Colour plays an essential role in office interiors, speaking volumes with regards to business image. It reflects how a business wishes to inspire its customers, the functionality and flow of office spaces, as well as the energy sought to inspire employees. Due to the different nature of work, personalities, company culture and overall structure, a right mix of colour should be selected meticulously. Searching for colour inspirations for your office interior design? We have suggested five best colours for you to consider. After deciding on your colour palettes, it is best to consult an office interior design company in Singapore for professional advice.
Employees are among the most important business assets and a conducive working place helps to boost employee productivity and promotes effective communication. The use of colours is great for enhancing conduciveness. Blue makes for an ideal option as it empowers concentration, enabling employees to focus while working. You may choose between a lighter or darker shade of blue and the intensity depends on your office layout. Generally, lighter blues are more soothing, while the darker hues boost stimulation.
A cool grey palette exudes moderness and sleekness. Nonetheless, a pop of vivid colour like red, motivates your employees and fuels empowerment. You may either bring in some red office furniture or incorporate red decorating details to your office interior. This vibrant colour can also be used in areas that require more physical exertion. Some offices even use red to make a statement wall stand out, or leverage it as a bold backdrop. If you need more suggestions on colour applications, feel free to seek assistance from professional office renovation companies in Singapore.
Representing optimism, confidence and creativity, yellow helps to create a fun and lively workplace by stimulating positivity. This kind of office atmosphere will encourage employees to be more productive, while a positive mindset can also be developed among them. As a result, employees will feel motivated, being able to work hard and cope with any job-related challenges. In short, yellow is the perfect colour to raise productivity in an office.
No doubt, green works the best when it comes to freshening up the workplace, accentuating tranquillity and uplifting employees. Choosing the right green shade yields even better results. Usually, green is either incorporated as a statement piece or as an accent. If you have employees working long hours, green is an ideal colour to use as it calms the mind.
Orange inspires high-energy and happiness. It is proven to be one of the most effective colours to bolster productivity in the office. While orange brings energy to an environment, it may also solicit a negative reaction from some people. Therefore, it should be applied as an accent colour instead of a predominant one. Still in doubt? Reach out to an office renovation contractor in Singapore to make your dream office interior a reality.
Regardless of your office space layout, colour is a significant design element that can influence the overall atmosphere. The five colours listed above should be incorporated appropriately to ensure the best outcome. After all, an ideal working space gives employees the best chance at achieving peak performance.
CAD Associates provides interior design services for residential and commercial spaces. We work closely with our clients to create unique designs that surpass expectations. Call us now to get a quotation of our service.
No doubt, children’s safety is always a top priority for all parents. That is why childproofing your landed home is vital. Beyond providing an ideal space for your children to play and learn, childproofing also prevents them from getting injured. Childproofing is often associated with sturdy furniture, smart storage spaces and resilient fabrics. However, interior design matters as well. We understand how hard it can be keeping your little ones safe right from the moment they arrive at your home. Therefore, we have compiled a list of 5 useful ways to childproof your landed home through interior design, without compromising your design integrity.
Adding built-in cabinets and storage spaces ensures a larger area of space for your child to move around, which prevents them from bumping into obstacles or falling over your little ones from toppling over. By eliminating the hassle of having multiple visible cabinets that may block narrow doorways, built-in cabinets fit your home space perfectly, blending seamlessly with the interior. Look for a reliable landed property interior design service provider in Singapore if you need help getting built-in cabinets that suit your home style.
Vinyl floor tiles can be an ideal flooring choice when you have children at home. They are durable, affordable and resistant to scratches. Most importantly, they are less slippery, minimising falls and other accidents. These tiles are available in a broad variety of designs and colours, allowing you to find one that complements your home aesthetics.
Letting your children be in contact with electricity is extremely dangerous, hence, hiding electrical wires from reach is important. Moreover, your children may be at risk for falling if electric wires are left on the ground as a tangled, knotty mess. Since many of our daily essentials require frequent plugging in, it is critical to keep these wires hidden for a safer and more organised living space.
Here are some suggestions to hide your electrical wires:
With the greater availability of landed renovation services in Singapore, you could even opt for crafty cord management solutions to organise the sheer volume of wires in your home, while staying plugged in.
It is perfectly normal to see kids accidentally spilling drinks or food on the floor. This not only creates stains but may also cause your little ones to slip and fall. Thus, flooring made from non-porous materials should be included as part of your efforts to childproof your landed home, as it is resistant to stains. These materials block liquid or air from passing through, making it generally easier to wipe clean compared to porous ones. With their wide networking and experience, a reputable landed property contractor in Singapore can help you to easily source for your desired flooring.
Another way to childproof your home is by ensuring all stairs come with railings. The main function of railings is for holding as support while people, especially children, are taking the stairs. Railings provide stability, preventing your children from sudden falls when they lose balance.
It may be impossible to avoid accidents but diligent childproofing can certainly help to ensure your child’s safety. We hope this article has served as a useful guide for you to childproof your landed home using interior design.
CAD Associates is one of the most sought-after landed interior design firms in Singapore. We strive to constantly provide friendly client service, a beautiful design, and a collaborative working experience. Contact us today to find out more.
Due to misleading information and unawareness regarding the field, interior design has often been plagued by myths. These myths revolve around different elements from budgeting and what you can and cannot do for interior design, to hiring a professional interior designer. To help you make more informed choices, we will be debunking 5 common interior design myths in this article.
Myth 1: You can’t mix different patterns
Available in different shapes and forms, pattern refers to a repeating design that creates obvious directional movements. It crosses over multiple mediums. While some may harbour the misconception that mixing patterns may make a space look cluttered, this is not true. In fact, sticking to a colour palette even if different patterns are involved can still ensure consistency and accent your living space. Always use the right combination of colour, shape, shade, and size when you mix patterns. Here are some tips on how to play with patterns to create a harmonic vibe:
For example, you may use the same flooring pattern for your landed property interior design to create a clean, uniform, and continuous look.
Myth 2: You can’t use wallpaper in the bathroom
Bathrooms are often the wettest area in a house and because of this, some assume that it is not feasible to use wallpapers in bathrooms. Afterall, water splashes, heat, mould and other elements are unfriendly to the core material of wallpapers: paper. Nonetheless, using wallpapers in the bathroom is still a possibility if you prepare the right one. You may opt for solid vinyl, fabric-backed vinyl, or paper-backed vinyl wallpapers as they have high resistance to humidity and moisture.
Myth 3: Interior design is only for the rich
Most of the time, huge organisations turn to commercial interior design professionals to create an ideal and stylish office layout. This may fuel the misconception that interior design is costly and only meant for those who can afford it. However, contrary to popular belief, there are many interior designers who can work within your budget. With a variety of budget-friendly interior design packages available today, sprucing up your space without spending a bomb is made possible. In the long run, you would also be able to save more as professional designers can source for more quality furniture. Quality materials and pieces tend to be more durable, making them worth the investment.
Myth 4: Light paint colours are best for small rooms
Paint colours play a huge role in impacting the illusion on your room size. For instance, light paint colours are usually leveraged in smaller rooms, making them look bigger than they actually are. With that being said, light paint colours can be used in larger rooms as well! You may also give the room character by incorporating furniture and accessories with bold pops of colour. When it comes to office interior design, light pink is a common colour of choice, accentuating peace and calm. This empowers employees to work more efficiently for enhanced productivity.
Myth 5: Best to follow trends
No doubt, trends and commercialised products influence shopping habits. From the perspective of interior design, trends may inspire how you mix and match when styling your home interior. Going with the latest trends may sound like a good idea but ultimately, it is safer to opt for practicality as trends come and go. Keeping up with the latest trends also means spending large sums of money time and again to remain relevant.
Above are just some of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding interior design. By debunking these myths, we hope you gain greater clarity on how to design your space in the best way possible.
At CAD Associates, we offer quality interior design and client services. Call us today if you wish to remodel or redesign your space.
Additional and alteration work (A&A work) may sound similar to reconstruction work in many ways. Nonetheless, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore distinguishes the duo significantly. To be specific, A&A refers to construction wherein the homeowner makes adjustments to a readily-available, furnished property. It is considered minor work that only involves repairs or renovations to weak areas, as well as customisations to existing aspects. On the other hand, reconstruction encompasses an entire change to the property, which includes decreasing or increasing story height or even converting a semi-detached house to a detached one. This article will share how A&A work and reconstruction differ from each other.
A&A
Learn more: Additions and Alterations to Landed Housing
Reconstruction
A property project must fulfil the criteria below in order to qualify as an A&A proposal:
Meanwhile, proposals that do not follow the criteria for A&A shall be considered as reconstruction proposals. Works yielding the following outcomes shall also be part of reconstruction, regardless of whether the works top 50% of the existing building GFA:
On the other hand, for existing landed housing that are given the green light under previous landed housing guidelines, new A&A works shall be compliant with the permissible building envelope in the Envelope Control guidelines.
Where the current building already tops the permissible building envelope, the new A&As shall not further expand the building bulk. Such applications will be reviewed by the URA by referring to the merits of the proposal. This is to ensure that the result to be carried out later by builders in Singapore is not worse off.
At CAD Associates, we strive to offer customised interior design for your residential or commercial space. Call us today to get a quotation for our quality service!
The nature of your business pretty much determines your office’s appearance. Beyond aesthetics, a good office design should also enhance employee productivity and happiness. Incorporating a conducive environment that values employees’ privacy, ability to concentrate, and work attitude is key. No doubt, choosing a suitable layout for your office can be quite the challenge. There are many factors to be taken into consideration and the most crucial one involves the personal wellbeing of your employees.
Here are five main principles to follow for an ideal office design and layout:
Proper space management minimises clutter and creates the illusion of spaciousness even for smaller offices. As decluttered spaces contribute to more organised minds, employees are able to work better, which in turn boosts their job efficiency. Prior to office renovation, do establish a space management plan to evaluate the available layout of your office. This will help you make more informed choices when it comes to maximising the best use of space.
Techniques to improve organisation:
Colour plays an essential role in office interior design as it can affect employees’ productivity and mental health. It also determines how your customers perceive your business. Instead of using your brand colours on just the office walls, try incorporating suitable shades for your furniture, soft furnishings, or decorations too!
Five recommended colours to create a sophisticated office layout:
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
White
In short, ponder over whether you prefer an office that is warm and cosy or light and airy. Darker colours produce the prior effect while lighter colours accentuate the latter.
When planning an office layout, always look for sufficient natural light sources. Natural light can help reduce headaches and eye strains, enabling your employees to stay alert and minimise task errors. In terms of business costs, greater savings is made possible as energy consumption is reduced. Additionally, natural light also makes your office look bigger and brighter.
Factors to consider when using natural light in your office:
A breakout space allows your employees to eat, relax and interact with each other. While some may harbour the misconception that such spaces are a waste of resources, that is certainly not true. In fact, offices with breakout spaces can encourage collaboration, innovation and engagement of employees. Purpose, theme colour, company culture, and furniture are key elements that contribute to an effective breakout space.
Leveraging an open office space design helps to boost flexibility of the work process. It allows your employees to communicate effectively, without the barrier of cubicles. As a result, a collaborative and engaging work environment can be established. Office renovation contractors tend to favour and adopt this design in co-working spaces.
As one of the most sought-after interior design firms in Singapore, CAD Associates delivers quality results in remodelling or redesigning your space. Call us now and get started on your office design today!
In Singapore, there are different types of accommodations you can stay in. There are HDBs, condominiums, and landed houses among others. When it comes to landed houses, most people prefer buying a fully furnished home. However, with different needs and wants accompanied by the rising cost of houses, it is difficult to find one that checks all the boxes. It also does not make sense to compromise on a house that does not suit your style.
As a future homeowner, imagine how satisfying it would be to customise your own home as you get to show off bits of your personality and style in your alterations. A few adjustments and customisation here and there, also known as “addition and alterations” or “A&A”, can truly turn a house into a home.
Do take note that in Singapore, you may need approval from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and/or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) before performing any type of home construction.
What is A&A Work in Singapore?
According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), A&A work refers to minor construction that does not affect the existing structure of the building. Changes can be in the form of repairs or renovations to areas that need them as well as customisation to other existing parts of the house.
A&A works allow owners to channel their creativity through minor customisation as they personalise their homes with additional spaces and interior alterations. A&A works also allow homeowners to change weak or damaged areas such as leaks, water seepage and deterioration of materials and finishes without needing heavy duty works which might require different permits and costly construction works.
Common A&A Works in Singapore’s Landed Property
1. Swimming Pool
As swimming pool construction does not affect the structural integrity of a landed property, it is classified as an A&A work and houses that have the space and budget for a pool can have one made at the side of their building.
2. Porch/Garage
Making an extension to your house for a porch or allocating space within your building for a garage is done for practical purposes rather than aesthetics like frontage and car parking. A porch extension would be perfect for homeowners as it provides extra outdoor space and a garage is literally an essential as more and more Singaporeans are car owners.
3. Attic
Due to land scarcity in Singapore, homeowners may find adding an attic to their homes beneficial as it provides extra space and height. An attic would only be considered A&A work if it does not interfere with the structural integrity and is minor enough not to alter the foundation of the house.
4. Garden Pond
Garden ponds provide a zen aesthetic to any backyard and can be inhibited by aquatic creatures or left uninhabited to save costs. Other than its zen factor, a garden pond is also a good balance between the city and nature and they are a pleasant scenery against concrete jungle.
Requirements for A&A Works
Based on your location in Singapore, the requirements needed to conduct A&A works and construction can be different. Across all locations, you may need to acquire permits from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB) and/or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
Your chosen landed property contractor in Singapore should know about the required permits needed for your area, as well as the regulations set for specific construction works. Other types of A&A works like those dealing with fire safety and protection will require documentation and assessments from fire marshals and relevant parties.
An experienced contractor should be able to submit the necessary documents needed to authorise the A&A works and once the construction is done, a registered architect, engineer or any qualified representative must fill out an electronic form for submission to SCDF by 21 days after the project has ended.
In summary, renovating a home in Singapore can be rewarding and exciting but only if it is done right. If you are considering making any reinstatement work or A&A work for your house, do get in touch with our professionals at CAD Associates to know more about our services and projects.
Congratulations! You’ve bought a new home and now you can’t wait to put your landed property interior designing skills to the test just to realise you don’t know where or even how to start. When it comes to luxurious landed property interior design in Singapore, it can vary from one person to another. For some, it might be a room decorated with crystal chandeliers, wooden panelling, and even heavy curtains. For others, it could mean an ultra-modern lounge area filled with accent chairs and luxurious sofas.
The focal point of all high-end interiors centres around elements that deliver big on comfort, detail, and sophistication. This refined appearance is what makes any luxe design a favourite among many. Continue reading as we share tips on how to elevate your landed property renovation in Singapore with interior design skills for a more luxurious landed property.
1. Bring in more light
Dark and gloomy aesthetics are definitely not the way to go when you want to achieve a luxurious feel. Most luxury homes go for light-filled spaces that make the area feel much bigger than it naturally is. Here are some foolproof tricks to welcome light through details.
2. Opt for Curtains
When it comes to the perfect finishing touches to your landed property interior design in Singapore, you can never go wrong with a beautiful set of curtains. You might ask, why not just use blinds instead? While blinds are able to do the job perfectly, they tend to look and feel stiff, practical, and functional. Curtains on the other hand are flowy and offer a sense of grandeur, making them ideal for your luxurious space. Here are some tips on how you can bring the whole room together with curtains.
3. Choose furniture in velvet material
Textures like velvet are known to add sophistication and warmth to your home. Their ability to carry colour like no other fabric gives any interior an opulent, glamorous aesthetic. But be careful not to overdo it as it can spoil the whole design, making it look tacky. Here are some ways you can weave in the magic of velvet in your landed interior design in Singapore.
4. Invest in statement art pieces
Art pieces are a symbol of luxury, sprucing up any interior design, but be careful not to ruin the luxe vibe. Instead of cluttering empty walls with mediocre artwork, invest in one amazing piece that will do the job. Alternatively, you can create your art wall by carefully picking out art pieces that go along with your overall style as statement art is the epitome of luxury. Some ways you can choose the right art for your landed property interior design in Singapore is by
5. Play around with colours and textures
How you mix and play with textures and colours is an important part of designing a luxury space. While white and grey are the go-to colour options for luxe rooms, you can always introduce other colours like green, purple and maroon which are also associated with luxury over the years. Different textures like wood, velvet, feathers, metal and leather can also transform the room. With the right combination, you can definitely create a luxurious room that suits your taste and needs.
All you need to create the ultimate luxurious, modern home design is some inspiration and creativity. A blend of different art, textures, and most importantly comfort can go a long way in making you feel at home. While it can be daunting to start designing a high-end landed property, you can always contact CAD Associates, a landed property contractor in Singapore for more inspiration, style ideas and recommendations.
While most tend to pay attention to a home’s interior design, not many understand the importance of good office design. For instance, the Google office is exemplary of how a functional, visually appealing, comfortable, and inviting space is vital to both employees and clients.
Thus, putting more emphasis on the office’s interior design when setting up your business will help to set the tone and tell a story about your brand.
Not convinced? Here are some examples of how a good office interior design will benefit your business – read on to find out more.
1. Improves your employee’s well-being
Apart from the home, your employees spend the bulk of their time in the office so making it somewhere they look forward to be rather than someplace they have to be is essential. Some simple ways to make the office conducive and welcoming include incorporating biophilic design, mixing and matching textures, and creating collaborative spaces through moveable furniture and an open-plan.
Quality office interior design can improve your employees’ work attitude, productivity, efficiency and overall well-being, which will ultimately benefit the company.
2. Represents your business
Your office interior design is also part of your business identity and can help with brand recognition. Including your brand colours, mascot and slogan into the interior design are some fun yet simple ways to spruce up the space while conveying a message. FoodPanda’s new office in Singapore is an example – the company made use of its iconic hot pink brand colour and plastered its panda mascot all over the place.
For example, darker hues and straight lines give off a more professional vibe while brighter colours and fun shapes can be reserved for business in creative industries like advertising.
3. Better employee retention
The office interior design also has an impact on employee satisfaction, which correlates to retention and turnover rates. Creating a workspace with attractive amenities is a great way to make employees feel happier at work, influencing them into staying with the company longer.
Consider having swanky pantries stocked up with snacks and drinks, resting pods with massage chairs and gaming areas for your employees to unwind in. These are some great ways for employees to destress, allowing them to feel more satisfied at work.
4. Saves more money in the long run
Investing in high-quality renovation materials and aesthetically pleasing interior design sound costly, but the good news is that it will definitely be worth the money in the long run. Choosing the right office interior design options such as using the finest materials that will last for years to come and making use of environmentally-friendly solutions like letting natural light in to reduce electricity usage will all contribute to saving costs as time goes by.
Let us help you meet all your office interior design needs
Consider CAD Associates, an office renovation contractor in Singapore.
Our team is knowledgeable and experienced in a variety of office renovation projects. We believe in assisting our clients every step of the way to help them achieve their dream interior design.
Thinking of setting up an office building and wondering if you should opt for a design and build contract instead?
This guide to what a design and build contract entails and the benefits will help project owners to make informed decisions – read on to find out more.
Traditional Contract vs Design and Build Contract
A traditional construction contract is typically carried out in three stages – the project owner works with a designer or architect to come up with a design, then potential contractors will tender bids and finally, the construction takes place with the project owner’s chosen contractor and design.
On the other hand, a design and build contract simplifies the entire process because different stages merge together when handled by an entity with both design and construction capabilities. This means that designing and construction take place at the same time, allowing project owners to reap various benefits.
The Benefits of A Design and Build Contract
While design and build was previously thought of as an alternative, it is now fast becoming a preferred method by many project owners, thanks to these benefits.
1. Increased project speed
Delays in interior design and construction projects are a dime a dozen nowadays and we are sure you have heard of such stories before. However, overlapping both the designing and construction process in a design and build contract helps to save time since both can occur concurrently. For instance, construction will be able to progress while designs get approved in phases, instead of having to wait for every part of the design to be accepted by the project owner before construction can take place. This aspect is especially important when it comes to projects with a tight timeline.
2. Reduced costs
Choosing a design and build contract over traditional ones will also help project owners save money – one of the biggest reasons why it is becoming a popular option. By only working with a single entity that is able to cover all aspects of the project from start to finish, project owners get to bear fewer overhead costs or deal with various contractors who may quote different prices and cause the project budget to exceed. Staying within budget is crucial for a successful project.
3. Improved communication
Those under the design and build contract all share a common goal: to ensure the successful completion of the project with as few hiccups as possible, and this is achievable with good communication. Unlike a traditional contract where liaising with numerous contractors is necessary, the project owner can now just communicate with one main point of contact. The in-charge then conveys the message to the right people to rectify the problem immediately, making communication so much quicker and easier.
4. Greater collaboration
A design and build contract also encourages greater collaboration, since it takes away the tendency for separate teams to work on just what is in their best interest. Everything gets handled by one entity, which makes it necessary for them to work together to ensure the project is a success. The collaborative nature of a design and build approach does not just improve teamwork, but also develops better cooperation and enhances transparent communication to help achieve optimum project quality.
Kickstart Your Design and Build Journey with CAD Associates
Design and build contracts can benefit projects of various sizes and budgets while often leading to fewer problems throughout the entire process. Communication gets streamlined too, making the project much more enjoyable to manage for project owners.
Consider CAD Associates for your upcoming project – we offer our expertise in office renovation, home interior design and even retail design.