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Discover how to choose the right interior designer in Singapore. Key factors, costs & tips to avoid mistakes. Get expert help with Sixides.

Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Interior Designer in Singapore: What to Look For

SIXiDES is an interior design tech and renovation platform that uses tech to change the way people renovate their homes. Conceived as a means to safeguard aspiring homeowners in realizing their space with ease and peace of mind. SIXiDES unique features provide an integrated solution that guides the users right from the very beginning till the end of the renovation journey.

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Save money on your renovation in Singapore without cutting corners. Learn top tips for affordable, high-quality home makeovers.

How to Save Money on Your Renovation in Singapore Without Compromising Quality

Discover how to create a timeless modern luxury interior design in Singapore. Learn expert tips for elegant homes that balance comfort, space, and style.

Modern Luxury Interior Design in Singapore: How to Create a Timeless Home That Feels Effortlessly Elegant

<div class="toc-block"> <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1763726342650-digital-door-thumbprint.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Close-up of a thumb pressing the fingerprint sensor on a digital door lock.">Smart digital locks have become an increasingly common sight in Singapore homes, offering keyless convenience and quick everyday access. But a recent report by <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/smart-locks-cheap-faulty-online-shopee-lazada-oem-mechanical-locks-5474906" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CNA revealed a troubling undercurrent behind their rising popularity:</a> a growing number of homeowners are running into problems after purchasing low-cost digital locks from online marketplaces, particularly those produced by overseas OEM factories and sold under multiple brand names. Locksmiths interviewed in the report described a steady increase in malfunction complaints. Many of the affected locks worked well at first, only to develop faults after months of daily use. Batteries drained prematurely. Motors weakened. Circuit boards corroded under humidity. Others jammed because they did not match local door cut-outs or were installed by untrained freelancers. In serious cases, homeowners had to replace their entire <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/top-4-myths-about-fire-rated-doors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fire-rated</a><a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/top-4-myths-about-fire-rated-doors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;door </a>because the locks they purchased simply did not fit. In August, more than 50 residents temporarily lost remote access to their locks when a distributor&ndash;manufacturer dispute resulted in the disabling of app functions. Although the physical locks still operated, the incident highlighted an important issue: homeowners rarely understand who truly controls the digital ecosystem behind their lock. These incidents do not mean digital locks are inherently unreliable. Rather, they show what happens when products built for different markets are installed in Singapore without proper certification, support or consideration for the environment they must withstand. In addition to shedding light on the ongoing situation, SIXiDES goes a step further by finding out what homeowners need to know about shopping for and selecting the right digital lock for their home. <h2 id="why-problems-happen">Why These Problems Keep Happening</h2>Digital locks are sensitive to their environment, and Singapore presents a unique set of challenges. Most HDB and condominium doors are heavy, fire-rated and cut to fixed mortise standards. Temperature shifts cause wooden doors to expand, compressing the lock. Humidity accelerates corrosion. And in high-density flats, doors are opened and closed far more frequently than in larger overseas homes.&nbsp;These conditions amplify weaknesses in any lock not designed for the local market. <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/vendor-spotlight-an-digital-lock" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ricky Ang, Business Development Head of local digital lock specialist AN Digital Lock,&nbsp;</a>says he has seen the same scenario repeat itself across countless households throughout the 12 years he has been with the company supplying and installing digital locks across HDBs and condominiums. &ldquo;The first red flag is when there&rsquo;s no local on-site warranty,&rdquo; Ricky says. &ldquo;The next is an extremely low price. A lock cannot be sold that cheaply and still come with proper support. When something goes wrong, the seller disappears, and the homeowner is left with the problem.&rdquo; Compatibility is another recurring issue. &ldquo;Overseas OEM locks often do not follow Singapore mortise standards,&rdquo; Ricky explains. &ldquo;Homeowners only discover this at installation. By then, they have already committed to a lock that does not fit, and the extra costs start to pile up.&rdquo; Fire-rating is the most overlooked risk. When a non-certified lock is installed on a <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/top-4-myths-about-fire-rated-doors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fire-rated door</a>, the door&rsquo;s certification becomes invalid, a detail that can affect insurance claims during emergencies. <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1763726213580-digital-lock-insid.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="digital-lock-problems-singapore-guide"><h2 id="inside-the-lock">Inside the Lock: What Fails Most Often</h2>A digital lock&rsquo;s reliability is shaped by a handful of critical components.Motors: Low-end motors fatigue quickly under frequent use, especially when doors slam or alignment is off.PCBs (Circuit Boards): &ldquo;If the PCB is not coated or sealed, humidity will eventually cause corrosion,&rdquo; Ricky says. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s when the lock starts behaving unpredictably.&rdquo;Batteries: Homeowners often use lithium, rechargeable or heavy-duty batteries that produce unstable voltage. Ricky stresses that alkaline batteries should always be used and replaced every six months. He recommends Panasonic Evolta and Duracell. <h2 id="installation-quality">Installation Quality: The Hidden Variable Behind Most Failures</h2>A properly designed lock can still fail prematurely if the installation is poor. Misaligned drilling, incorrect chiselling or insufficient clearance space can stress the motor and jam the mechanism. &ldquo;Installation is not a simple mechanical task,&rdquo; Ricky says. &ldquo;It involves understanding the material of the door, recognising how it expands during colder months, allowing for movement and making sure the lock sits with the right tolerance. If it is too tight, it will fail. If it is too loose, it will not lock securely.&rdquo; Cheap online purchases often come with outsourced installers who may not understand Singapore&rsquo;s fire-rating requirements, door structures or <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/7-things-you-ll-need-permits-before-you-renovate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">modification</a><a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/7-things-you-ll-need-permits-before-you-renovate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;</a>rules. <h2 id="authorised-vs-oem">Authorised, Parallel Import or OEM: Why It Matters</h2>Digital locks reach Singapore through three different channels:Authorised units: Official distributor support, on-site warranty and parts availability.Parallel imports: Genuine locks bought overseas but sold locally without warranty or support.OEM models: Generic lookalikes with varying internal quality, usually with no local support. To verify that a lock is an authorised unit, homeowners should check whether the brand has a registered Singapore presence, confirm the warranty covers on-site servicing, read real Google reviews from local customers and ensure the lock has fire-rating certification where required.<h2> </h2><h2 id="hidden-costs">The Hidden Costs Behind &ldquo;Cheap&rdquo; Digital Locks</h2>The upfront savings of a cheap lock often disappear once real-life problems surface. Downstream expenses can include break-lock service fees, door modification, importing replacement parts, long repair downtime, full lock replacement and, in severe cases, replacement of the entire door. <h2 id="end-of-life">When a Lock Reaches End of Life</h2>Every smart device eventually becomes unsupported. Authorised distributors usually stock enough spare parts to service older models.Ricky notes that if a lock under warranty cannot be repaired due to unavailable parts, homeowners have the right to request a replacement unit.OEM and parallel-import locks offer no such safety net. When parts fail, replacement becomes the only option, and if the lock is incompatible with the door&rsquo;s cut-out, door replacement may also be required. <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1763726300026-digital-door-key.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Set of house keys placed beside a digital door lock access card on a flat surface. "><h2 id="future-of-digital-locks">Where Digital Locks Are Headed Next</h2>The next generation of digital locks is moving towards stronger biometric accuracy, AI-assisted recognition, unlocking via wearables, improved offline fail-safes and smarter ecosystem integration. These upgrades will benefit households that truly need them.But homeowners should also evaluate whether they genuinely require WiFi capabilities. Those concerned about digital mismanagement, remote-access issues or cloud dependencies may prefer the reliability of offline models. <h2 id="informed-choice">A More Informed Way to Choose a Digital Lock</h2>Digital locks are reliable and secure when chosen carefully, installed correctly and supported by reputable distributors. The cases highlighted by CNA reflect the consequences of choosing based on price alone, not the limitations of the technology itself.With a clear understanding of certification, components, installation quality and hidden costs, homeowners can make confident decisions that enhance both convenience and long-term safety. <h3 id="sidebar-a">The Three Most Common Owner Mistakes That Lead to Lock Failure</h3>1) Using lithium, rechargeable or heavy-duty batteries2) Skipping preventive six-month battery changes3) Slamming doors without a door closer <h2 id="sidebar-b">What Installers Look For Before Approving a Job</h2>1) Clearance for door expansion2) Mortise compatibility3) Door&ndash;frame alignment4) Condition of the door closer5) Integrity of the door core6) Whether chiselling affects structure <div class="cta-block"><h3>Plan Your Home Upgrade with Confidence</h3>If you&#39;re installing a digital lock or upgrading your main door, get trusted support every step of the way. Use the <a href="https://www.sixides.com/equote?utm_source=organic&utm_term=menu&utm_medium=home_page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SIXiDES </a><a href="https://www.sixides.com/equote?utm_source=organic&utm_term=menu&utm_medium=home_page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eQuote</a>&nbsp;tool to compare verified installers or let <a href="https://www.sixides.com/find-my-id?utm_source=organic&utm_term=menu&utm_medium=home_page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find My ID</a> match you with vetted interior designers who understand door standards, fire-rating rules and home security needs.Your home deserves expert guidance.</div> </div>

A homeowner-focused guide on avoiding faulty digital locks in Singapore, understanding fire-rating requirements, installation quality, OEM risks, battery maintenance, and expert advice from Ricky Ang.

Digital Lock Problems in Singapore: How to Avoid Faulty Models, Hidden Costs and Unsafe Installs

Cheap OEM locks often lack fire-rated certification, Singapore warranty coverage, spare parts, installation support, and climate resilience. Many also use unsealed PCBs and weak motors that fail prematurely in Singapore’s humidity.

What are the biggest risks of buying cheap OEM digital locks online?

Verify a registered Singapore office, confirm that the warranty includes on-site servicing, read authentic Google reviews, and ensure the lock carries fire-rating certification for fire-rated doors.

How can homeowners check if a digital lock is authorised?

Use alkaline batteries only, replace batteries every six months, avoid slamming doors by installing a door closer, and ensure that the lock is installed in alignment to prevent motor strain and PCB wear.

What maintenance habits prevent digital lock failure?

Homeowners concerned about mismanagement of the lock's digital ecosystem or data dependencies may prefer offline models, which provide reliable operation without relying on remote servers or cloud connectivity.

Do homeowners really need WiFi-enabled digital locks?

Digital locks promise convenience, but poorly built or uncertified models can lead to failures, costly repairs and safety risks. This guide explains how to identify reliable locks, avoid hidden costs and choose models suited for Singapore’s climate and door standards.

Digital locks promise convenience, but not all models are built for Singapore’s climate, door standards or safety requirements. This guide breaks down the hidden risks, essential certifications and expert-backed checks every homeowner should know before choosing a lock.

Estimated reading time: 4 to 6 minutes SIDA 2025 matters to Singapore homeowners because it shows which designers and firms are leading the industry, accelerates accreditation and consumer protection through SIDS and CaseTrust, and shapes the way future HDB and condo homes are planned, from layout and liveability to sustainability and wellness. <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1764062685132-SIDS25Tung.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President of SIDS on stage giving speech in 2025">SIDS President Mr Tung Ching Yew shared on his plans for an upcoming rest in 2026 following his successful terms.&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">Why an industry awards night matters to your future home</h2>On paper, the Singapore Interior Design Awards 2025 look like an industry-only affair. One ballroom at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, a guest list filled with designers and architects, and 108 winners across six countries being called to the stage.In reality, what is recognised at SIDA tends to filter down into the showflats you visit, the caf&eacute;s you hang out in and, eventually, the HDB flats and condos you call home.This year&rsquo;s edition, organised by the Society of Interior Designers Singapore, marked what the organisers call the most rigorous judging cycle so far, with more than 650 submissions, of which 557 came from Singapore. The awards are increasingly a mirror of how Singaporeans want to live, work and gather, rather than just a trophy wall for the trade. For homeowners, three things stand out.<ul><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">The projects that won are pushing human experience, not just &ldquo;nice photos&rdquo;.</li><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">Veteran designers who helped shape modern Singapore interiors are being honoured while new names are rising.</li><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">Behind the glitz, SIDS is quietly building systems to protect consumers and raise standards, from accreditation to education.&nbsp;</li></ul> <h2 id="isPasted">The winning projects that will shape how we live</h2><h3 id="isPasted">Design of the Year: Singapore on the world stage</h3>The headline win this year is Design of the Year, awarded to the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka by Crystal Chu of KR+D. It is a symbolic reminder that Singapore design is no longer only about fitting clever storage into small flats. Our designers are now crafting national showcases that sit alongside the best in the world.For Singapore homeowners, this matters because the same designers and studios working on international projects often influence local residential, retail and hospitality spaces. The ideas tested at an Expo pavilion today will quietly show up in your favourite malls, hotels and, eventually, in the approaches your interior designer proposes for your home tomorrow. <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1764063022470-bestresidesign.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A beautiful interior with earthy colours becomes the winning residential project at SIDS25.">Best in Residential Design - Floor Area &ge; 101 sqm winner - White Jacket Pte Ltd (Patricia Ho Douven) in An Autobiography in Space <h3 id="isPasted">Residential and workplace winners: reading the signals</h3>On the residential front, the Luminaries list includes Best in Residential Design (Floor Area 101 square metres and above), awarded to &ldquo;An Autobiography in Space&rdquo; by White Jacket. Even without the full case study, the title alone tells you where high-level design thinking is heading: homes that read like personal stories, not catalogue pages.Instead of a one-size-fits-all &ldquo;Scandi&rdquo; template, the best work is moving towards spaces that map directly to the way each family lives and remembers. For homeowners, that is a useful nudge to step back from mood boards and ask: &ldquo;What is the story of our household, and how should the layout reflect that?&rdquo;In the workplace category, DP Design&rsquo;s HDB Workplace Transformation picked up Best in Workspace Design for large floor areas. When an institution like HDB rethinks its own office, it has knock-on effects. Workplace ideas around hybrid working, wellness and collaboration often spill over into home design, especially for homeowners carving out study corners and work zones within compact flats.You are likely to see more layouts that blend working, resting and hosting in the same footprint, but in a way that protects mental health and privacy. <img src="https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/sixides/uploads%2F1764063236200-sids25lifetimewinner.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Constance Ann on stage at SIDS.">Lifetime Achievement Award winner Constance Ann from Constann Design Pte Ltd <h3>The people behind the scenes: celebrating lifelong contributions</h3>Awards seasons can feel obsessed with what is new, but SIDA 2025 made space to recognise two long-serving practitioners with Lifetime Achievement Awards: Andrew Fisher of Andy Fisher Workshop and Constance Ann of Constann Design.These are the designers whose work many Singaporeans have experienced without always noticing the names behind the spaces, whether in hospitality, public interiors or high-profile projects. Honouring them is more than a polite gesture. It signals to homeowners that behind every &ldquo;nice&rdquo; room are decades of hard-earned lessons about proportion, materials, light and how people actually use space.Alongside them, the big individual wins went to Allan Wang of DP Design, who clinched Designer of the Year, Young Designer of the Year and Best Design Firm of the Year for his practice, as well as Cagil Yurdakul Toker of Raffles Design Institute, named Design Educator of the Year. This cluster of awards acts as a snapshot of the studios and educational voices currently setting the tone for Singapore&rsquo;s built environment. <h2>Raising the bar on trust, accreditation and consumer protection</h2>One of the most important messages for homeowners did not come from the trophy list but from the speeches.SIDS President Tung Ching Yew highlighted how the number of accredited interior designers in Singapore has grown from under 100 in 2022 to more than 650 today. Accreditation might sound administrative, but for homeowners it is about trust. It signals that your designer has met defined standards and is operating within a professional framework, not just &ldquo;a friend of a friend who knows how to do carpentry&rdquo;. Looking ahead, SIDS announced a roadmap that includes:<ol><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">Co developing, co delivering and co certifying six new Continuing Education and Training courses from 2026, covering topics like generative AI in spatial design and wellness for interiors, in partnership with three local polytechnics.</li><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">Working with the Singapore Green Building Council on a Green Mark Interiors Scheme, so more designers are trained to create sustainable, healthier interiors.</li><li style="font-family: Roboto, ui-sans-serif, system-ui;">Developing a consumer tradeshow with the Singapore Furniture Industries Council, focused not on selling renovation packages but on educating the public about the renovation journey and the value of hiring accredited designers.</li></ol> <blockquote>For homeowners, this is the practical takeaway. In the coming years, looking for an accredited, CaseTrust backed firm will become an increasingly reliable way to filter vendors, especially if you are signing large contracts or handing over sizeable renovation deposits.</blockquote> <h2>Investing in the next generation of designers</h2>SIDA 2025 did not only celebrate established names. It also spotlighted 33 students from local institutes of higher learning through the SIDA Youth Awards, and continued the SIDA Youth Excellence Award, a bursary of 3,000 Singapore dollars each for three students in spatial design courses.If you have ever wondered who will design the homes your children and grandchildren grow up in, this is part of the answer. An entire cohort of young designers is being supported and encouraged to see interior design as a serious, impactful profession rather than a side hustle.Youth award projects span everything from hospitality concepts to public spaces, touching on sustainability, community and new ways of living. While these schemes may feel distant from your current BTO or resale flat, they are seeding the ideas that will shape future HDB typologies, co living models and community spaces. At the end of the day, SIDA is not about who wears what to the gala. It is about building an ecosystem where the person renovating a four room flat in Punggol can find trustworthy, forward thinking designers who understand both international standards and local realities. That is when an awards night starts to matter in the most ordinary yet important place of all, inside your own home. <h2>Q&amp;A</h2>Q: What is SIDA 2025.A: SIDA 2025 is the 2025 edition of the Singapore Interior Design Awards, organised by the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS). It recognises outstanding interior design projects in Singapore and the region, from homes and workplaces to hospitality and public spaces. For homeowners, it is a snapshot of which designers, firms and ideas are leading the industry right now. Q: How does SIDA affect my choice of interior designer.A: SIDA gives you a useful signal of quality. Firms and designers that win or are regularly shortlisted tend to have stronger design thinking, better project experience and a clearer point of view about how people should live and work. When you are shortlisting IDs, seeing SIDA wins or nominations in their portfolio can give you more confidence that they know how to plan functional, liveable spaces rather than just styling for photos. Q: What is an accredited interior designer and why does it matter.A: An accredited interior designer is a practitioner who has met the standards set by SIDS under its accreditation framework. This usually includes a mix of formal training, professional experience, a code of conduct and ongoing skills upgrading. For homeowners, working with an accredited ID matters because it reduces the risk of guesswork and cowboy practices. You are engaging someone who is recognised by the industry, more likely to follow proper processes, and more accountable if things go wrong. <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/how-to-avoid-disappearing-contractors-and-protect-your-dream-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thinking of renovating</a>&nbsp;after seeing all this design talent in action?Use SIXiDES to find an interior designer who fits your style, budget and expectations.<ul><li>Match with vetted IDs using our <a href="https://www.sixides.com/find-my-id?utm_source=organic&utm_term=menu&utm_medium=home_page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find My ID</a> tool.</li><li>Request transparent quotes with <a href="https://www.sixides.com/equote?utm_source=organic&utm_term=menu&utm_medium=home_page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eQuote</a>.</li><li>Understand <a href="https://www.sixides.com/articles/6-facts-about-renovating-in-Singapore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">what to expect</a> at each stage of your renovation.</li></ul> Start your renovation journey with designers who put your home, safety and lifestyle first.

The Singapore Interior Design Awards 2025 spotlighted 108 winning projects, veteran designers and new initiatives in accreditation, education and consumer protection. Here is how it all affects Singapore homeowners planning a renovation.

SIDA 2025: Why Singapore’s Biggest Design Awards Matter To Homeowners

The Singapore Interior Design Awards 2025 spotlighted 108 winning projects, veteran designers and new initiatives in accreditation and education. Here is how it all affects Singapore homeowners planning a renovation.

Singapore Interior Design Awards 2025: What Homeowners Should Know

From celebrated pavilions and HDB workplaces to bursaries for young designers, this year’s Singapore Interior Design Awards quietly set the tone for how our future homes and everyday spaces will look, feel and function. Here is what Singapore homeowners should take away from SIDA 2025.

Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Interior Designer in Singapore: What to Look For

Discover how to choose the right interior designer in Singapore. Key factors, costs & tips to avoid mistakes. Get expert help with Sixides.

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