This MacPherson BTO flat was fully designed and furnished by Ikea’s new home design service
The Seng household prioritised practicality and cost control, eventually furnishing almost the entire flat using Ikea solutions (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
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By the time the Seng family got the keys to their four-room flat at the MacPherson Weave BTO project in January, one decision had already been made: They did not want to go through the usual renovation process.
As the 90 sq m (969 sq ft) unit was meant to house the family of five, they would have to devise ways to maximise the tight living space. The goal was also to keep costs under control while completing the renovation as soon as possible.
Early on, they ruled out hacking works and instead opted for HDB’s Optional Component Scheme for doors and flooring, at a cost of about $8,000.
The homeowner, who wants to be known only as Seng, had expected that it would be “quite troublesome to design the space” because it is “so small”.
The family chose to keep the original layout intact and focused on furnishing the space instead of major renovation works (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
Like many homeowners in Singapore, they initially met several interior designers and reviewed multiple proposals. However, none quite met their requirements and the cost quotations were higher than expected.
“After a while, I told my wife that I didn’t want to think about it anymore. If there was something that could just settle everything [and with a clear breakdown of the costs], it would be better,” Seng says.
The turning point came by chance, during a casual visit to an Ikea store for a meal.There, they spotted the Swedish furniture company’s new Home Design Service. A few weeks later, they met with a design consultant.
Planning the home differently
Warm wood textures and cream-coloured cabinetry were used throughout the kitchen to create a softer, cosier feel (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
Seng and his wife originally intended to engage Ikea only for the kitchen. But as discussions continued, the plans gradually expanded to the rest of the home.
Launched in September 2025, the Home Design Service pairs homeowners with an Ikea home design specialist who handles tasks ranging from layout planning to furnishing selection and installation, alongside a separately appointed contractor.
The service includes consultation sessions where the specialist assesses the homeowner’s lifestyle, space constraints and budget before proposing suitable layouts, furnishings and storage solutions. Homeowners are also guided through 2D floor planning, 3D visualisations and mood boards to help them better understand how different materials, colours and Ikea products will work together within the space.
In Seng’s case, the couple sourced for their own contractor through a group-buy channel, while Ikea handled the design and installation of its products.
For now, certain works such as hacking and painting are not included in Ikea’s service, though the company plans to include a more comprehensive suite of renovation works from the second half of 2026.
For the Seng household, about 98% of the flat’s design —including storage solutions and furniture — came from Ikea, with a total spend of about $40,000. That is around 20% lower than the proposals they had received from interior designers.
Transparency over sales pressure
The living room features built-in seating with more storage space underneath along the windows, creating an additional corner for relaxing (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
What stood out most to Seng was the transparency of the entire process. As Ikea’s home design specialists are not commission-based, he had peace of mind that there would be no upselling or unnecessary mark-ups during the discussions.
“There was no ‘pushing’,” Seng says. “They will explain the items and costs, and let you decide."
An itemised pricelist was recorded from the start, and any unused materials can be returned and refunded. This made it easier to keep track of costs as the project developed.
He recalls one session where the designer spent close to five hours going through the entire plan in detail with them. Every component was listed out, from larger carpentry elements down to smaller fittings.
“Every hinge, every board — they were all listed out. This is unlike other interior designers who gave us just one number,” he says.
That said, just as with most renovation projects, there were still aspects which the couple decided to compromise on.
Because most of the home was furnished using Ikea solutions, they chose to keep to the same system for greater ease of planning. In the bathroom, for instance, they went with Ikea’s suction-based fittings instead of drilling a shower caddy into the tiles.
“I mean, it's usable,” he says. “But if I could drill it in, it’ll be more solid,” Seng says. “But overall, it’s okay. The other parts of the house are more important.”
Completed within weeks
A loft-style bed to free up space for a desk below (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
Installation took about two to four weeks. By April, the flat was largely ready, with most of the major works completed.
Despite the speed of the renovation, Seng — who had recently undergone a surgery and was more sensitive to his surroundings — noticed no strong chemical odours or lingering dust.
The family has already mostly moved into their flat and started using the main living spaces, while many other units in the BTO development are still being renovated.
Storage was integrated into several parts of the master bedroom, including beneath the bed and along the side cabinetry (Photo: Ikea Singapore)
Seng appreciates the practicality, convenience and cost-effectiveness of the end-to-end renovation process that allowed him and his wife to take a more hands-off approach and avoid decision fatigue.
What mattered to them most was getting the home in move-in-ready condition quickly, without having to pay a premium and agonising over every detail.
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