The Interior Design Trends That Will Shape Singapore’s Homes in 2024

One thing that never seems to change is our love for neutral palettes.

Warm, earthy tones came to the fore in 2023 as homeowners sought soothing spaces – and it doesn’t look like things are changing anytime soon.

In fact, there is even more of an emphasis on appreciating imperfect details in spaces and making homes as comfy as they can get.

To find out all about the upcoming renovation and interior design trends in 2024, we spoke to industry experts in the interior space. Here’s the low-down!

1. Soft, warm looks will continue to dominate in 2024

Continuing from last year, expect your interior inspiration feed to fill up with cosy, warm homes.

Valerie, an interior designer at Jesigns Interior Design, expects softer looks overall. Nivel, co-founder of Artspaze, shares a similar outlook: “We’re seeing a lot more warm neutrals and nude colours coming up. After the pandemic, homeowners are focusing more on their mental health.

When they come back from the office, they need a place to be soft and inviting so that they can relax – which is exactly the atmosphere these colours can create. Conversely, I think dark greys are off-trend now.”

And, as Benjamin Moore Paints shares, neutrals like off-whites with different undertones (like yellow, grey and blue) are timeless and can be adapted to various interior themes like Scandinavian, farmhouse and modern-luxe.

In particular, they “find that neutrals with a balanced undertone like taupe (brown and grey), and greige (beige and grey) are gaining popularity”. A truly neutral colour like greige provides the versatility to coordinate with both warm and cool colours you have in the house.

“We also see homeowners wanting more greenery – it’s like a focal point to relax their eyes,” adds Nivel.

2. Expect bolder accents around the home

Don’t rule out bolder colours though! While off-whites remain the most popular palette among homeowners, Benjamin Moore observes that more are choosing bolder colours as accents in their home – particularly in private spaces like the bedroom, which are “considered areas for personal expression”.

As Nivel says, “if everything is warm, the home will look monotonous, so it’s good to have a pop of colour to create some contrast.”

Think hues like green, blue or even black; Benjamin Moore shares these evoke a cosier atmosphere compared to the openness associated with white. Nature-themed colours like olive greens and peachy oranges are also popular, according to Nivel.

Based on insights from Hafary, a leading supplier of premium tiles and countertops, you’ll probably find such looks in kitchens too: for countertops, the current trend “leans towards a marble effect, featuring bold colours and distinctive veining”, to “achieve a varied and distinct look that adds character to the space”.

Of course, if you’re one for experimenting with bold colours all around, Benjamin Moore suggests shades like Blue Nova, their Colour of the Year 2024 – a happy mid-tone – or their well-balanced Colour Trends 2024 palette which has a mix of bold and soft mid-tone colours.

3. Raw, organic textures are buzzing in 2024

If you’ve been seeing a deluge of homes with limewashed walls, you’ll certainly see more in the coming months! According to Nivel, homeowners are opting for more organic looks, with “raw, unfinished materials” for wall surfaces and cabinets.

While fluted panels were a hit in the past few years, they’re seeing a slight decline in favour of more organic textures, which you can achieve with effect paints.

In line with that, both Nivel and Valerie are seeing an uptick in homes that are inspired by the wabi-sabi concept of appreciating the beauty found in imperfections.

According to Hafary, even for tiles, “texture has become a focal point, especially with the prominence of 3D tiles that provide a tactile experience – these look dynamic in different lighting conditions, making them particularly suitable for feature walls”.

4. Curves are making a comeback

Nivel shares that while curves might have fallen out of favour for a while, they’re returning in full force thanks to the emphasis on having more organic features in homes.

These could include rounded edges, arches, and even false ceiling designs with concave effects that are used to conceal beams.

Curves have a relaxing effect and soften your interior, complementing the general turn to warmer and cosier homes.

5. Convenience and easy maintenance are at the top of homeowners’ minds

Having to spend hours maintaining the home after long days at work can be exhausting, so it’s no surprise that homeowners always look out for convenience and easy maintenance. In 2024, it will be no different.

For example, Nivel shares that more are asking for laminates that are fingerprint- and oil-resistant, which makes cleaning up much easier.

Valerie also gets more anti-mould and easy-wash queries when it comes to choosing paints, given Singapore’s humid climate.

For carpentry, many of Nivel’s clients request storage spaces that look seamless. These include multifunctional built-ins like flip-down beds, extendable tables hidden in cabinets and pull-out trays in kitchens.

“We also get requests for tall units in the kitchen that are covered up – from outside, you wouldn’t know there are appliances inside. With a lot of more things being covered up, it also translates to easier maintenance since there are fewer surfaces to clean.”

Along with material and carpentry choices, homeowners also increasingly prefer appliances that make tasks more convenient/manageable and save time.

Some of the more common choices Nivel has observed are exhaust fans: many install these to ensure proper ventilation in the bathrooms, reducing humidity and mould growth.

There’s also a notable increase in water dispensers, automated laundry systems and an uptick in dryers to help with drying clothes on wet days.

6. Homeowners are increasingly adopting smart home features

Speaking of convenience, there are sure to be days when you don’t feel like giving up the comfort of your bed/couch to turn on the lights.

As Nivel adds, “While homeowners try to spend more time at home, they are also busier at work. In such cases, they prefer to have more flexibility and convenience when they are home; having a smart home system can enhance their lifestyles”.

From smart curtains to tunable smart lights and appliances like robot vacuums with smart timers, he has seen more owners turning to smart home solutions.

Explore: Where to Shop for Digital Locks and Smart Home Systems in Singapore

While more homeowners are trying out some aspects of a smart home system, we have yet to see many adopting a complete smart home ecosystem – according to Valerie, this is due to varying factors like “price point, troubleshooting and user experience”.

7. Sintered stone is a top choice for homeowners

Both Hafary and Nivel highlighted that sintered surfaces have gained popularity among homeowners owing to their various properties: for one, they’re non-porous, making them food-safe and hygienic.

They’re also waterproof and resistant to chemicals, stains and scratches.

Despite the typically higher upfront cost, homeowners are willing to invest in it for its durability and properties. You can even put hot cookware directly on the surface without worrying about heat damage.

If you’re looking out for alternatives with similar properties, Nivel suggests two types of engineered stone countertops: Dekton and Silestone.

Valerie pointed out that KompacPlus has also seen a rise in popularity, since they offer sink covers that flush seamlessly with the tabletop, effectively providing more counter space in small kitchens.

On the other hand, quartz worktops are becoming less common, though they’re reasonable options for those on a tighter budget.

8. Entertainment/display spaces are taking centre stage

Home offices were all the rage post-pandemic, but since most have returned to the office, homeowners prefer now to keep their spare room flexible instead of turning it into a full-fledged WFH set-up with built-ins.

On the other hand, Nivel has noticed that clients are “more willing to spend on home theatres, sound systems and collectible displays like Lego collections and Bearbrick figures”.

The reason? Nivel shares that homeowners are spending more time at home after work or over the weekends; naturally, amping up the cosiness and entertainment spaces has become a key point for those renovating.

9. Open-concept spaces for hosting will be a highlight in 2024

Besides entertainment spaces, homeowners are also looking at open-concept kitchen layouts that allow them to host friends and family, without having a separate dining space. Even in smaller homes, Nivel comes across requests for extendable furniture, like tables.

Not only does such an open layout emphasise the spaciousness of the space, but also lets you keep up with the conversation even while you’re cooking and serving.

Considering the focus on hosting, it’s no surprise that Nivel and Valerie have come across more homeowners getting wine chillers for their homes.

Creating a sense of openness extends to your choice of tiles as well: based on Hafary’s observations, more homeowners prefer large format tiles in the living room and bedrooms as they “create the illusion of expanded space by minimising the number of grout lines.”

10. Homeowners are savvier about renovation; concerned about quality

“I have one homeowner who came prepared with 40 PowerPoint slides,” Nivel laughs, saying that “homeowners are much more savvy than before.” He recommends four to six images to include in a moodboard for your first meeting with your ID.

“With social media like Facebook, TikTok, and platforms like Qanvast, there is a lot of content you can find while researching.”

For instance, they can get inspiration on different interior trends from around the world; Nivel finds that there’s a “healthy mix between local and overseas sources of inspiration”.

Homeowners can also “get to know other homeowners’ renovation regrets online and are more aware of alternatives for things like materials.”

Explore: We Surveyed 600 Homeowners on Their Reno Experience, Regrets and More

In a similar vein, Benjamin Moore highlights that many more are mindful of the quality of renovation materials used at home. “Homeowners have become more health-conscious, with a focus on general well-being, so quality eco-friendly paints such as those with zero VOCs and washability properties for easy maintenance have become more popular.”

One such paint is Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec Interior Paint, with properties such as zero VOCs, zero emissions and is also certified to be asthma- and allergy-friendly.

However, Valerie has also noticed that some homeowners “don’t have a clear idea of their home vision and plans”, likely because the vast amount of content can be confusing. It’s best to centre your renovation plans around your specific lifestyle needs and budget.

Are these trends for you?

If you’re thinking of jumping on the interior trends bandwagon, be sure to discuss your vision with your ID: as Valerie says, they can help you to “weigh what you like to have against your priorities and find a workaround to incorporate them to the design”.

Still looking for an ID? Get free recommendations for IDs by clicking on the button below – we’ll match you up with reliable firms who meet your renovation requirements like budget and style!

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