HOME RENOVATION GUIDE - DADESIGN AUTHORITY

DA
DESIGN AUTHORITY
                   HOME RENOVATION GUIDE
                     ESSENTIAL TIPS ON PLANNING,
                       BUDGETING, DESIGNING &
                    FURNISHING YOUR DREAM HOME

HOME RENOVATION GUIDE
By Design Authority

Need Some Interesting & Practical Home Renovation Ideas for 2021? Then
You're in the Right Place!
  Step 1: Knowing Your Renovation Timeline & What to Do at Each Stage
  Step 2: Planning Your Home Renovation Budget
      2.1 The Average Cost of Home Renovation
      2.2 How to Save Money On Your Home Renovation
      2.3 Should You Take Up A Renovation Loan?
  Step 3: How to Choose The Right Interior Designer
      3.1 Is This Interior Designer Legit?
      3.2 Observe Your Communication with the Interior Designer
          Compatibility Between You & Your Interior Designer
          Responsiveness & Tone In Their Communication with You
          Transparency Between You & Your Interior Designer
      3.3 How Do Interior Designers Charge You & How They Make Their
      Profits
          1. (Consultation/Design Fee + Project Management Fee) + Others
          2. Lump Sum Renovation Package Fee
          So which of these 2 charging methods is better?
  Step 4: Home Renovation Ideas: Choosing Your Fabulous & Functional
  Interior Design Style
      4.1 Scandinavian Interior Design
      4.2 Modern Interior Design
      4.3 Contemporary Interior Design
      4.4 Industrial Interior Design
      4.5 Minimalist Interior Design
      4.6 Mid-Century Modern Interior Design
      4.7 Rustic Interior Design
      4.8 Maximalist Interior Design
      *Bonus Home Renovation Ideas
          Your Kitchen Design
              The Open Concept Kitchen
              The Kitchen Island

Your Bedroom Design
      Your Living Room Design
      Your Bathroom Design
Step 5: Painting / Colouring Your Home To Create A Cohesive Interior Style
   5.1 Choosing Your Wall Paints and Colours
   5.2 Choosing Your Wallpapers
Step 6: How to Choose the Right Tiles & Materials
   6.1 Tiles for Your Living Room Flooring
   6.2 Tiles for Your Kitchen Flooring
   6.3 Tiles for Your Bedroom Flooring
   6.4 Tiles for Your Bathroom Flooring & Walls
Step 7: How to Choose Your Home Furnishings
   7.1 Living Room Furnishings
   7.2 Dining Room Furnishings
   7.3 Kitchen Furnishings
   7.4 Bedroom Furnishings
   7.5 Bathroom Furnishings
Step 8: How to Choose the Right Lighting to Create the Right Ambience
   8.1 Lighting for Your Living Room
   8.2 Lighting for Your Dining Room
   8.3 Lighting for Your Bedroom
   8.4 Lighting for Your Kitchen
   8.5 Lighting for Your Bathroom
Step 9: How to Choose the Right Electronics & Appliances for Your Home
   9.1 Living Room Appliances & Electronic Gadgets
   9.2 Kitchen Appliances & Electronic Gadgets
   9.3 Bedroom Room Appliances & Electronic Gadgets
   9.4 Bathroom Appliances & Electronic Gadgets
Step 10: Post Renovation General Cleaning & Chemical Washing
   10.1 General Cleaning & Haulage After Your Renovation
   10.2 Chemical Washing
Takeaway: Follow Us for More Home Renovation Ideas

Updated on: 21 March 2021

Need Some Interesting & Practical Home
Renovation Ideas for 2021? Then You're
in the Right Place!
Your home renovation is one of the biggest investments in your life. That is
why early and proper planning is critical if you want to avoid painful and
expensive hiccups --- and ultimately get the dream home you envision.

In this guide, you'll find many practical tips that'll help you to plan your home
renovation and choose your design options properly to avoid unnecessary
frustrations and waste of time and money, so you can enjoy your renovation
journey and make your dream home come true.

Step 1: Knowing Your Renovation Timeline & What to
Do at Each Stage
Many homeowners start their renovation journey as early as 1 year before
collecting the keys to their new home.

You can start by discovering and collecting interior design inspirations
from Pinterest (the best image search engine) and create your mood
board to have a clearer picture of what you’d like your home to look like. Get
your family members to participate and chip in their discoveries on design
options to make this more fun.

Besides that, you can start reading more articles and magazines on home
design, as well as watch relevant interior design and home improvement
videos on YouTube by designers and home decor experts.

4 to 6 months before your key collection, you should start planning your
budget and shop around for interior designers. We’ll talk about your
budget and how to shortlist and finalize an interior designer who is a great fit
for you in a little while.

Once you’ve collected your keys and chosen your interior designer, you’ll
probably spend 1 to 2 weeks to finalize your home design, materials, furniture,
and white goods... before your renovation officially commences --- which will

usually take 8 to 10 weeks, depending on how extensive your renovation is.
To make sure everything goes smoothly as planned, be sure to be clear and
consistent with your instructions, so you can avoid unnecessary delays
or extra costs.

During the renovation period, you should check in as regularly as you can
to make sure that your interior designer is really supervising the project and
not cutting corners unless you or someone you trust have had a satisfactory
experience with the designer before.

And upon the completion of your renovation, be sure to take a few days to
walk around (or even live in) the house with your family members
BEFORE making the final payment.

This is for you to check the workmanship and commonly neglected “minor but
can be really frustrating” things like the opening and closing mechanisms for
your doors, cabinet doors, and curtains/blinds, lighting, water taps and traps,
toilet flushing, and power sockets.

Step 2: Planning Your Home Renovation Budget
2.1 The Average Cost of Home Renovation

Your renovation costs are dependent on how extensive you’re redesigning
your home and the style you choose. In general, minimalist designs such as
the Scandinavian style will cost less than maximalist designs.

If you're not doing any major renovation works that involve a ton of hacking
and demolition, it shouldn't cost too much.

But if your renovation requires new built-in carpentry, new flooring, and new
plumbing works, then it could cost you anywhere between $20,000 to
$100,000, depending on the size of your home, the materials/furniture you
choose.

This rough estimation is more for the mass market. More upscale renovation
for larger private residences by prestigious designers may require a significant
6 or 7 figure budget.

On average, fellow homeowners are usually prepared to invest around
$10,000 to $50,000 for their home renovation, with the main bulk of the budget

invested in custom carpentry works for storage compartments, cabinetry, and
built-ins.

Some would forgo the customization of built-in carpentry and save more
money with loose, ready-made furniture --- which makes it easier and cheaper
for remodelling in the future.

But most homeowners who plan to stay put for long would still prefer
customized built-in carpentry, so they can tailor their cabinetry and furniture to
their home style, as well as maximize their space and storage, especially in
the kitchen where functionality and space planning is critical.

Either way, you should prepare a buffer amount of 10% to 20% in case of
any last-minute additions and alterations due to oversight or unforeseen
circumstances. That is why doing thorough research before your renovation
is so important.

2.2 How to Save Money On Your Home Renovation

As we’ve mentioned earlier, doing extensive research for your home
renovation is crucial.

Visit relevant home improvement forums and Facebook groups to find out
more from those who have been through the renovation journey. Your friends,
colleagues, and relatives who have renovated their home before can also be
good starting points of research.

The rule of thumb is to collect at least 3 quotations before finalizing your
interior designer --- no matter how attractive the renovation packages are, or
how nicely they treat you during the consultation. Sometimes, things are not
what they seem to be.

For most people, the bulk of the renovation budget usually goes to the custom
carpentry for their built-in storage cabinets and furniture, due to the raw
materials and man-hour costs.

The kitchen aside, if it’s not really necessary, you can actually skip custom
carpentry and save a ton by going for ready-made furniture. And if you can get
your furniture at home fairs and megastores, you can enjoy even more
savings.

But a word of warning here: If you prefer to buy the furniture yourself
instead of letting your designer do it, DO NOT buy your furniture before

finalizing your home design. And be sure to check with your designer about
the kind of furniture (down to the size, style, and colours) you should get to
complement the interior design of your home. Because it is not as easy as it
seems.

For design style, the most budget-friendly style would be the evergreen
minimalist home, where no fancy materials, furniture, or decor is required.
Taking this conservative approach will make it easier for you to remodel or add
on new furniture and decor in the future when you have extra funds.

In terms of design features, besides not going overboard with custom
carpentry and stone features, you can also consider skipping some of the
“nice to have” features that are going to cost you more, such as:

   ● Coved ceilings (which actually makes your space look smaller)
   ● Concealed centralized air conditioners (which will also cost more to
     install, maintain and repair)
   ● Excessive power sockets (it’s better to plan where exactly you need
     power instead of overkill with extra sockets all over the house)
   ● Half walls (which require hacking down a full wall to rebuild the half wall,
     so there’ll be more man-hour costs involved)

In short, to save more on your home renovation, be absolutely clear about
what you need and what you want --- and do tell your interior designer
upfront about your budget constraint. Good designers will know how to work
around your budget and achieve the result you desire, or at least something
close to it.

2.3 Should You Take Up A Renovation Loan?

Sometimes, we may take longer to save up for our home renovation, due to
other commitments or unforeseen circumstances. And this is where you may
want to consider taking up a renovation loan.

The advantage of renovation loans is mainly the lower interest as compared to
personal loans because the banks know that you own a home.

Depending on your earning power, you can usually borrow 4 to 6 times your
monthly income. But be sure to consider your overall financial status and your
capability to service this extra loan, so you won’t over-leverage or stress
yourself unnecessarily. Find out your monthly repayment for your renovation
loan with a renovation calculator like this one from DBS Bank.

Step 3: How to Choose The Right Interior Designer
Now, this is one thing you need to be very particular about because your
interior designer is basically your partner in making your dream home come
true. Here are a few important things to consider before finalizing your interior
designer:

3.1 Is This Interior Designer Legit?

The #1 thing to check is of course the reliability of the designer. Ask for the
company’s accreditation and check their customer reviews to see if they
mention good experience with the designer that you’re considering hiring.
And don’t be tempted to sign up for packages just because they’re cheap or
because the designer treats you extra nice, because things may not be what
they seem to be.

Ask for the designer’s portfolio to gauge his/her capability and creativity. From
the portfolio alone, you can know the designer’s signature style, and whether
he/she is up-to-date with the latest trends or just sticking to safe
“vanilla” designs. You can even ask them to talk about (or even show some
photos they’ve taken for) their ongoing projects or recently completed projects.

3.2 Observe Your Communication with the Interior Designer

Compatibility Between You & Your Interior Designer

When communicating with your designer, the #1 thing to observe is how much
you enjoy talking to them. After all, you’re going to be stuck with them for the
next 6 to 8 weeks… so having someone who can be on the same
frequency as you matters a lot.

You should also choose a designer who is compatible with you.

If you’re clueless or overwhelmed about what you want, and you need a
professional to craft your dream home based on some general ideas and
broad parameters, be sure to work with a designer who doesn't mind
educating you and has the capability to simplify design concepts and ideas for
you.

On the other hand, if you are someone who is highly opinionated and needs
someone to work on your specific design ideas, then you should find a
designer who is accommodating yet able to think out of the box to fulfil all your
requirements within your tight parameters.

Responsiveness & Tone In Their Communication with You

Besides the chemistry and compatibility, take note of how prompt your
designer replies to you via email and texts, and observe their tone when you
disagree or ask difficult questions. This doesn’t mean they must always
agree with you (avoid designers who say yes to everything!) or give you
a solution right away for whatever you ask for, but they should show
understanding and patience while acknowledging your concerns and
promising to address them as soon as possible. On your end, be sure to also
be polite and patient always, if that’s what you expect from your designer.

Transparency Between You & Your Interior Designer

Next is transparency in your communication, which is a 2-way street. On your
end, you should be clear, specific, and transparent about your budget,
needs, and wants... so your designer can work within the specified parameters
without any misunderstandings that may cause delays and extra costs. On the
designer’s end, they should be transparent about how they charge, the
renovation timeline, and all the best possible options available to you.

3.3 How Do Interior Designers Charge You & How They Make Their
Profits

As a client, you should always be upfront with your concerns about budget,
warranties, and every little detail in the renovation package that your interior
designer is proposing.

Besides all these basics, it’s also important to know exactly how interior
designers charge, instead of making assumptions.

Broadly speaking, there are 2 main ways interior designers charge.

1. (Consultation/Design Fee + Project Management Fee) + Others

The first way is to charge you an in-house fee that comprises
consultation/design fee and project management fee. This bulk of fees can
range between 20% to 35%, depending on how complex your project is and
how tight your timeline is.

The consultation/design fee covers their expert advice on design ideas, space
planning, drawings, 3D renderings, and the selection of materials, furniture
and appliances.

The project management fee covers their coordination with their contractors,
supervision of the entire renovation process, the communication with you on
the progress and any possible additions and alterations, and of course, the
handover and after-sales service.

Besides these 2 in-house fees, your designer will also bill you on the material
and labour costs for your renovation work like carpentry, tiling, painting,
plumbing, electrical, post-renovation cleaning, haulage, etc. (plus whatever
you assign them to purchase on behalf of you, such as furniture, fittings, and
decor), and any variable changes that you may require during the renovation
period.

2. Lump Sum Renovation Package Fee

The second way is charging you a bundle or package rate, which includes
everything --- from consultation/design, project management, materials,
renovation works, furniture, decor, etc…

For this charging method, the designers usually earn from all the price
difference plus a little mark-up on all the carpentry works, materials, fittings,
furnishings, and lighting they purchase on your behalf because interior
designers usually enjoy a better rate than fellow homeowners due to their
long-term relationship and frequent patronage with the vendors.

Although it's a package price, any last-minute additions and alterations will
still be chargeable under variable costs.

So which of these 2 charging methods is better?

There are no right and wrong answers here. What's important here is the
transparency of the interior designer. You can ask them directly about how
they charge --- and see if you feel that the cost breakdown is justifiable.

Either way, it’s always good for you to visit some vendors yourself to
check the pricing of the materials, furnishings, and lighting BEFORE
meeting interior designers, so you’ll have some knowledge on the market
rates first.

At the quotation stage, be sure to have everything in black and white that
includes the entire list of works and costs involved, such as the carpentry
works, paint jobs, plumbing, electrical works, materials, fittings, furniture,
decor, and any other costs involved in your renovation project. If they

promised a discount during your consultation, make sure that is included in
the quotation too.

Take note of the payment schedule and terms, and negotiate if necessary. The
rule of thumb is not to pay off the entire amount too early, which may lead to
delays or non-completion. Generally, your interior designer may ask for 10% -
15% of the deposit to confirm your deal, and 40% - 50% before starting the
renovation works, and the rest upon the handover. And be sure to make
payment ONLY to the interior design firm, instead of the interior
designer, no matter how nice they treat you or how much you trust them.

Sidenote: A common misconception in the market is that interior designers
tend to overcharge. The truth is, there are indeed some black sheep who
over-promise, overcharge, and under-deliver. That is why you should do
thorough research and talk to as many interior designers as you can.

And yes, interior designers do charge extra service fees because they handle
everything from conceptualization, space planning, design, material selection,
to negotiation and coordination with various contractors and vendors --- which
can save you a ton of time, energy, and frustrations.

So unless you have the time, patience, and savviness to deal with all these,
engaging an interior designer and paying some service fees is definitely worth
it.

Step 4: Home Renovation Ideas: Choosing Your
Fabulous & Functional Interior Design Style
4.1 Scandinavian Interior Design

Minimalism, simplicity, and functionality are the main features of the Nordic
theme characterized by white walls (or neutral colour scheme), wide-planked
wood flooring, and large windows. The ethereal and spacious air of Scandi
interiors is encouraged by less or the absence of curtains and other window
treatments and open planning.

White and light brown hues can be paired with hints of metallic elements such
as enamelled aluminium, steel, and copper. To add contrast and visual interest
you’ll usually have pops of bold colours from artworks, a layer of texture from
natural faux furs, or hemp on throw pillows.

Furniture showcases craftsmanship more like artworks and sculptural pieces.
Made from light-hued wood materials and having tapered legs are typical
characteristics of Scandi furniture.

Scandinavian Living Room Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Scandinavian Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Scandinavian Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Scandinavian Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.2 Modern Interior Design

Modern is a general term based on a design movement with its main themes
are simplicity and minimalism. It features purely functional design elements,
spare architecture, clean, crisp lines and geometry, and typically integrating
neutral and simple colours. The modern interior utilizes industrial materials
such as metal, glass, concrete, and steel. The non-clutter look includes
minimal use of embellishments and includes modern elements on both
furniture and décor.

Modern Living Room Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Modern Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.behance.net

Modern Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Modern Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.3 Contemporary Interior Design

Modern and contemporary are usually interchangeable because of their
similarities, such as simplicity and minimalism. Contemporary interior refers to
the current style of the period, while the modern interior, describes a design
movement that started in the 20th century.

Contemporary Living Room Interior Design

Source: http://www.home-designing.com

Contemporary Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Contemporary Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Contemporary Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.4 Industrial Interior Design

Industrial interiors showcase the raw unfinished quality of materials such as
bricks, timber, metal, and glass which are typical of traditional warehouse or
urban loft interiors. Exposed utilities such as ductwork, pipes, and metal
fixtures are also typical in industrial interiors. A few pieces of abstract or
sculptural pieces are included in an industrial interior.

Industrial Style Living Room Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Industrial Style Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.behance.net

Industrial Style Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Industrial Style Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.5 Minimalist Interior Design

The minimalist interior is based on modern concepts where elements are
simple and highly functional with no excessive embellishments. The
streamlined theme showcases sleek geometry and uses neutral colours.

Minimalist Living Room Interior Design

Source: https://www.ronenbekerman.com

Minimalist Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Minimalist Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Minimalist Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.6 Mid-Century Modern Interior Design

Dubbed as the “Pumpkin Spice Latte” of design, Mid-Century Modern is
characterized as having an air of optimism and cheerfulness with its
interesting combination of colours. Wasabi, pewter, bluegrass, red tarragon,
and tangerine are staple colours in the retro-inspired interior and uses organic
shapes such as egg-shaped chairs.

Mid Century Modern Living Room Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Mid Century Modern Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.springhousearchitects.com

Mid Century Modern Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Mid Century Modern Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Mid-century design is having no excessive embellishments. You have a better
chance of finding the 50’s and 60’s inspired furniture in flea markets rather
than in mass-produced furniture shops.

Your main method of shopping for home goods should be a combination of
flea markets, vintage shops, and seeking out many of the unique modern
furniture designers who mimic mid-century lines.

4.7 Rustic Interior Design

The rustic theme is a traditional theme that can broadly refer to different styles
characterized by having rough, aged, casual, and use of natural materials.
Tuscan, country-style, coastal, and cottage are a few samples of the
traditional Rustic style. You’ll likely find earthy elements for the rustic
furnishings and a lack of synthetic materials.

Rustic Living Room Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Rustic Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.planete-deco.fr

Rustic Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Rustic Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

4.8 Maximalist Interior Design

The opposite of the more popular minimalism, a maximalist interior follows the
principle that more is more. Fill your home with elements such as art, décor, or
furniture with bright colours to showcase your taste and personality. This
means the aim is to have meaningful items and colourful accessories curated
over time to be admired and displayed in your home.

Maximalist Living Room Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Maximalist Kitchen Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Maximalist Bedroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

Maximalist Bathroom Interior Design

Source: https://www.pinterest.com

*Bonus Home Renovation Ideas

In this special subsection, we’ll be talking about the common design features
that most homeowners tend to focus more on in their homes.

First off, it’s the heart of the home, your kitchen.

Your Kitchen Design

The kitchen is usually the top priority for homeowners who are renovating
because it’s a space that everyone uses, more importantly, the place where
family and friends can spend some quality time together.

Your kitchen also sets the tone for the entire house, and directly affects the
rental and resale value of your home, if you don’t plan to stay for long.

Source: Canadian Bay by Kirstyn Lloyd of Maker + May via The Design Files

The Open Concept Kitchen

Source: NNH Residence by Mim Design via The Design Files

Nowadays, more homeowners are opting for the open kitchen to accentuate
the size of their home and create a well-ventilated cooking space, especially
for small apartments. Worried about the fumes and heat permeating your
living room? This can be solved easily with a good cooking hood and
well-designed glass panels.

Source: Shou Sugi Bun Kitchen via @thelocalproject - Prahran House by @technearchitects

The Kitchen Island

Source: Open Concept Kitchen with Cooker Hood via @escapefromsofa

One popular kitchen feature that many homeowners wish for is the island
counter. But what if you have a small kitchen?

The easiest way is to opt for a lightweight and portable trolley that you can
wheel around to facilitate ease of use of your entire kitchen space.

Another practical way is to install a peninsula, instead of a full island smack in
the middle of your kitchen.

L-shaped kitchen transformed into a U-shaped kitchen by adding a kitchen peninsula

Source: Dura Supreme kitchen design by Boyer Building Corporation, Minnesota

Photography by Mark Ehlen of Ehlen Creative Communications

Still wanna have an island with a bar counter in the centre of your kitchen?
Then consider a slim hollow-out island where you can tuck in your dining
chairs or bar stools.

And if you have a small and slim kitchen that can’t really fit an island, you can
opt for the more practical galley kitchen.

Source: Jen’s Crown Heights Scandinavian Galley Kitchen via Sweeten.com

The great thing about a galley kitchen is that the areas for storing, preparing,
cooking, and washing are adjacent to each other, meaning more efficient
utilization of space.

Your Bedroom Design

Your bedroom is usually where we spend most of our time when we’re at
home, whether it’s to have a good night’s rest, to work or study, or just to have
some quality private time.

Source: Nature-Inspired Bedroom via @moto.design

Having said that, most homeowners actually place a lot of emphasis on the
wardrobe, especially the ladies… and the walk-in wardrobe is one of the
coveted design features for the bedroom.

Source: Walk-In Wardrobe - Photo by Iryna German via Behance.net

The easiest way to incorporate a walk-in wardrobe is to partition off part of the
bedroom to create an open concept wardrobe.

For a small bedroom, you can always adopt the pull-out closet concept to
mimic a walk-in wardrobe while not taking up too much space.

Source: Pull-Out Closet - PLURIMO - AIACE Plurimo Collection By JESSE design Favaretto &
Partners

Source: Pull-Out Closet by @laurahammett.interiors

And if your wardrobe still can’t provide you with enough space, that’s where a
platform storage bed or multi-functional bunk bed comes in handy.

Source: Platform Bed with Storage Features via ohyesblog.wordpress.com

Source: Multi-Functional Bunk Bed - Photography by Tessa Neustadt Design by Amber Interiors

For colours, we recommend the evergreen dark wood or light wood tones to
create a calming ambience. If you think that’s too boring, you can always add

a pop of colour and style with some curves, mirrors (to create the illusion of
space), metallic elements, and even some artwork to spice things up.

As for your study table or workstation, you can always go with a combo ---
either combining it with your bed or your storage cabinet, so you’ll still have
ample room to move around comfortably.

Source: Full Wall Bed with Desk & Storage Unit by Bestar

Lighting-wise, nothing fancy is needed. Just install a smart LED light and a
good table light for work. You might have seen some bedrooms with gorgeous
chandeliers --- in our humble opinion, that’s a little overkill, it’s better to save
this embellishment for the living room or the kitchen.

For more privacy and peace, getting a blackout curtain is always a good move
to block exposure to sunlight. And if your home is near a busy street, you may
also want to consider installing double-glazed glass for your windows too.

Your Living Room Design

Being the first area we (and our guests) see when entering the house and the
space that sets the tone for our home and says a lot about our taste and
personality... it’s definitely worth putting more thought into designing an inviting
and comfortable space.

Source: Living Room Design via @escapefromsofa

The easiest way to make your living room more interesting is to play with
lines. Work with your designer to produce a masterful meld of curves and
straight lines with your furniture, rugs (choose wisely based on your floor
space), tiles, curtains, and even mirrors (which also creates the illusion of
depth).

To create an elegance vibe, a good artwork or sculpture plus some metallic
elements should do the trick.

Source: Maximalist Living Room via @udesignmarbella

For the main colour theme, light wood tones or dark wood are the safe
choices. But if you want something bolder, you can consider the Shou Sugi
Bun, the Japanese charred wood that offers depth, drama, and a strong visual
and textural interest in any space.

Source: Shou Sugi Bun Feature Accent Wall via Eutree

Your Bathroom Design

One of the common problems in bathroom design is usually the space issue in
a small apartment, so we’re going to focus on small bathrooms here.

An easy way to make your bathroom look bigger is obviously the use of large
mirrors to create the illusion of depth.

Another less common way to make your bathrooms more spacious is to use
large tropical wall prints, which also creates the wow factor for the usually
austere space, as well as brings you closer to Mother Nature while you’re
relieving yourself, having a bath, or prepping yourself to look your best.

Source: Bathroom with Tropical Wall Prints via @carasavenwalldesign

If bold wall art is too over the top for you, then consider “expanding” this
limited space with white marble (or the look-alikes which are more
budget-friendly) or some fancy tiles.

Source: Bathroom Design by 3DM (CGI) - Photo by Matas Nagele via Behance.net

Step 5: Painting / Colouring Your Home To Create A
Cohesive Interior Style
Just like your attire, the wall paint you choose for your walls can make or
break the look. A good designer would know how to use the right mix of hues
and textures for your walls to create a cohesive design for your home.

Source: @benjaminmoore

5.1 Choosing Your Wall Paints and Colours

Whether choosing the wall paint or colour for a single room or your entire
home interior, the determining factors should include the style or theme you
are aiming for, your location, and ultimately your personality.

To tie up together your design elements choose a base palette or colour
scheme. As a rule of thumb use the three-colour rule, where 60% is your
primary colour, 30% is your secondary colour and the remaining 10% will be
your accent colour. For a kitchen, for instance, use white as your primary
colour, then charcoal grey as your second colour, lastly use black as your
accent colour.

If you’re into the popular Scandinavian interior design, light neutral colours
and whites are the common choices. You can play with different hues and
textures to make your minimalist space more interesting if you like.

For the contemporary style, it’s all about the right blend of smart spatial design
and tasteful colour contrasts to make your living space come alive.

Source: Contemporary Living Room - Ansel Woven Rug by McGee & Co.

The greyish hue is naturally the top choice when it comes to industrial interior
design, where you incorporate elements such as brick, wood, concrete, and
metal to bring out the rugged look.

Source: Designer: STUDIO.O. organic design | Visualizer: Michal Nowak Studio

If you’re into the vintage interior style, neutral colours will help you set the right
tone. Then just add a balanced mix of vintage/modern furniture, artworks, or
photos to create the old world charm.

Besides playing with shades and hues, nowadays you also have many other
sophisticated paint choices with faux textures and patterns with special
effects, such as the pearl, metallic, marble, artistic look.

And if you’re the health-conscious type, you’d be glad to know most
established paint brands now offer odourless paints made of low volatile
organic compounds (VOC) such as mercury, lead, and chrome.

Besides having low VOC, these paints will also prevent mould and bacteria,
so you can enjoy long-lasting beauty and health for your home.

There are even special paint coatings that are formulated with insecticide to
ward off mosquitoes, so your family will be safe from the dengue and Zika
virus.

5.2 Choosing Your Wallpapers

Selecting your wallpaper colour and pattern will depend ultimately on the
interior theme you are going for. Though other aspects should also be factored
in such as the amount of wallpaper you plan to use on your interior as well as
the room function and size.

Source: https://www.wayfair.co.uk

Generally, there are two types of interior themes: modern or traditional. When
going for a modern look, typically there are a few if not having no pattern at all
with a geometric or simple shape. On the other hand, traditional interior design
styles require more flamboyant patterns such as botanical or animal prints.

Source: https://laurelberninteriors.com

For a natural and cohesive look, take a cue from your existing design
elements such as your upholstery, mouldings, or window treatments. If you
have existing design elements in the pattern, it is best to choose a plain
wallpaper and vice versa as not to saturate the look with too many patterns.

Step 6: How to Choose the Right Tiles & Materials
6.1 Tiles for Your Living Room Flooring

Based on your floor space, choose your tiles based on the interior style you
would like to project. For example, the earthy terracotta tiles look great on a
rustic or country styled home, while the seamless look of a ceramic tile looks
good with a modern styled interior. Most living room flooring finishes aim for a
formal and elegant look so, it's better to choose neutral and simple colours
where the darkness or lightness depends on the existing wall colour, but floors
are typically darker than the ceiling and wall areas.

Source: https://www.hanseceramictile.com

6.2 Tiles for Your Kitchen Flooring

The kitchen has the heaviest foot traffic at home this means choose tiles that
are sturdy and durable. Stone tiles and engineered wood are great choices for
your kitchen flooring. Stone tiles such as granite, slate, marble, and travertine
are pricier but have longer service lives compared to porcelain and ceramic.

Source: https://www.originalstyle.com

*Bonus Tip on Materials for Your Kitchen Countertop

For kitchen countertops, most homeowners would go for the stone countertop
(either natural stone or engineered stone) because of the durability and the
more luxurious look, as compared to concrete and wooden countertops.

Speaking of stone countertops, there are 4 main materials for you to choose
from, depending on how you use your kitchen.

Source: Kitchen Countertop via @alika.design

The most common one is the glamorous natural marble stone. If uniqueness
is important to you, marble is your top candidate, because every single slab
marble stone has its unique veins.

Source: Marble Kitchen Island Countertop via DecorKate.com

However, take note that marble is more susceptible to wear and tear, so it
requires regular sealing and maintenance (at least once a year).

Another material similar to marble is granite stone, which is also a natural
stone, but relatively stronger than marble. Other advantages of granite include
its higher resistance to heat and scratches, unlike the delicate marble stone.

Source: SenSa Orinoco Granite Kitchen Countertop via lowes.com

And just like marble, the granite stone requires regular maintenance because
it is also somewhat porous, so dirt and bacteria can be trapped within the
stone.

Besides these 2 natural stones, more and more homeowners are going for the
more affordable quartz stone, which is an engineered stone that has very low
or negligible porosity, making it resistant to acidic foods and wines, thus
perfect for everyday food preparation --- so you don’t have to worry about
surface discolouration like marble and granite.

Source: Marble Look-Alike Quartz Kitchen Countertop via Gambrik.com

The quartz stone, being an engineered material, is also highly resistant to heat
and scratches, making it a wonderful choice for those who cook and bake
regularly.

The variety of designs for these engineered quartz stones are virtually
endless, and they can even mimic the look of marble stones, so you can enjoy
the best of both worlds --- aesthetics and affordability.

Other than quartz, there’s the solid surface stone which is highly customizable.
If you’re someone who wants something 100% unique and creative, then the
solid surface is the material for you, because it can be moulded into virtually
any shape and thickness.

Source: Corian Solid Surface x Quartz Kitchen Countertop via Bobby Berk

As wonderful as it sounds, take note that the solid surface is highly
susceptible to heat and scratches, so it is only suitable for those who seldom
cook and bake.

For your kitchen backsplash, you can choose to use the same material as
your countertop, or go for alternatives such as some fancy glass or tiles. If you
cook often, be sure to pick a material surface that’s easy to clean.

6.3 Tiles for Your Bedroom Flooring

Regardless of what design style you are aiming for, bedroom tiles are typically
warm in colour, and most favour wood over stone material because of cosy
quality. For the size, large format tiles are better in creating an airy and
relaxing atmosphere.

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com

6.4 Tiles for Your Bathroom Flooring & Walls

With so many tile colour, patterns and sizes out in the market the design
possibilities are endless when it comes to your personal oasis. To narrow
down your search choose flooring and wall tiles that are easy to clean and
maintain. For the size, the large tile format with a monochromatic hue means
a sleek look which is great when aiming for a minimalistic theme. While
mosaic or smaller tile formats are great as accents or feature walls creating a
more traditional atmosphere in your bathroom area.

Source: https://drummonds-uk.com

Choosing the best tile design for your bathroom flooring and walls will mainly
depend on your desired interior style but other factors such as maintenance,
cost and bathroom size should also be considered.

Step 7: How to Choose Your Home Furnishings
7.1 Living Room Furnishings

Before selecting the size, shape, and design of your living room, identify the
main activities for your living room. If you have kids or pets, be sure to choose
a good fabric that’s resistant to water, stains, and scratches.

Source: @cocorepublic

For a place of relaxation, entertainment, and gathering, select a sofa set that’s
comfortable to sit on for long periods of lounging and conversation. Find
ergonomic sofas that should help reduce strain on your muscles and have full
back and leg support.

Your sofa, the centrepiece of your living room, is usually the item you use the
most (and what your guests lay their eyes on first), so it’s important to choose
something that fits your interior design and your personal sense of style.

General points to remember is to create a focal point, allow circulation
between your furniture, and create an inviting and cheerful atmosphere.

Your curtains or blinds also play a significant role in the interior style and
ambience of your space. A good interior designer should be able to
recommend the right type of curtains/blinds, colours, and textures that allow
sufficient natural light into your home, while complementing or even
accentuating the rest of the design elements in each of your rooms.

Check out this guide where we talk about the features and benefits of the
different types of curtains and blinds.

Source: @cocorepublic

7.2 Dining Room Furnishings

The size and design of your furniture will depend on the available space you
have, but typically, dining room furniture should have a dining table, dining
chairs, buffet, and a hutch, which is a tall open shelving cabinet for storing or
displaying china.

Round or square tables are great for smaller areas, while long rectangular
dining tables are great for larger dining spaces. You can also choose to have a
foldable or extendable wooden dining table so you can easily increase or
decrease the size of your dining table when needed. It is recommended to

have 2 feet lengthwise if needed per guest to have a comfortable dining
experience.

Your dining table is also your statement piece to accentuate your interior style.
Quartz is always a safe choice, because of its durability (negligible porosity
and high resistance to scratches and heat).

Source: Modern Stylish Rectangle White Faux Marble Top Dining Table with Black Metal Base
via homary.com

As for your dining chairs, besides choosing something that matches your
dining table and interior style, be sure to get something comfortable. Because
our dining space is usually multi-functional (for dining, family meeting,
studying/working, chatting).

Source: Velvet Dining Chairs via rderoom.es

7.3 Kitchen Furnishings

A rule of thumb when it comes to kitchen furniture is to choose long and
functional storage areas. These can be positioned vertically in smaller places,
or horizontally for spacious kitchens. The ideal case is obviously, to have a
spacious kitchen that gives room to your decorating experience, and more
pieces of homey, cute furniture.

As a universal rule, a kitchen with limited space is great with long and
functional kitchen cabinetry that has several tiers or levels for tighter spaces.
Meanwhile, spacious kitchens can be integrated with horizontal storage
spaces and wide counter spaces to be able to fill in the void.

And if you have an island, the easiest way to elevate the look of your kitchen
would be some dynamic form counter stools

Source: https://www.mcgeeandco.com

7.4 Bedroom Furnishings

Beds should be the obvious focal point in your bedroom space without
obstructing the flow of circulation. To start, measure your bedroom space, next
is to determine which furniture do you want to include in your bedroom beside
your bed and side tables. You can choose to have wardrobes or cabinets for
added storage or you can choose to have built-in shelving instead to create a
seamless and uncluttered look.

Source: Vega System Divan Bed with Natural Latex Mattress by Dormiente

For the headboard, many of the options in the market (which usually comes
with the mattress) contain high levels of VOC, so it would be wise to let it
“off-gas” or “air out” by opening your windows to keep your bedroom
well-ventilated during the day for at least a few days. You can also add an air
purifier and some house plants to help absorb chemicals lingering in the air.

Source: Bedroom Design via @udesignmarbella

You may also need a study table if you plan to do some paperwork in your
bedroom. An ottoman or lounge sofa has storage capabilities are functional
bed footers.

7.5 Bathroom Furnishings

As bathrooms commonly come will small or tight spaces, utilizing every part of
this personal space is paramount. Wall hung cabinets, vanity units,
free-standing cupboards.

Source: https://www.etsy.com

Adorning your bathroom walls with creative or modern art is a great way to
add elegance and luxury to your bathroom. And don't forget to add some
house plants to add a refreshing vibe.

Source: https://msviciousdesign.com

Step 8: How to Choose the Right Lighting to Create the
Right Ambience
8.1 Lighting for Your Living Room

Strategic lighting can enhance the look and feel of your living room space. Aim
for a stylish and functional illumination where it covers the three basic types of
lighting: ambient, accent, and task lighting.

Source: https://onesanhome.com

Select fixtures that can be used together while creating varying levels of
lighting in a room. Sculptural lights such as sputnik chandeliers or cascading
lights are great in creating a focal point on your vertical space and pulling
together your living room furniture. Make sure to provide 30 to 36 inches of
space between your coffee table and your chandelier or centre lighting.

Source: https://www.aliexpress.com

If you have a long spacious living room with a gallery or shelf of collectables,
track lighting is a flexible way to highlight your display since you can adjust the
direction and placement of your lights.

For optimum comfort and functionality, you can install smart lighting features
(with various light colours to choose from) that can be remotely controlled
through your smartphones. There are home automation systems that have
applications for monitoring and controlling your lighting systems. So, next time
you can turn on the lights and music to set a relaxing mood in your living room
as soon as you arrive.

8.2 Lighting for Your Dining Room

Similar to your living room, layering lights with an ambient, accent and task
lighting can affect the mood and functionality of your space.

Source: https://www.interior-deluxe.com

As a rule of thumb, your focal lighting should be 12 inches smaller than the
table in all directions. So, for a 4-foot wide table, look for a light that's no more
than 2 feet wide while having at least 30 inches of vertical space between the
tip of your luminaire and the surface of your table. Though, for experienced
decorators, you can aim for sculptural luminaires that are almost as large as
your table as long as you can balance out the style and weight of your
elements.

8.3 Lighting for Your Bedroom

Bedroom illumination should include adjustable layered warm lightings that
can be set with the different uses in your bedroom. As a restful vibe and warm
ambience are needed when lounging or drowsing off in your bedroom space,
a well-lit area should also be possible when you need to access your
wardrobe or when reading a book.

Source: https://www2.meethue.com/

Smart lighting such as remote-controlled or automatic adjusters is a practical
choice when you want to set different moods in your bedroom with different
light colours.

8.4 Lighting for Your Kitchen

To showcase your kitchen in its best light and your personality, invest in
efficient and stylish ambient lighting. You can choose to install recessed
lighting as they are popular choices today as they can be placed in areas
where other lighting fixtures are not able to reach.

Source: https://stylecurator.com.au

For even and balanced lighting throughout your kitchen area, flush mount
lighting is another great option. Track or monorail systems work best if you
have trouble moving power around the ceiling which is a suitable option for
modern kitchens.

8.5 Lighting for Your Bathroom

Lighting is an effective way to transform your bathroom into a relaxing and
functional refuge.

Source: https://clemaroundthecorner.com

Creating a shadowless illumination in your mirror area is probably the most
important lighting concern when it comes to your bathroom as shaving,
makeup and tooth care needs proper lighting. A great way to eliminate glare
or shadow casts is to install sconce lighting on each side of your mirror at eye
level.

Step 9: How to Choose the Right Electronics &
Appliances for Your Home
9.1 Living Room Appliances & Electronic Gadgets

The choice of appliances & electronics has been narrowed down since many
devices that should have been physical hardware have been reduced to
software. And thanks to the improvement in internet infrastructure, more data
can be delivered, paving the way for streaming video content. This means
sources of entertainment aren't the sole domain of television and radio, both of
which can be found as software in many forms nowadays.

Source: https://www.engadget.com

If we're talking about a typical living room setup, the most hardware you'd find
is a television and maybe a gaming console or two. There aren't really that
many choices when it comes to gaming consoles. For a movie buff, you'll find
an elaborate set up really meant to deliver every decibel and pixel. If you are

going to choose what kinds of hardware to pick, you have to decide what kind
of entertainment set up you want. If you are looking to invest in VR technology,
you might want to reconsider how to set up your furniture as early as now to
avoid bumping into things.

9.2 Kitchen Appliances & Electronic Gadgets

When it comes to kitchen appliances, the best you can get is a clean, almost
laboratory looking, where your appliances are considered "smart" or
wifi-enabled. Where the undersides of your hanging cabinets are lined with
LED strips, giving it a subtle highlight. Where your kitchen appliances can
deliver messages to your phone to inform you if your oven is done toasting or
your fridge is out of ice. Some microwaves even allow you to download
recipes should you need ideas. But do you really need all your appliances to
be connected to the internet? It depends on your needs.

Source: https://www.slashgear.com

If you are the type who tends to forget then you might need one of these
gizmos that will remind you when your toast is done. A refrigerator that keeps
track of an inventory of items used may be handy too as it can easily upload a
shopping list to your phone. How about that?

9.3 Bedroom Room Appliances & Electronic Gadgets

The final frontier after a hard day's work. The room is the one place that
serves the purpose of a resting place, so the staple air conditioner will suffice.
But for some, especially for some who produce content for YouTube has
become a career, the bedroom serves also as a recording studio. It's a perfect
spot as you are unlikely to be bothered and where you can be comfortable to
do recording sessions. But when it comes to what appliances you should have
here, it depends on your needs. There is really no fixed answer that will satisfy
everyone.

Source: https://www.diybunker.com

For some, the bedroom can serve as a place to rest, sleep, and for
entertainment. Typically, for people who play video games a lot, this is where
gaming consoles and computers would be found.

9.4 Bathroom Appliances & Electronic Gadgets

Electronic gadgets in bathrooms are a bit of a tricky situation since electronics
and water shouldn't be in the same place. But providing your bathroom with
the right lighting can make it look clean, modern, and inviting.

Source: https://www.nichemodern.com

Picking the right combination of lights can make the difference between a dark
dreary bathroom from the middle ages and a modern one with a variety of
moods. There are many kinds of LED lights out there you can install. For
example, a pair of lights on the sides of a mirror can give you a better picture
of yourself. If you're really fancy you can try modern toilets that automatically
flush, among other features.

By the way, the LED lighting can also apply to all the other rooms, especially
the bedroom.

Step 10: Post Renovation General Cleaning & Chemical
Washing
10.1 General Cleaning & Haulage After Your Renovation

Renovation works will always leave your house dusty, and even toxic. Usually,
this will be handled by your interior designer, but if you prefer to handle it
yourself, be sure to ask your friends or get recommendations in local home
improvement forums or Facebook groups for a reliable vendor who'll do a
proper heavy-duty cleaning to clear all the dust and debris, as well as other
marks on all surfaces.

10.2 Chemical Washing

Your cleaning contractor should also clean out the chemical residues from the
renovation works, particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Takeaway: Follow Us for More Home Renovation Ideas
We hope that this guide has given you some useful home renovation ideas on
how to plan, budget, design, and furnish your home --- especially if you're
doing it for the first time. Do bookmark this page and share it with your friends,
because we'll be updating this guide from time to time. And if you want more
interior design inspirations or advice from some cool designers, click on the
button below and we'll hook you up :)

Contact us: hello@design-authority.com
Visit our website: https://design-authority.com
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godesignauthority
Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godesignauthority