I faced the same dilemma 4 years ago. At first I found a few ID's and they sent me a draft design. What I found out is that all of them have their own ideas, which I didn't like. At the time, I don't know why. I mean, their designs are nice, but didn't click with me. Secondly, their fees are not cheap, and the materials they plan to use also not cheap.

Next, I bought some magazines, I found the best are "iN Design" and "Square Rooms" because they have lots of examples for ordinary houses and condos, not those luxurious bungalows, haha. I also visited Houzz website, also lots of practical and nice ideas there.

After doing the research and reading, finally the idea of what I want formed in my mind - "Modern Contemporary". From there, I chose a few pictures and showed them to kitchen cabinet companies and custom furniture companies. They drew up the 3D design, I reviewed them, and from there, my renovation started.

Nowadays, friends who visit me can't believe I didn't use an ID for my house


So, in summary, find out what you really like through research and reading, and from there talk to the renovators. ID's are often quite stubborn and prefer you to follow their ideas.

if you can do it yourself, just diy
most interior designers just cari makan saja, not of the standards of those on tv shows etc

Yeap, these 2 mags are make more sense than any other magazines out there, but for the past 2 issues of square rooms their contents skewed more towards condo and soho

I didn't use any ID for mine too. Designers sometimes makes things looks nice but not practical. I can balance both myself.

saving on the fees can be spent on better things.

at the end, is not the design. it's more towards how you can maintain that look for long.

Don't design like 5 star but last a day then next day become 1 star.

The problem is the majority of IDs here are crap. The few good ones are too expensive. Most design for the sake of design with no practicality. So in the end, just copy designs from others.

One key rule I'd learned is "less is more". Don't overdo anything and dont have too many things lying around. Your home may look like a show house for the first few weeks, if you got too many things, you will not be able to maintain that designer look. A clean and uncluttered home is more important.

you must differentiate between interior designer with interior decorator.
ID is same level as architect. they study all movement / needs in a space.


decorator only buy you furniture / items and put them nicely.

yea, there's tons of reference online to get ideas on the design and the interior styles ... i personally prefer to look at homelysmart for home decor ideas ...

Suddenly the 2018 tered is brought to life

ID is like chef, you can tell him what you want and what you don't want, he will cook up something for you, worth it or not, depends on your need

In Malaysia? Hahahahahaha 99% of IDs tend to be cookie cutter jobs.

I've yet to engage an ID to renovate an own stay home. Why?? Very simple, I don't like other people telling me how I should live my life and why I should choose a certain color or type of finish if it isn't what I want.

Own stay home for myself? First things first I ask one of my Feng Shui masters to come view the place, I do take into account what was said but not in its entirety.

The absolute worst thing? You thought you paid a certain ID company big bucks for an ID design only to find out 2 weeks later someone else on IG has a house with the exact same design right down to the same piece of overpriced junk furniture that most likely came from a factory in Shunde district in Guangdong province, China

In short, you get what you paid for

its very difficult to copy paste what you see in magazines by your own. a good ID can do that, basically he is like a project manager that keeps track of all work. of course, its expensive la

Hey guys, after reading the sharings from many of u here, I would like to put in my view as an interior designer.

It's not true that 99% of IDs tend to be cookie cutter jobs or most IDs are just copying other works or from magazine.

The No 1 factor to ensure getting a good interior design outcomes came from the results of how effective it is
the communication between home owner and their designer.

There are many good interior designers in Malaysia, also there are many good independent designer and interior design freelancers too. House owners need to put in some efforts on finding the right designers who are capable and understand your needs, not just finding the cheaper one or the one who can complete the design drawings as if you are in hurry to move in.

Yes, interior design is not just about making our home look nice, how good a designer can make full use of existing house spaces and environment, also how creative they can fulfil the practical living and storage needs upon understanding house owner's preference and renovation budget also form an important criteria to achieve a comfortable home design scheme.

Let's think of it this way, normally an interior design fee is around 3 ( design concepts ) to 7% ( design and site project management ) of the total renovation budget. If you have 60k budget, it's a good investment to take the 5% of 60k which is 3k to hire a ID to ensure you get the home design environment you wish as we will live in the new home for the next 5 to 10 years or more.

The main thing is how we can ensure we spend the 3k to get the correct and capable ID.

Here are my 3 suggestions, firstly do some home works looking through the design works done by the designers either through their official website or social medias, ensure these designers has min 5 years industry experience as you do not want to put your home project on newbies as insurance. Then, shortlist 2 to 3 IDs you like.

Secondly, do spending time communicate with your shortlisted designers by showing them the existing house plans, site photos and design concepts you prefer, listen to how these designers interpret your needs and their ideas.

Thirdly, be honest and let these IDs know about your budget and again listen to how and what are these designers' suggestions on getting the design projects done around the budget.

By doing these 3 steps, most likely you can get the Mr / Mrs Right IDs you need.

Hope this helps!

This post has been edited by ehwee: Aug 6 2022, 10:34 AM

If you have the budget, of course la no brainer to hire ID

It is a subjective, make or break kinda thing. As long as you clearly communicate with your ID, they can cook what you want well enough.

Aside from site visit, state what you want & then listen to what they have in mind or proposed & tweak those that you seem that is not what you want because

if you give vague shit like "anything" or "something is missing but i dunno what", it is bound to have disaster & unnecessary waste of time for revision, resources & VO if you're not going to leave everything to ID to decide.

You pay them for their time of some if not most brainstorming, all required 2d drawings / 3d modelling (even with Comp-aided software, it can take one heck of a time depending the scale of the projects) that will then be used by many ID appointed contractor/supplier/manufacturer/etc. for further coordination, stuffs and many more till its completion because, contrary to what most belief, ID work scope is not just design only.

This post has been edited by AdisonMak: Aug 6 2022, 12:21 PM