Renovation Overdue: 8 Timeless Home Designs That’ll Last You for Life

This is your cue to go all out with whatever your (interior design) heart desires.

As we grow older and change, so do our family dynamics – and interiors. You might want to give your home a makeover suited for your golden years, upgrade your home for life with your children/grandchildren, or anything in between.

Whichever it is, get the ideas flowing with these home looks, and tips for making your home more family- and elderly-friendly.

A spacious haven for memorable family reunions

Calling all makciks: are you the designated host for family gatherings (perhaps by virtue of being everyone’s favourite grandparent)? Here’s a home perfect for bringing the whole gang together during Raya.

There’s a peninsula, popular for its space-saving design, where you can prep food and drinks while chatting with your loved ones at the dining table. Or, use it to set up a buffet line for extra large affairs!

The neutral palette gives the living space a soothing vibe, made even cosier thanks to the soft cove lighting.

With the ‘double’ living room set-up, you can even close it off with the sliding glass door for privacy and to block out the sounds outside – the perfect atmosphere for the kids to enjoy enjoy a movie or two while the adults chat.

View Todz’Terior's Portfolio

Elegance and modern comforts with a timeless dark interior

While many associate older folks with a love for light and bright colours, don’t let that stop you from embracing the dark side – especially since you don’t have to keep the home light and bright for your kids anymore.

Homes with darker palettes (check some out here!), coupled with sophisticated finishes, are excellent for achieving a luxe, hotel-like look.

One thing this $120,000 renovation didn’t skimp out on was lighting, which couldn’t be more important to prevent accidents caused by low visibility: you’ll spot a mix of ambient and task lighting, from the recessed and cove lighting in the living/dining areas to the under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and toilet.

Besides practicality, layering lights just adds so much more depth and dimension to your home.

View Design 4 Space’s Portfolio

Traditional elements that evoke a sense of grandeur and classic charm

When your kids have left the roost, you have the freedom to redefine your home as you like.

Take this resale condo, for example, where the light flooding in from the glass windows and balcony doors highlights the traditional elements in this home – from the glossy flooring and gold-framed paintings to the bold Chinese-style lattice feature.

For added safety, go for floor tiles that have more traction to prevent accidental slips and falls.

The recessed circular feature and chandelier in the dining area complement the gilded frame design of the surrounding paintings, adding to the luxe feel.

View Omni Design’s Portfolio

Functional decor with reconfigurable spaces to accommodate elderly and children

We love that this home is a balance of timeless yet functional aesthetics, like a sleek fluted glass partition that separates the living area from the view of the front door. This provides privacy while still allowing light through and making the space feel more open.

Moving in, you’ll spot an understated TV console backed by wooden fluted panels for visual interest in the living room, and a big, envy-inducing kitchen.

You’ll notice that there’s an emphasis on keeping spaces clutter-free, so you can easily move around without worrying about tripping or knocking into something.

After all, designing an elderly-friendly home with reconfigurable spaces couldn’t be more important as you get on in age. This makes it easier to accommodate any improvements you might want to make in the future too, like grab bars and wheelchair ramps.

View Zenith Arc’s Portfolio

A big family home that brings people together

The impressive space aside (at 130 sqm!), the flexible open-concept communal areas in this home make it perfect for a big family while still having private retreats in the separate bedrooms.

With so many family members, there’s no doubt you’ll have a lot of items to keep and display too. That’s exactly what this home’s built-in cabinets with see-through sections are meant for.

This mix of visually open and close cabinetry provides ample storage to keep the home neat while making it easy to spot things you might need to reach for more often, like books and toys.

In areas like the kitchen, make sure the cabinets are low enough to easily reach for items. It helps you to find things quicker at a glance too!

View Yang’s Inspiration Design’s Portfolio

Practical features for a cosy and functional space

While simple, this BTO flat with its soft colour palette is no less cosy or functional than its counterparts.

A half-wall design ensures light passes through into the kitchen and keeps it visually ‘open’ while the dry pantry minimises the hassle of going into the kitchen to prepare simple things like drinks and snacks.

And in the kitchen, we love that there are handy pull-out compartments, which would help you to reach items easily without having to bend or use a lot of force as these actions could aggravate lower back and leg conditions.

View Flo Design’s Portfolio

A sanctuary for grandkids’ sleepovers, or to invite the whole kampung over

At a whopping 149 sqm, the size of this resale HDB makes others pale in comparison. Peek in and you’ll find a huge communal area with a semi-open concept kitchen – the perfect space for a gaggle of grandkids to hang out and even have sleepovers.

It’s also just great for inviting friends and family over for celebrations and get-togethers if you enjoy hosting.

The wide doorways, coupled with the ample walking room, are great for improving accessibility for those using mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs.

View Ciseern’s Portfolio

A home with antiques for a nostalgic trip back in time

What do you do with all the empty rooms when your kids move out? For those of you with a passion for collecting, it might be time to dust off your collections and show them off.

This home does just that, with collections on display at every corner against the backdrop of bold colours. Such saturated colours also help seniors to see better since findings have shown that they have a harder time differentiating light colours.

If this charming vintage vibe isn’t enough, there’s an impressive bookshelf for curious minds – complete with a hidden door for the adventurous.

View SHE Interior’s Portfolio

Retire in comfort and style with the right interior

At Qanvast, we can shortlist designers who can help you design an interior tailored to your family’s needs. Tell us your renovation requirements and you’ll get personalised renovation quotes from interior design firms – completely free!

Engaging an interior designer firm through our recommendation service has its perks, as you can opt in for the Qanvast Guarantee that safeguards up to $50,000 of your renovation deposits.