Home ownership is a priority for many families. Due to consumer demand, the quality of HDB apartments (government housing provided by the Housing Development Board) has improved over time. Yet, Singapore's finite geography and surging population mean that space remains a constant challenge. Soaring housing prices also mean that budget is a major factor.
As an interior designer, one question I am often asked by HDB homeowners is: how can I maximise the space in my home while keeping it functional for my family's changing lifestyles? This isn't an easy question to answer, but it is a common one, which is why I'd like to share some of my interior design insights and suggestions to make your home look more spacious and beautiful.Interior design tips:
Pattern and paint - I tend to use pattern and paint on walls to redefine the space. I usually use darker paint colours in smaller spaces and lighter colours in larger spaces. Dark colours blur the boundary lines within an interior, while light colours define the boundary lines.
Paint is a great medium to use in Singapore; our hot climate won't cause it to peel like wallpaper does. It is also cost effective, and can be environmentally-friendly if you choose those with low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). Marks and scratches can also be scrubbed off should your kids decide to get creative with their crayons on the walls.
Large-scale furniture - I also like to introduce large-scale furniture in smaller spaces. It changes proportions by tricking the eye to perceive that the room is larger than it really is. An example can be seen in the large sofa I placed in the study room of a Pavilion Park show flat, which has a secondary role as a guest bed.
Mirrors - One old trick is to use mirrors to enlarge space and enhance the expanse of the room. However, this should be done selectively. A strategically placed mirror can be more effective than mirroring an entire wall, and can save you some money, too.
Jia Wei’s painted wall and pattern finish, with full-length mirror, in her HDB bedroom by CWD.
Here is the interior of a HDB bedroom I designed for a young girl named Jia Wei, onGroom My Room, a popular children's show. The design was done within a tight budget and sponsorship from Swedish furniture house IKEA. The proposal illustration and 'after' photo are great examples of how you can dramatically transform any room — even a child's bedroom — with sensible use of pattern, vibrant paint colours, mirrors and expert advice.
