Chinese, Classic & Colonial Interior Design Ideas for Exquisite Living

Your home is a reflection of yourself. It’s a place to showcase your style and, even more importantly, to feel at home. As tempting as it is to recreate those picture-perfect styles you’ve been adoring online, the best decor option is the one that is uniquely yours. Rather than completely committing to one design style, it’s smart to curate an aesthetic by mixing your favourites.

In recent years, Singapore has been having a love affair with classic interior design, timeless British colonial style, and the refined look of Chinese modern interiors. On the surface, these seem radically different. You might think that blending styles like these would make it look like three separate designers decorated in the dark. But, think again! This powerful trio can work together in beautifully unexpected ways.

Here is your guide to effortlessly blending Chinese, classic, and colonial decor to create a style that is uniquely yours.

Getting Started with a Design Plan

Creating a beautiful and liveable space is no easy mission. To get started on your journey, it is essential to begin with the basics. Understanding the fundamentals of key design styles will help you curate a captivating collection of pieces perfect for your unique style.

While there are countless decor options, start small. To get you inspired, let’s dive into a few of the most popular design trends in Singapore: Chinese, classic, and British colonial styles.

What Is Chinese Modern Interior Design?     

Modern Chinese interior design is defined by zen simplicity and attention to detail. It is characterised by dark lacquered woods, artisanal screens, ornate lanterns, and hand-carved latticework. Known for its warm neutrals, black tones, and golden hues, Chinese interior design is offset by bold red accent pieces.

For more than 1400 years, Chinese lacquer furniture has been the centrepiece of the home. Whether it is an antique lacquered table or wedding cabinets with mother-of-pearl inlay, classic Chinese pieces are famous around the world for their incredible beauty.

A perfect blend of form and function, screens are another hallmark of modern Chinese interior design. These impressive pieces of craftsmanship have been a mainstay of Chinese homes for centuries. And, they’re adored around the globe! From Europe to North America, these famous screens are collected and recreated across the world. In fact, in her iconic Paris apartment, famous fashionista Coco Chanel had dozens of Chinese Coromandel screens. “I’ve loved Chinese screens since I was eighteen years old. I nearly fainted with joy when, entering a Chinese shop, I saw a Coromandel for the first time. Screens were the first thing I bought,” she said.

But there is more than meets the eye with Chinese interior design trends. At the core of it all is the quest for a zen-like space. Beyond the ornate antiques and sleek lines, traditional Chinese decor is centred on establishing this integral sense of harmony.

What Is Classic Interior Design?  

Refined and structured, classic interior design is all about creating timeless elegance. Rich textures and subtle accents are hallmarks of a classic design interior. But, can’t any style be classic? This is where it gets a bit tricky. While the classic interior design might seem a general term, there are indeed defined hallmarks of classic decor. To fully understand, let’s look at classic vs traditional design.

Classic interior design is often confused with traditional decor but there are a few key differences. Above all else, refined sophistication is paramount in classic decor. Meanwhile, a home with a traditional design has a more lived-in feeling. Classic interior design embraces ornate pieces. Traditional design leans more toward simpler pieces. In traditional decor, you’ll see spaces that embrace bright accents whilst a classic interior is all about neutrals.

Insider tip: Feeling limited by neutrals? Look to lighting solutions. Choosing the perfect lighting for your home will make a major difference in the end result. Not only does good lighting create an upscale atmosphere but it gives your space a sense of calm. 

Of course, rules are meant to be broken! The goal here is to find what you love about a classic or traditional style and then incorporate it into your home. Mix and match until you create a unique and usable space. Just remember that creating a timeless interior design is a smart move if you want to avoid redecorating every few years so embrace the practical aspects.

What Is Coastal Interior Design? 

Love the feeling of endless summers by the shore? Steal the style! You can create a breezy, relaxed ambience in your home with a coastal interior style. Look back at memories of holidays in the sun and deconstruct them. Embrace the earth tones of the seaside with a rich medley of sand tones. Capture the layers of sea blue and green. In terms of textures, look for airy linen, jute, and rich cotton whites for a dynamic coastal interior design.

Remember, coastal interior design shouldn’t come across as kitsch or themed. It’s more about capturing the laidback feeling than going for an under-the-sea theme. And forget nautical decor! All of those blue and white motifs with endless seashells and anchors are distinctly nautical, which is another theme altogether. Also, keep in mind that Mediterranean and tropical are distinct themes as well. While you can certainly mix and match all of the themes, it is good to get your head around themes and then combine them mindfully.

What Is Modern Colonial Interior Design?    

Modern colonial decor has an upscale but comfortable elegance. Tones are consistently light, muted, and neutral. Rather than looking to accent colour, modern colonial utilises wood to create theme and contrast.

While the colour palette is limited, modern colonial decor is anything but monotone. For a multifaceted look, embrace creamy whites, warm greys, trendy greige and taupes, along with powder pastels.

Though British colonial style is a popular pick, mixing and matching modern colonial interior designs will give your space a unique flair. Capture the Spanish colonial and French colonial influence by adding Mediterranean-style elements to your space.

What Is British Colonial Interior Design?        

When it comes to colonial interior design in Singapore, we often look toward a British-influenced style. This relaxed and well-travelled style was developed from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Leaving behind the United Kingdom for warmer climates, the British brought along their Victorian decor and found ways to make it work in warmer, more tropical locales. This creates a unique patchwork of decor.

British colonial style embraces dark woods, with everything from richly stained rattan to timber to bamboo pieces. These dark wood accents are offset by bright white textiles and abundant greenery. While the centrepiece of a  British colonial home is often a simple white wall with a dark wood accent, the result is anything but basic.

Tropical plants breathe life into the space while creating a rich tapestry of souvenirs is equally crucial. From maps and globes to drawings of exotic flora and fauna, the space reflects a well-travelled life. A nod to the often warm climate, shutters and statement fans are essential accessories for British colonial interior design.

How to Mix Interior Decorating Styles

Knowing the key interior design styles, themes, and concepts is the first step. Once you have explored all of the options, you can pick and choose your favourites. While there are no rules set in stone, it is vital to set out a plan of attack rather than just throwing things together. This is where the 80/20 rule comes in. To create a cohesive aesthetic, choose one central decor and plan 80% of the space around it. Know the core colour palettes and textures of your design style.

Aim to stick to the general guidelines of your chosen decor theme in a full 80% of your space. This is what makes it cohesive. Leaving that remaining 20% of your space open for personalisation and experimentation is what makes your space look unique and well-developed. Remember balance is everything. If you opt for 100% of the same style, the space will feed generic and uninspired. This 80-20 style ratio will keep things fresh.  

Create a Unifying Palette

As you are planning your decor, stick with a narrow colour palette. That is not to say that everything needs to be identical but you do want to have cohesion and restraint.  Opting for too many colours will make each piece feel disconnected.

Likewise, a unifying pattern helps. You might follow the curves of an armchair or use stripes throughout the space. Small connections between style elements go a long way. While you can have fun with textures, matching wood types is generally a good idea. You can have more than one wood, of course, but less is more so plan according.

Insider tip: Love an eclectic design style? Hop over to our guide on how to mash up interior design styles while building a cohesive style.

Keep It Practical

Before you get too carried away with becoming Singapore’s next design star, take a moment to reflect. Think about your typical day. What do you need on a daily basis and what pieces are must-haves? Focus on comfort. You want your decor to adapt to your lifestyle rather than the other way around. Look to smart solutions like adaptable spaces and hidden storage. 

Final Thoughts

Love Chinese modern interior design? Want to add a pop of coastal interior design to the colonial interior design of Singapore? Effortlessly chic interior design is all about choosing one central theme and understanding it well. Find the decor style that you love and use it as your anchor.

And let us help you make it a masterpiece!  Swiss Interior is one of the top interior designers in Singapore. We provide renovation, Condo interior design, and HDB design services. Schedule an appointment with us today to create your dream home.