Renovation planning for BTO or resale HDB is often the very first step for many couples looking to start a family, with the decisions made having the potential to shape the next 5 to 10 years of family life.
Dwelling in an aesthetically-pleasing and conducive home environment is a necessity that cannot be taken for granted, made ever more so relevant with the recent trend of hybrid working arrangements that see homeowners spending more time at home. Thus it is of paramount importance that couples make the right choices in their renovation decisions, from materials used to the costs involved.
Generally smaller than resale flats, BTO’s designs tend to feature careful space planning and use of multi functional fixtures such as storage platform beds, which can be used both as a bed and as storage, study tables that double as dressers, and collapsible bi-folding glass doors that help create space for study rooms.
While on the other hand, those looking to renovate resale flats generally spend more money and effort in designing the kitchen & bathrooms as they are not new like BTOs. Old wall and floor tiles are usually replaced with new ones, hence ensuring the importance of creativity in the resale flat designs.
As HDBs and BTOs continue being a crucial part of the Singaporean identity, here are 8 interior design and renovation trends of 2023 that are worth considering if you are planning to “upgrade” the look of your home.’
Renovation Trend 1: Work from Home
With the post pandemic new normal setting in, homeowners have found themselves spending more time at home due to the rise of flexible work arrangements.
As such, many homeowners have begun seeking a way to bridge the gap between personal and professional spaces. However striking such a fine balance is often fraught with challenges, especially considering how distracting a home can be.
Hence, design choices trend towards encouraging comfort, ergonomics, and creativity with homeowners putting an emphasis on how their home can make them feel happier, healthier, and more productive in their space, aiming to achieve a more holistic living environment for themselves.
Renovation Trend 2: Sustainable Design
The last few years has seen sustainable eco-friendly design become a key consideration for many of the younger generation as they begin undertaking their home renovations.
Designs emphasise on livability, reducing environmental impact, energy efficiency, and the use of recycled or reusable materials as much as possible. Plants and green spaces have also increasingly become more integrated with sustainable designs, helping to build a lush environment for living.
Additionally, homeowners have also begun sourcing for sturdier materials with longer lifespans in response to instances of high inflation. Looking to build sturdier, longer living designs that stand the test of time.
Renovation Trend 3: Wellness
Designs that promote wellness and warmth have also found themselves on the forefront, with many homeowners considering mental health and wellbeing as an important factor when designing a home.
Hugely popular and considered a prerequisite by many, materials such as wood, plant, wool, clay, ceramics, and velvets are most commonly used to give homeowners a homely ambience.
Warm colour palettes such as reds, oranges, and yellows possess all the desired qualities of a warming feeling, helping us draw parallels to a warming fire. These colours also go a long way in making a home feel cosy and livable.
Renovation Trend 4: Multi-Generation Homes
Singapore’s unique social compact has led to a vast majority of homes being multi-generational in nature,leading to its own unique set of challenges and solutions.
Homeowners planning for a family have trended towards focusing on child friendly designs that help prevent injuries and damages. Popular requests are curve angles, no handles for cabinet doors, and soft-closing doors & drawers.
Multi generation HDBs or 3Gen BTO homes have to put emphasis on accessibility and safety. Hence designs have trended towards providing simplicity have become minimal in nature in order to cater to the needs of the different age groups.
Renovation Trend 5: Invisible Grilles
Safety grilles are also another important addition, due also in part to the majority of Singaporean households being situated in high rise buildings.
In this case, invisible grilles have steadily increased in popularity as compared to the traditional bunky looking aluminium grilles that many homes are equipped with.
Renovation Trend 6: Vinyl Flooring
Designs avoid marble or polished glossy tiles as these are slippery to avoid mishap with old folks or children. Use vinyl tiles, parquet floor instead.
Renovation Trend 7: Slip-Resistant Bathroom
Bathrooms should be elderly-friendly with ample space for a wheelchair-bound individual. This includes slip-resistant flooring, multiple grab bars with grooves for enhanced grip, adjustable shower heads with a flexible hose, and a built-in seat.
Renovation Trend 8: Dry & Wet Kitchens
Kitchen should have ample space to cater for big family meals or more than 1 cook. Designs have trended towards a dry and wet kitchen concept so that occupants can use the kitchen simultaneously. Homeowners have also requested the installation of pull out baskets and pull out drawers instead of conventional cabinet doors, so that old folks can reach more easily without bending their back. Likewise, overhead cabinets can be installed with pull down baskets, removing the need to climb to reach them.
2023’s trends reflect the changing attitudes and past experiences of homeowners. Pushing the boundaries of interior design and challenging designers to come up with unique and tailored experiences that cater to the modern homeowner.
This article first appeared on Singapore Women’s Weekly.