The world is getting smaller.
And it is not simply due to the availability of information technologies that has allowed trans-geographical communication and shrank the world into a virtual community. It also pretty much has to do with the current imbalance of population growth and migration. As human population continues to surge in unregulated figures, mass movement of individuals are concentrated on very few places particularly urban centers. As such, major cities on many countries around the world have become crowded hubs of bodies, buildings and vehicles. Within these developments, space has become a highly disputed modern artifact.
And commercial interior designers in Singapore are adapting.
Minimalism as Space Optimization
When given limited spaces, the logical option is to maximize every inch. This means utilizing spaces not just for visual purposes. Traditionally, crowded homes or buildings are considered undesirable since they are not aesthetically pleasing and do not provide warm, cozy or relaxed environment. Traditional office interior designs have been worked towards spacious layouts where spaces are literally left as such: empty spaces if only to serve aesthetic appeals. With new limitations in space, homes and offices can no longer afford such luxury and every available, usable space must be utilized. For modern commercial interior designers, this modern concept of spatial functionality has become a guiding principle and aspiration.
Under the more generic banner of ‘minimalism’, today’s trends in commercial interior office designing can simply be characterized as the use of design elements to convey cleanliness and simplicity through the use of basic geometric forms, elements, colors without or with nominal decoration, simple materials and the repetitions of structures to create an aura of orderliness. This also means minimal use of large office equipment and facilities: smaller tables and cubicles instead of furnished rooms, fewer multifunctional appliances over multiple large machines and provision of more compartments to minimize table-top objects. Under this minimalist philosophy, Singapore office renovation contractors now prefer large and low-profile furniture with simple lines, geometric designs, and vintage pieces create impression of clean lines, clutter-free aesthetics, and monochromatic palettes that provide comfortable and calming feel.
Going Vertical and Other Storage Options
By going vertical, we do not just mean the current trend in architecture where buildings are growing to astronomical heights as layer after layer and floor after floor is placed atop on another in an attempt to maximize the small geographical space. Instead, going vertical is just a much a trend in interior office design where architects design overhead storage such as wall mounted shelves instead of traditional standing cabinets. This trend allows more leg-room while at the same time maintaining storage options for users. Aside from being highly functional, these features also allow better cleaner looks.
The colors also matter. Maximizing the space while at the same time providing illusions of space typically involve using the right color combinations for instance of the floor, wall and ceiling. For instance, using large size and light coloured tiles on the floors can make them appear less cluttered and spacious. Light colors on walls also help make a space appear wider than it actually is. It also helps to apply the color combination or theme consistently throughout the house or office as this creates a sense of continuity and gives the effect of a larger space.
