10 Best Interior Design Companies in Johor Bahru that is worth crossing the causeway for
By Hilary Fong -
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The most exciting part about having your own home is the freedom to determine the style and aesthetics of your new space. The search for the right “ID” (interior designer) who can match your vibe and make your dream home a reality can then make or break the experience for you.
An interior designer does more than design and styling. From 2D and 3D drawings to material selection, wiring and flooring, it can get very technical, overwhelming and costly to do in Singapore.
According to Homees, the average cost in 2024 for interior design and renovation in Singapore are as such:
| Type of Housing | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-room BTO | S$25,000 to S$45,000 |
| 4-room BTO | S$33,000 to S$58,000 |
| 5-room BTO | S$38,000 to S$65,000 |
| 3-room resale | S$30,000 to S$65,000 |
| 4-room resale | S$38,000 to S$73,000 |
| 5-room resale | S$50,000 to S$82,000 |
| Condominium (depending on size) | S$40,000 to S$120,000 |
In order to avoid paying exorbitant prices, some Singaporeans turn to freelancers, contractors or even across the causeway to find interior design companies in Johor Bahru.
However, interior design companies in Johor Bahru have their limitations as well. For example, you may have to research the HDB building works guidelines, apply for the permits by yourself and highlight to these companies as they may not be familiar with the regulations.
Other issues to consider would be the time and manpower involved. You may have to make multiple trips across the border to finalise details and select materials, and vice versa where the Malaysian interior designer has to enter Singapore to oversee the project (extra costs may incur in this case).
If you do not mind taking on the project management and coordination role personally, you may consider getting the drawings done in Johor Bahru and bringing them back for various vendors to execute. HDB provides a list of contractors on its website, so you can use that as a reference in your search for electricians, renovators, carpenters and more.
10 Best Johor Bahru Interior Design Companies
We have picked out 10 interior design firms in Johor Bahru that have five or almost five star reviews on Google, and strong portfolios that may help you achieve your dream home.
Park Regency Residential Project from INDesign website
1. INDesign & Build
If you are searching for interior designers, you may have come across this Reddit post and realised that there are some negative sentiments towards interior designers with no formal interior design background.
At INDesign & Build, the founder is not only an interior design graduate, but also has working experience in furniture manufacturing. With such a solid background, you can be assured that the designs are not just Pinterest-worthy, but well thought out and practical.
INDesign & Build provides two types of services - design only and one stop design and renovation services. However, for projects in Singapore, they are only able to provide design services.
Euro Grey style kitchen from INDesign website
The customer service is very responsive on Whatsapp and quoted RM6000 - 8000 for 4 room flat design service which includes planning and 3D drawings.
Address: 35, Jalan Ros Merah 2/10, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (15 minutes drive away from Mid Valley South Key)
Contact number: +60 18-955 4632 (Whatsapp)
Instagram: @indesignnbuild
Soft minimalist residential project from BENJ Facebook
2. BENJ Design
The soft cream Wabi Sabi design that looks bright, simple and open is a style that BENJ adopts in the majority of their home designs. If you imagine your dream house to have a neutral colour palette with light woody furnishing and sliding doors, BENJ Design will be the JB interior design company to deliver.
Even if you are unsure about the zen minimalist style, you don’t have to eliminate BENJ yet as they are also skilled in other styles such as the modern rustic interior designs with limestone walls.
Natural colour scheme residential project from BENJ Facebook
For residential projects in Singapore, BENJ is able to do the design work but not the renovation. Based on a 4-room flat, the design fee is estimated at RM8,000 including a furniture layout, electrical, lighting and ceiling plan, and 8-10 pieces of 3D drawings.
Address: 69A, Jalan Harmonium 33/1, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (25 minutes drive from Woodlands Checkpoint)
Contact number: +60 12-713 0517 (Whatsapp available)
Instagram: @benjdesignbuild
The Somerset project from Hexa6 website
3. Hexa6 Design
Hexa6 Design is a fairly young business founded just six years ago. Yet, they do not fall short in experience with a variety of projects. A first look at the aesthetics of their past projects got me thinking - “old money”, a quiet luxury and grand style.
From office spaces, restaurants, condominiums to bungalow houses, Hexa6 Design has delivered luxurious designs with notable use of marble and gold in their projects.
Modern Victorian Penthouse from Hexa6 website
If you approach Hexa6 Design, you will likely be referred to their Singaporean colleague who is in charge of following up with the requirements and consultation of projects in Singapore.
Address: No 10-02 Jalan Austin Height 8/7, Taman Austin Height 81100, Johor Bahru, Malaysia (20 minutes drive from Mid Valley Southkey)
Contact number: +60 16-422 1679 (Whatsapp)
Instagram: @hexa6design
Austin Duta project from Spazehaus Facebook
4. Spazehaus
The designs of Spazehaus tend to be dominated by rich and deep colours, creating a moody, sophisticated atmosphere. If you are a fan of clean lines and bold statement pieces such as large sofas or unique accent chairs, Spazehaus may be the interior designer to work with.
For each project featured on their Instagram, the estimated cost is also mentioned in the caption, so you can get a rough sense of the budget needed to achieve a particular look.
Besides the main interior design firm, Spazehaus also has a cafe, Spazehaus x Metoo Coffee where they host events and workshops, in addition to the usual dine-in. The cafe has also won the 2023 Qanvast Design Award for the best commercial space design.
Spazehaus x Metoo Cafe from Spazehaus’s Facebook
Spazehaus do provide design consultation for Singapore projects and you may enquire through their website or Whatsapp.
Address: 8, Jalan ekoperniagaan 2/7, Taman ekoperniagaan 81100, Johor Bahru, Malaysia (25 minutes drive from Mid Valley Southkey)
Contact number: +60 12-679 6530 (Whatsapp)
Instagram: @spazehaus
Tengah Plantation Crescent project from WLEA Facebook
5. WLEA Interior Design
WLEA is a bigger interior design firm with offices in Johor Bahru, Kualar Lumpur and Singapore. It started in 1988 from a business in electrical works, expanding into air conditioning and finally interior design in 2007. With the company’s history, you know that the business is equipped with a solid foundation in the makings of a home.
More than design, WLEA provides cement work, carpentry and steel work services, so you don’t have to run around looking for different vendors to provide different solutions.
Canberra Eastlink project from WLEA Facebook
The office in Singapore is located at 12 Woodlands Square, covering residential projects at Tampines Greenwidge, Tengah and Canberra. If you decide to engage WLEA, likely you will be referred to the Singapore office.
Address: 20-01&02, Jalan Adda 7, Taman Adda, 81100 Johor Bahru (25 minutes drive from Mid Valley Southkey)
Contact number: +60 12-702 0498 (Whatsapp available)
Instagram: @wlea_interior_design
Rimba House project from Supernormal Design’s Facebook
6. Supernormal Design Studio
Supernormal Design Studio is another design company led by a founder cum design director who has a Masters in Interior Architecture, and was an adjunct lecturer for 10 years at LASELLE College of the Arts.
His impressive background is also backed with a stunning portfolio which includes the Rimba House project that won an Honorable Mention at the Taiwan Interior New Talent Award 2024, and also featured on Tatler Malaysia.
Besides projects in Johor Bahru, the team has completed works in Georgetown Penang, Pontian and even Singapore.
Bachelor’s pad project at The Pier, Robertson Quay from Supernormal Design’s Facebook
Some of their Singapore projects include collaborations with Formwerkz Architect at The Orient and Goodwood Residences, and residential projects at Castle Green and The Pier Robertson Quay from 2015 to 2017.
It seems that Supernormal has shifted its focus more on Malaysian projects in recent years, but no harm trying since the founder is familiar with Singapore.
Address: Block A, Eco Palladium, #04-07, Jln Ekoflora 7/3, Taman Ekorflora, 81100, Johor Bahru, Malaysia (20 minutes drive from Mid Valley Southkey)
Contact number: +60 12-757 7735
Instagram: @supernormaldesignstudio
7. Homlux Interior
Homlux’s portfolio is made up of mainly commercial space designs including big names such as Gleneagles Hospital Malaysia and University of Southampton Malaysia.
However, big spaces are not only their forte as they do have a portfolio in home designs as well.
Homlux has offices in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and even Singapore. The Singapore office is located at 320 Serangoon Road, Centrium Square. They are also the design company behind Mumsrelle, a postpartum slimming centre at Orchard Gateway.
Address: No 3 Jalan Kempas Utama 3/11 Taman Kempas Utama, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (15 minutes drive from Paradigm Mall)
Contact Number: + 607-559 3131
Instagram: @homlux_interior
Eco World Spring Chester Residence from FSD website
8. FSD Interior Design
Short for Five Star Design, FSD interior design is an award winning interior design consulting firm in Johor Bahru founded in the year 2000.
FSD provides residential and commercial design and build services from start to finish including 2D, 3D, detailed drawings, material selection advice, project coordination and quality control works.
One of the interior design firm’s residential projects includes a home design and renovation for a HDB flat in Punggol.
Although I couldn’t get more information from them, FSD was the company behind the design and renovation of the Malaysian branches of Singapore’s pawnshop and jewellery brand, MoneyMax, hence they are likely a credible company in Johor Bahru.
Address: 04-39 Blok B, Pusat Perdagangan Ekoflora, Jalan Ekoflora 7/1,
Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (30 minutes drive from Woodlands Checkpoint)
Contact number: +607-278 5704, +60 12-772 2492 (Whatsapp)
Instagram: @fsd.interior
Home office design from Dcruz website
9. Dcruz Interior Design
A one-stop service provider based in Johor Bahru, Dcruz Interior Design provides interior design, renovation and construction services. I couldn’t find any social media accounts but their website showcases various past projects based on categories such as ceiling design, door design, kitchen cabinet design and many more.
Address: #03-09, Blok A, Persiaraan Pertama, Pusat Perdagangan Danga Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (10 minutes drive from Paradigm Mall)
Contact number: +60 16-783 6393 (Whatsapp)
Contemporary modern project from Co Design Facebook
10. Co Design Concept
Run by a team of Millennials and Gen Zs, Co Design Concept has offices in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Singapore. Specialising in interior design and carpentry, Co Design Concept has their own carpentry factory which allows them to design and fabricate cabinets, feature walls and other furniture directly.
Co Design Concept’s Singapore office is located at Oxley Bizhub. I’ve sent Whatsapp messages to the Johor Bahru branch in English and received their replies in Mandarin. Nonetheless, they have no issues understanding my enquiries. They also referred to their Singaporean colleague to follow up with my requirements.
Address: Eco Palladium, Block A, #03-20, Jalan Ekoflora 7/3, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia (25 minutes drive from Mid Valley South Key)
Contact number: +60 10-829 9057 (Whatsapp)
Facebook: @codesign.my