More Than Just a Good Eye

As renovation culture becomes increasingly design-aware and fast-moving, the realities of working in the interiors industry are evolving just as quickly. We speak to Benjamin Toh of M2Decor about why good design today goes far beyond aesthetics, and why mentorship, site knowledge, and practical experience matter more than ever for the next generation of designers.

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Over the past few years, how have you seen the expectations of Singapore homeowners evolve when it comes to interior design?

Homeowners today arrive far more prepared than they did five or six years ago. They've spent time on Pinterest, watched renovation content on YouTube, and followed designers on Instagram. By the time they attend their first consultation, many already have saved references, specific material preferences, and sometimes even rough layout ideas in mind.

That's actually a positive shift because it raises the level of conversation. But it also means designers can no longer rely on surface-level advice. Clients are more informed now. They'll question why a particular material is being specified, or whether a layout genuinely maximises their space. The standard for what counts as professional guidance has moved up considerably.

What are some common mistakes you notice when inexperienced designers work with colours or textures?

One common mistake is treating colour and texture purely as decorative elements rather than spatial tools. A young designer might select a beautiful stone finish for a feature wall because it looks impressive in a showroom, without considering how it behaves under the homeowner's actual lighting conditions or how it works alongside the flooring already selected.

Another issue is over-layering. Sometimes every surface is trying to make a statement, and as a result, nothing feels cohesive. Good material selection is really about restraint and sequencing. You need to decide what carries the visual weight, while the other elements quietly support it.