A Peek Inside Some of the Most Stylish Homes in Penang

There are plenty of ideas to steal for your own home!

Penang is one of the UNESCO states that constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia. The island’s architectural style is a great design inspiration for any homeowner living in this state.

From modern to neoclassical design, check out these stylish homes that define Penang's diverse mix of culture and ethnicity.

1. A condo in Tanjung Bungah with exquisite oriental design | Renovation cost: RM300,000

This 1250 sqft Penang condominium put together by Space Up Design stands out as a harmonious blend of Oriental and modern aesthetics. The home features bold colour choices, particularly the elegant and regal combination of dark purple and green. These hues create a striking contrast against the backdrop of off-white walls, evoking a sense of opulence and luxury.

To enhance the lavish ambiance, elements such as ice jade marble and gold accents are used generously throughout the home. The ice jade marble counter in the dry kitchen, for example, brings a cool and calming element to the space, while the gold accents in the bathroom add a touch of sophistication and grandeur.

As you explore the house, you'll come across a tea room with well-lit cabinets displaying an extensive collection of tea pots and tea cups. The tea room provides a serene environment for the homeowners to relax and fully immerse themselves in the tradition of Chinese tea culture, which is still popular among locals today.

Contact Space Up Design

2. A bright and airy condo in Bukit Mertajam | Renovation cost: RM500,000

Designed by JZone Interior Design, what sets this spacious 5,000 sqft bungalow apart from other cookie-cutter units in its neighbourhood is its unique layout and practical design.

Notably, the absence of a traditional 'formal' dining area (which is very common in Malaysian homes), because the homeowner prefers quick meals over long conversational ones. As a solution, the designer incorporated a dining table extension adjacent to the kitchen island for the homeowners to enjoy quick meals instead.

While most Malaysian homes feature floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets in the kitchen, the owners do not perceive the need for them because they are difficult to access (and are frequently left unused). As a solution, the designer employed a wood panel ceiling to bridge the gap between the walls and the upper cabinets to maintain visual continuity while preventing dust accumulation at the top of the cabinet in the kitchen area.

The master bedroom on the second floor, on the other hand, has been expanded to include a walk-in wardrobe, a vanity, and a study area, while the children's bedroom balcony has been converted into a study area. The designer also installed large windows to help brighten up the children’s bedroom, and a built-in wardrobe was fitted to boost the room's functionality.

You can read about the entire renovation process of this home transformation here.

Contact JZone Interior Design

3. A contemporary dark luxe bungalow in Penang | Renovation cost: RM1,200,000

Located in the heart of Penang, this modern bungalow renovated by CreteArt Design Studio & Constructions exudes elegance, sophistication, and a touch of boldness in every corner.

The highlights of this home are the entryway and the living area, where an impressive display of KAWS and Bearbrick collections takes centre stage. The artfully arranged figurines are showcased behind a glass door, creating a store-like feel. The addition of white light as a background enhances each figurine, making them stand out even more and becoming a conversation starter for anyone who visits.

Similar to the living room, the rest of the home boasts a rich, dark colour scheme. This can be seen everywhere, from the built-in units in the walk-in wardrobe, to the tiled floors, marble walls, vanity, sanitary fittings, and even the blinds in the master bathroom. Meanwhile, warm lighting emphasises the dark theme's dominance.

Contact CreteArt Design Studio & Constructions

4. A Zen-style landed home in Penang | Renovation cost: Undisclosed

This charming 2400 sqft landed home is designed by Dare Solution in Japanese Zen-style, where simplicity and natural elements converge to create a serene and harmonious living environment.

The first thing you notice is the abundant use of wood tones, which bring warmth and a touch of nature to the interior. The wood-toned floors, for example, complement the wooden built-ins and loose furnishings such as the dining chairs, sofa frame, and console table. The clean lines of the built-ins and loose furnishings add to the visually uncluttered appearance.

Neutral tones such as beige, white, and grey reinforce the Zen vibes. The light colours contribute to a bright and airy atmosphere, allowing natural light to fill the rooms. Meanwhile, the presence of indoor plants adds a dose of vibrant greenery and brings a sense of tranquility and balance, making the home feel like an oasis of calm.

Contact Dare Solution

5. A modern condo in Relau with dramatic flair | Renovation cost: RM200,000

This 1140 sqft condominium has been completely transformed by Vuemont Signature Interior Design into a modern home, where black dominates the interior to create a bold and sophisticated ambiance.

Throughout the house, there is a mix and match of different dark tones, with black as the primary shade. It can be seen in places such as the bathroom doors, walls, and sanitary fittings. To prevent it from feeling too gloomy, a bold red accent colour and LED lighting have been incorporated (in the bathroom), striking a perfect balance between dramatic and inviting.

In the living room, the designer has taken a creative approach by using a projector instead of a traditional flat-screen TV. The projection creates a large, immersive screen that makes it a perfect space for movie nights and a fun gathering spot for friends and family.

Another notable highlight of this home is the master bedroom, where a floating bed with LED lighting underneath acts as the room’s centrepiece. Meanwhile, the textured feature wall behind the bed serves as a captivating focal point, adding a touch of edginess to the room. A leather chair further enhances the masculine vibe, creating the perfect corner for reading a good book.

Contact Vuemont Signature Interior Design

6. An elegant neoclassical condo in Paya Terubong | Renovation cost: RM280,000

This 1360 sqft condominium in Paya Terubong designed by ZT Design Studio strikes the perfect balance between modern and neoclassical design styles.

The condominium features an open-plan layout that combines the living room and the dining room into one open space. The designer employed a subtle tone of beige and soft grey with a touch of brass accents to create a classical and elegant feeling in this area. A crystal chandelier that hangs above the dining table further adds to the room’s elegance.

Adjacent to the dining area is the wet kitchen. To divide the kitchen from the open-plan living area while keeping the grease, moisture, and heat away, the designer installed a custom-made French door with fluted glass, which serves to complement the home’s design theme.

The kitchen's soothing beige tones blend harmoniously with the wainscoting detail adorning the cabinets, perfectly complementing the Italian marble countertop and backsplash. This elegant setting makes daily cooking more inspiring and less of a chore.

The master bedroom houses a long stretch of walk-in wardrobes with a mix of transparent glass doors and a fully enclosed door for privacy storage. Another interesting feature? The strategic placement of opposing mirrors creates the illusion of a visually endless wardrobe.

Contact ZT Design Studio

7. A contemporary condo in Bayan Lepas with ample storage space | Renovation cost: RM120,000

This 1200 sqft condominium has been completely renovated by INC Design with a contemporary interior that not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but is also functional. As you step inside, you are greeted with a seamless blend of neutral tones, with shades of grey and white dominating the space.

One of the fascinating features of this home is a hidden door located adjacent to the kitchen, which is cleverly camouflaged by wooden panelling. The seamless integration of this door into the wall allows it to blend seamlessly with the rest of the interior. The door leads to a storeroom, providing a discreet storage solution.

There are plenty of built-ins found throughout the home that contribute to its uncluttered and streamlined appearance. For instance, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves with open and closed compartments serve as both functional storage and display areas, which help to maintain a sleek and tidy look.

Contact INC Design

8. A Scandinavian-style landed home in Penang with classical references | Renovation cost: RM160,000

This 2400 sqft landed home in Penang has been beautifully renovated by Catappa Design Studio with Scandinavian design style.

The interior exudes a sense of calm and comfort, achieved through a harmonious blend of light wood, beige, and cream colours. Meanwhile, subtle pops of pastel tones are scattered throughout the interior to further elevate the home’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Clean-lined, minimalist furniture in light wood becomes the centrepiece of each room, reflecting the essence of Scandinavian style. Each piece is carefully selected for its functionality and aesthetics, embracing the concept that form follows function. The furniture seamlessly integrates with the overall design, creating a cohesive appearance.

Soft textiles in neutral tones, such as gentle greys and light pastels, adorn the sofas, chairs in the living room, and beds in the bedroom, adding an element of comfort and texture to the interior. These soft accents create an inviting atmosphere, encouraging its residents to relax and unwind.

Contact Catappa Design Studio

9. A chic-looking condo in Tanjong Tokong with a contemporary look | Renovation cost: RM125,000

Nestled in Tanjong Tokong, this 1,650 sqft condo has undergone a remarkable transformation by VLA Interior Design, where a fusion of contemporary chic and classic elegance creates a harmonious and inviting living environment.

The condo exudes an aura of sophistication and classic charm, brought to life by the wallpaper feature walls in the living room and bedroom, which serve to add subtle texture and visual intrigue to the rooms. Meanwhile, wall-panelled wardrobe doors add an elegant touch, offering a sense of luxury and refinement to the bedroom space.

The home features an open-plan layout that combines the entryway, living room, dining room, and kitchen in one open space. To demarcate different zones within the open layout, the designer introduced floor-to-ceiling cabinets to not only help to divide the space but also cleverly maximise storage space, ensuring a clean and clutter-free appearance. Other notable renovations included the installation of false ceilings to further elevate the overall look of the rooms and to allow for additional lighting to brighten the space.

Contact VLA Interior Design

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