Affordable Renovation Singapore: Faux Skylights - Where to Buy & How We Install Them
- The Design Factory Pte Ltd
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
Getting that bright, aesthetic look you see online doesn't have to strain your budget. A faux skylight is a brilliant solution for any home renovation in Singapore, delivering instant luxury and brightness without the high price tag. It's a go-to for an affordable renovation in Singapore, especially when you need to brighten up a room without direct sunlight.
We’ve installed these for countless homeowners and have the process down pat. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how it’s done and where to find the best options for your house.
Quick Access:
How Does A Faux Skylight Actually Work
Where is the Best Spot for a Faux Skylight
Our Step-by-Step Installation Guide
What’s the Budget? A Realistic Cost Breakdown
Is a Faux Skylight an Affordable Renovation Hack in SG?
Ready to Complete Your Dream Home?
Why a Faux Skylight is a Smart Renovation Hack
So, what’s all the fuss about? As a core part of our renovation services, we highly recommend a faux skylight because it’s one of the most impactful upgrades a homeowner (especially in HDB flats or a resale flat) can make. Here’s why:
Creates Instant Ambience: It mimics natural daylight, making any room feel more open, airy, and calming.
Solves the "Dark Corner" Problem: Perfect for windowless hallways, bomb shelters, or the middle of a deep kitchen, enhancing your interior design.
The Luxe-for-Less Factor: It adds a sophisticated, high-end architectural feature that makes your home look more expensive than it is.
100% Leak-Proof: You get the beauty of a skylight with zero risk of water leakage, a common concern for any renovation in Singapore.
How Does A Faux Skylight Actually Work
A faux skylight isn't a hole in your roof; it's a sophisticated light fixture designed to perfectly mimic natural sunlight in any residential property. It’s a perfect lighting hack for HDBs where there’s limited space and fewer windows.
So, how does it work? The magic lies in combining three key components:
a panel of high-quality LED lights
a specialised diffuser
a clean frame
The LEDs are calibrated to a specific colour temperature (typically 6000K-6500 K) to replicate the cool, bright hue of midday sunlight. This is what tricks our brains into perceiving it as daylight, which can instantly make a room feel more open and airy.
From our experience installing these, the diffuser is the real secret sauce. It’s the frosted or textured panel that covers the LEDs, scattering the light evenly across its surface. This prevents harsh glare or "hot spots" and creates the soft, ambient glow you'd expect from a real skylight. When installed recessed into a false ceiling, the frame adds depth and shadow, making the fixture look like a genuine architectural element rather than just a light on the ceiling. It’s a simple but incredibly effective illusion.
Where is the Best Spot for a Faux Skylight
Wondering where to put one? These are the most popular and effective spots for this type of project we've seen:
The HDB Bathroom: A game-changer for any HDB bathroom renovation. It turns a typically small, windowless room with toilets into a bright, spa-like retreat. It pairs perfectly with new tiles and modern fixtures.
The Kitchen: Place one over the island or main prep area to create a bright, clean workspace.
The Hallway/Corridor: Long, dark hallways in both HDB flats and landed property can feel cramped. A faux skylight breaks up the space and makes it feel wider.
The Walk-in Wardrobe / Bedroom: Finally, you can see the true colours of your clothes!
Our Step-by-Step Installation Guide
What’s even better is that installing a faux skylight is a manageable project, especially if you have a false ceiling. So, when you’re renovating and feeling handy, you can follow this step-by-step guide we’ve created and use it when installing one for our clients:
What You'll Need:
Materials: LED Panel Light, mounting frame, wire connectors. (Note: The quality of these materials can affect the final look and durability).
Tools: Ladder, drill, screwdriver, measuring tape, pencil, and a tool to cut the false ceiling.
Crucial Safety Note: Prioritising safety is key. Always turn off the power at the main circuit breaker before touching any wiring!
The Process:
Step 1 - Choose & Mark the Spot: Pick your location on the false ceiling. Use a stud finder to ensure you’re not cutting into any ceiling support beams. Measure and mark the outline of your panel.
Step 2 - Cut the Opening: Carefully cut the opening in the false ceiling along the lines you marked.
Step 3 - Handle the Wiring: With the power OFF, connect the driver to the wiring. If you're unsure, it's best to engage one of your renovation contractors.
Step 4 - Mount the Panel: Secure the mounting clips or frame, connect the panel to its driver, and push the panel into the opening until it sits flush and secure.
Step 5 - Test It Out: Turn the power back on and enjoy your new "sunshine"!
A Quick Note on Bathrooms: For an HDB bathroom renovation, ensure you purchase an LED panel with a moisture-resistant rating (look for IP44 or higher) to handle the steam.
What’s the Budget? A Realistic Cost Breakdown
An affordable renovation in Singapore is all about managing your budget and understanding all the potential factors to avoid hidden costs. Here’s a look at the typical prices.
For a hands-on homeowner, the DIY cost is low; you can find a quality 60x60 cm panel online or in lighting shops for about $80 to $200.
However, if you’d rather leave it to the pros, hiring a contractor to handle the installation, including cutting the false ceiling and wiring, typically ranges from $250 to $500 or more, depending on the job's complexity. Either way, it’s a fraction of the cost of other feature lighting, making it a truly high-impact, low-cost upgrade.
Can’t decide? Here’s a quick comparison with more detail:
Where to buy a Faux Skylight in Singapore
Finding a faux skylight in Singapore is quite easy. For the most convenient route, online marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee are your best bet; simply search for terms like “LED sky panel,” “faux skylight,” or “600x600 panel light” to find hundreds of options.
Suppose you prefer to see the light quality in person before making a purchase. In that case, we recommend visiting the dedicated retail lighting shops along Jalan Besar, Geylang, or Balestier (if you’re in the area). You can also find them in some electronics stores, such as those at Sim Lim Square, typically located on the upper floors.
Is a Faux Skylight an Affordable Renovation Hack in SG?
Absolutely. For a relatively small investment, a faux skylight delivers a huge benefit. It’s one of our favourite tricks for any home renovation SG because it solves common HDB problems with a stylish solution, giving your interior design a competitive edge. It's proof that an affordable renovation can also be a beautiful one.
Ready to Complete Your Dream Home?
While a faux skylight is a great standalone project, it's often part of a larger home renovation. If you're looking for the best renovation contractors or a trusted interior design firm, it can be difficult to know where to search. Instead of looking through a huge directory, you can connect with reliable ID firms and contractors directly through us.
At The Design Factory, we specialise in everything from custom carpentry and carpentry works to complete renovation packages. We help homeowners get an accurate quote with transparent pricing.
Book a free quotation with an expert from The Design Factory today
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