Functional and visually pleasing at the same time!
One of the main reasons why the MUJI-inspired design style is popular is that it focuses on avoiding unnecessary clutter and distractions, resulting in settings that are clean, organised, and devoid of extra ornamentation. This contributes to the creation of a harmonious and balanced living environment that promotes a sense of well-being. So when a married couple, Effa and Khaled, decided to renovate their first home, they were not only making necessary changes, but also creating a space that expressed their love of MUJI-inspired design.
And it turns out that the pair plan the interior design themselves. We spoke with Effa about her experience renovating her home and how she brought their MUJI-style ideas to life, turning the bare condo into a sanctuary for their family of 4.
Qanvast (Q): Hi, tell us about yourself and your family.
Effa Aman (EA): Hi I'm a full-time housewife and part time content creator. We have 2 lovely children, an 11-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter.
Previously, we lived in a rented apartment near Bukit Antarabangsa. As our family grew, we decided to purchase our home, and we discovered this condominium located in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur. It is close to the city centre, making it convenient for my husband to commute to his office. The 1,059 sqft is a newly developed property that comes with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
Q: What prompted you to create an Instagram account (@simpledeco_byeffa) dedicated to home interiors and decor?
EA: I've always been interested in interior design and house decoration since I was young. When my husband and I bought this condo, I saw it as a blank canvas on which I could express my creativity. Documenting our decorating journey on Instagram allowed me to share my passion with others and connect with other like-minded individuals.
Q: In brief, how would you describe your home’s style?
EA: My home's style is a blend of MUJI-inspired simplicity, minimalist design. The main inspiration came from my love for MUJI's design philosophy and the desire to create a calming, clutter-free environment that reflects a sense of balance and tranquility.
We used a combination of white, neutral, and natural wood tones to accomplish this. The white backdrop is clean and minimalist, while the wood accents offer warmth and texture. This colour scheme creates a calming atmosphere, which is ideal for MUJI-inspired design.
Q: Did you hire an interior designer to renovate your home?
EA: We knew precisely how we wanted our home to look like, so we hired contractors to assist us in carrying out our renovation plans. We worked closely with the contractor to ensure that the design was implemented accurately and that the quality of the work met our expectations.
Overall, we had an excellent experience with the contractors. We were fortunate enough to find professionals who were not only skilled and experienced, but also attentive to our needs and preferences. I believe that communication is key to a successful renovation process, and we made sure to maintain an open dialogue with the contractors to address any concerns or make adjustments as needed.
Q: What were the key requirements for your home renovation?
EA: When planning our home renovation, we had several key requirements to ensure that the final outcome aligned with our design preferences and lifestyle needs:
First and foremost, we wanted a cohesive design throughout the house that incorporated MUJI-inspired, minimalist, white, and wood elements.
Second, our home has to be practical and meet our daily needs. This included creating ample storage solutions, ensuring good lighting, and making the most of the available space.
It was essential to create a comfortable and inviting living environment for our family. This entailed incorporating cosy furniture, improving the layout for easy movement, and incorporating elements that promote relaxation and tranquility.
Finally, we wanted our space to look visually appealing and showcase our minimalist design preferences while still exuding warmth and character. This is achieved by choosing the right colour scheme, materials, and decorative elements that match the overall style.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your home renovation?
EA: One of the biggest challenges we faced was dealing with a tight budget. We needed to complete the renovation within a predetermined budget of around RM70,000 (including appliances and furniture), which required us to make informed decisions regarding materials, labour, and design choices. It was crucial to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality to achieve our desired outcome without overspending.
Q: Can you tell us about the renovations that were carried out to achieve this look?
EA: Our renovation covered various aspects of our home, including carpentry, tiling, plumbing, decor, furniture, and appliances.
Dry and Wet Kitchen
As soon as you step through the front door, you will notice the open-plan layout that combines the living room, dining area, and dry kitchen into one open environment. As our family loves to dine out and explore new cafes and restaurants, we wanted to create a space that reflected a similar feel.
We requested that the contractor install a minimalist island with pendant lights above it. The island not only serves as a place to prepare meals, but it is also a great area to enjoy casual meals, like if we were in a restaurant.
We didn't make any structural changes to the house; all we did was turn the yard into a wet kitchen. The wet and dry kitchens are separated by a frosted glass door. It also helps to contain smoke and odours during heavy cooking.
In both wet and dry kitchens, we replaced the existing kitchen cabinets with simple-design cabinets, as well as replacing the existing worktops and backsplash with a white solid counter and matching subway tile backsplash. We also installed energy-efficient appliances and upgraded the plumbing fixtures for a more efficient workflow in the kitchen.
Dining Area
The dining space is intended to be both welcoming and serene. To accomplish this, we commissioned the contractor to build an L-shaped wooden bench with hidden storage underneath it. This helps to maximise storage while offering plenty of seating when I throw social gatherings.
Our dining table also can be extended when needed. It helps to save floor space when a big table is not required. Meanwhile, bright yellow cushions, throw pillows, and chair legs add to the space's lively mood.
Living Room
The living area is one of my favourite parts of the house. This is where I spend most of my time with my family and friends, relaxing, watching movies, or simply enjoying each other's company. I particularly enjoy the abundance of natural light that pours into the room from the balcony window, which gives the space a pleasant and comfortable vibe.
To achieve the MUJI-inspired aesthetic, we replaced the original tile floors with vinyl flooring. This type of flooring perfectly complemented the neutral colour scheme of the custom carpentry for storage and the media console, as well as the minimalist furniture and décor we chose. We also added new lighting fixtures to create a cosy and warm atmosphere in the space.
Master Bedroom
When renovating the master bedroom, we wanted to ensure that it was conducive enough for getting quality rest. To do so, we installed carpeting and painted the walls a neutral tone for a warm look. We also added soft lighting and a plaster ceiling. All these come together to create a calming environment, as does the use of soft bedding and minimalist furnishings.
The Kids’ Bedrooms
The goal of the kids' room was to create a space that is functional and also reflects their personalities. My daughter likes pink, so we painted his bedroom wall pink and added heart-shaped decals. We also installed a pink blind to match the light pink walls. We utilised plenty of neutral tones such as white and grey for the furniture, but the colour from the bedding, decor, and toys helps to bring out the cheerful vibe in the room.
In our son’s bedroom, we painted the walls light blue, complemented by light blue blinds. Just like in the master bedroom, we installed grey carpeting and added a blue rug to create visual interest. I also provided ample storage solutions in his bedroom to store his toys and belongings, keeping the space neat and organised.
Q: Where did you source your furniture and home accessories from?
EA: We sourced our furniture and home accessories from a variety of places. Aside from local stores like Harvey Norman or IKEA, we also try to support local businesses by purchasing from local furniture stores and boutiques. This enabled us to find unique, high-quality pieces that lent character and warmth to our home.
We also browsed various online retailers like Shopee, Lazada, or Instagram accounts to find specific furniture pieces and accessories that matched our design vision. Shopping online presented us with a wide range of possibilities as well as the convenience of easily comparing prices and styles.
Q: Are you pleased with the results of the renovation? Is there anything you'd like to change or improve in the future?
EA: I'm delighted with how our home has turned out after the renovation. However, as a content creator and design enthusiast, I'm always looking for ways to improve and refresh my abode. In the future, I'd like to look into incorporating more sustainable materials and eco-friendly design elements to further enhance our living environment.
Q: If you could give first-time homeowners who are planning to renovate their home one piece of advice, what would it be?
EA: I would advise them to start by defining their design concept, setting a realistic budget, and prioritising functionality. It's also important to seek professional advice and be prepared to make changes along the way.
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