as a sort of hub for associated electronics, as well as other displays.

Interior Designer: Project File

  6. Stand with audio towers

The television stand with audio towers is an interchangeable form that looks and functions similar to an entertainment center. Usually, a pair of tall, structured shelves would flank the central stand and television (in this case it’s full-sized speakers).

Interior Designer: Story of Us

  Materials to consider

-Wood: The material everybody is very familiar with is also the most common television stand construction. Given its versatility in terms of breadth, style, colour, and utility, wood remains a popular choice amongst homeowners today.

-Metal: A metal television stand is more lightweight, and potentially has a slimmer profile compared to wood. A wide variety of unique patterns and cuts can be formed using metal, therefore allowing you more options in terms of design.

-Glass: Glass models infuse the entertainment space with a brazen, dynamic appearance, opening the visual space and revealing the electronics tactfully. Usually fitted together with metal support pieces, glass television stands are excellent for those who value a clutter-free space.

  As seen in the pictures above, television stand designs nowadays can be very flexible. It largely depends on what you like and enjoy. You can always come up with fresh ideas and explore other materials such as marble to give your living room a more unique feel.

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Finding appropriate interior designers and contractors is gradually becoming an uphill task. Most homeowners cannot help but be sceptical at the thought of entrusting their home to somebody else. “Will there be blunders along my renovation journey?” “Will everything work out the way I want?” These are but a couple of common worries some people have. Truth be told, interior designers and contractors are running businesses too. Not all of them are bad. As consumers, it can be a little tough trying to figure out the job scope of an interior designer. The good news is, we’ve managed to find answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Read on for more.

    1. Professional advice

Interior designers are experts at what they do but they’re also human. What do you do when you encounter doubts or are unsure about certain things while discussing designs with the homeowners? E.g. as a house owner, I want a certain design but I’m not sure if it fits (will the door be blocking the walking area/hindering certain movement). We all know it can be tedious for additional changes to be made after renovation. Do you let homeowners know upfront when you are unsure about something?

What the interior designer thinks: I usually request for some time to work on the things I’m not sure of. I [give] advice [based on] my personal judgement of the design, layout, or space given. If a client insists on what they want, I prompt them to make sure they know what they’re getting into.

What we think: Firstly, it’s always good to find out how many years of experience your designer/project manager has. If they’ve been in the industry long enough, they would know when functionality precedes aesthetics. Upon suggestion, try to stick with theirs. Go with functionality. As a homeowner, you also have a huge part to play in terms of creating your dream home. Ask any and all questions, don’t be shy. Be good friends with your interior designer and ensure they know exactly what you require.

  2. Profit vs Consumer wellbeing

There are some designers that recommend the most expensive option for the sake of closing a larger deal. Is there are more ethical way of doing business? Is there a chance that you would renovate a home for a small budget?

What the interior designer thinks: Of course. I don’t think that a larger deal [necessarily] means bigger profits. I look at things in the long run. Let’s say we’re able to satisfy the customer within their budget and give them the things they need, at least we know we might be able to get referrals. This is an ongoing business.

What we think: Needless to say, budget is one of the most important elements to consider during renovation. The fact remains that cheap things can never be good, and vice versa. If you buy a cheap pair of shoes and they wear out, you can always replace them. But what about home renovation? Would you want to risk having things fall apart every now and then? We all know it is a potentially tedious process to deal with. That said, however, you don’t necessarily have to go for the high-end, expensive stuff. Try to do some of your own research as far as quality and branding of materials go before purchasing. If you still cannot find it in yourself to trust your designer (for some reason we always don’t), try to get quotations from a few (about 3) so you can get a better grasp of the materials and prices.

  3. When errors / misunderstandings arise

Do you think a designer should compensate for mistakes they make or attempt to shift the blame to other factors? There are a good many technical aspects about renovation homeowners (especially first-timers) are not familiar with. When a blunder happens or when something goes wrong and if it means additional burden/costs, how should an interior designer fix the issue?

What the interior designer thinks: When problems arise, it’s not wise for IDs to put the blame on others. If it’s my own fault, I’ll definitely have to bear the costs. If it’s the customer that chooses the wrong materials, etc., we have no choice. We have to arrange for a meeting with them to sort things out. I believe that there’s always a way of sorting things out.

What we think: Interior designers, like fellow human beings, make mistakes as well. It is hence crucial to forge a good relationship with your interior designer to minimise any potential disagreements or arguments. As homeowners, we have to set our expectations right from the beginning. For example, carpentry works are all man-made, and man-made items can never be measured to the millimetre. Some glitches are forgivable. The same goes for raw materials such as wood or granite; there are always differences in terms of patterns and designs.

  4. Quotations

Many designers are known to charge cheaply in the beginning but many hidden costs are piled on later on. How can we avoid this? Are there any measures being taken to ensure that quotations given are as transparent as possible?

What the interior designer thinks: This has always been a trending issue. That’s why we should always tell our customers to make sure that everything in the quotation is detailed (lengths, heights, materials used, models of furniture, etc.), especially the prices. It has to be 100% open, not charging in lump sums or unclear descriptions. The homeowners have a role to play as well.

What we think: The responsibility of making sure the quotations given are accurate does not solely lie on the interior designers’ shoulders. Because the price list is potentially extensive and complicated, homeowners have to be proactive and clear any doubts from the beginning to avoid further confusion later on.

    5. Materials

As homeowners, we want to ensure the best materials go into creating our dream home. As designers, how do you make sure you get your hands on the best materials in the market? Since the best materials don’t come cheap and cheap things don’t last, what do you do to balance out costs in the process?

What the interior designer thinks: Best materials aside, I think homeowners need to understand that it’s not about the company or the materials. It’s always about the ID they’re working with. Are they able to trust the ID? Are they able to accept the ID’s ideas? Are they able to work hand-in-hand with him/her? It is tough to define “best materials”? There’s no such thing as “best materials”, only “suitable materials”.

For balancing out costs, it’s about priorities. As far as carpentry works go, hardware equals to lifestyle these days; some people prefer soft closing, some prefer anti-slam. All these are secondary. I think the most important elements are usually waterproofing and paint quality.

What we think: According to different people, the definition of “best materials” differs. Be sure to come to a common understanding with the interior designer you’re working with and you’ll be fine.

  6. Site visits

As far as we know, project managers are supposed to visit the site after the project is complete to ensure that the clients are satisfied and that quality is ensured. Is this something you pay strict attention to? —> Do you keep your clients updated as the renovation is moving along? If so, how do you do that?

What the interior designer thinks: Of course. Every ID works differently. My clients are usually busy at work or with their families. They really trust the ID and understand the ID will be able to handle the process. My way of doing it is updating them with photos every two or three days regarding every object we have completed.

What we think: After entrusting your raw home to the interior designer, keep in close contact. Feel free to request for updates and photos whenever you feel like it. Still, remember to give your designer some space and air to breathe. They are most likely handling much more than just your project. Never expect a designer to wait on you 24/7. Expect a responsible one who would take ownership of your home.

    7. Anything we need to take note of? Any advice for homeowners?

What the interior designer thinks: It’s always about looking for the right ID. We are like hairstylists. You would go back to [your hairstylist, if you were satisfied with their work before] no matter where they are. Sometimes you shouldn’t look at prices and packages (these are trending now) because all these are always a little bit tricky to deal with.

What we think: The thing you should remember, more than anything else, is that your interior designer is always here to help. They’re the ones with the knowledge and experience. They’re the ones who know the industry inside out. Once you’ve decided on the most suitable one, trust them, and build a lasting friendship in the process.

  We’d like to thank The Interior Lab for providing their insight.

  Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

 A couple of my friends will be collecting the keys to their brand new condominium units in a couple of month’s time. Since it is their first home renovation project, they are pretty inexperienced and need some guidance during the planning process.

Hence, here is a short list of pointers on what homeowners should avoid when they are space planning with their floor plan.

1. Leaving inadequate clearance space between the furniture, walls and walkway

There is actually a simple rule of thumb to follow when it comes to the placement of home furniture and such guidelines are meant to help homeowners move around their home with ease without knocking over furniture or running into walls. In fact, the common recommendations include the following; the clearance space for a person to walk comfortably is approximately 70 cm to 80 cm. In addition, homeowners should leave around 80 cm between the dining table and walls on all sides for the chairs to be pulled in and out easily. Furthermore, the space around each chair should be around 60 cm to prevent elbow bumps. Also, the distance between the television wall and the sofa should be around 2.5 m to 3 m for a comfortable viewing experience.

Interior Designer: Diva’s Interior

2. Not thinking multi-dimensional during space planning

As the floor plan is a flat, 2 dimensional view from above that shows the relationships between rooms and other features of the home, most condominium homeowners made the mistake of planning what goes onto the floor only. In fact, since the condominium ceiling height is typically 20 cm to even a meter higher than most HDB ceilings, homeowners should make full use of the extra vertical space. They can do this by installing ceiling hung cabinets or even constructing furniture decks to eke out a bit more space.

Interior Designer: Museum Homes

3. Assuming that the placement of the fridges and washing machines cannot be moved

New condominium units usually come equipped with refrigerator, washing machine and dryer and the placement of these appliances is indicated in the floor plan. These kitchen appliances can actually be shifted and it is much easier to relocate the refrigerator and dryer since relocating of the washing machines will mean moving the inlet and outlet water pipes too.

Interior Designer: Orange Cube

Interior Designer: Dots n Tots Interior

4. Assuming that any walls can be hacked

Structural walls, usually denoted by dark, thick colored lines, cannot be hacked and the waterproofing warranty for new condominium toilets will be void if their walls are hacked.

Interior Designer: Edgeline Planner

5. Forgetting to take into consideration the dimensions of the furnishings and cabinets

Storage solution for bulky items should take into consideration of the thickness of the cabinets which is approximately 1 cm thick. For instance, the cabinet need to be at least 47 cm deep in depth to accommodate a 45 cm wide printer. In addition, the custom made bedframe should take into consideration that the thickness of a typical mattress is 30 cm.

Interior Designer: Icon Interior Design

Interior Designer: ID Emboss

6. Assuming that the floor area provided by the property developer is absolute

Condominium homeowners of new units might be surprised to learn that most of them might end up with a little smaller home than what they have actually paid for. In fact, as long as the size shortfall is within the construction tolerance threshold of 3 per cent, the homeowners are not entitled to compensation under the Sales and Purchase agreement. This is usually due to the changes made as a response to unforeseen circumstances that arise during the construction process. Therefore, this means that the shortfall of larger units could be bigger and thus the homeowners should be conservative in terms of the amount of floor area they actually have when they space plan.

Interior Design: The Design Practice

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Add a touch of quirky fun to your home by growing plants in unusual places. Green Living and Bringing the Outside In are two of this year’s biggest interior design trends. Designers have been creative by putting living plants in furniture and furnishings rather than pots.

Living grass topped tables offers the opportunity of year-round picnics with family and friends. Grow ‘cat’ grass and you’ll be giving your feline friend a place to graze without them having to place a paw outside. These living table tops just need a little watering and the occasional trim to keep them looking lush and green all year round.

Plants need light to grow, when you live in a windowless room some plant varieties that are given artificial light thrive. Using a light bulb to give the necessary illumination to grow has been used by intuitive designers when creating pendant style units that give both your room and your plant light.

Taking inspiration from the pockets on a snooker table, pockets to hold plants gives a dining room table a fresh and whimsical look. Iconic transparent Ghost style furniture has been used to give climbing plants a place to wend their way up the legs, creating a wonderful place with plenty of natural light for them to grow.

Lichens and soft moss have also been used to Bring the Outside In. These living plants can be used to create living walls and look stunning when planted within a coffee table.

There are many different green plant species that will grow happily inside your home, furthermore you don’t need a plain old boring pot to house them.

Image credits: HDB

Bounded by Sengkang East Way and Anchorvale Lane, Anchorvale Plains comprises 5 residential blocks ranging from 17 to 18 storeys in height. This development offers 921 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-, 4-, and 5-room flats. There are plenty of exciting elements to explore and enjoy, including a roof garden open to the public, and plenty of lush greenery. Now, let’s take a look at some interesting ways in which you can organise your interior!

    1. The good thing about this layout is that you can extend the TV console to include a shoe cabinet. In this way, you’ll have more space to store your stuff in a neat way. If you still need more sitting or storage areas, you can add a bay window to serve these two purposes.

Interior Designer: Idees Interior Design

  2. Fellow drink lovers, raise your hands! Instead of hitting the pubs and bars, why not have one in the comforts of your own home?

Interior Designer: The Interior Lab

  3. Too little space to create cabinets? With an arrangement like this, you can relish in a Japanese-style dining experience and enjoy storage space at the same time.

Interior Designer: Inspire ID Group

  4. These corner design ideas can suit a wide variety of units as long as there is sufficient space and empty corners.

Interior Designers: In Interior, E & A Interiors

  5. Small living room? Fret not, you can still go for fancy designs.

Interior Designer: Inside Living

  6. This is a unique layout for 2-room HDBs. Very condo-style, complete with nice sliding doors.

Interior Designer: Project File

  7. When extending your television console to the dining area, try to keep the material of the cabinets and furniture consistent. This would make the whole unit look more matching. You can add wallpaper wherever needed.

Interior Designer: Studio JP

  8. Couples without kids can attempt unusual layouts like this to make your home more artistic and condo-looking.

Interior Designer: 0932 Design Consultants

  9. Sure, living rooms might be a necessity for some, but if you’re a single homeowner whose dream is to have a walk-in wardrobe, perhaps you could consider giving up the living area to accommodate one. A sliding door can be created in between the wardrobe and dining area if you want. Need seats in case friends or guests visit? Include a multi-functional bay window for sitting and storage purposes.

Interior Designer: I-Chapter

  10. A typical bedroom layout that’s good for all types of units as long as space allows for it.

Interior Designer: Aart Boxx Interior

  11. Bed frames can serve storage purposes, too. The one seen here has a strong condo vibe. Wallpaper can be added if you want to further enliven the space.

Interior Designer: JSR Design & Renovation

  12. Have you always wanted a landed house-like design? This layout requires you to hack all the kitchen walls and push everything back. You can apply wallpaper or opt for a unique paint design to make things more interesting (see image above for sample). Kitchen islands, cabinets, ovens, microwaves, and other appliances can be installed in the dry kitchen. The wet kitchen (behind the door) would include the sink, hood and hob, and service yard. Optional: Cabinet near the door (orange box). If you don’t want this, the wet kitchen area can be made larger.

Interior Designer: E & A Interiors

  13. Instead of wallpaper, you can choose chalk chalkboards to create a cafe-like ambience. A bigger and taller kitchen island helps add to the overall mood as well.

Interior Designer: The Design Abode

  14. There are many ways you can play around with your kitchen layout. The one shown here is somewhat like a private kitchen with an outside bar area. You can create a bar/cabinet (as shown above) or even have stuff like a cake display cabinet to resemble that of a cafe.

Interior Designer: Crescendo Interior & Lifestyle

  15. It’s fine if you don’t wish to install a regular kitchen island. DIY has its beauty, too.

Interior Designer: Space Concepts Design

  Designed by Sophia Basuni for RenoNation.sg Disclaimer: All dimensions are estimates only and may not be exact measurements. Floor plans from HDB.

  Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

1. Clear floor plan with measurements

A clear floor plan with detailed, accurate measurements helps the renovation professionals to space plan more accurately and effectively. However, if the detailed floor plan is not ready, the floor plan should at least come with a metric scale.

2. Measurements of bulky items

Bulky items will affect the space planning proposal made by the renovation professionals , thus it is important to get these dimensions ready. Therefore, remember to inform the renovation professionals about them before they start preparing the proposal. Examples of bulky items include pool table, foosball table, piano, dry cabinets, sofa, massage chair and mountain bikes.

Tip: Take photos and share them with the renovation professionals so that they can visualize and incorporate them in the design proposal.

Interior Designer: Museum Homes

3. Details of the furnishings and appliances

The furnishings and appliances provided by the property developers might affect the space planning proposal made by the renovation professionals. Therefore, remember to inform the renovation professionals details such as the refrigerator capacity, whether if the wardrobe provided comes with sliding door and so on.

Tip: Take photos of the furnishings and appliances provided by the property developers when you visit the showroom since they will come in handy later.

Interior Designer: The Association

Interior Designer: Idees Interior Design

4. Challenges

Discuss with your partner on the specific challenges which you hope the renovation professional would be able to address. The common challenges include lack of storage, making of most of a small room, lack of elderly or child friendly designs and a multi-functional shared space which is used by multiple people. Remember to prioritize this list of challenges too.

Tip: List down the challenges as a form of checklist to ensure that the renovation professional has addressed them during the discussion.

Interior Designer: JSR Design & Renovation

Interior Designer: Project File

5. Scope and requirements

Decide on the scope of the renovation and the requirements with your partner. Remember to focus on “what” are the specific issues which both of you want to address and leave the “how to”, the details of implementation to the renovation professionals. For instance, the issue at hand could be the lack of cooking work space in the kitchen. Thus, the renovation professional could resolve the challenge by either proposing an extendable kitchen island or hacking away a wall to enlarge the kitchen space.

Interior Designer: Orange Cube

Interior Designer: Liid Studio

6. When to stop meeting up with new renovation professionals

Although a renovation portal is a great place to reach out to a wide range of renovation professionals, it is impractical and impossible to meet up with all of them. Hence, it is important that you and your partner decide on the list of criteria to be fulfilled before both of you stop “shopping” for the renovation professional. For example, the criteria could be when both of you have shortlisted 3 renovation professionals.

Do share if you find this post handy during your renovation journey!

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Following up from Previous Posts: A Couple’s Decision to DIY their Home Renovation (part 1), (part 2), (part 3.1), (part 3.2), (part 4), (part 5), (part 6), (part 7), (part 8)

  Chapter 9 – Wrap up and final show down

  Coming to this Chapter, it is sad to say that we have finally reached the end of our DIY renovation journey.

Thank you for your support in reading our past chapters and we hope it inspired you and gave you resourceful tips in every chapter!

Of course there are still much more to share with you, but we felt that showing and explaining to you in person is so much better than putting it all in words here!!

Thus together with us, Renonation.sg have organised a Home Tour Event at our home on 23 July 2016 just for you to see & feel the real thing!! (Let’s RSVP below)

How do we feel?

Definitely 100% satisfactory and happy (tiring of course) throughout the journey!!

Now we have a nest that we plan, design and build. And of course, a place we feel warmth and call Home!

Greater achievement feeling kick in more when someone was to ask you “Who is your interior designer that did this lovely house?” and our respond would be? “It’s MYPS” =)

However, this place call Home does not come easy.

Smooth and flawless renovation?

We do encounter hiccups along the way but thankfully our contractors were really professional enough to help and guide us through. Thus, vendor-relationship with them is important!

Tips: Buying a simple cup of coffee, snacks bites and treats for the workers do help and motivate the vendors for better quality of work for us and meeting the timeline!

{It’s all about human relationship and helping each other yah!}

From our experience, do also note there isn’t such thing as a 100% flawless renovation. Some imperfection is unavoidable and this applies to our home too. Well so long it does not cause any big aftermath catastrophe, we are fine with it.

What are the DIY renovation management requirements based on our experience?:

Your plan and detailed design (you can check on Renonation.sg or pins interest for designs and home tips & guides);

A lot time commitment;

Many site visits to ensure things go per your design and correct any errors noted immediately.

Liaising with the contractors;

Arranging their work schedule on a daily basis;

Giving clear design-instructions to them.

Getting your own hands dirty;

Thick skin enough to bargain;

Get referred contractor contacts and build good relationship with them

Paying your vendor on a timely basis by cash (no credit card k) – Their cost maybe lower as their credit term is shorter so we need to help them in cashflow too!

Thus, saving money is one thing, managing your own renovation is another thing. So if you can fulfil the DIY REQUIREMENTS above, you might be ready for your very own DIY home renovation.

Otherwise, engaging ID or main contractor would be a wiser choice for you (of course work within your budget). Do remember to give and take yah, vendors have their cost to breakeven too. They need to earn to feed their families and employees =}

Our renovation took around 2 months to complete, now let’s recap our before and after once again!

Before

After

Well, the above summarises our DIY renovation journey. Join us to see and experience more at our Home Tour Event.

We will be back in the future if we found good products to share with you!

Remember us, Remember MYPS @ Renonation.sg

Thank Renonation.sg for inviting us to share our journey.

Written by MYPS. Do email to us at [email protected] if you wish to know more details on our renovation.

Many people are looking forward to The Wisteria, one of the most affordable homes above a lifestyle mall. Comprising three nine-storey towers of 216 residences directly connected to two levels of retail spaces at the basement and level 1, you can ensure all your shopping and lifestyle needs are met with the exciting array of F&B and retail outlets, including a supermarket and food court.

Can you imagine the convenience of being a few minutes away from Khatib MRT station and one stop to Yishun’s new integrated transport hub? To top it all off, your journey to the city will also be made shorter with the upcoming North-South Expressway (NSE) and Thomson-East Coast MRT Line.

For people who love planning for the future or who are worried about schools for your children, there are educational institutions like Chongfu School, Naval Base Primary School, and GEMS World Academy all just a stone’s throw away. Also, healthcare facilities such as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and the upcoming Yishun Community Hospital are only a short drive away.

Another awesome thing about living at The Wisteria is the proximity to greenery and nature. You can enjoy a calming walk among the trees at Yishun Park or engage in fun and healthy activities such as riding bicycles along the intra-town cycling paths covering 15.5km. Get together with friends and family for fishing at the scenic Lower Seletar Reservoir, kayak at PA Water-Venture, rock climb at SAFRA Country Club, or tee off at Orchid Country Club. You have plenty of options!

With all the above information in mind, here are some wonderful layout suggestions for The Wisteria.

Instead of having just a dining table, you can create an L-shaped table with cabinets so it can be used for studying or other functions as well. Your stuff can also be kept away neatly in the cabinets.

Interior Designer: Dots n Tots Interior

  Design your balcony with synthetic grass patches or transform it into an area for hanging out.

Interior Designers: Project File, The Association, Living Gaia

  Here’s a good solution for small bedrooms and for homeowners who always seem to have a lot of stuff to put away.

Interior Designer: Inspire ID Group

  You can add a bar counter/table instead of having the usual standalone kitchen island.

Interior Designer: Eightytwo

  If you’re one of those who dreams of a walk-in wardrobe, simply hack one of your common bedrooms to accommodate it. As seen in the picture, you can add a television console/feature wall if you want a television in your bedroom.

Interior Designers: DISTINCTidENTITY, Luxespace

  This is a good way to store your bicycles at home. Not only does it save space, it makes for a perfect decoration element.

Interior Designers: ID Emboss, AC Vision Design, Story of Us

  For people who feel uncomfortable with having bare, empty walls at home, here are a few ideas on how you can enliven these spaces.

Interior Designers: Architology Interiors, Black N White House, Living Gaia, Fuse Concept

  One way you can have a larger living area is to shift the dining area to the balcony. Or even better, simply transform your balcony into an al fresco style cafe. Enjoy a nice view while sipping on a hot cup of joe.

Interior Designer: Space Sense Studio

I think we can all agree to some degree that happiness is one of the most important things in life. No matter how swamped we are with work or school, we always return to the same place at the end of the day — home. The design of our home oftentimes influences our mood and wellbeing. So instead of the usual modern or scandinavian themes most homeowners in Singapore are adopting today, why not change things up and be a little bit special? We could all use some colourful designs in our lives!

  1. As you can see, walls don’t necessarily have to be dull and one-dimensional. You can also use colourful bricks for a non-uniform appearance.

Interior Designer: Innerglow Design Location: 260 Bukit Batok East Ave 4

  2. We’re all creatures that love fun and excitement. The bright splashes of red and yellow here really refresh the senses. I would definitely be cooking up endless delicious recipes with a kitchen as cheerful looking as this.

Interior Designer: Lux Design Location: Blk 8 Selegie Road

  *We recommend:

Sophie cup & saucer by HOMMAGE LIFESTYLE @ $21.40

  3. Snow White and Alice in Wonderland would be proud to call this place home. Doesn’t it remind you of a cosy little fairytale cottage with a modernised twist? You can spot elements of vintage, scandinavian, and even industrial design in this one space.

Interior Designer: Fuse Concept Location: Le Wood Bukit Timah

  4. It’s amazing how red brick walls can add textural beauty to an interior. To add depth and dimension to your abode, try this instead of having plain walls or wallpaper. Colourful furniture helps in this case.

Interior Designer: Dots n Tots Interior Location: Punggol Walk

  5. The dark green coloured walls resemble chalkboards of a high school classroom. Coupled with wooden surfaces, this interior gives off an exceptional rustic charm.

Interior Designer: DISTINCTidENTITY Location: Tampines Central 7

  6. If your home comes with a balcony, make full use of the space. The synthetic grass patch, lone blue chair, bright red sofa cushions, along with the beautiful view outside come together perfectly to form a picturesque space.

Interior Designer: Prozfile Location: Park Central

  7. In your quest to create a more uplifting interior, don’t be afraid to use bright colours. Orange, purple, what have you, throw them in as and when you please. Doesn’t the one shown here lift your mood just looking at it?

Interior Designer: Sky Creation Design Location: Anchorvale

  8. This home makes me think of the inside of a spacecraft of sorts, soaring through the universe. Two thumbs up for its futuristic ambience.

Interior Designer: Free Space Intent Location: Sembawang — 4-Storey Terrace House

  9. Look at the dazzling shades of blue that have been cleverly woven into this beach-themed design. I’m already picturing a sunny afternoon on the couch, light music playing in the background, and a cold glass of cocktail in my hand.

Interior Designer: Icon Interior Design Location: Lorong Ah Soo

  10. Smatterings of vibrant colours around this house are like candies sweetening up your day. The overall design does not have to be fancy. Furniture and accessories can greatly improve the appearance of an interior.

Interior Designer: Cozy Ideas Location: 670B Edgefield Plains

  *We recommend:

Stand-up stools by Wilkhahn

  Can you pick a favourite design? Sometimes you gotta be bold. Try something new and funky today!

Complete this form and we will recommend you a list of reputable interior designers to get quotations. It's free!

How many interior designers do you wish to get in touch with?*

6 - 910 - 12more than 12

My Property

My Property Type is*

HDBApartment/CondominiumPrivate HouseCommercial

The room type is*

Please selectStudio2 Rooms3 Rooms4 Rooms5 RoomsAbove 5 Rooms

The commercial type is*

Please selectOfficeRetailSpaHair SalonF&BShowroomOthers

Property Status*

NewResalePresently Staying

FengShui Services Required?*

Please selectYesNo

Key Collection Time*

Yes, Key is collectedNo, in 1 - 3 months timeNo, in 3 - 6 months timeNo, in 7 months & beyond

Upload your Floor Plan

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, ppt, jpeg.

We recommend to attach your floor plan for a better estimate. File must less than 2MB.

Project Info

Do you require Full Renovation?*

Please selectYesNo

Need a loan for renovation?*

Please selectYes, please call meNo, I don't need

Preferred design style*

No PreferenceAsianClassicContemporaryEclecticIndustrialMediterraneanMidcenturyMinimalismModernRetroRusticScandinavianTraditionalTransitionalTropicalVictorianVintage

My project priority is*

Please selectAesthetically Nice - I want good designCost effectiveness - I'm on a tight budget

My renovation budget is*

Please selectNot Fixed20,000 and Below20,001 - 30,00030,001 - 40,00040,001 - 60,00060,001 - 80,00080,001 - 100,000100,001 - 200,000200,001 & Above

$

Other information?

My Contact Details

My name is*

First Last

My Email is*

You can call me at*

How Did You Get To Know Us?*

Please selectGoogleFacebookYahooEvents/RoadshowFriendsNewsletterRenoNation MagazineThe Straits TimesSME MagazineBingMSN Search

Terms & Conditions

What information do we collect?

Offsprings Group Pte Ltd collects information from you when you register on RenoNation.sg or fill out a form. When registering on our website, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address and contact number. You may, however, visit our website anonymously.

What do we use your information for?

Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:

to personalise your experience (your information helps us to better respond to your individual needs)

to improve our website (we continually strive to improve our website based on the information and feedback we receive from you)

to improve customer service (your information helps us to effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs)

to send periodic emails that contain information, updates, related product and service information etc (if at any time you wish to unsubscribe, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email)

to administer a contest, promotion, survey, or other site feature

How do we protect your information?

We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you visit our website. RenoNation.sg uses technologies and policies such as limited-access data centres, firewall technology, secure socket layer certificate authentication and limitations of administrative access to our systems to protect your information.

Do we use cookies?

We do not use cookies.

Do we disclose any information to outside parties?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply by the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others' rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Third party links

We include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content or activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.

Online privacy policy only

This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not information collected offline.

Your consent

By submitting your request through our website, you agree to be contacted by our appointed Interior Design Firms and other service providers. By selecting "Yes" for Renovation Loan, you agree to our affiliated bank to contact you via telephone calls. For details on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy on our website.

Changes to our privacy policy

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page. This post was last modified on 1st Oct 2015.

Contacting us

If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us at [email protected].

Agreement*

I have read and agree to RenoNation.sg Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.

Since young, I have long been fascinated with Housing Development Board (HDB) flats. In fact, HDB proved that it doesn’t disappoint with its most bizarre HDB design which leave us somewhat flabbergasted. Yet on the other hand, HDB has also built some really amazing HDB projects too.

Today, let us take a look at some of the unique and fascinating HDB designs from early days till date…

Before HDB was established, Singapore Improvement Trust, (SIT) was set up in 1927. The types of public housing that SIT has built included – are you ready for this? – landed terraced houses! These amazing public houses can be found in Jalan Bahagia and Stirling Road. Due to its unique design, the owners expanded the size of their units and built additional rooms around their flats over time. 

Landed Public Housing @ Jalan Bahagia and Stirling Road

image source: teoalida

image source: business.asiaone

My mother loves being outdoors and generally everything about wild flora and fauna. Hence, it is hardly surprising that she has a profound interest in gardening. Therefore, these HDB units with multiple balconies should be able to provide gardening enthusiasts like her ample space to persuade their interest.

5-Room Improved, Bedok Blk 140 (121 sqm)

image source: teoalida

Premium Executive Apartment, Bukit Batok Blk 288/289 (144 sqm)

image source: teoalida

Interior Designer: R3vamp

Similarly, these HDB Penthouse Maisonettes with open terraces would also allow gardening lovers expand their hobbies further. Moreover, outdoor lovers could also chill out and relax in these open air private enclaves.

Pasir Ris Penthouse Terrace

image source: teoalida

Executive Maisonette, Pasir Ris (189 sqm)image source: teoalida

My love affair with loft units stems from my obsession with large vertical open spaces. The large vertical windows let in ample sunlight and gives the entire place a sun-flushed and airy look, something which most of HDB flats lack. Furthermore, the home interior design possibilities are endless too!

Punggol Treelodge loft 

image source: propertyguru

Dawson SkyVille

image source: dawsonites

image source: straitstimes

Interior Designer: Interior Doctor

Interior Designer: D’Planner

For homeowners who wish to live under one roof with their parents, multi generation flats are the solution. In the past, the homeowners can retain their privacy and the unit comes with a ‘granny’ flat attached, which also comes fitted with its own toilet and kitchen.

Bishan Blk 137, 148, Tampines Blk 454, 460, Yishun Blk 605, 632, 633, 666 (151-171 sqm)

image source: teoalida

However, the newer 3 Generation flats have an area of only a measly 115 sqm to cater for a total of 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! Certainly quite a squeeze indeed! I really hope that HDB would consider increasing the sizes of such 3 Generation units!

image source: everythingalsocomplain

Jumbo HDB units are created from adjoining 3 rooms or even 4 room flats. Hence, the size can start from as small as 134 sqm to even 170 sqm. It is my all-time favorite type of HDB design due to its sheer colossal size and the number of rooms!

image source: idealsstartingpoint.blogspot.sg

Interior Designer: Prozfile

Interior Designer: AX Image Design Concept

And lastly..I have saved the best for the last… an exclusive peek inside a jumbo flat!

From The New Paper

So which HDB design is your favorite? Do share with us! 😉