Before you decide whether you’re a Japandi soul or secretly Industrial at heart, it helps to know how interior design in Singapore even got here. Our taste in homes has come a long way, from the practical “just enough” of kampong living to the sleek, condo-worthy spaces we scroll past on Pinterest.
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A brief look at Singapore’s interior design journey:
1960s to 1970s: Post-independence HDB flats focused on functionality and efficiency, bare essentials, terrazzo floors, minimal décor.
1980s to 1990s: The economic boom led to more middle-class homeowners; rise of “modern” interiors with marble flooring, solid wood furniture, and ceiling fans with lights.
2000s: Globalisation and online inspiration brought in Scandinavian and Minimalist influences. Condo living encouraged sleeker, smaller-space solutions.
2010s to present: Fusion styles like Japandi, Transitional, and Muji-inspired gained traction. Homeowners sought calm, intentional spaces amid fast-paced city life. Today, Singaporean interiors are also more eclectic. Blending heritage touches with international design trends, sustainability, and smart-home integration.
So before you start your renovation mood board, here’s a handy, no-frills glossary of Singapore’s most popular interior design themes — from the timeless to the trending. Think of it as a crash course to help you say, “I want that look,” without blank-staring your ID.
1. Contemporary
Contemporary and Japandi mix
Image credit: The Interior Lab
People often mix up contemporary with modern which makes sense, since “contemporary” literally means now. But in design-speak, modern refers to a specific era (mid-20th century) with its own clean, functional aesthetic. Contemporary, on the other hand, keeps evolving with the times, it’s today’s take on what feels stylish and livable.
Expect clean lines, neutral tones, and open spaces that feel airy but warm. It mixes current trends with timeless elements, often featuring natural light, minimalist furniture, and subtle textures like wood, stone, or metal. Think of it as the flexible, well-dressed cousin of modern design, never too flashy, but always on point.
So perhaps next time when you say modern, you might actually mean contemporary.
2. Modern
Image credit: Starry Homestead
Like we mentioned in the earlier point, modern design isn’t actually “modern” anymore, at least not in the right now sense. It originated in the early to mid-20th century, inspired by the Modernist movement that prized simplicity, clean geometry, and honest materials.
In fact, Modern design isn’t just one thing, it’s more like an umbrella. Because it dominated much of the 20th century, many familiar styles today such as Scandinavian, Minimalist, Industrial, and Mid-Century Modern, all trace their roots back to Modern design.
That’s why you’ll often see these styles overlap, borrowing elements from each other while keeping that clean, functional Modern DNA.
In other words: function over frills. Expect open layouts, flat surfaces, and materials like steel, glass, and wood all working together without unnecessary ornamentation.
And while modern art can be abstract or experimental, modern interior design is more about clarity and practicality. It’s that timeless, no-nonsense look that still feels fresh decades later, proof that good design really doesn’t age.
3. Minimalist
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
The classic “less is more” look. Minimalism strips everything down to what truly matters: clean lines, functional furniture, and a clutter-free flow. It’s not about owning nothing, but about owning just enough.
In Singapore, it’s a favourite for compact HDBs, where space is precious and visual calm makes a big difference. Think neutral palettes, simple silhouettes, and smart storage that hides the mess so your home looks effortlessly zen, even if you spent the morning shoving everything into drawers before guests arrived.
Image credit: The Interior Lab
If Minimalism had a friend with better lighting and warmer vibes, it’d be Scandinavian. Inspired by Nordic design, this style is all about light wood, soft textures, and an airy, sunlit atmosphere that feels both clean and cosy.
It champions functionality and comfort, or as the Danes call it, hygge (that untranslatable feeling of homely cosiness). Expect neutral colours, natural materials, and uncluttered layouts, often with plants or woven accents for warmth.
It often overlaps with minimalist sensibilities, but where minimalism says “less,” Scandi design says “less, but make it cosy.”
5. Japandi
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
Japandi happens when Scandinavian and Japanese design comes together to form a beautifully minimalist baby. It blends Scandi simplicity with Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy. Calm, balanced, and quietly intentional.
Expect natural materials, muted earthy tones, and clean lines that feel both warm and refined. Everything has a purpose, yet nothing feels forced.
It’s a style that values harmony with nature, celebrates imperfection subtly, and turns your home into a peaceful retreat, even if it’s just your 3-room flat after a long day.
6. Wabi-sabi
Image credit: Anhans Interior Design
More than just an aesthetic, wabi-sabi is a way of seeing beauty in imperfection and impermanence. It’s the art of finding peace in the naturally flawed, weathered wood, uneven ceramics, and organic textures that tell a story.
One famous example is kintsugi: the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, turning cracks into highlights rather than hiding them. It perfectly embodies wabi-sabi’s philosophy: flaws and wear are part of a story, not a problem to fix.
This style prioritises authenticity, simplicity, and mindfulness, creating spaces that feel soulful rather than styled. It’s not about chasing perfection, but about appreciating how things and people age gracefully.
At its heart, wabi-sabi isn’t just a look; it’s an attitude toward life and beauty. one that quietly reminds us: nothing lasts, and that’s okay.
7. Industrial
Image credit: Insight Out
Think of Industrial as the style equivalent of “I like my coffee black and my interiors a little raw.” It’s edgy, unpolished, and inspired by factories and warehouses, but adapted for home living.
Expect exposed brick, concrete floors, metal pipes, and darker tones, giving your space that urban loft vibe. And because no one wants to live in a cold warehouse, it’s often softened with warm wood accents or leather furniture, balancing grit with comfort.
Perfect for those who want their home to feel stylish, functional, and just a little rebellious.
8. Mid-Century modern
Image credit: Design Anthology
Falling under one of the core styles of Modern design, Mid-Century Modern is a retro-but-timeless style from roughly the 1940s–1960s. Think clean lines, bold colours, and geometric patterns, all wrapped up in a functional, uncluttered layout.
Mid-Century Modern is considered part of modern design because it still values function over form, but it adds its own twist: dynamic decorative accents. Unlike more traditional Modern design, which keeps decorations to a minimum, Mid-Century Modern embraces statement pieces that give the space personality without clutter.
Iconic furniture, like Eames chairs or teak sideboards often steal the spotlight, while the overall vibe balances form and function elegantly. It’s the style that says, “I appreciate history, but I don’t live in a museum.”
9. Muji-inspired
Image credit: Urban Home Design 二本設計家
Think of Muji-inspired design as Japanese modern simplicity in action: neutral colours, clean lines, clever hidden storage, and spaces that just… breathe. It prioritises mindfulness, comfort, and decluttered living, making it perfect for small HDBs where every corner counts.
Here’s where it differs from wabi-sabi:
- Wabi-sabi celebrates imperfection and natural decay, the beauty of things as they age. It whispers: “Let things be.”
- Muji minimalism celebrates order and intentional simplicity, the beauty of restraint and balance. Its mantra? “Keep only what you need.”
In other words, wabi-sabi is soulful and organic; Muji minimalism is serene, tidy, and practical. Both are calming, just in slightly different ways.
10. Tropical/Resort style
Image credit: Patrick Lau
If your dream is bringing vacation vibes home, Tropical or Resort style is your go-to. Perfect for Singapore’s humid climate, it celebrates rattan, wood, and lush greenery to create that effortless holiday feel, even if you’re just chilling in your HDB room.
Expect good ventilation, natural light, and layered textures. Making spaces feel fresh, airy, and relaxed. Inspired by Balinese and coastal aesthetics, this style turns your home into a little retreat without the air ticket price.
11. Eclectic
Image credit: Ascend Design
Eclectic is basically the “let’s see what sticks” approach. A mix-and-match of styles, textures, and eras that’s all about personality. It’s bold, creative, and often tells the homeowner’s story in ways that cookie-cutter interiors can’t.
The trick? Balance. Without careful curation, eclectic can quickly tip into clutter city. Done right, it’s a fun, visually interesting, and totally unique home that feels lived-in, loved, and unmistakably yours.
12. Transitional
Image credit: Ascend Design
Transitional design sits right between traditional and modern, creating a timeless, balanced look. It pairs neutral palettes with subtle, elegant detailing, giving spaces a sense of refinement without feeling overly formal.
Perfect for homeowners who want sophistication without stiffness, this style blends the warmth of classic elements with the clean lines of modern design. Think polished yet comfortable. A home that feels curated but still lived-in.
13. Maximalist
Image credit: Knock Knock Studio
If Minimalism whispers, Maximalism shouts. This style lives by the mantra: “more is more.” Think layers of colour, texture, and patterns, mixed boldly with statement furniture and decor.
It’s expressive, confident, and unapologetically you, the interior design equivalent of Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dot worlds or Lari Pittman’s vibrant, intricate canvases. Every corner tells a story, every wall makes a statement.
Done well, a maximalist home is vibrant, dynamic, and endlessly interesting. A place that truly reflects your personality.
14. Vintage / Retro
Image credit: Renologist
Vintage / Retro design is all about celebrating the charm of past decades. Think 60s, 70s, or 80s. Unlike Modern, which has its own defined era, retro is simply what feels nostalgic to us today.
It’s a multi-cultural style, drawing from both Western and Eastern influences. Expect nostalgic colours, antique furniture, patterned tiles, and quirky accents that transport you back in time.
In Singapore, Eastern retro works especially well in Peranakan shophouses or older HDB estates, adding warmth, character, and a sense of history to your home.
And hey, nostalgia is relative. 2025 feels contemporary now, but in 2050, our 2025 interiors might be “retro”. Kind of like how we felt so pop at “Oops!… I Did It Again” when it first came out, and now it’s playing on Class 95 like a golden oldie.
15. Peranakan / Heritage style
Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior
Peranakan / Heritage Style is a love letter to local culture and craftsmanship. Expect vibrant tiles, ornate woodwork, and vintage furniture that celebrate Singapore’s rich history.
It’s all about mixing old-world charm with modern updates, so your home feels both timeless and liveable. Perfect for homeowners who want to preserve architectural nostalgia while adding a contemporary touch, giving every corner a story worth telling.
16. Zakka
Zakka is a Japanese-inspired style that’s all about charm, simplicity, and everyday happiness. It’s less about strict rules and more about creating a space that feels cozy, cheerful, and functional, with little touches that make daily life nicer.
Think cute storage, handcrafted ceramics, soft fabrics, and quirky home accessories that are both practical and delightful. Zakka design is perfect for homes that want personality without chaos, giving your space a warm, lived-in feel where every item has a story, or at least a smile attached.
17. Jungalow
Jungalow is a style that celebrates plants, patterns, and personality in equal measure. Think lush greenery, rattan furniture, colourful textiles, and layered textures that turn your home into a lively, cozy oasis.
It’s perfect for those who love nature indoors but don’t want to compromise on style. Unlike a minimalist jungle, Jungalow is fun, eclectic, and unapologetically vibrant, making your space feel like a mini urban rainforest with a healthy dose of boho charm.
Picking the right theme for your home reno
Each era left its mark: terrazzo nostalgia, glossy furniture sets, and now, a love for muted tones and houseplants for those unmistakable zen vibes.
Our interiors have always reflected more than just design trends. They mirror how we live, work, and unwind.
Choosing an interior design style doesn’t have to feel like picking a single lane forever. Many homeowners mix and match influences, like Japandi with Tropical accents or Mid-Century Modern with Maximalist pops to create a home that’s uniquely theirs. The key is balance: let each element breathe, and avoid visual chaos.
Before you start shopping for furniture or tiles, take time to align your design choices with your lifestyle and space. Small HDBs might call for minimalist or Muji-inspired solutions, while bigger condos can handle bolder, layered aesthetics.
Next, do your homework: research past projects, visit showrooms, scroll renovation blogs, and pin what truly speaks to you. Knowing what you like and why helps you communicate clearly with designers and avoid costly mistakes.
While DIY inspiration is great, consulting an experienced interior designer can save you headaches, keep your vision cohesive, and help manage your budget. Even small tweaks from a pro can make a huge difference between “nice” and “wow.”
Finally, remember: your home is a reflection of you, not a magazine spread. Whether you lean minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between, the best interiors are the ones that feel lived-in, comfortable, and unmistakably yours.
Are you eyeing more interior design articles? Check these out:
- 11 biggest interior design trends of 2025
- 7 best wabi-sabi HDB & condo renovations in Singapore
- 8 best interior designers for Japandi-themed homes in Singapore
Cover image adapted from: Charlotte’s Carpentry, Fifth Avenue Interior, Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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