Getting the keys to your new home is always a moment to cherish as it marks one of the “big steps” in life for many. Whether it’s a terrace house, second-hand apartment, semi-D, or just a simple unit, having a house to call your own gives you a sense of pride and excitement. Collecting the keys is just the beginning, this is where the real work begins.
Getting an interior designer to take the weight off one’s shoulders sounds good in theory. Let’s be real though, not all of us can afford to do so. Refurbishing your new home can be less daunting.
1. Keeping it minimal
Opting for a minimalist house design can potentially help you save more. To quote Living by Recommend, minimalist home designs are usually neat, organised, and visually calming. The key is to edit the spaces so there’s room to breathe and have more clarity.
“Less is more”, so keep it simple by using only necessary furniture and accessories. Choosing light-coloured wall surfaces will add to the ambiance of the space, giving your home a warm and cozy appeal.
“The Vampire Diaries” actress Claire Holt wanted a modern home that was polished and clean and some natural elements to create that perfect balance. “It was very important for us to find a house that was both in a walkable location and that needed minimal construction,” she talked about her dream home in West Hollywood.
Minimalist design doesn’t have to be boring. Holt uses indoor plants for its Zen-like effects. By focusing on a handful of items, attention will be focused on the shape, colour, and texture of the items in your space.
2. Use recycled or second-hand decor
If simplicity isn’t your thing, you can also mix low-cost pieces (whether it’s recycled or second-hand items). Those of you who fancy an eclectic and bohemian look, this approach will give you more flexibility to style according to your budget.
For Drew Barrymore, “I wanted a collection filled with things that felt like they came from different places around the world”. More importantly, the actress told People that she likes things to be colourful because “your home should be joyful and make you feel inspired.”
Barrymore is not alone in this. Many have taken up the approach towards using recycled and reclaimed materials. For instance, skin care bottles can be used for to hold tooth brushes and cotton buds, while unused photo frames can be used to build a clock.
3. How to make a small room look bigger
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Use mirrors! It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. By hanging a mirror on the wall in your bedroom or living room, the reflection will gives the illusion of more space.
“If I wasn’t an actress, I’d want to be a designer. There’s something about the process that feeds my soul,” Jennifer Aniston told Architectural Digest last year. In the photo above, the Hollywood beauty has a large floor-length mirror against the wall. By having it in the room, she has the easy luxury of one last “once over” before dashing out the door.
4. Kitchen style and aesthetic
A house kitchen is a highly personal space. It’s also one of the best places in your home to show off your individual style and personality. Open shelving has become one of today’s top trends for modern kitchen spaces that even celebrities like Chrissy Teigen are jumping in on the bandwagon.
In Teigen’s cookbooks, “Cravings” and “Cravings: Hungry For More”, the model-turned-author also makes it a point to highlight the importance of modern cupboards to conveniently store kitchen appliances without it looking cluttered or messy.
Her advise on getting that classic appeal? Replace traditional upper cabinets for an open appearance to store essential cooking tools. A simple wall-mounted bar will also be useful for hanging pots and pans.
5. Don’t break the bank on flooring materials
While hardwood, natural stone, ceramic, and designer marbles are elegant floor materials, they aren’t cheap. Perhaps you’d like to consider a more durable flooring material that are also cost-efficient like vinyl, tiles and laminate. Floor designs come in various styles, so you can always mix more than one version.
As a daughter of a set designer, Naomi Watts knows a thing or two about home decor. “If you can keep the existing flooring, you will save a lot, as you can do away with the material and labour costs for hacking works and new floors finishes,” she said. “Better yet, if you choose to do an overlay, that will also minimise expenditure.”
Bonus:
6. Do you have enough cash to shop for the suggested hacks above?
We hope that with these refurbishing hacks, you are now feeling one step closer in achieving the beautiful house you’ve always wanted. Property developer Mah Sing believes that everyone deserves to own their dream home. Whether it’s a renovation or executing home modifications, the company wants to help you achieve that dream.
If you’re looking for a new unit in the market, do look through Mah Sing’s participating projects that are running the “Lock & Win” campaign. Those with successful bookings (within 1st March – 31st December) are eligible to win from RM2 million worth of prizes, where the largest cash prize is RM50,000! These prizes will certainly help you in your home refurbishment. Who knows? It could be your lucky day.
For more info, click here.
Sources: Qanvast, KcK, YR Architecture Design, Entrepreneur.
