Tag Archives: Renovation

6 ways to make your rooms look bigger

Like money, we will never complain that there’s too much (room) space at home, and these local homes that have found ways to make rooms look bigger at pocket-friendly prices.

Space is a form of luxury on our densely-populated sunny island. With shrinking square feet in new homes, we take a look at how these HDBs and condominiums effectively incorporate design, colours and nature to make a small space seemingly larger at pocket-friendly prices.


1. Natural Light

Let natural light seep in to create depth. Take a step further and replace the curtains with blinds or shades if you need privacy.

If your house isn’t blessed with a good layout in capturing solar energy, opt for glass partition to allow light to permeate and light up the darker corners of the room.

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2. Mirrors

A common method is to make use of mirrors and other reflective surfaces to create the illusion of a bigger space.

Opt for large full-length mirrors or position smaller mirrors opposite windows or in front of a light source to amplify the lighting.

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3. Trade overhead lights for smaller lamps

Top-down lighting can be harsh and draws attention to one space. Instead, set up smaller lamps at different corners of the house to spread light around the area and draw the eye around the room. Then select warm lightings to add on to the cosy factor.

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4. Show some legs

…for your furniture that is. As boundaries between rooms blur, reduce the chunk by choosing less bulky furniture with their sleek legs and contoured body.

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5. Get rid of clutter

Clutter is the nemesis of space. Minimise the sight of clutter with multi-purpose furniture or hidden storage display; or try disposing off your unused items for a cheaper alternative.

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6. Light-coloured walls and floorings

A no-brainer; light-coloured floorings and walls are common ways to make the room feel airy as opposed to dark colours. If pristine white isn’t your preferred choice of palette, add a dash of colours in your furniture or try pale-coloured wallpapers or tiles.

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Fewer renovation complaints in 2014

Complaints against renovation contractors and firms fell from 1,779 cases in 2013 to 1,462 last year even as more new flats were built, revealed the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) and reported in the media.

The number of cases taken up by the association also decreased from 269 in 2012 to 242 in 2014.

Industry players pointed to the slowing resale flat market and increasingly cautious customers as possible reasons for the decline.

“The slowdown in the property market due to various policy measures and loan curbs may have affected the home renovation industry in Singapore, as fewer consumers buy and renovate their homes,” noted Case executive director Seah Seng Choon.

In agreement, Sky Tan, vice-president of the Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA), said while more Build-to-Order (BTO) flats were constructed in recent years, these flats do not generally require as much renovation as resale flats.

“Most things are already fitted in a BTO. The scope of work is much less,” revealed Dr Tan, who also serves as chief executive of interior design and renovation company Sky Creation.

In fact, homeowners today are more careful when it comes to renovations.

“They go on websites, forums, social media to find out more about contractors,” shared Dr Tan.

Education efforts by Case may have also made consumers savvier, stated Seah.

However, there are still “some black sheep out there who cheat customers”, added Dean Lim, director of interior design firm Ciseern.

Case received 438 renovation complaints between January and April this year.

To avoid renovation disputes, industry players suggest requesting itemised billing, putting verbal agreements in writing, having realistic expectations as well as hiring contractors that are accredited under Case Trust.

“Customers should do their checks,” said Lim. “Contractors and interior designers should also undergo training on how to better run their businesses.”