9 Ways to turn a tiny minimalist house into a cosy home in Singapore

How to make a house cosy? Seems like a pretty obvious question, right?

But there is the problem that many homeowners face: striking the perfect balance between cosy and OTT. Or should we rather say, “cluttered.”

In cold countries, home structures naturally include structural elements that lend towards the cosy vibes. Wooden floors, fireplaces, wood ceiling beams, alcoves, exposed brick walls…You know, those sort of architectural details.

Scoping Singapore, homes tend to be built with vinyl, laminate or porcelain flooring, concrete walls, tiled kitchens, structural columns, aluminium-framed windows, and other materials made to withstand the humid climate, whilst adding cooling properties to the home.

The challenge

According to the Housing and Development Board, almost 8 in 10 citizens in Singapore live in an HDB apartment. The HDB also reported that the public flat supply set aside for each household type based on demand was 65% for first-timer singles purchasing a 2-Room Flexi BTO.

Many Singaporeans face the space challenge, i.e., purchasing a home with a limited floor plan.

When you only have a small amount of room to work with, naturally, you think about how best to utilise the space without it feeling overcrowded.

That’s why so many homeowners opt for a minimalist design, or simplistic themes like Wabi-sabi.

We get it; space is already limited. You don’t want to zhuzh up your home with unnecessary “things” – just for the sake of it.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You CAN turn a tiny layout into a cosy home without it feeling too clustered.

Forget the crazy renovation

Another popular alternative we see Singaporean homeowners turning to in a bid to make a home feel “warmer” is the Japandi theme.

Relying on warm tones and wood-like textures as well as natural elements and materials, this does create an illusion of a cosier ambiance in the home. But aren’t we getting a little bored of every home starting to look the same with all these Japandi designs??

Renovating your home in the Japandi style also involves time, costs and money – and the help of a professional.

But bringing cosy into a minimalist space doesn’t mean you need to call in an interior designer for a complete home overhaul.

There are exciting ways to do it yourself just by readjusting your home’s decor style through furnishings and decoration design!

Decoration and Furniture tricks for a cosy home

The best bit about these decorating techniques is that they don’t take up any extra room in your home. Literally.

Instead, it’s about re-evaluating the way you look at furniture and decor.

1. Multi-level shelves displaying cute travel souvenirs, books, candles or bathroom accessories

From floating to modular shelves, there is a variety to choose from.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to overdo it with shelving, avoiding a cramped feeling across your walls.

We advise creating multi-level shelving using two shelves, three max. Floating shelves are a cleaner look as there is no wall bracket sticking out. Choosing wooden shelves emphasises a cosier feel. You can still spruce up wooden shelves by going with a different floating shelf design, like ones that are arched or have round edges.

Other types of shelves for a cosy home:

• Wall-mounted box shelves
• Ceiling shelves – excellent for a cosy kitchen feel
• Leaning/ladder shelves
• Over-the-door shelves – great for bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms
• A freestanding shelf unit – if you have a little extra space to spare

2. Upholstered chairs instead of metal

A designer chair with exposed metal is ultra chic. But it can create an industrial/minimal vibe. Instead of chairs where metal or other cool materials are exposed, from dining table chairs to low sofa legs, ditch the metal bits. It doesn’t mean you don’t have to have any metal parts showing; just limit them.

• Wooden dining chairs
• Low-to-ground sofas
• Boucle-covered occasional chairs

Or instead of replacing your chairs, consider reupholstering them instead using fabric for a cosy British cottage core look.

3. Fabric lampshades and warm lighting

The wonders of fabric! Instead of a plastic, metal or an exposed side or standing light, go for a fabric lampshade with a wood base instead. This instantly adds a cosy touch! Don’t be afraid to delve into the world of heavier fabrics, too, or even lampshades with prints.

A note on cosy lighting: Avoid high colour temperature bulbs, i.e., anything above 3000K, and those with harsh, white and bright lights. Instead, convert to low colour temperature bulbs (1000K–3000K), which are warmer-toned. The lower the K, the more amber the light.

4. Frames on the wall

Don’t shy away from filling up your walls with frames, whether they’re personal photographs filled with special memories, artwork or prints!

Nothing adds to a cold-feeling room more than bare walls – especially if your walls are stark white! Frames are a fun way to show off your personality.

If you’d prefer to keep things uniform or less overwhelming, opt for:

• One colour frame for all, like gold or wood
• One type of display, for example photographs or art
• Choose artwork or graphics in a similar style

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5. Chunky knit blankets/fluffy throw on a bed and sofa

A chunky knit? In Singapore?

Although you might not use a blanket or throw as much as someone in a country who really does experience a real winter, there are those rare occasion fresher days in the city – even if the temperature is only 24°C. When you’re used to the 30s every day, 24°C in January does feel a little on the cool side.

Or maybe your significant other loves to blast the AC all day and night and you feel the cold more easily. Having at least one throw or blanket around never hurt. Opting for a chunkier or extra fluffy type amps up the cosy look, too. Drape it over the arm of your sofa or lined across the bottom half of your bed for a stylish yet cosy look.

6. Choose wooden furniture

We’re not saying turn your entire house into a cabin. But deciding on a few furniture pieces constructed from wood does add a naturally cosy vibe to a home. Replace plastic, glass and metal furniture with wood.

These can be chairs, a coffee or side table, your dining table, a bedroom headboard, or even a trash bin in the bathroom.

For an extra homely look, buy wooden furniture with round, soft edges over sharp and horizontal ones.

7. Scatter cushions

A sofa without scatter cushions can feel like a skeleton without any meat on it. A few scatter cushions instantly make any room feel complete. It converts a couch from appearing minimalist into one that is inviting.

Interior designer tip for scatter cushion decor: Balance your scatter cushion upright, then right in the middle, give it a karate chop with your hand so it dips slightly in the centre. Feather or feather-down-like pillows work best for this – not to mention looking extra luxurious.

The fabric choice and design can also help you elevate an ordinary scatter cushion into a super cosy one. Choose a scatter cushion with:

1. Frills
2. A boucle texture
3. Gingham print
4. Corduroy material
5. Vintage-inspired print

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8. Cushioned rug or cover tiled areas with carpet

The majority of houses in Singapore have hard flooring like vinyl, laminate, porcelain or tiled floors.

Soften up an entire room with one simple technique: a carpet or a rug.

This isn’t limited to just the living room or a bedroom. You can throw down a rug in the bathroom and kitchen for a cosier appeal.

Interior designer tip: Instead of centering a carpet in front of your bed, buy one that is big enough so that your bed sits over the carpet with its edges sticking out. Or, in the living room, position your sofa over a carpet.

9. DIY Wainscoting

What’s one of the most common design features you’d spot in an English cottage in the countryside? Wainscoting!

The bordered frame effect just elevates a space, transforming a flat wall into something more special.

Instead of employing an interior designer to wainscot your walls using the pre-cut wooden frames, DIY your own by buying stick-on adhesive wainscoting strips/roll. It’s super easy to do it yourself at home.

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