Space Atelier is the top pick for condo owners in District 1 and 2 who need a design-led approach with strong MCST paperwork handling. Design 4 Space is the best runner up if you want to meet multiple designers under one roof to compare styles quickly. Weiken Interior Design suits you best if you prioritize package pricing and a fast quote turnaround. All three firms handle full scope renovation including carpentry and electrical. Check their recent condo projects in your specific development before signing a contract.
How we picked this list
We assembled this shortlist through desk research across public sources, checking every website to confirm the business is trading. We ranked the firms on the criteria in the table below, focusing on condo-specific experience and quotation transparency. No placement is paid. This list reflects current operational status and stated capabilities.
Table of Contents
- How we picked this list
- Intro
- Quick Picks
- Comparison Table
- The List
- 1. Space Atelier
- 2. Design 4 Space
- 3. Weiken Interior Design
- 4. Ciseern by Lusion
- 5. The Orange Cube
- 6. Fuse Concept
- 7. Absolook Interior Design
- How to Choose
- FAQ
Intro
Many condo owners in District 1 and 2 assume renovation rules mirror HDB flat guidelines. This is a misconception that causes delays. Your MCST sets its own approval process, deposit amounts, and working hours. I researched these firms to help you decide who can navigate these specific rules without friction. The decision is hard because quality varies significantly between a designer’s personal portfolio and the firm’s operational capacity. You need a partner who understands the structural constraints of older Central condos and the paperwork burden of modern developments.
For broader context on residential projects, you can explore our guide to home renovation tips and guides to understand the full scope of work involved.
Quick Picks
Choose Space Atelier if you want a drawn design proposal and a defined look, not a fixed package price list. Choose Weiken Interior Design on a tighter budget with a need for quick quote turnaround. Choose The Orange Cube for layout changes that require careful space planning before hacking begins.
Comparison Table
| Business | Best for | Price band | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Atelier | Design-led condo renovation | Quote based | Not stated |
| Design 4 Space | Comparing multiple designers | Quote based | Not stated |
| Weiken Interior Design | Package pricing and speed | Quote based | Not stated |
| Ciseern by Lusion | Full gut renovation | Quote based | Not stated |
| The Orange Cube | Layout and space planning | Quote based | Not stated |
| Fuse Concept | Design-led build management | Quote based | Not stated |
| Absolook Interior Design | Mid-sized firm attention | Quote based | Not stated |
The List
1. Space Atelier
Space Atelier operates as a design-led practice rather than a volume contractor. They coordinate carpentry, electrical, and plumbing under one project management structure. This approach suits condo owners who need a cohesive visual outcome and clear accountability for trades. Their portfolio leans toward private residential projects, which aligns well with the specific needs of central condominiums.
What’s good
- Portfolio focuses on private residential projects
- Handles design, carpentry, and electrical coordination end to end
- Experienced with MCST approval paperwork and condo renovation rules
What to watch
- Designer caseload can stretch in peak months, so ask who is on site daily
- Confirm whether carpentry is in-house or subcontracted before signing
Who it suits
Condo owners who want a drawn design proposal and a defined look. Look elsewhere if you prefer a fixed package price list without design consultation.
Price
Quote based. Ask for an itemised breakdown so you can compare like with like.
Details
Name: Space Atelier
Website: spaceatelier.com.sg
2. Design 4 Space
Design 4 Space is one of the larger interior design and renovation firms in Singapore. They cover HDB flats, condominiums, and landed property. The firm has a showroom and a sizeable designer bench, allowing you to meet several people before deciding. This structure helps if you want to test different styles and communication approaches within one company.
What’s good
- Established firm with a long track record in Singapore residential renovation
- Wide designer bench means you can switch if the fit is wrong
- Structured quoting and project management process
What to watch
- Experience varies by designer, so ask for that person’s own completed condo projects
- Large firms can have slower escalation paths when issues arise
Who it suits
Owners who want to meet several designers under one roof before deciding who fits their style. Look elsewhere if you prefer a boutique studio with a single dedicated designer.
Price
Quote based. Pricing sits with the mid to larger firms in the market, confirm against your own brief.
Details
Name: Design 4 Space
Website: design4space.com.sg
3. Weiken Interior Design
Weiken Interior Design is a high-volume firm with a large roster of designers. They often use package-style quotations, which can speed up the initial budgeting phase. Their scale helps in securing carpentry slots and material supply. This model works well for owners who need to start soon and prefer clear pricing structures over open-ended design consultations.
What’s good
- Scale helps on supply of materials and carpentry slots
- Many designers to choose from, so you can find one who understands your brief
- Familiar with the paperwork for both HDB and condo projects
What to watch
- Volume model means your assigned designer may be juggling many concurrent sites
- Read the package inclusions closely, exclusions are where budgets drift
Who it suits
Owners who want package pricing, quick turnaround on a quote and a firm with the capacity to start soon. Look elsewhere if you need highly bespoke design solutions that deviate from standard packages.
Price
Quote based, generally positioned for price sensitive buyers, but check what is excluded.
Details
Name: Weiken Interior Design
Website: weiken.com
4. Ciseern by Lusion
Ciseern by Lusion handles whole home renovation for HDB flats, condominiums, and landed homes. They manage carpentry, tiling, and electrical works within the same project team. This integration reduces coordination risks between different trades. The firm is best suited for owners doing a full gut renovation who want one point of contact for all wet and dry works.
What’s good
- Full scope renovation rather than partial works
- Residential focus suits condo and HDB briefs
- Carpentry and finishing handled within the same project team
What to watch
- Verify the current company name and entity before paying any deposit
- Ask for recent projects of a similar size to yours, not just showreel units
Who it suits
Owners doing a full gut renovation who want one firm to carry carpentry, tiling and electrical together. Look elsewhere if you only need partial works like kitchen or bathroom upgrades.
Price
Quote based. Request a line-item quotation and compare the carpentry section directly.
Details
Name: Ciseern by Lusion
Website: ciseern.com
5. The Orange Cube
The Orange Cube is a design-led studio focusing on residential projects. They emphasize proper layout changes and space planning before any hacking starts. This is critical in central condos where wall loads and shared structures limit flexibility. Their approach ensures that the final layout is functional and compliant before you commit to expensive demolition.
What’s good
- Design input on space planning and joinery detail
- Residential portfolio spanning private and public housing
- Comfortable coordinating with condo management on works approval
What to watch
- Smaller studios book out earlier, so timeline expectations need to be set upfront
- Confirm the defect rectification window in writing
Who it suits
Condo owners who want layout changes considered properly before any hacking starts. Look elsewhere if you want a large firm with extensive marketing resources and showroom facilities.
Price
Quote based. Compare the scope notes, not just the bottom line.
Details
Name: The Orange Cube
Website: orangecube.co
6. Fuse Concept
Fuse Concept works on residential projects including condominium units and HDB flats. They cover design, carpentry, and site coordination under one contract. This model is ideal for owners who want a designer to lead the build and manage the trades on their behalf. The firm handles coordination with management on renovation deposits and permits, reducing administrative burden on the homeowner.
What’s good
- Residential focus
- Design and build under one contract
- Handles coordination with management on renovation deposits and permits
What to watch
- Ask for the site supervisor’s name and how often they visit
- Get the payment schedule tied to completed milestones, not calendar dates
Who it suits
Owners who want a designer to lead the build and manage the trades on their behalf. Look elsewhere if you prefer to hire separate contractors for design and execution.
Price
Quote based. Ask what happens to the price if you add works midway.
Details
Name: Fuse Concept
Website: fuseconcept.com.sg
7. Absolook Interior Design
Absolook Interior Design covers residential and some commercial projects in Singapore. They handle condominium renovation and carpentry works. The firm is mid-sized, which allows for reasonable attention to each project without the bureaucracy of a large corporation. They offer full scope from design to handover, making them a practical choice for owners who want a balanced level of service and personal attention.
What’s good
- Residential renovation experience
- Sized to give each project reasonable attention
- Full scope from design to handover
What to watch
- Check how they handle defects after the final payment is made
- Verify current accreditation status independently
Who it suits
Owners who want a mid sized firm that still gives a fair amount of designer attention. Look elsewhere if you need a high-volume firm with immediate start dates.
Price
Quote based. Ask for the warranty period in writing.
Details
Name: Absolook Interior Design
Website: absolook.com
How to Choose
Use this table to evaluate your shortlist. Focus on the criteria that impact your specific condo development and project scope.
| Criterion | Why it matters | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Condo and MCST paperwork experience | Condominiums do not run on HDB renovation rules. Your management corporation sets its own approval process, renovation deposit, working hours and protected route for debris. A firm that has done your development before removes a lot of friction. | They ask for your development name in the first meeting, can describe the approval steps, and know the deposit and the permitted noisy work hours before quoting. |
| Itemised quotation and variation order discipline | Lump sum quotes hide what is excluded. Most budget blowouts in Singapore renovation come from variations agreed verbally on site. | A line by line quotation naming brands and models, plus a written variation order process with prices agreed before work proceeds. |
| Accreditation, insurance and licensing | Structural hacking needs a professional engineer and BCA submission. Public liability insurance matters when your contractor is working inside a shared building with neighbours below. | CaseTrust-RCMA accreditation for the renovation business, valid public liability insurance, and a clear answer on who signs off any structural works. |
| Comparable completed projects | A firm that mostly does five room HDB flats may not be set up for the wet works, concealed piping and ceiling heights of an older condominium. | Recent projects in condominiums of a similar size and age, with contactable references or at least a site visit arranged. |
| Site supervision and one point of contact | Design is decided once. The build runs for weeks. Most complaints are about nobody answering during the build. | A named supervisor, a fixed weekly update, and a WhatsApp group where the response time is stated upfront. |
| Payment schedule and defect warranty | Paying too much upfront removes your leverage if the work stalls. A short warranty leaves you carrying rectification costs yourself. | Progress payments tied to completed milestones, a small retention sum until handover, and a written defects liability period of at least twelve months. |
If you are also planning kitchen updates, consider reviewing our guide on kitchen and bathroom renovation options to ensure your contractor can handle these specific wet areas.
FAQ
Do I need an HDB renovation permit to renovate my condo?
No, you do not need an HDB permit for a private condominium. HDB permits apply only to public housing. Condo owners must obtain approval from their Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) instead. Each development has its own set of rules and approval processes. You should check your specific condo’s guidelines before starting any works.
How much renovation deposit does the condo management collect, and who pays it?
The amount varies by development, typically ranging from SGD 5,000 to SGD 10,000. The homeowner is responsible for paying this deposit to the MCST. The firm may submit the application on your behalf, but the funds usually come from your account. Check your condo’s specific rules as amounts differ between developments.
Can I hack walls in my condominium unit in Singapore?
You can hack non-structural walls, but structural walls are strictly prohibited. Hacking structural elements requires approval from a Professional Engineer (PE) and submission to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Many central condos have shared structural walls that cannot be touched. Always confirm with your MCST and a PE before planning any hacking.
What are the allowed working hours for renovation in a condominium?
Most condos allow noisy work during weekdays, typically from 9 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. Some developments restrict work to specific days or exclude weekends entirely. Quiet work like painting or furniture assembly may be allowed during extended hours. You must adhere to your specific MCST’s noise regulations to avoid complaints from neighbors.
Should I hire an interior designer or a renovation contractor?
You can hire a firm that does both, which is common in Singapore. An interior designer focuses on aesthetics and space planning, while a contractor manages the physical build. For a full renovation, a design-and-build firm offers a single point of contact. This reduces communication gaps between design intent and construction execution. Choose based on whether you prioritize creative vision or project management efficiency.
