Designs

Minimalism in interior design does not necessarily have to be cold and boring. Given the minimalism concept of “less is more”, a minimalist interior design is simple, functional, and sustainable. Characterised by form-focused interiors that are much more than just removing a few pieces of furniture to create empty spaces, a minimalist interior is all about function, balance, decluttering, and simplicity. A minimalist interior design style for an HDB or BTO in Singapore can become the basis for creating a beautiful, functional home that has just the elements needed to live a comfortable and relaxed life. Monochromatic colour palettes and sleek, functional furniture can lay the foundation of such a space. The fewer the elements, the less clutter there will be, which will go a long way in reducing stress levels for the residents. However, what you should bear in mind is that incorporating a minimalistic style into your home interior is not as simple; there are certain things to consider before you start your interior design or HDB renovation in Singapore. Here, we discuss some necessary tips for incorporating a minimalist interior design into your home. Through these inspiring tips and tricks, you can be sure of creating a minimalist theme that is soothing and inviting.  If you’re open to more options, you can check out the top interior design trends, such as mid-modern century design, modern interior design and Scandinavian interior design. Looking for something more unique? We also have Colonial-style design, Balinese interior design, Warehouse interior design, Industrial design style and Rustic design style for you to get some inspiration. Declutter And Simplify At the heart of any beautiful minimalist interior design is the art of simplicity achieved through the principle of decluttering. A minimalist interior, by definition, has to be decluttered with plenty of open spaces and elements that serve a purpose. This calls for embracing a simpler and streamlined lifestyle where you accept that you must purge your unnecessary possessions and utilise the power of mindfulness to create a space where quality matters more than quantity.  Think of all the elements in the space that do not offer any important functionality or do not add to the sentimental or visual value of the space. By removing those elements, you will not only be able to declutter the space but also add a serene and calm vibe to the atmosphere. The minimalist living room design below depicts how such an interior can create a warm and inviting ambience in your home.  BACK TO BLACK @ BIDADARI Choose Neutral Colour Palettes A neutral colour palette is another core foundation of a minimalist interior design, as it helps exude a sense of balance and comfort in the space. Neutral colours go a long way in creating a more airy and brighter ambience, thus emphasising the concept of open spaces. Choose neutral colours like white, grey, beige, and other light colours as the foundation and add a few other colours of your choice in the front if you desire. With a neutral background, the other elements in the space, like the furniture, can stand out with all their features and characteristics. Nordic interiors are also characterised by a neutral colour scheme; thus, you can even create a beautiful fusion of minimalist and Nordic styles. The following minimalist Scandinavian interior design HDB is a visual representation of how cool and warm such a space will look.   SLEEK NORDIC @ EDGEDALE PLAINS Select Streamlined Furniture With Clean, Simple Lines To maintain cohesion in a minimalist interior, it is essential that you opt for streamlined furniture, whether it is for the living room or the bedroom interior design. Streamlined furniture includes all furniture pieces with simple, clean lines, sleek build, and little to no ornamentation. Such simple and functional furniture in form can help you maximise the visual space in the room by taking limited space and enhancing functionality. Multi-purpose furniture that can offer multiple functionalities or with built-in storage is ideal for a minimalist space as it allows you to keep the space decluttered while still achieving all the required functionality. The following modern minimalist interior design shows simple, sleek furniture that enhances the visual beauty of the space without overwhelming it because of its simple forms. Focus On Lighting Lighting is another important aspect of a minimalist design and it is strategically used to highlight and accentuate every element in the room. The main focus of a minimalist interior is to utilise natural lighting to the maximum with the use of large windows and sheer drapes. As the sunlight makes its way through the clear fabric and bounces off the simple and sleek furniture, it creates a timeless look while creating a beautiful cohesion between the indoors and the outdoors.  A beautiful representation of this concept is shown in the following minimalist interior design HDB, where the living room is illuminated with the natural light flowing in through the large windows, brightening all the furniture and other elements.  COZY SCANDI @ ANCHORVALE Add In Specific Details Since in a minimalist space, there are few elements and lots of negative spaces; all elements must cohesively bind together to create a visually attractive room. By adding specific details in elements and further accentuating their appearance by carefully placing them in the right positions, you can achieve this feat. While creating your HDB interior design in Singapore, pay special attention to placing the furniture strategically because you want to create enough negative spaces by making clusters or groups of elements. However, these groups should never look messy or cluttered. Play around with the placement of everything and see what best gives a calm and welcoming vibe in the space. Also, keep in mind how the light affects different elements differently to see which elements are accentuated the most through the lighting.  Incorporate Texture To Add Visual Interest A minimalist space is designed with minimum elements and furniture pieces, which may make the ambience a bit dull and boring. However, to add visual

The most vital aspect of how people will conceive your interior is determined by the structure of the house or flat, as well as the layout of the interior space. This is your main canvas where you decide what kind of atmosphere and style your space will reflect your character and needs.  There are countless ways how you can approach designing your home’s interior. Considering many styles that were popular and chic in their respective eras in the history of design, you can always choose to follow those retro styles. Most people don’t want to live in the past, so from the standpoint of the present-day, modern contemporary interior design is always the best approach because it grows with you and your way of living and using the space. This does not mean that you should ignore elements of the past styles. On the contrary, many elements from the past are likely to be used, but in a different context and setting. This repurposing use of older furniture in a new setting is making their aesthetics feel renewed and timeless. All this fits the philosophy of contemporary interior design and design in every industry in general that requires continuous evolution with the upcoming times. Building a new home for yourself and your loved ones is a challenging task. Fortunately, with our guide, you will learn the basics of implementing a contemporary approach to designing your interior space. Aspects And Components Of Contemporary Interior Design All design styles have rules and features that define a particular style’s foundation. So does contemporary design, too. Let’s see what the defining factors are featured and what defines what we see as contemporary in this day and age. Minimalism “Less is more” is a phrase we all have heard. This phrase first came to light in the early 20th century with the major architecture movement called Bauhaus. One of the vital architects from this movement, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, said this famous phrase first. From then on, it became one of the staples of modern and present-day contemporary style interior design, too. This phrase is also the main concept behind the minimalist approach to design. What is the meaning of minimalism from an interior design view? In most simple words, this means using a few essential pieces of furniture in the interior that will introduce beauty and functionality. This way, you can minimize rummage and chaos and let the space breathe, and everyone will direct their attention only to the essential bits in the interior. Of course, this does not mean you cannot spice up the atmosphere with a few art pieces, such as paintings and sculptures. Neutral color palette Colors such as beige, ivory, taupe, coal black, gray, and all the shades of white may seem as uninteresting colors to some people. But other people interested in contemporary and minimalist aesthetics see these colors, hues, and their respective undertones as a rich palette for their homes. These colors make up the calming homogenous atmosphere of contemporary interior design style. What is the best part of this type of palette is adding contrasting accent colors to the “canvas” of your home. Neutral colors will guide the focal attention to the accent pieces of the interior that you want to stand out to visitors and give character and harmony to the interior, which maximalist homes always lack. Patterns and shapes Speaking of accents, we must mention patterns and shapes that those colors can envelop to bring said harmony. Contemporary homes love geometric shapes because simple forms bring out the minimalist aspect and are an astonishing surface for displaying patterns. Patterns include abstract motifs or repetitive geometric graphics seen through paintings, cushions, and lighting. Functionality As we said in the minimalism paragraph, the contemporary design interior requires functionality to be on the highest levels. All furniture that serves just aesthetic purposes must leave. But what to do with all the stuff we need that will cause visual clutter if we leave it out in the open? That’s why minimalist furniture has hidden storage compartments or a different approach where the furniture can be converted into other furniture. Examples are sofas with beds in them, wardrobes with drop-in beds, and modular tables. Materials and finishes Contemporary home interior design is not afraid of using materials not likely to be seen in their bare forms in private residencies. Metallic surfaces and concrete are usually used in public settings but can also be seen in contemporary interiors because these materials can be a great indicator of the character that you and your home have. Of course, different kinds of wood and glass can also bring elegance and style to your home. Wood is a rather tactile material that, depending on finish and color, can bring out a range of emotions and atmosphere. Glass, throughout history, has always been a luxurious material. Even though production costs have decreased, it will always be a material with the most elegance. You can even use it functionally to change the room visually. There are examples where strategically placed mirrors on the wall or ceiling can make the room feel bigger, longer, or taller, depending on the placement. Accessories and Art Furniture makes the room functional, but you can see the vibrance of the atmosphere through accessories and art pieces. As mentioned earlier, in a room full of neutral colors, accents are the key to achieving character and atmosphere that will reflect the people living and using the room. You can achieve those accents with striking and original artwork on the walls or sculptures in the space. Art that we buy should not be just an expensive item to show our wealth, but it is a reflection of ourselves. Always be wary of what you want to show for your guests and how to present yourself. Lighting Depending on the space, lighting is the most influential factor in what kind of atmosphere will be present in the room. Different colors of light and their intensity will determine the room’s

It’s hard to think of anything better than life in a cozy house done in the style of vintage interior design, am I right? Many contemporary interior projects lack the much-needed warmth and comfort of vintage interior design style. Even though there are many differences in opinion about what is vintage interior design, a lot of people crave that irreplaceable warmth that we can only achieve using tips from this particular style. Vintage, as its name says, design has its roots in the history of residential homes, which can deter people who doubt this style. Still, contemporary designers have found many ways to mix contemporary furniture and vintage feel in a way that feels chic, fresh, and elegant. If incorporated correctly, vintage style in interior design can help create a timeless atmosphere in space and evoke emotions of nostalgia which we all crave deep in our hearts. So let’s see together what can be considered vintage and learn a few vintage interior design ideas to create that creative spark for the next remodeling! Characteristics of Vintage Interior Design You may have heard retro design mentioned with the same meaning as vintage design. Those definitions are as far from truth as possible. The difference between these two is the easiest to explain using time references. Vintage interior design is considered “vintage” from as early as 100 years ago till 20 years ago. Vintage interiors design styles use authentic old elements, whether artifacts, accessories, or furniture, and incorporate them into your home. The goal is to have a space that feels like it time traveled to the present day. Retro interior design does not strive so much for authenticity or a specific theme from history, but to achieve an eclectic and eccentric feel in the interior. In the process, it is allowed to use elements that date earlier than 100 years in terms of aesthetics. The authenticity of these pieces does not have to be strict since you can use elements that only borrow the look from history but are made in the present day. Colors The vintage design uses soft pastel and neutral color schemes since the vibe the interior gives off should be soft and nostalgic. The most popular colors used are neutral shades like white, cream, and beige, and if you are looking for a more colorful palette, there are pale blue, gray, pink, lilac, and mauve. Of course, accent colors are also allowed to create primary focal points in the space. Accents like these have a profound impact on space by creating depth and texture, thus giving space contrast so the room doesn’t feel dull. Furniture Statement furniture from the bygone era is the way to go, plain and simple. While modern furniture consists of hard edges, rough lines, and geometry, vintage furniture until the 60s and 70s (depending on the theme) consisted of round edges perfect for this style. Wooden, aged materials with rugged corners with evidence of prolonged use are the most popular choice for vintage apartment interior design. Ornaments on the furniture are desired since they give a decorative and artistic touch to the room. Decorative elements Speaking of decorative touch, these elements are the main visual key that differentiates vintage from modern furniture. Minimalistic furniture deprived of ornamentation indeed became a trend after WW2, but ordinary homes have kept decor for a long time. Antique items and family heirlooms have stayed through all interior style changes in the 20th-century homes, passing from older to younger generations until younger “internet“ generations came and hid them away from contemporary design apartments. Dig those pieces up from the storage and proudly display them in the room! Family memory photos from happy moments in life can be displayed as decoration and old furniture are all very wanted, and required for your vintage interior design to be authentic. Old furniture and accessories such as silverware, decorative items, ceramic vases, candlesticks, old books, paintings, and antique clocks have a lot of stories to tell, so all of these elements should decorate your space and tell stories about you and your ancestors. Textures and patterns Do not be afraid of patterns and their combinations. A clever mix of textures and patterns can elevate the room’s color scheme without looking like a clutter. Distinctive patterns like floral, paisley, and motifs in different fabrics used in upholstery and curtains make the room feel more natural despite the contemporary philosophy that every unnecessary pattern clutters vision and creates stress. If you have problems creating these combinations with wallpapers and carpets, contact our professional designers who will help you conceive a clear vision of your personal space and make it as creative and authentic as possible. You can also see examples of these pattern mixes in vintage bedroom designs projects for inspiration. Lighting Lighting, her majesty, is the most essential element of all the types and styles of interior design. Even though natural warm lighting from sunlight is a perfect type for a vintage interior, you can also use artificial lighting to create a similar effect. Elegant ornamental chandeliers are the most recognized pieces in every vintage interior. You can also use hanging lamps and table lamps with shades made from patterned materials to create a mood in the room at your will and taste. These elements have always been statement pieces of luxury throughout history, so purchasing them is always a clever purchase. Do not be afraid to give a little bit more money for them, considering their importance in the interior. Advantages and Disadvantages of Vintage Interior Design Let’s talk about the pros and cons of vintage design. Even though vintage interior design is visually the most fascinating style you can go for, some problems can arise in remodeling your home in this style. The advantages of vintage interior design are classic and timeless appearance that is integrated into our hearts and memories. Home becomes a three-dimensional family album with heirlooms and photos displayed, and every piece of furniture tells the story.

Interior design is all about choosing the right design theme and accessories to create the perfectly amazing space. When it comes to home interior design, the chosen design theme speaks a lot about its residents, their preferences, and how they want their guests to feel when they visit. While each interior design style has its own distinctive features and characteristics, retro and vintage interior design give a strikingly unique yet beautiful ambience. When we talk about these interior design themes, often they are used interchangeably. But are they really the same or different? Here, we will discuss in detail what retro interior design is, its salient features, pros and cons, and some great inspirational ideas to get an amazing look in your home. Are retro and vintage interior design styles the same? Before moving on to discussing the fine details about retro interior design, let us answer the very common question of whether vintage and retro are the same in interior design? Plainly speaking, no. Retro interior design and vintage interior design are different from each other in that the vintage interior design houses original pieces and design styles from the 20th century whereas retro interior design focuses on recreating a somewhat older style by using new elements that have been designed to create vintage feels. On the outlook, both interior designs may give a similar vibe but on contemplation, one can see that they both are different in the kind of furniture, style pieces, and general theme incorporated. So let us dive into the details of retro interior design and how you can incorporate this theme into your home. Retro interior design style The retro interior design style takes its roots from after the industrial revolution when new elements and pieces were designed to replicate the styles of various past eras. A retro design is one that has been inspired from the past to recreate a past era. How far back in time you want to go to revive it depends on you; there are no fixed requirements in that matter. The main idea is to create nostalgia for a particular era of your choice. Retro interior design is a popular choice among homeowners in Singapore as it creates a getaway from the modern interior designed homes one sees around so abundantly. It creates a nostalgic feeling which one can cherish and relive all the past moments. Mid-Modern Centruy designs and Modern retro interior design is also a popular version among homeowners where they can combine old and new elements in beautiful balance. Significant Features Retro style’s main hallmark is a fine and lively outlook which is achieved by using just the right type of furniture, colors, and statement pieces. Furniture Retro furniture is often whimsical with bright and bold colors that give a very lively outlook. The furniture may be angular with curves; the idea is to have them in unusual shapes that look fun. Moreover, furniture inspired by the olden eras with a fun twist can create an interesting focal point in a retro interior. Colors The colors used in a retro interior are often bold and not quite bright. The reason is that even bold incompatible colors are used in the space, if they were bright, it would have created visual chaos. So, stick to bold colors with less saturated hues to get just the right amount of color and balance in the space. Patterns Interiors of the olden eras often used intricate patterns and motifs in different design elements. Therefore, a retro interior focuses on recreating that vintage vibe by adding patterns on the walls and floors. This look can be achieved by choosing heavily patterned wallpaper for the walls. For the floors, you can either choose hardwood flooring with very clear grains and wood patterns or use a rug with bold, vivid patterns. This eclectic mix of elements creates a stylish yet interesting visual space. Textures Another significant feature of retro interior design is the use of textures in solid colored spaces to bring life to them. Thus, for furniture upholstery, you can use textured solid colored fabric that creates a funky yet bold ambience in the interior. Statement pieces Since a retro interior is the revival of the eras gone by, it cannot be complete without a few nostalgic pieces from the past. These could be old pictures, an heirloom displayed on a shelf, or any piece of art that makes you nostalgic and makes you remember the good old days. Pros and Cons There are several advantages of choosing retro interior design theme for your home: Apart from these advantages, there are a few disadvantages associated with retro interior design: Inspirational portfolio @ Guan Chuan At Space Factor, we take pride in creating amazing interior design styles in your homes to make them the home of your dreams. One such inspirational portfolio at Guan Chuan recreates the times of olden days by incorporating retro themes in all rooms of the house. For the living room, the retro theme is added in the interior by using a wooden frame sofa with leather seats and back. The simple yet functional shape of the sofa immediately takes you back to the old country house and triggers a feeling of nostalgia. The sofa cushions also feature the distinctive patterns of the past which help recreate the vintage look. Also notice the little Japanese interior design details like the frosted paneled windows and the big bowl shaped center table. Together, all elements create a fusion of Japanese and modern retro interior design. Coming towards the hallway, we can see the distinctive brickwork that may at first glance give the illusion of an industrial themed home but when looked in connection with the displayed wall art and other decorative pieces, it manifests as part of a retro-vintage theme. The old photos displayed on the wall along with small decorative elements that trigger nostalgia, all create a very meaningful retro interior. The staircase also depicts the retro style