Creamy neutrals, minimalist furniture and clean lines. Take a scroll through any local interior designer’s Instagram feed, and these are the features that dominate. Here in Singapore, interior design styles like Japandi and Muji-inspired minimalism have young homeowners in a chokehold—and for good reason. Beloved for the qualities of comfort, cohesion and timelessness, there’s no question why millennial homeowners often gravitate towards these styles.
Despite their popularity, these interior styles have been subjected to their fair share of criticism, as most things tend to do once they hit the mainstream. Most of these remarks revolve around the lack of variation from home to home, with detractors commenting on a sense of sameness and lack of individuality. Beyond these criticisms though, it’s not uncommon for new homeowners—regardless of their chosen aesthetics—to feel unsure of how to blend stylish and functional interior design with individuality, leaving many of us wondering: How does one inject personality into a home?
To answer this question, Vogue Singapore looks to Agnes Conner Yap, creative chief of Ascend Design. According to him, many young homeowners gravitate towards minimalist-led interior styles because they create a “cohesive, uncluttered space without overwhelming it with too many clashing elements”, which results in a look that requires fewer decorative features, therefore reducing the stress of the renovation process. Lifestyle plays a part too. Considering the busy lives many of us lead here, it’s paramount that all areas of a home are open and accessible for a quick and easy clean, making these styles particularly appealing.
Despite all of that, Yap shares that there has been a recent shift in his clientele—many of whom refer to Japandi and mid-century modern styles as a base rather than an instruction manual, combining them with bold, eclectic features that reflect a sense of self. “These homeowners aren’t just looking for a beautiful home; they want a space that tells their story—personal, expressive, and full of character,” he says, finding it encouraging that more homeowners are keen to explore all possibilities: “With an open mind, the journey often leads to something truly extraordinary.”
Below, the creative chief shares his best tips and insights to make sure your home’s interior design reflects your personality.
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Create a standout focal point
Typically, minimalist homes rely on uniform shapes and textures to create a sense of seamless continuity. While this is effective in constructing a cohesive space, Yap says that this can occasionally result in a lack of character.
“At Ascend Design, we like to start our planning process by introducing a unique focal point—whether it’s through an unconventional layout, the use of a bold material, or a statement feature,” he says. Beginning with a focal point in mind imbues a space with a strong identity, leaving the rest of the space to flow around it just as seamlessly without additional frills, maintaining that sense of cohesion.
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Layer your furnishing
When it comes to furnishing a home, many of us gravitate towards matching furniture sets, whether by colour, material or overall design—apart from a sense of cohesion, it helps simplify the furniture styling process. However, Yap suggests spending a little more time on thoughtful layering.
“One approach we take is playing with shapes—mixing and matching different forms to create a cohesive yet visually interesting space,” he says, such as pairing a curved sofa with an angular side table, or mixing dining chair styles around a table. According to Yap, layering different forms can add subtle impact and dimension without the visual clutter of bold colours or decorative fixtures.
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Don't forget tiles and textures
Another way to approach layering is by implementing fixed finishes such as tiles or textured wall finishes, which can bring visual interest to a monotonous space. “Whether in soft, earthy hues or bolder tones, these materials introduce depth and tactility to a space,” says Yap.
From tiled sections to lime plaster walls, such finishes can introduce some subtle variation in colour and texture to an area, creating a unique and distinctive look without straying from the overall colour palette and vision.
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Experiment with lighting
“Lighting is often approached as a purely functional element—but it plays a significant emotional and visual role in any space,” Yap says. As is often the case in fashion, it seems layering is also the key to good interior design, as he recommends including three types of lighting in a space: primary lighting for general illumination, secondary lighting for ambience, and accent lighting to highlight features.
Additionally, decorative lighting can bring both functionality and form to the table, not only fulfilling the purpose of a light source, but working in tandem with the other elements in a room to tie the look together, or even act as a centrepiece. “Whether it’s a custom wall sconce, a name-personalised feature lamp that’s very café-like, or a striking hallway pendant, lighting can personalise a space beautifully,” he adds.
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Jazz up your doors
Far too often overlooked, the ultimate playground for combining functionality and visual design exists in every home: doors. “Many homeowners default to standard laminated plank doors, but there’s so much more possibility,” offers Yap.
From unique cut-outs, creative handle designs, or materials like fluted glass, acrylic, or mixed finishes, there’s a wealth of options to customise your doors to suit your vision and needs. “These thoughtful touches can elevate an entire home and tie in seamlessly with the rest of your interior concept,” he says. And we couldn’t agree more—a house will always come with doors, why not have fun with them?
