Notes on renovating well in Singapore.
Practical guides on comparing quotes, planning a budget and preparing for renovation — written from real project experience.
The Renovation Regret Most Singapore Homeowners Only Notice After Moving In
Most homeowners do not regret renovating. They regret not asking the right questions before renovating. At the start, everything feels exciting. You look at mood boards.You save beautiful home inspiration photos.You imagine your new kitchen, your dream wardrobe, your cosy living room. But after moving in, some regrets only appear when daily life begins. […]
Read the guide ↗Instant vs Storage vs Gas Water Heater Singapore: Which One Is Best for HDB in 2026?
Choosing the right water heater in Singapore is one of the most overlooked renovation decisions—but it directly affects your daily comfort, electricity bills, and long-term maintenance. Many homeowners only decide at the last minute… and end up choosing the wrong system. In this guide, we break down the 3 main types of water heaters in […]
Read ↗GoDesign Opens New Japandi-Inspired Showroom at Vertex
A New Chapter: Our Second Showroom at Vertex GoDesign Expands with a Second Showroom at Vertex At GoDesign, our mission has always been to Go the Extra Mile in creating homes that combine style, functionality, and timeless craftsmanship. To bring this vision even closer to homeowners, we are proud to announce the opening of our […]
Read ↗Creating Serenity in Style: The Design of PINC Nail Spa
Designing a space that balances functionality with luxury is always a rewarding challenge. For PINC Nail Spa, the vision was brought to life by Crystal Koh, who set out to create a sanctuary where clients can unwind, recharge, and enjoy treatments in an environment that feels both sophisticated and soothing. First Impressions That Last The […]
Read ↗Turning a Renovation Nightmare into a Dream Home: A Story of Commitment and Craftsmanship
Renovating a home should be an exciting and fulfilling journey, but for one homeowner, it turned into a nightmare. Abandoned by her previous interior designer (ID), who went MIA, she was left with a house barely 30% completed. Delays stretched on for months, leaving her home in complete disarray—debris scattered everywhere, electrical wires dangling dangerously, […]
Read ↗Interior Designer vs General Contractor: Who Should You Choose for Your Renovation?
Renovating your home is an exciting journey, but deciding who to work with can be daunting. Two common choices are interior designers and general contractors. While both play crucial roles in bringing your dream space to life, they offer different services and experiences. Let’s dive into the key differences, their pros and cons, and help […]
Read ↗Renovation Packages vs. Tailored Solutions: What Homeowners Need to Know
When embarking on a home renovation journey, many homeowners find themselves faced with two choices: opting for companies that offer pre-designed renovation packages or working with firms like Godesign that provide fully customized solutions. While renovation packages might seem like a convenient and cost-effective option at first glance, there are deeper considerations that could impact […]
Read ↗Home Offices: Creating Productive and Inspiring Workspaces
As more people work from home, having a good home office is very important. A well-designed workspace can help you stay focused, be more productive, and feel inspired. Here are some easy tips to design your perfect home office: Pick the Right Location Choose a quiet spot for your office. If possible, separate it from […]
Read ↗Color Psychology in Interior Design: Choosing the Right Palette
When designing a space, color is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right colors can make a room feel cozy, energizing, or relaxing. But did you know that colors can also affect how we feel? This is called color psychology. The idea that colors can influence our emotions and behaviors. Understanding how […]
Read ↗8 Cool Staircase Design Ideas That Will Elevate Your Home's Look
If you’re looking for ways to make a statement in your home, the staircase is an ideal starting point. Far from being just functional, a well-designed staircase can add character, style, and sophistication to any space. Whether you’re after something sleek and modern or bold and creative, here are eight staircase design ideas that will […]
Read ↗The Impact of Lighting in Interior Design: Choosing the Right Fixtures
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the vibe of a space, yet it’s often overlooked! Choosing the right fixtures isn’t just about brightening up a room—it’s about creating atmosphere, highlighting features, and tying together your entire design. Maybe you've thought, “Aren't all lights the same? Why not just pick the one that looks nice?” […]
Read ↗Key Business Lessons From My Late Father
In 1982, my father founded Yap Kian Hock Contractors. I was still a mischievous kid back then (as you can see above!). I remember my father bringing me to some of his work sites. As he went about his business, barking out orders and inspecting the work done, I would explore the area like any […]
Read ↗A Behind-The Scenes Look Into One Of The Most Challenging Projects I’ve Ever Handled (Most Other ID Firms Would Turn This Down)
The doorway to quarantine GoDesign has been in the ID business for over 40 years. As you can probably imagine, we have encountered our share of challenging and untypical projects. But no matter what the requirements, we will always do our best to not just meet…but exceed the expectations of our clients. Case-in-point: We […]
Read ↗Shocking Truth About The ID Industry: Why Is Formaldehyde Poisoning Happening In So Many Homes?
In recent months, if you’ve been a regular follower of news outlets like The Straits Times and Channel News Asia, you may have noticed that there has been plenty of coverage about formaldehyde poisoning in homes. The question is: Why is this “silent killer” allowed to permeate so many of our homes so easily? I’ll […]
Read ↗Wood Cabinet Vs Aluminium Cabinet – Which One Should You Get?
Aluminium cabinets are all the rage now. Many other ID firm are pushing them aggressively. Seems that GoDesign is the only one who haven’t embraced the trend yet! Even though I’ve been approached by many aluminium cabinet suppliers, I’m still sticking to the traditional wood cabinet. You may be thinking, “Seriously? Why don’t you catch […]
Read ↗The Evolution Of China’s Anti-Formaldehyde Laws – Laying Down The Law On The “Wild East”
When I was learning the ID trade from my father, he used to tell me, “Don’t ever work with China plywood suppliers.” That was over 30 years ago. Back then, China had extremely lax regulations towards quality of materials. They were the “wild east” in the furniture and manufacturing world. The trade-off was that China-made […]
Read ↗Hidden Hazards At Home: Understanding the Dangers of Formaldehyde Poisoning from Everyday Furniture
You may have read in the news recently that a family fell sick after moving into their new home. The cause–Formaldehyde Poisoning due to dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in their new furniture. The eight years old daughter developed dry eyes and a sore throat the day they moved in The husband […]
Read ↗Let's talk about your home.
Tell us your property type, timeline and the work you have in mind. We'll help you decide the next practical step.