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Stay connected with us on our social media!&nbsp;Follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sixidesasia">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sixidesasia">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Sixiderchannel">YouTube</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://t.me/sixidesasia">Telegram</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://t.me/sixidesasia">TikTok</a>&nbsp;for the latest design trends and inspiration!&nbsp;📸💬🎵

Smoke Gets In Your EyesLet&#39;s talk about the current haze situation in our beloved Lion City. Yes, if you haven&rsquo;t notice, Singapore is not turning into Genting Highlands, the pesky and irritating Haze is back! For those who are unaware, the Haze carries with it harmful toxicants such as TVOCs and PM2.5, that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. (source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EPA</a>) While we can&#39;t control the environment outside, we can certainly make our interior spaces better with some clever interventions! As an interior designer, I&#39;m here to share some ideas on transforming our homes and offices into cosy and haze-free havens.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1697185149163-pm2.5_scale_graphic-color_2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">PM 2.5 particulate matters are so small in comparison to your human hair. Some of these particles can get deep into your lungs and even into your bloodstream and cause serious issues to your health. (Image Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EPA</a>) Mechanical InterventionsFirstly, mechanical interventions play a vital role in keeping our interior spaces clean and healthy. Air purifiers equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can help to tackle airborne pollutants, including those pesky haze particles. Investing in these devices can significantly improve the air quality indoors.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1697185287871-air-purifier-living-room-air-cleaner-removing-fine-dust-house.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Plants Are Useful Too! <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1697185302822-plants.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&nbsp;But hey, let&#39;s not overlook the non-mechanical interventions as well! Indoor plants, such as the resilient spider plant and peace lily, act as natural air purifiers, absorbing toxins and releasing fresh oxygen. Not only do they enhance the aesthetics of our spaces but also provide a breath of fresh air &ndash; quite literally!&nbsp; Personally, I have had an affinity with plants since young and had always incorporated some kind of greeneries into my designs. In my home, I try to find ways to dress up the space with the use of plants. With the haze upon us, even more reasons for me to convince my wife to go green with me indoors!&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1697185318316-Picture3.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Almost all the bay ledges in The Designerd&rsquo;s home are dressed in different pots of plants. 6 Ways You Can InterveneNow, let&#39;s dive into the concept of an interior designer&#39;s intervention. It goes beyond simply creating visually pleasing spaces. Our expertise lies in designing functional and harmonious environments that address Homeowners&rsquo; specific needs. From efficient space planning to thoughtfully selecting materials, furniture, and lighting, we strive to create spaces that enhance your well-being and ensure optimal comfort even during challenging times like the haze season.&nbsp; Here are 6 ways that an interior designer or Homeowner could implement in their approach to designing a space that addresses the internal air quality of a space. <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1697185339196-Hefadf4a1099b4d32afbf9c3396737f8eL.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Invest in an Air Quality Meter, that reads the level of toxicants in your interior spaces. <ol><li>Adequate ventilation: Incorporate good air circulation and ventilation systems in interior spaces to minimize the entry of outdoor pollutants and improve the indoor air quality.</li><li>Air purifiers and filters: Invest and install high-quality air purifiers and air filters to efficiently remove particulate matter from the indoor air, reducing the impact of haze.</li><li>Sealants: Use air-tight seals around doors, windows, and other openings to prevent external pollutants from entering the interior spaces.</li><li>Plants and greenery: Integrate indoor plants and greenery into the design to naturally filter and purify the air. Plants like the Areca Palm, Snake Plant, and Boston Fern are known for their air-purifying qualities.</li><li>Use of materials: opt for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials and finishes in furniture, paints, and other interior elements to minimize the release of harmful chemicals and improve indoor air quality.</li><li>Smart technologies: Implement smart air quality monitoring systems to track and respond to changes in indoor air quality, automatically adjusting ventilation and purifying systems as needed.</li></ol> Do Something About It, At HomeSo yes, there&rsquo;s something you can do, my friends! We&rsquo;ve move past those days where we had to wear a mask everywhere we go only to come back to wearing it again to deal with the haze! While there&rsquo;s really nothing much, we can do to stop the haze, but we can make sure we take care of our interior spaces at home for the sake of our loved ones!

Match with up to 6 ID firms for

Match with up to 6 ID firms foryour reno needs

Find Your Perfect ID Firm

Let's talk about the current haze situation in our beloved Lion City. Yes, if you haven’t notice, Singapore is not turning into Genting Highlands, the pesky and irritating Haze is back! 

Haze Haze Go Away

SIXiDES is an interior design tech and renovation platform that uses tech to change the way people renovate their homes. Conceived as a means to safeguard aspiring homeowners in realizing their space with ease and peace of mind. SIXiDES unique features provide an integrated solution that guides the users right from the very beginning till the end of the renovation journey.

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Anybody doing research about interior design in Singapore right now will undoubtedly see plenty of beautiful homes with stripped wall panels.

Ways To Use Fluted Panels For Your Home

The debate over ceiling fans continues to spin around many a design circle. While some claim that ceiling fans downplay room aesthetics, champions of such fans highlight their practicality. In this article, we&#39;ll dissect the love-hate relationship between designers and why some dislike having ceiling fans in their design.&nbsp; <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1700717919542-image-02.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Table 1: Ceiling Fans &ndash; Pros and Cons Efficient Air CirculationOne of ceiling fans&rsquo; major selling points is their ability to efficiently circulate air in a room. They create a cool breeze during hotter months and help distribute warm air evenly during colder periods, a feature that stands resilient against changing seasons. The condition for this to do well is understanding the science behind ceiling fans. If you want your ceiling fan to effectively reach the corners of your room, it is not just about the width of your fan fixture and the blades. The height of your top clearance or downrod affects the capability to reach further, as the more clearance you have, the more air the blades can pick up and push down into your room. <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1700717958153-downrodlength.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Fan Mounting Options (Image Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.luxedecor.com/buying-guides/ceiling-fan-buying-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Luxe Decor</a>) Constant Wind CoverageCeiling fans provide consistent wind coverage, easing the strain on HVAC systems. By utilizing ceiling fans, homeowners can lower energy consumption - a critical benefit considering the ongoing environmental concerns. <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1700717994983-image-01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> &ldquo;It Interferes With My Ceiling Design&rdquo;.Aesthetically, ceiling fans might not match a room&rsquo;s overall design and could obstruct interesting ceiling features. They&rsquo;re often viewed as practical but not aesthetically pleasing &ndash; a large reason many designers aren&#39;t fans of the fan. Some older designs have 5 blades and are long which makes it look like someone added &ldquo;propellers&rdquo; into a space and converted it into a helicopter. &ldquo;It Is Harder To Maintain/Clean&rdquo;With a floor standing fan, all you need to do is open the cage and take out the blades to hose it down. A stark disadvantage of ceiling fans, from a designer&#39;s perspective, is their difficulty to clean. Unlike light fixtures or compact standing fans, ceiling fans require more effort to maintain due to their height and size. A ladder is most definitely needed and in certain cases, where the bedframe is built in and immovable, there is an issue in placing the ladder to gain access to the ceiling fan.&nbsp; &ldquo;Strobe Light Issues&rdquo;Ceiling fans situated beneath a light source are liable to produce a strobe light effect. This can create an uncomfortable lighting situation that interrupts the tranquillity of a space. The designer will have to skirt around the ceiling fan to avoid casting a beam of light into fan&rsquo;s blade. In certain situations, this is unavoidable especially if the room is small and no matter how you shift the lights, there is no way you can avoid this. <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1700718027107-strope-4-panel-1024x594.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&ldquo;Strobing&rdquo; effect of ceiling fan on lights (Image taken from:&nbsp;<a href="https://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/preventing-strobing-effect-from-ceiling-fans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Em Reno Blog</a>&nbsp;) The best way to deal with strobe lighting issues (which is a pet peeve amongst designers) is to use a layered lighting approach and not depend on the light mounted on the ceiling for total illumination. By layering, you can use cove lights integrated into the carpentry, standing lamps and table lamps. The sum of lighting illuminating the space becomes spread out and this helps to avoid strobe lighting issue. Is There A Solution?So, do designers unequivocally hate ceiling fans? Not necessarily. Like any component in design, ceiling fans have their appropriate settings. However, they require a careful balance of their pros and cons to avoid sabotaging overall design cohesiveness and functionality. Perhaps it&#39;s less about animosity and more about awareness of when and where to use them to their best advantage.&nbsp;

The debate over ceiling fans continues to spin around many a design circle.

Do Designers Really Hate Ceiling Fans?

In The Beginning&hellip;If you&rsquo;ve just gotten the keys to your new home in Singapore, chances are you&#39;re grappling with the possibility of renovating on the notorious $30,000 budget. It&rsquo;s no myth; the $30k figure has significantly impacted the local renovation scene. Let&rsquo;s break down why this budget remains a staple and how you can make the most of it. Renovation On A Budget: Understanding The $30K Standard<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1705657240079-Image+1-01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span style="color: rgb(112, 112, 112); font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">Ever wondered why $30,000 is the magic number? Here&#39;s the lowdown: &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Loan CapsMost banks in Singapore cap renovation loans at $30,000 or six times your monthly income, whichever is lower. This cap has become a de facto standard for both financial institutions and borrowers. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Risk and ProtectionThe cap helps manage financial risk for both parties&mdash;the bank doesn&#39;t over-lend, and borrowers don&#39;t over-borrow. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Market InfluenceThe budget cap has set the stage for renovation packages that cater specifically to this price bracket, making it a common starting point for quotes. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Small Spaces, Smaller BudgetsAverage Singaporean homes don&#39;t boast expansive square footage, which means less ground to cover, and subsequently, lower costs. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Steady as She GoesSingapore&#39;s controlled economy and inflation rates help maintain the feasibility of a $30k renovation. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Going TaobaoWhat with the convenience and trust in online marketplaces. Singaporeans do not have to completely get their furniture and finishes from the renovation. In fact, more and more homeowners are opting to save costs and get their materials, building supplies from online entities like Taobao or Lazada. A Practical $30K Renovation BreakdownSo, you have $30k and a dream. Here&rsquo;s a way to slice that budget pie in today&rsquo;s context to ensure you don&rsquo;t crumble under financial pressure:<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1705657083045-Image+1-02.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Fundamentals (20%)Channel funds into the crucial aspects of your renovation that form the backbone of your home&rsquo;s design. This usually includes hacking works, walls, tiling, waterproofing, doors, and windows. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Mechanical Marvels (20%)Electrical work and plumbing are essential; skimping here can lead to costly problems down the line. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Carpentry and Fixtures (25%)A significant portion will go into built-ins and cabinets, which are key to a functional space. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The Finishing Touch (10%)Paint, wallpaper, and minor aesthetics that make your space feel like home should take up a tenth of your budget. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Furniture and Decor (10%)Allocate some funds for furnishings that will bring personality to your newly minted abode. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Professional Know-How (10%)Good advice isn&rsquo;t free. Investing in professional fees for designers or contractors can pay off in a smooth renovation experience. &bull;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The &#39;Just in Case&#39; Fund (5%)Always have that buffer for unexpected costs or last-minute tweaks. $30K + Savvy Planning<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1705657122459-business-finance-man-calculating-budget-numbers-invoices-financial-adviser-working.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Remember, these are just guidelines. Every renovation journey is unique, and yours might require you to adjust the numbers slightly. Do get multiple quotes, and don&#39;t be shy to negotiate with contractors. If you need help in getting estimates to kickstart your journey, don&rsquo;t forget to use our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sixides.com/equote" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eQuote</a>, our renovation calculator. With savvy planning and a clear vision, your $30k can go a remarkably long way&mdash;even in today&#39;s market. Happy renovating!

If you’ve just gotten the keys to your new home in Singapore, chances are you're grappling with the possibility of renovating on the notorious $30,000 budget. 

Why is Everyone’s Renovation Budget, $30K?

Discover the different approaches to dress up your bomb shelter doors with a lists of ideas of SIXiDES Verified Designers.

Haze Haze Go Away

Let's talk about the current haze situation in our beloved Lion City. Yes, if you haven’t notice, Singapore is not turning into Genting Highlands, the pesky and irritating Haze is back!

Find Your Perfect ID Firm

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