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Designing a kitchen in Singapore requires considering a combination of factors to create a functional and efficient space that meets the needs of the residents while also adhering to the local climate and cultural preferences.
If you're not sure where or how to start on your kitchen renovation, click here to jump to the bottom of the article to read about the 8 kitchen design renovation factors you should definitely consider.
40 Kitchen Design Ideas
The honey-hued wooden tabletop is actually constructed from two IKEA kitchen countertops that the designer sanded and lacquered for durability.
Industrial Kitchen Design
This penthouse apartment is home to a bachelor in his 40s. He doesn’t cook much, but when he bought this 30-plus-year-old residence in the east, the dated, “country-style kitchen” had to go. “I wanted to enjoy the apartment and really couldn’t live with the original look,” he confessed.
Since he had the home all to himself, he agreed to Space Sense's designer Kelvin Teo’s proposal to take down the kitchen wall to open up the space and create a seamless open concept kitchen-dining-living area.
Cement screed was laid underfoot throughout to minimise the demarcation of spaces.
The homeowner neither needed nor wanted a conventional dining area. In its place, Kelvin built a dining surface that hugs the island countertop in an L-shape.
The wine fridge is tucked neatly under the kitchen top.
This vintage-style advertising sign, purchased in Sri Lanka, adds colour to the wall.
$25,000 Rustic kitchen renovation for this Americana house for a single woman bachelorette.
Americana Rustic Kitchen
Having lived in the US for eight years, homeowner Miss Chia fell in love with the solid wood, rustic-style kitchens that typify Americana. It was thus only natural that she wanted a similar feel for her own cooking space. The singleton, who entertains often, also sought a more open area where she could chat with friends while she worked.
Interior designer Irene Toh of Spacious Planners proposed demolishing the walls that separated the original wet and dry kitchens, yard, yard toilet and storeroom. The result is an expansive kitchen that flows into the dining room.
This island also doubles as a food preparation and breakfast counter. The cabinets are solid wood spray-painted white.
Irene proposed natural quartz for the counter, and White Oak for the island top. The unique mosaic-inspired splashback was created with broken pieces of white homogenous tiles. “Grey grouting provides colour contrast, and is easier to maintain,” says Irene.
Built for $25,000, including hacking and tiling works, this kitchen is indeed an inviting hub for the cook and her friends.
This grey kitchen features wainscoted cabinetry in EDL's Fenix laminate and a marble backsplash. The small counter space opposite the sink houses the washer and gives the couple extra food prep space. Interior Design by Aiden T.
Grey Kitchen Cabinets
This 4-room Yishun HDB's grey kitchen features wainscoted cabinetry in EDL's Fenix laminate and a marble backsplash. The small counter space opposite the sink houses the washer and gives the couple extra food prep space. Interior Design by Aiden T.
View the full house tour here.
The champagne tinted mirror panels provides an eye- catching contrast to the rough and raw surfaces of the adjacent living area. Interior Design by Bowerman Interior Planner.
Mirror Backsplash
This Kallang 4-room HDB BTO flat's champagne tinted mirror panels for the kitchen backsplash provides an eye-catching contrast to the rough and raw surfaces of the adjacent living area. Interior Design by Bowerman Interior Planner.
View the full house tour here.
The wall between the kitchen and dining area was hacked and replaced with black framed glass windows. Interior design by D5 Studio Image
Glass Windows for Kitchen
This Punggol 4-room HDB BTO flat formerly had a wall between the kitchen and dining area was hacked and replaced with black framed glass windows. Interior design by D5 Studio Image.
View the full house tour here.
A weathered wood-look laminate was chosen for the cabinetry here, to lend the open-concept kitchen a rustic and industrial touch. Interior design by Fineline.
Weathered Wood Kitchen
This Pinnacle @ Duxton 4-room HDB BTO has a weathered wood-look laminate was chosen for the cabinetry here, to lend the open-concept kitchen a rustic and industrial touch. Interior design by Fineline.
View the full house tour here.
Though the homeowners decided to combine kitchen and yard space, they've maintained a demarcation between two spaces by using printed tiles in the latter. Interior design by Ju Design Studio.
Hacked Service Yard
Though the homeowners of this Sengkang 4-room HDB BTO decided to combine kitchen and service yard space, they've maintained a demarcation between two spaces by using printed tiles in the latter. Interior design by Ju Design Studio.
View the full house tour here.
A wall between the kitchen and dining area was hacked to create the illusion of spaciousness, while allowing more natural light into the kitchen. Interior design by Carpenters.
Black & Wood Theme Kitchen
A wall between the kitchen and dining area in this 4-room HDB BTO in Punggol was hacked to create the illusion of spaciousness, while allowing more natural light into the kitchen. Interior design by Carpenters.
View the full house tour here.
This fixed, L-shaped dining table plays many roles – it’s a kitchen worktop, as well as a desk.
Jade green subway tiles and terracotta-look floor tiles, give this open-concept kitchen a cheery atmosphere. Interior design by M3 Studio
The grey laminate and wood-look Kompacplus countertop complement the gold and silver accented backsplash. Interior design by DB Studio
The homeowners chose a cream white palette and wainscotted panelling for a refined look. Interior design by Space Define Interior
The wall that separated the utility yard from the kitchen was a translucent acrylic door to help bring in more sunlight. Silver tea pot from Egg3
![[Renovation costs: $45,000] In line with the industrial theme, the kitchen has concrete-screed surfaces and laminated cabinets with rugged wood textures.](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/homedecor/2d8b576feec48efa78251ad98aba7f416eac98819faf5a019608d232a3b7386f?w=660&q=85)
[Renovation costs: $45,000] In line with the industrial theme, the kitchen has concrete-screed surfaces and laminated cabinets with rugged wood textures.
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Conceptual blending for a family's cozy comfort, Bedok North
All-white HDB 4-Room flat at Boon Tiong Road, Tiong Bahru. Interior Design: The Orange Cube
![[Reno Cost: $55,000] Instead of a predictable brick-like feature wall in the living area, the couple installed a brick-like kitchen backsplash.](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/homedecor/41b43ac613df4d8b8e01e694c4879c9144c7834eca75b61904d5d73711278618?w=660&q=85)
[Reno Cost: $55,000] Instead of a predictable brick-like feature wall in the living area, the couple installed a brick-like kitchen backsplash.
The main platform can be used for washing and cooking, whereas the opposite platform can be utilised as an additional workspace, or for keeping appliances
A home with a throw-back to all things natural and raw, with a tribute to the basic elements. A 4-room BTO HDB flat that stands apart from the rest.
The colour of the pastel blue laminate was chosen by the owner, who also happens to like underwater diving, because the colour blue exudes peace and tranquility.
Boutique hotel inspired home, Yishun
The kitchen island serves as a breakfast counter or food preparation table.
The kitchen island serves as a breakfast counter or food preparation table.
A 5-room New York-style loft home.
A 5-room New York-style loft home. In the kitchen, sliding polyurethane-clad doors hide appliances. A recessed cooker hood in the ceiling removes cooking fumes in the open-concept area.
A contemporary red, black and white corner terrace (Renovation cost: $180,000).
A contemporary red, black and white corner terrace (Reno $180,000). The designer considered several options for a feature wall in the dry kitchen: broken slate, wallpaper or brick. He then came across a glossy, textured ceramic tile, and created a mural with black, grey and red pieces. (Reno: $180K, excluding furnishings)
As the self-professed “serious cook” uses his kitchen frequently, homeowner, Joseph, took great pains in outfitting it – the key feature being the spacious island top.
As the self-professed “serious cook” uses his kitchen frequently, homeowner, Joseph, took great pains in outfitting it – the key feature being the spacious island top.
If you want an open-concept kitchen perfect for your entertaining needs, consider kitchen systems instead. Bulthaup kitchen system pictured.
If you want an open-concept kitchen perfect for your entertaining needs, consider kitchen systems instead. Bulthaup kitchen system pictured.
A double-storey, two-bedroom terrace house. Nathan chose these classic Ikea kitchen cabinets to match the home's colonial history, and gave it a classier touch by painting the originally chrome legs gold.
Keeping to the monochromatic color palette of black and white, the double storey terrace house adopts a traditional English look with a modern rustic edge, yet not too raw to loses its elegance.
To soften the color tone, the living room uses a large landscape mirrors with finishes of wood trimming to create an instant classic English look. Besides, the use of floor-to-ceiling mirror panes dramatize the already spacious layout. A custom-made TV Console in whitewashed wood grain laminate complements the lofty feel of the living space.
The double columns link up the flow of white tone throughout the house with the use of distinctively dark walnut stairway, while the decoration metal pillar design on the second level elevates the height of the tall ceiling and the rustic pendent light, creating a English lofty feel.
Keeping to the monochromatic color palette of black and white, the double storey terrace house adopts a traditional English look with a modern rustic edge, yet not too raw to loses its elegance.
To soften the color tone, the living room uses a large landscape mirrors with finishes of wood trimming to create an instant classic English look. Besides, the use of floor-to-ceiling mirror panes dramatize the already spacious layout. A custom-made TV Console in whitewashed wood grain laminate complements the lofty feel of the living space.
The double columns link up the flow of white tone throughout the house with the use of distinctively dark walnut stairway, while the decoration metal pillar design on the second level elevates the height of the tall ceiling and the rustic pendent light, creating a English lofty feel.
This dark wood kitchen exudes a certain classic charm. Glass-front cabinets showcases homeowner's personal collection of favorite pieces.
Kitchen Island Designs
Kitchen islands are traditionally used to section off the kitchen from the living area, while at the same time providing ample countertop space.
Installed in place of a wall, it allows you to have an open-concept layout so you can see what everyone else is up to and not be isolated while cooking. It fits right into our contemporary lifestyles, finding a place in our homes where we entertain guests and interact with family members.
As kitchen islands works best with spacious, wide layouts, not every home can accommodate one easily.
But if you really love the idea of having one, even though your kitchen is narrow and small (like in most flats here), here's an idea. Designers and homeowners are installing the kitchen island in the middle of the kitchen — dividing it and creating two walkways.
8 Kitchen Design Renovation Tips
Here are 8 key considerations you should sit down with your interior designer and discuss before you decide on your kitchen's design.
- Space Efficiency: Singaporean homes often have limited space, so maximizing efficiency is crucial. Opt for space-saving storage solutions, built-in appliances, and multi-functional furniture.
- Layout: Design the kitchen layout to facilitate a smooth workflow between the cooking, preparation, and cleaning areas. The "kitchen work triangle" concept (connecting the stove, sink, and refrigerator) is still relevant.
- Ventilation: Singapore's humid and hot climate requires effective ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and odors. Consider installing a range hood or exhaust fan to maintain good air circulation.
- Material: Due to the tropical climate, choose materials that can withstand high humidity levels and are easy to clean. Moisture-resistant cabinets, durable countertops, and non-slip flooring are essential.
- Color: Light and cool colors can help make the kitchen feel more spacious and refreshing. Reflective surfaces can enhance the perception of light and add a sense of airiness.
- Storage: Since space is a premium, prioritize ample storage. Utilize vertical space with tall cabinets and shelves. Pull-out pantry shelves and deep drawers can also maximize storage efficiency.
- Lighting: Good lighting is essential for both functionality and aesthetics. Incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a well-lit and inviting atmosphere.
- Renovation Regulations: Singapore has regulations and guidelines for home renovations. Ensure that your kitchen design complies with local building codes and regulations.
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a well-designed and functional kitchen that suits the specific needs and preferences of your household while adapting to the unique context of Singapore.