Articles
Guides on renovating and designing a home in Singapore.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
How to Read a Renovation Quotation in Singapore, Line by Line
What a Singapore renovation quotation should contain, how foot run and provisional sums work, the exclusions to look for, and how to compare two quotes fairly.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Walk-In Wardrobe in an HDB Flat: Where It Fits and How to Plan It
Can an HDB flat take a walk-in wardrobe? The space it needs, three ways to find it, open versus closed storage in Singapore humidity, and built-in alternatives.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Modern Luxury Interior Design in an HDB Flat: What It Is and How to Get It Right
What modern luxury interior design means in a Singapore HDB flat: the materials, lighting and proportion that carry it, where to spend, and what cheapens it.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Kitchen Countertops in Singapore: Quartz vs Sintered Stone, and the Alternatives
Quartz or sintered stone for your kitchen countertop? How each handles heat, stains and knocks, where compact laminate and solid surface fit, and how to choose.
Ace's Design
·5 min read
Kitchen Cabinet Design in Singapore: Carcass, Doors and the Details That Last
How to specify kitchen cabinets in a Singapore flat: carcass boards, door finishes, hardware, tall units and where the carpentry budget actually goes.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Upcoming BTO Launches: 2026 Dates, Projects and What Comes Next
HDB’s 2026 BTO launches in one place: February, June and the upcoming November exercise, with towns, projects, flat counts and when to start planning.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Bay Window Ideas for Singapore Homes, and the Rules to Know First
Bay window ideas for Singapore HDB flats and condos, from reading nooks to desks, plus what HDB and URA rules allow before you build or remove anything.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Partition Walls in Singapore: Types, Costs and HDB Rules
Gypsum, block or glass: the partition walls you can build in an HDB flat or condo, what HDB allows without a permit, rough costs, and when a divider is better.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Scandinavian Interior Design in Singapore: Light, Warm and Built for Humidity
What Scandinavian interior design is, how to adapt it to Singapore’s sun and humidity, and how it works in an HDB flat, with two completed Tampines homes.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Wabi-Sabi Interior Design in Singapore: Texture, Age and Calm
What wabi-sabi interior design is, how it differs from Japandi, and the materials, colours and lighting that make it work in a Singapore HDB flat or condo.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
2-Room Flexi BTO: Floor Plans, Layout Ideas and Renovation
How big a 2-room Flexi flat is, what HDB includes, the rules that shape a renovation, and layout ideas that make 38 to 46 square metres work.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
HDB Ceiling Height and False Ceilings: What You Can Do
The standard HDB ceiling height is about 2.6m. How older and newer flats differ, the 2.4m false ceiling rule, and how to make a low ceiling feel taller.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Japandi Interior Design in Singapore: Making It Work in an HDB Flat
What Japandi style is, how it differs from Scandinavian and wabi-sabi, and how to make it work in a Singapore HDB flat or condo with humidity in mind.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
November 2026 BTO Launch: Renovation Guide
HDB’s last BTO exercise of 2026 has moved from October to November, with about 7,960 flats across six towns. What to plan for before your queue number comes up.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Berlayar Rise: Floor Plans, Completion Date and Renovation Planning
Berlayar Rise in Bukit Merah: unit mix, prices, the Q2–Q3 2031 completion date, and what its 10-year MOP means for how you should plan the renovation.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Lakeview Cascadia, Bishan: What Buyers Should Plan For
Lakeview Cascadia, Bishan’s first new BTO in 40 years: unit mix, prices, the Q2 2031 completion date, and what to plan before your keys arrive.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
HDB Renovation Permit and Guidelines 2026
What needs an HDB renovation permit in 2026, what is banned outright, the BTO 3-year bathroom rule, and the hours noisy works are allowed before hacking starts.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
HDB Resale Renovation Package: What S$30k, 50k and 80k Get You
Renovating a resale HDB flat? What a $30k, $50k and $80k renovation package realistically covers, and why resale costs more than a BTO at the same budget.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
3-Room BTO Interior Design Ideas
Interior design ideas for a 3-room BTO flat: layout moves, storage and finishes that make a 60 to 65 sqm footprint work harder without feeling cramped.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
4-Room BTO Renovation: Package or Bespoke?
A fixed BTO renovation package or a bespoke design for your 4-room flat? How the two differ on cost, timeline and control, and a simple way to decide.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Small Condo Interior Design in Singapore
Designing a shoebox or small condo in Singapore? How to work with low ceilings, minimal built-in storage and MCST rules without the space feeling smaller.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
HDB Toilet Design: Layouts That Work in 3 sqm
Most HDB toilets are 3 to 4 sqm. How to lay one out: wet and dry zones, storage, fittings, and the plumbing and 3-year rules you cannot design around.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
HDB Kitchen Design: Open, Galley or Island
Open-concept, galley or island: which HDB kitchen layout fits your flat? How to decide, including the permit, ventilation and clearance questions each raises.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Room Dividers in Singapore: Zoning Without Walls
Room divider ideas for HDB and condo layouts — glazed screens, slatted timber, half-height joinery and curtains — and when a full wall is still the right answer.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Fluted Glass in Singapore Homes: Where It Works
Fluted and reeded glass in Singapore interiors — where it divides a space without closing it, how much it actually obscures, and where it is not worth it.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Feature Wall Ideas for Singapore Homes That Last
Feature wall ideas that hold up in a Singapore home — limewash, fluted panels, micro-cement, stone and timber — and which wall in the room to actually pick.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Parquet Flooring in Singapore: Patterns and Materials
Parquet, herringbone and chevron flooring in Singapore homes — which materials survive the humidity, what each pattern costs in labour, and where it works.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Kitchen Islands in Singapore: Will One Actually Fit?
Whether a kitchen island fits your HDB or condo, the clearance it needs to be usable, and the peninsula and breakfast-bar alternatives when the plan says no.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Cove Lighting in Singapore Homes: Where It Works
What cove lighting actually is, where it belongs in an HDB or condo, what it costs you in ceiling height, and the details that make it look cheap.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Interior Design Fees Explained: Singapore Cost Guide
How much does interior design actually cost in Singapore? We break down the five fee models designers use, and costs that often hide outside the quote.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Renovation Miscommunication in Singapore: How to Avoid It
Why doesn’t your renovation match what you approved? Here is how renovation miscommunication happens in Singapore, and the steps that actually prevent it.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Interior Designer vs Contractor: What’s the Difference
Interior designer or renovation contractor? Here is what each role actually covers in Singapore, the real cost difference, and how to decide which you need.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
Resale HDB vs Condo Renovation: Rules in Singapore
Renovating a resale HDB flat and a condo in Singapore follow completely different rulebooks. Here is what actually changes, from permits to working hours.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
What Does an Interior Designer Actually Do? Guide
What does an interior designer actually do, from the first consultation to mood boards and 3D renders? The full design process explained, step by step.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Interior Design Trends in Singapore for 2026 Guide
The interior design trends shaping Singapore homes in 2026, from warm minimalism and natural materials to smart-home features and deliberate zoning ideas.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
How to Choose the Right Interior Designer in Singapore
Not sure how to choose an interior designer in Singapore? Here is a practical framework covering portfolio fit, process, and the questions worth asking first.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Condo Interior Design Ideas That Actually Work in SG
Real condo interior design ideas for Singapore homes, from small condo layouts to space-saving storage and finishes that suit compact units really well.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
HDB Interior Design Ideas for Every Flat Type in SG
Explore HDB interior design ideas for BTO and resale flats in Singapore, from 2-room layouts to 5-room homes, plus the layout moves that actually work well.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
Interior Design Styles Explained: A Singapore Guide
Confused by the different interior design styles out there? We break down Scandinavian, Japandi, minimalist and more to help you find the right fit.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
How Long Does an Interior Design Project Really Take?
Discover how long an interior design project really takes in Singapore. Get insights on timelines for BTO, resale HDB, and condo projects.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
CaseTrust & Qanvast SuperTrust: What Do These Renovation Accreditations Actually Mean for Singapore Homeowners
Discover what renovation accreditation Singapore means for homeowners. Learn about CaseTrust & Qanvast SuperTrust and how they protect you.
Ace's Design
·3 min read
What Should Be in Your Renovation Contract?
Ensure your renovation contract is clear and detailed to avoid disputes. Learn what a proper Singapore renovation contract should include.
Ace's Design
·4 min read
How to Avoid Renovation Scams in Singapore: A Homeowner's Trust Checklist (2026)
Worried an interior designer isn't legit? Use this 5-minute checklist to verify HDB registration, CaseTrust accreditation and payment safety before you pay.
Ace's Design
·5 min read
June 2026 BTO Launch: Renovation Guide | Berlayar & Bishan
HDB launched 6,952 BTO flats in June 2026, including Berlayar Rise and Lakeview Cascadia. Here's what successful applicants should know about planning their renovation. Here's what we do, what we've built, and what to ask us when you meet us.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
Meet Ace's Design at Qanvast Hangout June and August 2026 | Interior Design Singapore
Ace's Design is at the Qanvast Hangout on 27-28 June and 29-30 August 2026 Interior Design Singapore Here's what we do, what we've built, and what to ask us when you meet us.
Ace's Design
·2 min read
What to Expect in an Interior Design Consultation | Ace's Design
What actually happens in an interior design consultation? What we ask, HDB and condo approvals, budget, what to bring, and what you leave with.
Ace's Design
·5 min read
BTO Renovation Cost in Singapore: 2026 Price Guide
What does a BTO renovation really cost in 2026? Full budget ranges for 3, 4 and 5-room flats, where the money goes, and the costs people forget.
Ace's Design
·6 min read
Best Renovation Materials for Singapore Homes (2026 Guide)
Which materials survive Singapore's humidity? A 2026 guide to flooring, walls, countertops and carpentry, what to invest in, and what to avoid.
Ace's Design
·5 min read
Home Lighting Design in Singapore: A Room-by-Room Guide
How to light a Singapore home properly: the three-layer method, the right colour temperature, and room-by-room tips for HDB, condo and landed spaces.