Innholdsfortegnelse for Home & Decor's Interior and Reno 2026 i Home & Decor

Embark on your journey with Home & Decor, the premier one-stop online and print partner for homeowners in Singapore. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or looking to upgrade your living space, we will lead you to the home of your dreams. COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO HOMEBUILDING Building a home should be fun and fulfilling, not confusing and frustrating. Home & Decor helps prepare you for the journey with a series of annual editions, filled with stunning interior design inspiration to help spark off the ideas in your head. Get the experts’ take on key renovation issues for every room in the house, and learn to enjoy the process of imbuing every space with its own unique flair. ELEGANT SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY SPACE No matter the size of your home, style is…

In Singapore’s relentless tropical climate, air-conditioning has become integral to how we live, work, and recharge. Today’s homeowners want more than simple cooling: they’re seeking efficiency, intelligence, and visual harmony. With countless systems promising the same benefits, making the choice can feel overwhelming. True comfort, however, goes beyond technical specifications. It’s defined by the everyday experience of using your system — starting with the right unit and careful installation. A system performs best only when properly installed, making both decisions vital for lasting comfort and reliability. CHOOSING A SMARTER SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME A reliable air-conditioning system should work quietly in the background, integrating into the rhythms of home life while managing Singapore’s humidity with ease. This is where new-generation systems like Daikin’s iSmile Eco+ series have gained attention, especially…

As a child, the homeowner-a project manager in his 30s, never had a room of his own. Buying this four-room HDB flat was a dream come true and he went about designing it around his lifestyle and preferences. The home’s unique blend of aesthetics reflects his affinity for paradoxes and irregularities. In formulating the design, the Morphosis Studio team comprising lead designer Chris Lee and junior designer Chong Churan ditched the rule book and adopted a more experimental process towards figuring out what would make the client feel most at home. For the entrance foyer, the flooring and wall colours combine to effect a change in space and mood by having actual tactile differences where the hexagonal stone tiles sprawl randomly, but artfully as they transition into the next space.…

Jumping into a gut renovation from floor to ceiling isn't always necessary to give a new look to a room. Sometimes just one element — a bold paint color on a wall, a sculptural decorative object, or a new way of organizing a space through a creative layout — can help make a fresh start. We asked top designers worldwide to tell us their best advice. OPTING FOR A COLORFUL KITCHEN THAT FEELS LIKE A JEWEL BOX “In an apartment, a colourful kitchen adds to the jewel box effect,” says Crystal Maki, founder of Silverwing Interiors. “Since the kitchen is the heart of a home, why not make it beautiful, interesting and full of personality? I also think if you do it right and don't adhere to trends but to what…

Tucked away in an industrial enclave in Kaki Bukit, a doubleheight showroom quietly combines gallery, workshop, and creative studio. Atelier V&A presents a layered experience where furniture takes sculptural form, florals are reimagined as objects of art, and Asian craftsmanship is given contemporary expression. Founded by Singaporean interior designer Venetia Gu and Australian-Dutch stylist-brand strategist Aisha Hillary-Morgan, the atelier was conceived with a clear vision: to craft pieces and spaces that feel both functional and collectible. Their work bridges the familiar and the rarefied, offering furniture and objets d’art that are as usable as they are artful. The Atelier V&A space itself reflects this balance of artistry and function. On the showroom floor, collections are presented in considered vignettes that move from living and dining spaces to smaller, more intimate…

You’ve got a 98-inch TV, a sound system that could rival a cinema, and lights that dim perfectly on cue for movie night. Everything is in place — except for your sofa. It’s the one thing that hasn’t quite caught up, the missing piece in an otherwise perfect setup. When shopping for a sofa, most of us get caught up in the leather versus fabric debate, weighing everything from colour palettes to stain resistance. But in focusing on aesthetics and ease of maintenance, we often overlook what truly matters: comfort. Recliner sofas may come to mind, but many still picture them as clunky, mechanical relics from a bygone era. But that’s only because they haven’t met King Living. Known for its modern design, precision engineering, and smart technology, this Australian…

As apartment sizes shrink and our needs evolve, homeowners are rethinking the default layouts handed down by HDB or condo developers. Some homeowners are merging a bedroom with the living room or dining area, or swapping living and dining zones to host larger groups. Others open up or extend the kitchen by incorporating a dry kitchen or pantry in the communal area. Still others convert the master bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe and use a common bedroom for sleeping instead. There’s no universal formula for the “best” layout — it all depends on your lifestyle. But before you get carried away with your moodboard, familiarise yourself with what you can or cannot do when renovating an HDB flat. HDB REGULATIONS For a start, only HDB-registered renovation contractors, PUB-licensed plumbers, and…

Renovations can feel like a race against the clock. For new homeowners, being inundated with decisions is stressful enough. Add rental costs and storage fees that snowball with each delay, and patience is bound to fray. The best way to manage your timeline is to know what each stage involves and prepare for it. To help you out, we asked Wilson Teh of Rezt+Relax Interior and Ryan Linardy of In Theory Design to decode the process and share their tips for a stress-free renovation. 1. PREPARATION (2 TO 6 WEEKS) 1a. Confirming an ID Start meeting with interior designers as early as six months before the keys collection. Based on your brief and budget, they’ll share a proposal and quotation — but note that this excludes costs such as permits, hacking,…

On the third floor of a low-rise block in Geylang East, sunlight filters through leafy trees, softening the edges of a flat defined by its distinctive geometry. This five-room HDB, built in 1986, immediately caught Elliot and Jeanette’s attention. “I think it was the acute angle that kind of sealed the deal,” says Elliot, who admits it was love at first sight. “You rarely see a HDB with this kind of layout. What drew us to the place is the greenery outside the house — almost every window looks out to greenery.” Designed by Ulrich Chia of Medium Specific, who also happens to be Elliot’s lifelong friend, the 1,431-sq-ft flat has been completely reimagined. “It was kind of automatically him,” Elliot shares. “We’ve been best friends our whole lives.” For…

Home to a mother and her two daughters, this apartment that overlooks greenery and the Polo Club is a place that gives them strength and security, and instils calmness. To achieve this, they worked with Kelvin Teo, the founder of Space Sense Studio to create an airy, bright, classy and chic place with clean lines and a peaceful ambience. The beige and green colour palette in the living room with wainscoting details and wallpaper featuring tropical palm trees are a nod to the surrounding nature and reflects the homeowner’s preferences. A freestanding, multi-purpose island anchors the open concept kitchen and even serves as a bar counter with the gin bar behind. The addition of a low partition in the master bedroom incorporating a vanity, storage and a headboard creates a…

Perched high above River Valley with sweeping views toward Somerset, Fort Canning, and the city skyline, this 1,050 sq ft Aspen Heights apartment belongs to a young couple who love to host. They envisioned “a sanctuary in the heart of the city… that could effortlessly transform into a social setting for friends.” With a $120,000 renovation budget, designer Khai Toh of KTARCH set out to show that luxury can be achieved without extravagance. The homeowners described “luxury” as “comfort, simplicity, and serenity”—soft fabrics, warm lighting, and the ease of a restful space. Since the original layout limited spatial reconfiguration, Khai turned to what he calls an “architecture of reduction”—refining proportion and volume rather than altering walls. Doors were extended to full height, and draperies were designed with long, elegant vertical…

While the size of your home can affect aspects of your life, it’s not the be-all and end-all to hosting an enjoyable, intimate event. You don’t need to shrink your guest list or dim your sparkle; whether you’re working with a compact HDB flat or a snug condominium unit, the scale of your space does not dictate the scale of your hospitality. With the right design choices, even the most modest of homes can be transformed into a warm and welcoming haven — one that is equal parts function and fabulous, and matches your personal party-hosting needs. Here, we bust the biggest myths surrounding entertaining in tight quarters. From clever tweaks in your layout and tricks for preserving your privacy to flexible furnishings and space-saving hacks, we’re here to help…

Whether you’re carving out a corner for remote work, setting up a study zone for your kids, or sharing a multi-use space with the whole family, the modern study needs to do more than just look good — it also has to work hard. PICKING A DESK When choosing the right desk for your study, start with who’s using it, and how. For adults working long hours, ergonomic options like sit-stand desks can reduce fatigue and support posture, offering flexibility throughout the day. For children, look for desks that match their proportions or offer adjustable legs to grow with them. In compact homes, consider slim-profile desks with built-in storage or wall-mounted fold-down models that disappear when not in use. Even corner desks or ladder-style setups can maximise vertical space without…

For apartment dwellers, a balcony always sounds wonderful in theory. Some dream of growing a herb garden to garnish soups with a sprig of thyme, or to mix cocktails with freshly picked mint. Others imagine an alfresco dining nook to host barbecue nights without stinking up the house. Yet, the weather, noise, and even pests often keep us from maximising this extra bit of space. Many balconies, especially those adjoining bedrooms, end up as glorified service yards. That’s where ClimaShield’s enclosure solutions come in. With the right system, you can protect your balcony from the elements, the insects, and even prying neighbours, opening up plenty of new possibilities. Just like that, a home office is possible again, alongside a mini gym equipped with that spin bike you’ve been eyeing. Intrigued?…

Although this condominium apartment has three bedrooms and a balcony, its total floor area is just 969 sq ft. It also lacked a storeroom and utility area. Home to a couple in their early 30s and their newborn, an organised layout with ample storage was their top priority. Their brief to Megan Zhang, interior design director of M Atelier, was for a luxe, modern-contemporary home in a monochromatic palette. The challenge lay in meeting their lifestyle needs while embracing this colour scheme without making the spaces feel confined. Natural light floods the living area through generous sliding doors that open to the balcony, but the enclosed kitchen was dim and disconnected. The couple also struggled with where to place their dining table amid the limited space. LIVING ROOM + DINING…

For technician Ahzuan Ahzaharin, 35, and his wife Syafiqah Johan, 33, family comes first. With five young children aged between two and eight, the couple outgrew their four-room flat in Sengkang and set their sights on a home that could better accommodate their energetic brood. They initially searched for an executive apartment, but the moment their property agent showed them this Pasir Ris executive maisonette, the children fell instantly in love — and that, says Ahzuan, “sealed the deal”. It was a financial stretch, he admits, “but for the sake of our kids, we are willing to go the extra mile to give them a good life in Singapore.” Working with Direct Contractor, they transformed the 1,456 sq ft home into a bright, open space built around movement, outdoor views…

System engineer, Tan Chee Kian, and his wife, Joey Choo, a director for APAC Live Content, embarked on their home renovation journey well-prepared. They approached a handful of interior design firms armed with a comprehensive deck of slides that included specific information on their budget, design requirements for each room, timeline and mood board. There were even suggestions on which walls to hack and relocation of doors. The couple eventually engaged Design Zage, who has become their family designer of sorts having worked on their family home prior to moving to this executive apartment, as well as homes belonging to Joey’s mother and siblings. “I think engaging an interior designer is like going to the doctor. You need to trust that the designer is going to work with you to…

I doubt I have ever mulled over an editor’s note for as long as I have, this year’s Top Of The Class Awards. As I've learnt in the past few months that I've been here, the life of an editor at such an illustrious and long-standing organisation can get pretty darned hectic. But rather than look at this note as yet another 'to-do' to check off, I wanted to mindfully take this space to share my inner-thoughts with everyone. As I pen this letter to you — readers, homeowners, craftsfolk, dreamers, lovers of design — I must admit that a million things bubble to mind. At the top of which, lies my unbridled awe for the projects that you are about to uncover in the coming 20-odd pages. The stories…

This five-room HDB BTO flat balances the use of raw, natural materials such as cement and limewash with a hint of subtle luxury. Beyond aesthetics, the design also incorporates many purpose built features to support the needs of its owners-a social media executive, an assistant cameraman and their young daughter. Threehaus Works designers, Jax Ren and Joshua Wee designed a ramp leading from the living room to allow the homeowner to wheel his camera equipment trolley into the dining room, which also doubles up as his workroom and a playroom. Circulation was very important to the homeowners and many of the spaces within the home, such as the dining room and the common bathroom, have two-way exits and entrances. This minimises dead ends and allows the circulation movement to flow…

Newlyweds Terence and Zoey moved into their Yishun flat on the day of their wedding — a fully renovated first home designed with Homely Matters after they fell for the quiet charm and generous proportions of an older unit. Over three months, many of the original walls were hacked and the layout reconfigured: one former bedroom was opened up to form a larger, brighter living room, while the remaining spaces were reshaped into four functional rooms to suit their long-term plans: a master bedroom, a guest room, a home office, and an activity room which they plan to convert into a play area or a homeschooling classroom for their future children. In the living room, personal expression takes centre stage. Instead of a conventional feature wall, the space is anchored…

The modern hustle often prioritises peak professional performance, but leaves little time for pleasurable pursuits. With hustle culture becoming so popular, it is more important than ever before that we take the time to carve out spaces for ourselves — whether in the hours of a day, or within the four walls we call home. Often doubling as offices, gyms, and gathering spaces for friendship and family, the modern home has become increasingly multifunctional. Imbue the space with joy and identity by carving out a “me corner” that’s all yours; notably, these sanctuaries don’t need to occupy too much space. Rather, an intentional, carefully-curated nook can easily serve as a zone for decompressing after a long day, all the while fuelling hobbies that can augment your day-to-day, allowing you to…

Our homes are among our most meaningful investments. It’s no surprise, then, that homeowners spend months searching for the ideal location and tailoring every detail of the renovation to suit their lifestyle and aesthetic. Increasingly, many also turn to Feng Shui — not only for harmony and “good vibes,” but for the belief that a well-balanced home can positively influence wealth, health, and happiness. THE FENG SHUI EXPERT Feng Shui master Wilfred Leu brings both scholarship and intuition to his practice. Well-versed in Sinology — the study of Chinese civilization through its language, history, philosophy, and art — he draws from ancient texts such as , a Qing dynasty tome that compiles theories from generations of Feng Shui masters. “It’s like an encyclopaedia for achieving good home Feng Shui,” he…

Late Morning is the kind of store you wander into when you’re ready to create a home that feels calmer, more intentional and quietly beautiful. Tucked into a light-filled unit in Chinatown, the boutique champions a “slow decor” philosophy — choosing fewer, better things that enrich the rhythms of daily life. The store was born out of a personal longing to make the everyday feel more meaningful. “The journey of Late Morning began with a personal desire for a more mindful and beautiful everyday,” says founder Belinda Chen, who was drawn to the gentle pocket of time that inspired the brand name: the late morning, a moment between the day’s initial rush and the lull of the afternoon. It’s that mindset — unhurried, attentive, grounded — that guides the way…

Materials are the most understated part of a renovation journey. Get them right and you’re set to enjoy your new home. But pick wrongly and you’ll spend weekends cleaning and quietly regretting your life choices. Yet, first-time homeowners are seldom equipped to choose wisely. Between the dazzling showrooms and well-meaning advice from friends, it’s easy to forget that one size does not fit all. What suits a child-free couple, for instance, may not hold up in a household with toddlers. Add pets to the mix and it’s a different ball game altogether. That’s why we created this guide, to help you see past the swatches and samples and pick materials that will work for and not against you. FLOORING Since flooring is one of the main cost centres in renovation,…

Q: HOW CAN SMART FURNITURE TRANSFORM THE WAY WE LIVE IN SMALL HOMES AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE? Think dynamic, not static. Rather than furniture that simply occupies precious square footage, smart pieces adapt and transform with your lifestyle. In compact urban living, every square metre counts. Well-designed, multifunctional furniture does not just save space — it creates breathing room that makes small apartments feel uncluttered and harmonious. Remote workers using multifunctional furniture such as the Slumberdesk Murphy bed or Incognito Home Office report a crucial psychological benefit. When work literally disappears into the wall, shifting from work mode to relaxation instantly, your mind can truly switch off. Q: CAN SPACE SAVING FURNITURE ALSO LOOK AS STYLISH AND FEEL AS COMFORTABLE AS REGULAR FURNITURE? Those clunky, institutional sofa beds…

Calvin Ong doesn’t like it when people call his home “retro.” The word, he says, conjures the image of a themed restaurant, a curated set piece with no pulse. His 3-room Toa Payoh flat, where he has lived since 1997, is anything but. “It’s evolved,” he explains. “And I’m finally happy with how it feels.” Before semi-retirement, Calvin spent more than two decades in fashion, rising to the role of fashion director. It shows. Step into his 700 sq ft ground-floor unit and you encounter someone who knows precisely what he likes: cast-iron rabbits, fashion zines, books, and furniture tailored to feel quietly right. He doesn’t do this for effect. “A home should be an extension of oneself,” he says. “Not your interior decorator.” He was 35 when he bought…

From the moment you enter Crystal and Ben’s home, you get the sense that this isn’t just a carefully renovated four-room resale HDB flat — it’s a deeply personal space shaped by shared routines, quiet creativity, and an instinct for meaningful design. Ben, who is an interior designer and co-founder of Inizio Atelier, took the lead on the renovation, tailoring the flat to suit both their practical needs and aesthetic sensibilities. Originally a seven-year-old unit in Canberra, the flat underwent a complete overhaul over four to five months. “We just started fresh,” says Crystal. “And because it’s our own place, we could take our time with it.” The couple didn’t retain anything from the previous owner, who had several cats and fairly dated finishes. They moved in around October 2025,…