When renovating your home, whether it’s an HDB flat or a condo apartment, you’ll need to make a decision whether to include false ceilings into the design. Functional false ceiling ideas can offer wonderful features to any HDB or condo. From better lighting aesthetics to the opportunity to conceal wires, a false ceiling design is a seamless way to solve a number of your problems. Livspace designer Samuel Tan helps us explore the 10 best false ceiling designs you can get in Singapore, as well as each of their pros and cons. But before diving into them, let’s get started with some basics!

What Is a False Ceiling Design?

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False ceilings can be customised to your needs

As its name implies, a false ceiling essentially covers your existing ceiling. It’s typically made from plasterboard (the most popular option these days) to which the ceiling board is fitted. A false ceiling will lower the height of your room, but can be used to hide unsightly wires connected to your lights, ceiling fans and even air conditioning units.

What Is the Most Common Material Used in False Ceilings in Singapore?

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Plasterboard false ceilings are very common in Singapore

The answer to this question is plasterboard. It can be up to 40% less expensive than other options. This type of false ceiling is extremely robust and can last for years without showing any signs of wear or strain. Additionally, it’s flexible when applied to the corners and can be moulded in a variety of forms. Other options which you can choose for your home’s false ceiling design include gypsum, PVC and wood.

Also Read: 3 Best False Ceiling Lights You Can Use to Create Better Ambience

What Are the Advantages of a False Ceiling Design?

Why is a false ceiling necessary for your home? While a condo or an HDB false ceiling might not be exactly necessary, it’s definitely a helpful and gorgeous addition. Here’s why.

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It can help with a host of problems at home

#1: Offers More Lighting Options

Having a false ceiling can offer new opportunities for installing lighting systems to your room for a better visual appeal. Recessed lighting, cove lighting, or even a combination of the two can be used for your false ceiling design. While cove lighting allows the user more freedom to employ the LED lights to create a mood, recessed lighting is more economic and can help save money.

#2: Hides Wires

If you’ve got a mess of wires on your ceiling or along the walls, a false ceiling is a perfect way to hide them. A false ceiling can also be fitted with sunken or hidden lighting. This takes care of your illumination needs without installing additional fixtures or wiring.

#3: Brings Lofty Ceilings Lower

A false ceiling lowers the ceiling height. So homes that have a really high ceiling which makes the other aspects of the room look small in comparison can opt for a false ceiling to balance out things. It’s a purely aesthetic change, that allows you to alter the look of the home without changing the structure.

What Are the Disadvantages of A False Ceiling Design?

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Be wary of certain things while getting false ceilings

#1: Installation Requires Precision From Experts

Installing a false ceiling is a far cry from being a DIY project. It requires meticulous precision in design, calculation and installation and must only be put in place by experts. Depending on the shape and details of your false ceiling design in Singapore, you may also need advice on additional support and wiring.

#2: Low-Ceiling Rooms Might Look Too Cramped

Since it needs to be at least 8 inches (ca. 20 cm) away from the original wall, it’s always recommended that the false ceiling height be 11 feet (ca. 3.35 m) or higher. For compact homes, this could be a drawback because too much detail on the false ceiling design could make the space look cramped.

There’s a way around this, however – owners of small homes could opt for a partial ceiling in a corner of the room. They could also choose to extend a wall or a TV console to the ceiling for extra dimension.

What Is the False Ceiling Cost in Singapore?

Installation of a false ceiling varies between $4 to $15.55 per square foot. Here are indicative/approximate prices of a false ceiling design in Singapore that we, at Livspace, offer as part of our services:

  • 9 mm Plasterboard false ceiling price, Singapore – $4.04 per sq. ft. approx.
  • Gypsum board L-box false ceiling price, Singapore – $10.89 per sq. ft. approx.
  • Gypsum board U-box false ceiling price, Singapore – $15.55 per sq. ft. approx.

Trendy False Ceiling Design Ideas in Singapore

Here are 10 of the trendiest false ceiling design ideas for Singapore homes:

#1: L-box False Ceiling Design

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An L-box false ceiling on the periphery is perfect for compact rooms

The L-box false ceiling design is one of the most preferred types of false ceiling designs for living rooms. This type of new ceiling design is installed on the perimeter of the actual ceiling, keeping the height the same.

An L-box false ceiling design will let you preserve the original fixtures (like fans, lights etc.) rather than anchoring them again on a false ceiling.

#2: Cornices As Decorative False Ceiling Ideas

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These decorative ceilings can conceal damaged walls

These types of false ceiling designs are installed along the joints between ceilings and walls as a finishing touch.

They also help conceal cracks and water damage. This new ceiling design adds a touch of class and sophistication to a space, but you can choose a design based on your personal likes and dislikes!

#3: False Ceiling Design With Cove Lighting

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If you love ambient lighting then get cove lighting for your false ceiling

Another popular and sleek option is a ceiling design with cove lighting. Installed with LED lights, it emits light towards the ceiling or the walls, giving the room a cove or a domed feel.

This condo and HDB false ceiling can be designed in a number of patterns and colours. Moreover, this false ceiling can be used to accentuate a wall or a ceiling design in the home. In fact, we think it’s one of the best false ceiling ideas for bedrooms!

#4: False Ceiling Design With Recessed Lighting

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Recessed lights look the best with false ceilings

If you are looking for trendy false ceiling ideas, you must have come across recessed lights. It’s the perfect lighting for a modern home with a false ceiling. Moreover, they are cost-efficient and act as ambient as well as task lights for a false ceiling design.

#5: False Ceiling Design With Both Cove and Recessed Lights

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Maximise overhead lighting with cove and recessed lighting

You can also opt for both the types of lights (cove and recessed) for your false ceiling design. This way, you can maximise the amount of overhead lighting in a room without taking up any more space.

#6: Carpentered False Ceiling Design

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Wooden false ceilings look warm and add a highlight to a room

If you’re looking for a false ceiling that has wooden work like rafters or an extended ceiling, you will need to call on a carpenter.

Subsequently, these types of false ceiling designs include ceiling structures that require shaping or installing wooden fixtures. You can say they fall into the category of extravagant false ceiling ideas for your home that fit perfectly in a dining area.

#7: Bar False Ceiling Designs

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Add a sense of class with a bar false ceiling design

Bar false ceiling designs complement simple interiors and provide a sense of class without drawing too much attention.

The twin bars are a more popular choice (installation of light bars on both sides of false ceiling parallelly). They are a good option for spaces with lots of straight, precise lines since they agree with the symmetry of the space.

#8: Single-Layered False Ceiling Designs

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Simple and inexpensive method to add flair to the room

As the name suggests, a single-layered false ceiling design for a living room is made up of a single layer of plasterboard.

This false ceiling is a simple and inexpensive method to give a room character and flair. You can pick from a wide variety of colours, forms, textures and lighting options if you want to make a statement and draw attention.

#9: Multilayered False Ceiling Designs

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Use multi-layered ceilings to add to the drama in your room

A multi-layered false ceiling design for a bedroom offers fresh opportunities for experimenting with lights, colours and shapes. Don’t be frightened to exercise your imagination!

A multi-layered false ceiling design in the centre of a space can add drama and a sense of majesty. However, near the boundaries of the room, the ceilings will appear higher.

#10: Plus-Minus Pop False Ceiling Design

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Add a sense of plush design to your home with plus-minus false ceiling

If you’re feeling especially creative, why not use a POP ceiling design as a design feature? A plus-minus ceiling design forms intricate patterns by layering plasterboard on top of each other.

Before attempting this modern simple POP design idea, be careful to consider your current decor and the available space because it tends to be on the elaborate side.

Installing a False Ceiling

Irrespective of the material or design you select, the installation of a false ceiling requires expertise and skill. So, get a skilled contractor who can help you install a false ceiling design. Also, have an idea about your budget and then choose the material and design accordingly.

Things to Consider When Opting for False Ceilings

Here’s everything that you should consider before you get a false ceiling design:

  • Your budget
  • The design
  • Material you want
  • The size of the room
  • The height of the room
  • Your lighting requirements
  • Colour and patterns
  • Future needs
  • Decor of the room

Types of False Ceilings

Plaster of Paris (POP) False Ceiling Design

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A checkboard patterned false ceiling will add some drama to your living room

One of the most popular new false ceiling materials among homeowners is POP. The biggest advantage that POP offers is that it can be customised into unique patterns and designs. In addition, it also offers a high-gloss finish that looks quite stunning.

Wooden False Ceilings

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Opt for lighting with your wooden false ceiling

Be it for your furniture or your false ceiling design, wood is always a winner. If you want to add a dose of warmth to your space, the easiest option is to choose a wooden false ceiling.

Make sure the ceiling complements your interiors. For instance, if you have a Scandinavian style home, opt for light wood instead of dark wood.

Gypsum False Ceiling Design

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Another great false ceiling material is gypsum

Gypsum is an often preferred false ceiling material among homeowners, as it is durable and cost-effective.

Although it cannot be moulded, it offers several other benefits like its sound absorbing quality and energy efficiency.

False Ceiling Design With a Metallic Chandelier

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Unique, metallic chandeliers look great in contemporary condos and HDBs

Want to elevate the look of your false ceiling? All you need is a chandelier. Not all chandeliers have to be opulent and grand. If you have a contemporary condo or an HDB, choose a metallic design that’s sleek and modern.

PVC False Ceiling

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A cup of coffee and greenery all around!

While not as popular as POP or gypsum, PVC is another option that you can choose for your ceiling material. This strong yet lightweight material is available in a variety of colours and patterns. Not only is it durable and affordable, PVC is also water- and termite-proof.

Also Read: 11 Quick Ways to Turn Your Home From Dingy to Bright

Glass False Ceiling Design

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Royal and opulent

If grand is the look you’re going for, a glass false ceiling maybe the right option for you. A glass ceiling design, along with a glam chandelier, can make your space look opulent. In addition, glass can also make a small room look more spacious.

Now that you’ve picked out your false ceiling design, take a look at all you need to know about marble flooring & how to maintain it.

Tour this resort-style condo:

How Can Livspace Help You?

We hope you found our ideas useful! If you want your home to be just as beautiful, then look no further. Book an online consultation with Livspace today. Have some comments or suggestions you’d like to share with us? We’re all ears! Feel free to write to us at editor.sg@livspace.com.

Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. Mentions of costs, budget, materials, and finishes can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability.