Apartment sizes in Singapore are shrinking, especially those in newly built condominiums. These shoebox-sized living spaces might have one-, two, or even three-bedrooms, but it’s often the case that apart from the bed, you’re not going to be able to fit much else in one room. The solution lies in customising the furniture you need to maximise every inch of your (expensive) space. Often the ideas involve building up instead of sideways to fit everything you want – you might even be able to carve out extra storage space! Try out these ideas below, which not just work well, but look great too.

We’re feeling blue and loving it. The colour that dominated the runways for the Spring 2018 fashion collections in New York is finally making its way into homes. In fashion, the spectrum ran the gamut from powder to electric. However, for our spaces, designers have been embracing mid-tones as well as darker, more formal shades which go perfectly with wood grains and metallic accents such as brass and gold. In colour psychology, blue creates a feeling of calmness and serenity; its darker tones signal security, stability and sophistication. Whatever you feel about blue, there’s no denying the appeal of these following five spaces.

With more than 400 laminate designs in their current catalogue to choose from, Lamitak has got every look covered. Whether you’re hankering for a light and airy Scandinavian feel or a dark atmospheric vibe, there’s a laminate to help you achieve your dream home. Interior designers know this only too well, and laminates are an important component of their design arsenal. Lucas Yang of Archive Design uses laminates, in particular, Lamitak laminates, in all his projects, to help bring his designs to reality. “Laminates provide a nice smooth and even finish, and I use them to create different design concepts,” says Lucas. His two-year-old firm has amassed a pretty impressive portfolio of works so far, and we spoke to Lucas to find out how he does what he does best with laminates.

Everyone needs some ‘me’ time once in a while, and you don’t even have to go out of your home to zone out and relax. Conjure up a cosy corner easily with laminates to set the look and cement the design with some choice furnishings. We suggest seven fabulous looks to get you started.

Travel has always been a wellspring of inspiration for designers, even laminate designers. Wherever the Lamitak team goes, we always keep our eyes open for visually arresting textures; but it is not often we can pinpoint the final design to a single location. However, in the case of the rugged wood-inspired Rialto Pine laminate, it was two locations, halfway around the world from each other, which motivated its design. We share the story of its creation.

Why use one laminate design when you have two (or more)? Jazz up the design of your home by using more than one pattern, but don’t go overboard! We dish some tips on how to keep the look simple and tasteful with the five examples below.

Whether you’re planning to design a relaxing mancave or aiming for upscale hotel-like aesthetics for your space, dark-coloured laminates can help you achieve the look you desire. Look at these seven marvellously moody examples for inspiration.

Laminates are great decorative materials for wardrobes. Their large surfaces make perfect canvases to show off laminate patterns, especially those with large-format designs. With laminates, you can enjoy the appeal of wood, metal, stone, even fabric-inspired surfaces without spending a fortune to achieve those looks! See what we mean with these five wardrobe designs.

Laminates are a ubiquitous part of any home renovation. The material’s wide range of designs, affordability, durability, and easy maintenance are just some reasons why designers like using them in their projects. We asked two interior designers, William Lim, the director of Authors Interior, and Lee Zhiqi of Elpis Interior, to share their expert tips on using and maintaining laminates.

The first impression visitors get of your home rests very much on the design of your living room. This is where you set the style of your space, created by the combination of built-in pieces such as storage cabinets, loose furnishings, fixtures such as lights, and display items. The biggest and bulkiest structure in a living area is probably your storage unit (we all need them!). So design your cabinets to enhance your overall decor scheme – here are seven great ideas to get you started!