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64sqm Minimalist Wood Home Design: Semi-Open Layout with Custom Wooden Furniture and Leather Sofa for a Modern Bachelor Pad

Floor Plan

A 64sqm small home, using semi-open and real wood minimalist design, makes this home designed by a straight man something women would want to live in.

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The owner is a single white-collar worker in a Japanese company, spending half the year traveling worldwide. Our first discussion about his future home ideas centered on “warm, rational, textured, restrained.” After initial communication, he trusted us to boldly create a personalized space for him.

The owner had strict material requirements: primarily real wood, leather sofa and chairs, along with a separate walk-in closet and a full-wall bookshelf study.

The design, material selection, and soft furnishing plans were adjusted multiple times during implementation. After five months of construction, the total budget for soft and hard furnishings was locked at 250,000 RMB.

Entrance screen wall. The artwork at the entrance was carefully chosen, and the owner was very satisfied with the selected wood collage painting, saying it conveys a sense of “harmony between heaven, earth, and people.”

Entrance cabinet, kitchen, and screen wall. This newly built wall effectively separates the kitchen and dining areas.

A single wall organizes the space with虚实 (virtual and real) and rational flow.

Entrance, kitchen, dining room, living room, walk-in closet. A complete living flow is visible.

Although the home is small, the owner pursues high quality of life and wanted to move in quickly after renovation. Thus, the walls were specially painted with Skshu Paint’s Yunhui series latex paint, which meets healthy water-based coating standards, is additive-free, and allows moving in just 8 hours after application. Its environmental and safety features impressed the owner. Additionally, considering Shanghai’s humid rainy season, the owner valued this series for its anti-mold and anti-bacterial properties, preventing mold growth due to dampness. It also contains bamboo charcoal factors to freshen indoor air. Skshu Paint is a leading domestic brand emphasizing eco-friendliness, with health standards surpassing international norms. It achieves zero additives in formulation and production, and after 8 hours of ventilation, odor levels meet GB 50325 indoor air quality standards, ensuring peace of mind. The paint film is durable and scrub-resistant, ideal for scenarios like children accidentally dirtying walls, making walls long-lasting and easy to clean.

1. The limited kitchen space is enhanced with glass doors for transparency.

2. Gray floor tiles paired with white wall tiles create a visual effect of expanding space.

Ultra-minimalist clear glass kitchen door maximizes transparency in the traditional enclosed linear kitchen.

Adequate lighting, uniform horizontal grain EGG board matte bread tiles, and light gray hexagonal tiles alleviate the闭塞 (claustrophobic) feel of the linear enclosed kitchen.

Mixing wood, leather, and metal elements instantly highlights the space’s texture.

Curved treatments create continuous space.

Entrance area, dining area, photo wall, and wash area.

The owner required high-capacity sideboard storage for wine, display, utensils, and party supplies.

The dining table was chosen with a masculine aesthetic—full black walnut wood—paired with chairs featuring hard lines and leather wrapping for comfort. Combined with rose gold linear pendant lights, the space exudes a strong sense of solidity, stability, and quality with comfortable and lively elements.

Sideboard details: Hermès gray marble edging and oak wood hot-pressed veneer panels.

Dining room, living room, and semi-open study.

1. The living room and study use a semi-open design to enhance spatial fluidity.

2. Curved treatments make transitions between spaces smoother.

3. The TV cabinet is designed to float, reducing cleaning死角 (dead corners).

Living room curved treatment forms a continuous space.

Attempted a formal “TV wall” design.

Black silk texture tiles and oak veneer panels are aligned with a 20mm wide U-shaped black brushed aluminum strip. Reserved for a 60-inch TV, the height was set based on the owner’s seated position on the sofa, ensuring the background wall and TV screen are flush. The lower TV cabinet remains floating for easy cleaning.

TV cabinet material joints and detailing.

Internal storage designed to owner’s requirements with three sliding doors for access control. The TV cabinet is 350mm thick, projecting 250mm from the background wall. With lighting, it forms a rigorous, modern style that the owner applauded for its masculine aesthetic.

Sofa background wall with curved corners, desk, and the owner’s requested full-wall real wood bookshelf.

Sofa background wall and semi-open study “lookout.” Due to budget constraints, an IKEA cost-effective genuine leather sofa was chosen. For practicality, lightness, and versatility without losing robustness, a walnut veneer and iron-edged “three-table” set was selected after extensive comparison.

Different heights, sizes, and mobility meet the owner’s needs for tea, gatherings, balcony relaxation, and study use. The image shows the largest and smallest combinations temporarily placed.

Added a photo wall to address the entrance directly facing the bedroom door, creating a fun hallway display space and an entrance screen wall behind.

One wall for collection display and visual separation, privacy and the home’s spiritual core; when the bedroom opens, it becomes visible.

Shelf display wall and three-separation bathroom.

During final soft furnishing, we heard the long-single owner found a partner. Wishing them well, we imagine future photos of their journeys here.

Three-separation bathroom wash area: white mirror cabinet, light gray terrazzo tiles, custom lit mirror echoing gray hexagonal floor tiles.

With clever lighting, it’s refreshing, robust, bright, and practical. The mirror reflects another route to the walk-in closet.

“Floating” glass “lake surface” and terrazzo “beach.” The scene reflects architectural职业病 (professional habit).

Three-separation toilet area. Terrazzo revival, calm, restrained, robust male aesthetic.

Three-separation shower area. Converted from a device balcony connected to the kitchen, turning wasted space into a bright, private shower.

Frosted glass provides separation without blocking light, with blinds adjusting light and privacy relative to the kitchen.

1. Half of the sofa background wall removed, retaining the shear wall for high transparency and privacy.

2. Utilize vertical space for a full-wall open bookshelf & display cabinet.

Public area and semi-open study relationship. For smooth flow and vision, curved corners connect the sideboard and luggage storage cabinet. Curved corners use manually applied oak veneer; cabinet panels are pre-calculated and hot-pressed with the same veneer for a continuous wood interface.

Half of the sofa background wall removed, retaining the shear wall. The removed area creates a “checkout counter” space. Open externally, closed internally, balancing transparency and a “boss seat.” These designs were most appreciated by the owner.

Bottom-floating, mortise and tenon oak finger-jointed full-wall bookshelf.

Enhances the cultural atmosphere and displays souvenirs from the owner’s travels, creating another personal spiritual space beyond the photo shelf wall.

Outside, a small flower shelf extension; inside, oak shelves fixed into the wall and an “Eames” reading corner for the owner.

The desk is a custom 30mm thick oak finger-jointed board, strong enough to cantilever from the wall, with large-radius curved edges matching the study-dining curve for a “double-curve” flowing space.

Three-separation bathroom and walk-in closet, closet sliding door 1.

Linear walk-in closet with ClosetMaid shelving system. Two sliding doors create a bedroom, closet, bathroom, display area, bedroom circulation flow.

Closet interior, adjustable ClosetMaid shelving system.

The closet compresses part of the bedroom but improves flow.

Custom lit solid wood headboard. For cost, the bed frame was custom-made in a similar color.

Custom bed frame预留 (reserved) for aisle and curtain space. A compact but not cramped bedroom rest area.

A set of black walnut iron coffee tables分散 (dispersed) into three small side tables to create space.

The owner looked from the balcony into the interior, exclaiming this is the “exquisite modern wooden museum” he wanted.

One home design a day, you can also have a more beautiful home.

Private message reply [Zhihu] to hire a designer for your renovation.

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Smart Home Renovation Guide: Budget Tips on Where to Save and Splurge for Quality, Safety, and Eco-Friendly Living in 2023

When renovating your home, it’s crucial to balance your budget wisely to avoid overspending while ensuring quality and safety. For example, you can save on tiles by choosing affordable options from Guangdong, as they are durable and eco-friendly, but never compromise on wood flooring—opt for big brands with ENF grade to prevent formaldehyde issues. Similarly, use budget-friendly latex paint from reputable brands, but invest in high-quality putty powder to avoid cracks and environmental hazards. With water filtration, a basic pre-filter with backwash function is sufficient for most homes, but splurge on an RO under-sink purifier for direct drinking water. TVs can be economical as technology is mature, but projectors require higher investment for clear visuals. Save on integrated ceilings with aluminum panels, but choose reliable bath heaters for safety and comfort. For custom cabinets, focus on design and materials rather than brands, but always use premium hardware to ensure longevity and avoid frequent repairs.

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Minimalist Furniture and Home Decor for Vanke Fully-Furnished Apartments – Simple and Cozy Living Ideas for Small Spaces and Weekend Retreats

My home features a minimalist and随心 style~

Since I purchased a fully-furnished apartment from Vanke, it was already decorated, so I just needed to buy furniture and items to fill it in. Before buying this apartment, I considered several options, and this one met my expectations well.

Basically, that’s how it is. There are three small rooms, with beds added to two of them, and one left empty for now. I return every weekend, and it feels incredibly cozy to nestle in my little house.

Currently, I’m not very satisfied with the dining table—I don’t know why I chose a round one, as it takes up too much space. In the future, I plan to add some small decorative items, like a wine cabinet. Even though I don’t drink, I want one for decoration purposes.

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10 Essential DIY Home Renovation Materials to Avoid Common Pitfalls and Ensure Quality Control for a Hassle-Free Upgrade

When renovating your home, even if you choose a full-package service, there are certain renovation materials that you should purchase yourself. This is because decoration companies often seek profits from every building material, and more importantly, if low-quality materials are used improperly, the homeowner will inevitably face issues.

Additionally, some materials only reveal their problems after you move in. Therefore, this guide focuses on avoiding common pitfalls by summarizing 10 types of renovation materials that you should buy yourself to ensure quality and prevent unnecessary problems.

Silicone sealant application in bathroom Close-up of silicone sealant use

Many people might overlook silicone sealant, as it seems minor. However, experienced homeowners know it’s used in many areas: around washbasins, toilet bases, cabinets, baseboards, etc. For a 100-square-meter home, about 7-8 tubes are needed.

This isn’t a small amount! Beyond cost, its mold resistance and durability directly impact your living experience.

Mold growth on poor-quality silicone sealant Difficulty in cleaning moldy sealant

In practice, many workers bring silicone sealant without eco-certifications or mold resistance. These inferior products may not show issues initially, but over time, mold spots appear. Cleaning moldy sealant is tough, and redoing it adds extra costs, making it a hassle.

Electrical box hidden in wall Installation of electrical boxes

Electrical boxes, though not a major material, are crucial as they’re hidden in walls and used for decades. They must be high-quality to avoid issues. During electrical work, many points need new boxes, so it’s essential to check the material and brand if provided by the company.

High-quality electrical box example

Buying them yourself ensures better control over quality, and they’re affordable for a whole house.

Putty powder for wall preparation

Wall finishing relies heavily on putty powder, with paint being secondary. Poor-quality putty can peel, mold, or pose environmental risks. It’s best to buy it yourself or verify the brand provided has certifications like the China Environmental Label (Ten Ring) and is waterproof and mold-resistant.

Also, ensure workers mix putty with water only, not glue, as glue can release formaldehyde.

Angle valve installation issue

Have you experienced an angle valve breaking inside the wall during faucet installation? That’s due to poor quality! Angle valves are hidden fittings installed in walls, and if low-quality, problems emerge later.

Durable angle valve example

So, always buy angle valves yourself rather than using the worker’s. A high-quality one, as shown, can last decades without issues.

Waterproof coating application

For full-package renovations, waterproof coating is often handled by the company, but don’t take it lightly. Poor-quality coating can cause major troubles, like leaks.

Improper waterproofing technique

Also, monitor the application: some workers rush, applying second coats before the first dries or skipping layers to save time. In bathrooms, the wet area should have a coating height of 1.8 meters; insufficient height leads to leaks.

Floor drain in bathroom

Whether in bathrooms or balconies, floor drain quality is key. Features like rust resistance, anti-odor, and fast drainage affect daily life. Many company-specified drains don’t meet standards or perform poorly, so insist on high-quality ones or buy them yourself.

Premium floor drain design

Especially in bathroom wet areas, choose anti-odor and rust-resistant brand products. Cheap drains cost around ten dollars but perform poorly; investing in good ones, like my 700-800 yuan set, ensures no problems.

Sound insulation cotton for pipes

Sound insulation cotton’s effectiveness is only known after neighbors move in. Check the thickness and performance of company-provided cotton; otherwise, wrapping pipes with inferior material is useless.

For better soundproofing, add damping sheets in bathrooms—damping sheets plus insulation cotton work best. In kitchens, insulation cotton alone suffices.

Range hood check valve installation Internal mechanism of check valve

Before kitchen ceiling work, buy a range hood check valve. Without it or with a low-quality one, your home will smell neighbors’ cooking. The valve has a small flap that opens to vent smoke into the shared duct and closes to prevent backflow. It’s a must-have, so choose a high-quality product!

Switches and sockets safety

Most companies list switch and socket brands, so it’s generally safe. However, small firms may offer free, low-quality products as gifts, which pose safety hazards. Since these affect life safety, ensure quality by verifying brands or buying them yourself to avoid risks.

Latex paint varieties and quality

Latex paint prices vary widely, from tens to hundreds per bucket. Without attention, workers might use inferior or counterfeit products. Popular colors like Space Walk, Gray Blue, Brown Coral, and Milk Coffee have many versions with differing quality.

So, prioritize paint quality: opt for eco-friendly grades above E1, smooth texture, mold resistance, and strong coverage for a superior finish.

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Minimalist vs Light Luxury Interior Design Guide for Large Homes Over 100 Square Meters – Expert Tips and Trends

For large homes over 100 square meters, 50% of homeowners choose minimalist style, 30% prefer light luxury style, and the remaining 20% opt for styles like simple European, European, or new Chinese style.

When discussing minimalist style, some people mistakenly label it as “cold and sterile,” but in reality, that’s just one aspect. Minimalist style can also incorporate warm and neutral color schemes.

Imagine using warm-colored elements such as wooden floors, furniture, and decor in your home design—this creates a cozy, simple, and even healing minimalist style. Can you still call it cold and sterile?

Minimalist design with warm tones Minimalist interior example

In fact, achieving a simple look is often more challenging than it appears. DIY minimalist design can easily end up looking barren and monotonous.

So, how can you achieve minimalist style?

1. Unified Color Scheme: Emphasize a primary色调. In minimalist design, color coordination is crucial, and a space should have a dominant色调 for visual balance. Typically, minimalist spaces use black, white, gray, and wood tones as the main palette.

Minimalist color scheme example

2. Eliminate Excessive Decor: Keep hard furnishings simple. Minimalist style follows the principle of “less is more,” focusing on essential elements.

Simple minimalist decor

3. Whole-House Customization: This is the essence of minimalist style. Custom cabinets with sleek designs support the aesthetic, adding storage and enhancing the home’s layers and proportions.

Custom minimalist furniture

Light luxury style builds on minimalist foundations, replacing complex elements from styles like European or French with clean, straight lines. It uses premium materials and refined soft furnishings to highlight quality, embodying a high-end lifestyle.

Light luxury design example

Light luxury isn’t about overt opulence but a subtle, luxurious atmosphere. High-quality custom furniture is essential, often featuring materials like lacquered panels, marble, stone slabs, and metal for sophistication.

Luxury custom furniture

Light luxury can vary, including modern, French, Italian, or even Chinese and Japanese influences, requiring designer expertise for a restrained yet elegant outcome.

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Trusted Home Renovation Material Brands: Expert Guide to Pipes, Electrical Conduits, Waterproofing, and Wires for Quality DIY Projects

Renovation may seem simple—just installing materials in their proper places—but it can be complex with dozens of materials, making it easy to fall for scams in a murky market.

As an outsider, how do you choose from numerous brands and specifications?

Today, we share which renovation material brands you can confidently purchase.

Whether you’re doing a semi-packaged renovation, self-installation, hiring a company, or a construction team, this article will help you.

For water supply pipes, these brands are safe to buy blindly: Weixing, Rifeng, Liansu, Jinniu, Zhongcai, Baoli.

Household water supply pipes should首选PPR material, which has been mainstream for years. Use pipes with a diameter of 25 for smooth water flow. PPR pipes are corrosion-resistant and resist scale and bacteria buildup.

Avoid gimmicks like nano-antibacterial pipes—they’re mostly hype with little real effect.

Pipes themselves aren’t expensive, but fittings and connectors are, so bargain for the overall price, not just pipes.

For home PPR pipes, use hot-water pipes throughout for stronger welding and fewer leaks.

While these brands are reliable, prices vary; e.g., Weixing is pricier but higher quality, with noticeable differences even in welding smell, though advertising plays a role.

For drain pipes,首选Liansu.

Drain modifications are usually minimal in home renovation. PVC drain pipes are cheap, so opt for well-known brands like Liansu without spending much.

Pipe material arrival time: Coordinate with the electrician’s schedule, arriving by the second day at latest.

2. Conduit pipes, junction boxes, and electrical circuit accessories

These are electrical auxiliary materials. Brands include: Liansu, Rifeng, Jinniu, Zhongcai, Jinde, Weixing, Gongyuan, Baoli, Hongyan, Longsheng.

Selection tips: Conduit pipes are mostly PVC, with diameter 16 common (or 20 for large villas). Use red for power lines and blue for weak current lines. Junction boxes should match—red for power, blue for weak current—and use拼接底盒 for consistent gaps after installation.

Choose PVC material, similar to pipe brands, for good toughness and flexibility. Conduit pipes are buried in walls or under ceilings, so they should be crush-resistant and flat-resistant. Buy flame-retardant PVC conduit pipes.

Personally, I prefer Weixing conduit pipes and junction boxes with red-blue color coding for easy site inspection.

Arrival time: Purchase and deliver with pipes.

Bathroom waterproofing is critical. Well-known waterproof material brands include: Kale, Yuhong, Degao, Keshen, Sanshu, Zhuobao Xika, Mabe, etc.

Use flexible waterproof material for bathroom floors and rigid for walls, but avoid full wall coverage as it’s not tile-friendly. Brush up to 1.8m high in shower areas. Wall waterproofing mainly prevents moisture penetration, especially for 12cm aerated block walls.

My floor waterproofing process: Apply two coats of waterproof coating, with extra layers around drains, toilets, and main pipes, then add a polyester fabric layer.

Polyester fabric protects the coating from damage during later construction.

Construction time: Complete waterproofing before tiling and conduct a 24-hour water test. Proceed only if no leakage occurs.

For wires, brands vary by region. For example, in our area, Lvdu wires and local Zhengzhou Third Factory wires are common.

Other brands include Yuandong, Panda, Shangshang, Tebian Electric, Jiangnan, etc.

Ensure CCC certification. I recommend flame-retardant wires. For high-power areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and air conditioners, use at least 4 sq mm for live and neutral wires and 2.5 sq mm for ground wires. In other areas, use 2.5 sq mm for live/neutral and 1.5 sq mm for ground.

For special appliances like central air conditioning or instant water heaters, follow manufacturer instructions for wiring.

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2025 Interior Design Trends: Top 5 Hot Styles Including Light French, Wooden Wabi-Sabi, Modern Mix & Match, Maillard, and Pragmatic for SEO Optimization

Decoration is not just about creating a home that is ‘livable’, but also about shaping a space that you ‘want to live in’. In 2025, with the upgrade of lifestyles and changes in young people’s aesthetics, decoration styles are quietly evolving. All-white walls + floor paving + no main lights are no longer the universal solution; styles that emphasize personality, atmosphere, and functional integration are becoming the new trends!

Today, we explore the top 5 hottest decoration styles worth watching in 2025, which are not only visually appealing but also practical, suitable for most families, and applicable for renovations and upgrades.

Light French Style: Exquisite without complexity, elegant and timeless

Abandoning the complexity and heaviness of traditional French style, it retains the linear sense and romantic atmosphere, making the overall feel fresher, softer, and enhancing spatial perception.

Keywords: French lines, cream color, plaster lines, arched doors, metal accents

Light French Style Image

Minimal hard decoration, rely on soft decoration to create atmosphere
TV background wall can incorporate curved plaster lines for a gentle, cost-effective look
Pair with gray cream tones and light wood floors for a sophisticated, durable finish

Searches for ‘light French’ related decoration are surging, making it a preferred aesthetic for the young middle class and female users in 2025!

Wooden Wabi-Sabi Style: Advanced ’emptiness’ with low-cost effectiveness

Combining minimalist Japanese wabi-sabi with the warmth of wood, it pursues ‘blank aesthetics’ and ‘natural texture’, appearing simple yet meticulously crafted.

Keywords: wood, gray-white mud walls, blank space, natural light, low saturation

Use micro-cement or artistic paint instead of latex paint on walls to enhance atmosphere
Floor with cement tiles or wood-grain tiles for strong texture and durability
Pair with wooden furniture and accent lighting like no main lights and linear light strips

Wabi-sabi remains highly popular in high-end renovations in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, with controllable budgets!

Modern Mix and Match Style: Reject template homes, live as ‘yourself’

Starting in 2025, more homeowners are dissatisfied with template-based decoration and seek to reflect individuality in their homes, giving rise to modern mix and match styles.

Keywords: personalized home decor, color clash elements, mixed furniture materials, fusion of retro and modern

Choose pop-color items (e.g., navy blue, emerald green, orange-red) during soft decoration to brighten the space
Avoid ‘whole-house uniform style’; instead, use a retro leather sofa in the living room and Japanese-style桌椅 in the dining area, dividing functional spaces by style
Mix wood floors with small areas of patterned tiles for strong zonal sense and fun
Ideal for young homeowners, those with strong design sense, and people who value life experiences

Many ‘designer-owned homes’ on Bilibili and Xiaohongshu use mix and match styles, breaking style labels and becoming mainstream with greater freedom!

Maillard Style: New luxury style with full emotional value

Extending the popularity of Maillard fashion from 2024, this trend has spread to the home decor industry. It creates a warm, textured home with low-key atmosphere using brown, caramel, and warm gray tones.

Keywords: caramel brown, coffee-colored leather, dark wood grain, matte metal

Maillard Style Image

Use wood veneer and partial fabric hard packages on TV background walls for an advanced atmosphere
Pair with coffee-colored sofas, brass lamps, and niche decorations for an explosive sense of ambiance
Use warm-toned lighting throughout the house to create a ‘healing night scene’ spatial experience
Suited for urban homeowners aged 30-45 and improvement-oriented families

With the rise of ’emotional value decoration’, Maillard style has become a new favorite among high-net-worth owners, with热度持续上涨 in the coming year!

Pragmatic Style: Easy to maintain and truly livable!

More homeowners are tired of ‘show homes’ and begin to pursue pragmatic styles with reasonable storage, easy maintenance, and scientific动线.

Keywords: handleless cabinets, minimalist storage, rational动线, multifunctional spaces

Focus on functional integration and practicality for everyday living
Emphasize收纳合理 and easy-to-clean surfaces
Design with动线科学 to enhance usability and efficiency

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Home Decoration Material Selection Guide: Eco-Friendly, Compatible, and Fire-Resistant Choices for a Healthy Living Environment

Home decoration, as a fine engineering discipline that blends art and practicality, often surpasses expectations in its complexity and attention to detail. Every subtle consideration contributes to the meticulous crafting of future living quality. While pursuing individuality and aesthetics, many households tend to overlook seemingly minor yet critical aspects during the renovation process. Let’s explore key points to consider when purchasing home decoration materials.

When selecting home decoration materials, it is crucial to opt for eco-friendly varieties and assess whether they might impact health. This is because many market-available materials contain high levels of polymers that can emit air-polluting gases, with some wallpapers even releasing unpleasant odors. Thus, this aspect must be prioritized during material selection.

Choose home decoration materials with care to avoid conflicts between them. For instance, if lime mortar is applied to a wall, it is advisable not to cover it with wallpaper. This material absorbs moisture at high temperatures and releases it at lower temperatures, helping regulate indoor humidity. Applying wallpaper over it can diminish this breathing effect.

Additionally, pay attention to the fire resistance of materials, particularly when selecting ceiling options. Always choose decoration materials with excellent fire-resistant properties, as the kitchen is a high-risk area for fire usage.

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Modern Minimalist, Cream Style, and French Retro Home Decoration Guide: Timeless and Affordable Interior Design Ideas for Every Budget

These three decoration styles—modern minimalist, cream style, and French retro—are classic choices that never go out of fashion and remain highly popular today. They offer flexibility in implementation, with costs that can range from high to low, while still delivering impressive and stylish results. If you’re working with a limited budget, consider focusing on wall treatments such as installing wall panels or using alternatives like art paint or latex paint to achieve a customized look.

Modern Minimalist Design Example Cream Style Interior Example French Retro Decor Example

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Xuan Yi Home Renovation: Transform Your 90m² Apartment in Huangpu into a Spacious and Timeless Living Space with Professional Design

As a non-professional in home decoration, I believe that renovation isn’t about following trends but creating a livable space that stands the test of time. It should be durable and not easily become outdated, so you won’t get tired of it after just a few years.

I purchased a 90-square-meter apartment in Huangpu District as a marital home six years ago. Over time, the interior became worn-out, so I decided to demolish and completely renovate it.

Old apartment before renovation

Due to lack of time for material selection and supervision, plus concerns about DIY failures, I opted to hire a professional renovation company to save hassle.

However, I was wary of unreliable firms. After researching 11 companies online and offline for over two months, I narrowed it down to 4 for in-person visits. Some companies were evasive when discussing quotes and whether they had in-house workers.

Ultimately, only Xuan Yi provided transparent details like worker directories and individual fee records. Their contract clearly listed material brands, models, and prices, and they shared past renovation cases, which felt trustworthy.

Xuan Yi renovation examples Renovation process

In the old living room, a partition cabinet made the space feel divided and blocked light from the balcony, creating a dim and oppressive atmosphere.

Xuan Yi’s designer removed the partition and extended tile flooring to the balcony, allowing natural light to flood in, making the area bright and spacious. Accent lights added a cozy, hill-like effect on the walls, enhancing the minimalist aesthetic.

Renovated living room with lighting

A earth-toned sofa paired with a lounge chair lets me relax while enjoying the view and sunlight.

To save space, the other side of the balcony features built-in cabinets in a recessed area for a washer-dryer set, keeping the surface flush and providing storage for clutter.

Balcony with built-in cabinets

The original kitchen was narrow and cramped, with poor ventilation causing smoke issues. By enclosing the balcony and merging it with the kitchen, the space expanded significantly, making cooking convenient for two people.

Expanded kitchen layout

The refrigerator fits perfectly into a tall cabinet, saving floor space, and wall cabinets extend to the ceiling to prevent dust accumulation, reducing cleaning needs.

Kitchen with integrated fridge

The main bedroom was small with insufficient storage, while the bathroom had extra space. By reducing the bathroom area, an L-shaped walk-in closet was added, making the bedroom tidier and the bathroom still functional.

Bedroom with L-shaped closet Closet and bathroom layout

Despite the limited area, Xuan Yi’s design transformed the old, cramped space into a warm and efficient home. Every square meter was optimized, making the 90m² apartment feel like 120m².

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