5 home makeover tips for the Year of the Dragon

Inspirations from Malaysian homes on how to make the most of the Wood Dragon year in 2024

While dragons are commonly associated with darkness and evil in Western culture, the mythical creature is much lauded on the other side of the world. Especially in Chinese culture, it is an imperial symbol representing power and authority and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

This Chinese New Year signals the start of the Year of the Wood Dragon, characterised by vital growth and renewal as it sets the stage for positive transformation and new beginnings in the coming Lunar New Year.

Here are a few makeover tips and inspirations from Malaysian homes (and a workspace) that you can carry out throughout the year for a more rejuvenating home and make the most of what the Wood Dragon year may offer.

1. Minimise for a more spatial layout

Above A spatial home that imbued the philosophy of minimalism (Photo: Ceavs Chua)

It is a common Chinese tradition to engage in a bout of spring cleaning before the first day of the Lunar New Year, as it is believed to clear away lingering negative energy.

Besides spic and span surfaces, look into decluttering your living space too as the year progresses. By rearranging the furniture placements for a more open layout, this could do away blockage of positive energy flow.

Photo 1 of 2 Glass doors that opened out into the outdoor areas (Photo: Ceavs Chua)

Photo 2 of 2 A clutter-free, indoor-outdoor architectural style (Photo: Ceavs Chua)

Architect Chun Hooi Tan of Core Design Workshop and his art gallerist wife spent two years during the pandemic imbuing the philosophy of minimalism into their modest single-storey semi-detached house in a suburban township developed and built in the 1970s outside Kuala Lumpur.

The couple opted for a clutter-free, indoor-outdoor architectural style, with glass doors that opened out into the outdoor areas and reflected the economised living style through the spatial organisation of the house.

2. Explore smart storage solutions

Above A concealed walk-in wardrobe with smart storage solutions (Photo: Pins Design Studio)

Other than clearing out unwanted items for a more minimalist living going forward, there are also plenty of smart storage solutions available these days that you can integrate into your home, regardless of the square footage.

This is believed to allow for a smoother and unhindered flow of vibrant chi throughout the home.

Above A "floating" wardrobe in the master bedroom (Photo: Pins Design Studio)

Above Cabinetry that seems to blend into the walls (Photo: Pins Design Studio)

Above Making use of the limited space (Photo: Pins Design Studio)

Pins Design Studio helped a pair of sisters optimise the limited space of their Bangsar South condominium, by fitting in tastefully a walk-in wardrobe with effective storage solutions concealed behind sliding doors.

The Japandi-style home also featured cabinetries and “floating” closets and shelving units. Be it put away or out on display, there is a space for everything so they do not disrupt the calming and soothing atmosphere of the home.

3. Let in some natural light

Above Natural light pouring into the quiet luxury home (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

In Chinese culture, good lighting promotes positive energy. Luckily for us living in the tropics, we have plenty of sunny days to allow natural light into our homes. Not to mention, it provides health benefits and even saves on electricity bills.

Sheer curtains and retractable Venetian blinds may help filter the harsher sunlight on scorching days without plunging the home into darkness.

Don’t miss: 5 simple but effective lighting ideas to transform your home

Photo 1 of 2 The well-lit kitchen (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Photo 2 of 2 Filtered light in the bedroom thanks to the wall divider (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Above Light that reaches into the deeper corners of the home (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Above Wooden louvred windows and paned folding glass doors (Photo: Lawrence Choo)

Meanwhile, Framework Design Studio embraced the natural radiance of a ground-floor condominium unit in the Taman U Thant neighbourhood. They created an open-plan space that stretched from the living room to the lounge area, allowing natural light that seemed to brighten even the deeper corners of the home.

Black-paned folding glass doors, wooden louvred windows and sliding glass windows further enhanced the home’s breezy aesthetic, keeping the luxurious and comfortable space well-lit at all times yet filtered from the heat.

4. Give the colour green a go

Photo 1 of 2 Green sets the tone in this workspace (Photo: David Yeow)

Photo 2 of 2 An edible garden in the outdoor balcony (Photo: David Yeow)

For the Year of the Wood Dragon, emerald green is the lucky colour to go for, as it is said to align with the Chinese zodiac’s energy in growth and vitality.

A colour that represents renewal and harmony with nature, it also generates a calm and relaxing mood in a space, whether it is used as a dominant colour on all four walls, or as accents on one wall or furniture.

Above Green exudes an energy that's calm and relaxing (Photo: David Yeow)

Above A workspace that encourages creativity and productivity (Photo: David Yeow)

For Essential Design Integrated (EDI Architects), they bathed workspace in a three-storey Damansara Jaya shophouse in green “for a calmer and more casual lifestyle at the office that encourages creativity and productivity,” says MunInn Chan, co-director of EDI.

An office studio with the comforts of home had a multi-purpose living room, a convertible dining room, a theatre, and a fully functional kitchen complete with a built-in fridge and oven.

The studio also had an edible garden with vegetations like basil, mint and a growing pomelo tree–further exemplifying the use of the colour green in their space.

Read more here.

Don't miss: The best 10 green homes in Malaysia

5. Opt for nature-inspired materials like wood

Above A prominent roof overhang of wood and steel Vierendeel truss (Photo: Lin Ho)

What better way to complement the colour green than with its natural counterpart? The dominant element in 2024 symbolises growth, vitality and expansion. When paired with a colour of similar energy, it enhances the liveliness and makes the living space look good.

Above Wooden doorway by the reflective pond (Photo: Lin Ho)

Above The calming outdoor area (Photo: Lin Ho)

Above Antique wood furnishing in the "floating" loft (Photo: Lin Ho)

Above Wooden steps down the spiral staircase (Photo: Lin Ho)

Complementing the greenery along Cantonment Road in the heart of Penang, Veritas Design Group upgraded a 1950s house for a pair of siblings with a prominent roof overhang made of wood and steel detailing known as Vierendeel truss; the metal element is said to maintain balance too.

Underneath its industrial facade, the warm features could be seen peppered throughout the home: the wooden antique furniture set in the “floating” loft; the wood panelled doorway and outdoor dining table by the reflective pond; as well as the steps down the spiral staircase in the dining area of the villa.

Read more here.

NOW READ

Chinese New Year 2024: Feng shui tips for new homeowners

1stDibs reveals the most important interior design trends for 2024

Top 5 Malaysian home tours of 2023

Topics

interior design wood green minimalism open plan natural light Wood Dragon Chinese New Year CNY 2024