Selection Tips for 6 Key Interior Finishes When Renovating

Renovating your home is an exciting journey—but it can also feel overwhelming with so many decisions to make. From choosing the right materials to selecting colours, finishes, and fittings, each choice affects not only the look of your home but also how comfortable and practical it will be for everyday living.

In this post I have compiled the selection tips for 6 key interior finishes that could make or break a functional, and beautiful home:

1. Kitchen Countertop Materials

2. Wall Paint Colours

3. Flooring and Tiles

4. Lighting

5. Bathroom Sink Selection

6. Blinds or Curtains

By carefully thinking through each of these aspects, you can ensure your renovation results in money well spent.

Selection of Kitchen Countertop Materials

When choosing a kitchen countertop, it’s important to balance aesthetics, durability, and maintenance needs. Common materials include:

Solid Surface $: Made from acrylic or polyester resins, solid surfaces are seamless and easy to maintain. They can be repaired if scratched, but are less resistant to heat and sharp objects.

Granite $$: A natural stone that offers unique patterns and excellent durability. It’s heat- and scratch-resistant but requires periodic sealing to prevent staining.

Quartz (e.g. Caesarstone) $$$: Engineered quartz surfaces are non-porous, scratch-resistant, and require minimal maintenance. However, they can be more expensive and less heat-tolerant than natural stones.

Sintered Stone (e.g. Dekton) $$$$: Extremely durable, heat-resistant, and UV-stable, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor kitchens. The main downside is the higher cost and potential difficulty in fabrication.

Each material has its strengths, so consider your cooking habits, desired look, and maintenance preferences before making a decision.

Selection of Wall Paint Colours

Choosing the right wall colours can transform the mood and perception of space in your home. Some might want to start off with a mood board for different areas of their home or choose colours to match a certain theme.

Here's the general recommendation:

Living areas: Warm neutrals like beige, taupe, or light grey create a welcoming atmosphere.

Bedrooms: Soft pastels or cool hues such as light blue or sage green promote relaxation.

Kitchens and dining areas: Earthy tones or muted greens and blues can stimulate appetite and freshness.

Bathrooms: Crisp whites, light greys or blues help maintain a clean and airy feel.

Most hardware shops offer free paint catalogues that are useful for shortlisting colours to match your home’s mood board or theme. You can also order small bottles of paint samples online (e.g. from Shopee) to test on your walls, as lighting—both artificial and natural—can significantly affect how colours appear in reality compared to the catalogue.

Selection of Flooring and Tiles

When it comes to flooring, the choice between laminated flooring and tiles depends on your lifestyle and desired look.

Laminated Flooring $: Affordable and easy to install, laminate provides a warm, wood-like appearance. It’s ideal for bedrooms and living areas but can warp with moisture, making it less suitable for kitchens or bathrooms.

Vinyl Flooring $$: Another popular alternative that’s waterproof and low-maintenance. It’s comfortable underfoot but may fade or dent over time.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles $$$-$$$$: Durable and available in countless styles. Porcelain is denser and more water-resistant, making it ideal for wet areas. Both types, however, can feel cold and hard underfoot.
Natural Stone Tiles (Marble, Travertine, Slate): Luxurious and timeless but often require sealing and regular maintenance to preserve their finish.

Consider overlaying the original tile flooring instead of hacking to save renovation time and costs.

Selection of Lights

Lighting greatly influences the ambiance and functionality of a home. These are some common choices of lightings.

Ambient Lighting: The main source of overall illumination—often from ceiling fixtures or recessed lights. Best paired with warm white bulbs for a cozy feel.

Task Lighting: Focused lighting for specific areas like kitchen counters, study desks, or vanity mirrors. LED strip lights or pendant lights work well for these purposes.

(Motion sensor lights may also function as task lights and night lights. I have them placed above my bathroom sink and at the side of my bed.)

Accent Lighting: Used to highlight artwork or architectural features. Spotlights or wall sconces can add visual interest. (Personally I feel it's a waste of money unless you want a gallery feel in your house.)

Smart Lighting: Allows you to control brightness and colour temperature via apps or voice commands. While convenient, these systems can be pricier and require compatible setups. (Ikea sells some budget versions.)

Other factors to consider are brightness, size and location of the lights (the bigger the area, the bigger and brighter the main illuminating light source should be). Avoid placing light sources at locations where it will cast and accentuate shadows e.g. below and near to a ceiling fan or next to a huge shelf unit that could cast shadow on a desk. 

Selection of Bathroom Sink

Bathroom sinks come in various designs to suit different styles and spaces:

Undermount Sink $$: Sleek and easy to clean, as there are no raised edges. However, installation costs may be higher.

Vessel Sink $$-$$$: A bowl that sits atop the counter, making a strong style statement. It’s easy to install but can splash more easily. (So you got to clean the base regular too to prevent mould.) Go for it if you are ok with managing faucet height and cleaning splashes. 

Pedestal Sink $: Cheap, great for small bathrooms, offering a classic look but limited storage space.

Wall-Mounted Sink $$: Modern and space-saving, ideal for minimalist bathrooms, though plumbing must be concealed properly.

Integrated Sink $$$-$$$$: Offers a seamless, aesthetically pleasing appearance and easy cleanup as there's no dirt-trapping crevices, but it can be costly to install, replace and repair if damaged.

Consider your bathroom size, daily use, and cleaning preferences when selecting a sink type.

Blinds or Curtains

Window treatments not only influence the aesthetics of your space but also affect privacy, light control, and maintenance.

Common blind types are:

Venetian Blinds $$: Adjustable slats allow precise light control but can collect dust easily.

Roller Blinds $$: Simple and modern, offering a clean and elegant look. Durable and mostly moisture resistant.

Roman Blinds $$$: Elegant fabric folds / pleats add warmth but require more care. Cannot be rolled up all the way unlike roller blind.

Vertical Blinds $: Practical for large windows or sliding doors, though they may look more utilitarian.
When it comes to ease of cleaning, vertical blinds are typically the easiest to maintain—just a quick wipe-down keeps them looking fresh.

Korean Blinds (Zebra Blinds / Day & Night Blinds) $$$: These feature alternating sheer and opaque fabric stripes that can be adjusted to allow partial or full light. They provide excellent control over brightness and privacy while maintaining a sleek, contemporary appearance. The downside is that dust can accumulate between the fabric layers, so occasional vacuuming or gentle cleaning is needed.

My two main considerations are aesthetic harmony and practicality of use. However, if you often keep your windows open, then medium-weight day curtains are a better choice than blinds, as blinds can hit against the window frames and make noise when the wind blows.

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Thanks for reading!

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