Blog · Architect’s Notes

Small insights that make your home more beautiful

Practical guides on renovation, kitchens, colour and decoration, compiled from our videos watched millions of times on Instagram.

The 3 most important rules of kitchen layoutReels · 0:45 · 9K views
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KitchenJuly 3, 20262 min read

The 3 most important rules of kitchen layout

Colours and cabinet fronts come later: the secret of a flawless kitchen lies in the sink position, at least 110 cm of circulation space and the right lighting plan.

Sinem KocabaşArchitect · SYK Mimarlık
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Choosing colours: 5 rules to make a space look biggerReels · 0:36 · 38K views
ColourJune 24, 2026

Choosing colours: 5 rules to make a space look bigger

Choosing colours is not just about aesthetics; it is the art of managing the volume of a space. Five rules for enlarging a space with contrast, tone and texture.

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Plan first, decorate later: the biggest difference in renovationReels · 0:45 · 5K views
PlanningJune 8, 2026

Plan first, decorate later: the biggest difference in renovation

In most homes, the cause of discomfort is not colour or furniture but poorly planned space. Why should a renovation start with a plan?

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Finding the right architect: OK or Not OK?Reels · 0:54 · 4K views
PlanningJune 4, 2026

Finding the right architect: OK or Not OK?

Experience, style, price, the first meeting, the right questions and process management. In our “OK or Not OK?” series we look at the hidden criteria for choosing the right architect.

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The 8 biggest dilemmas in renovation: OK or Not OK?Reels · 1:15 · 5K views
RenovationMay 31, 2026

The 8 biggest dilemmas in renovation: OK or Not OK?

Taking space from the living room, wardrobes in every room, new finishes without renewing the plumbing, the first plan, Pinterest copies, changes on site and light: clear answers to renovation dilemmas.

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When building a house, it’s not the construction that wears you out, it’s the endless decisionsReels · 1:23 · 3K views
PlanningApril 28, 2026

When building a house, it’s not the construction that wears you out, it’s the endless decisions

Door models, socket positions, tile shades… Decision fatigue is the biggest source of stress when building a home. Here is how we make the process calmer.

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Why does a home look balanced? Proportion, space and focusReels · 1:00 · 4K views
DecorationApril 20, 2026

Why does a home look balanced? Proportion, space and focus

Homes that make us feel at ease are no accident. We explain how a balanced space is created with ceiling–furniture proportions, breathing space and a hierarchy of focal points.

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Square metres don’t make you happy: the secret of a home that feels goodReels · 0:59 · 4K views
PlanningApril 16, 2026

Square metres don’t make you happy: the secret of a home that feels good

A 150 m² home can be exhausting if it is poorly arranged; 80 m² is more than enough when planned well. Why do architects start a project with a day in your life rather than square metres?

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The most expensive mistake when buying landReels · 1:06 · 3K views
PlanningApril 8, 2026

The most expensive mistake when buying land

Land is more than a view. Building ratio, soil structure, excavation costs, sun and wind orientation and the permit process: why you should consult an architect before buying land.

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Can planning mistakes affect a marriage?Reels · 0:49 · 3K views
PlanningApril 7, 2026

Can planning mistakes affect a marriage?

Morning rush, a cramped kitchen, not enough dressing space… A poorly planned home can quietly turn into daily tension. Why do architects design a home around a “daily scenario”?

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How to manage the perception of ceiling heightReels · 0:49 · 3K views
ColourMarch 3, 2026

How to manage the perception of ceiling height

Tips for making low-ceilinged spaces feel more open: a light ceiling, vertical effects, the right light fittings and curtains hung from the ceiling.

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Where to start when designing your home? A 5-step roadmapReels · 0:45 · 52K views
PlanningDecember 8, 2025

Where to start when designing your home? A 5-step roadmap

The steps to follow when renovating your home, from defining your style to the colour palette, space analysis, coordinating furniture and lighting, and implementation.

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How to plan a renovation and decoration budgetReels · 0:41 · 46K views
PlanningDecember 4, 2025

How to plan a renovation and decoration budget

From setting priorities to a category list, price research and a savings strategy: the steps to keep your budget under control.

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3 details that make your home look luxuriousReels · 1:26 · 959K views
DecorationNovember 10, 2025

3 details that make your home look luxurious

Some homes make you say “wow” as soon as you walk in. We explain the three small things that create that effect: floor–wall harmony, the right lighting and small details.

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Furniture and interior styles rated from 1 to 10Reels · 2:49 · 48K views
DecorationNovember 6, 2025

Furniture and interior styles rated from 1 to 10

From boho to Scandinavian, modern to industrial: ten popular interior styles, ranked personally by our architect Sinem Kocabaş.

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Why does cheap granite end up costing more?Reels · 1:21 · 60K views
MaterialsOctober 29, 2025

Why does cheap granite end up costing more?

It’s not just looks that determine the price of granite. We explain why density, water absorption, cutting, polishing and workmanship quality are decisive in the long run.

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The 5 golden rules of Feng ShuiReels · 2:10 · 34K views
Home OrganisationOctober 13, 2025

The 5 golden rules of Feng Shui

The entrance, plants, bed position, the language of colours and light: five essential Feng Shui tips to support energy flow and balance in your home.

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The risks of choosing a cheap renovation company and 3 ways to protect yourselfReels · 1:08 · 57K views
RenovationOctober 2, 2025

The risks of choosing a cheap renovation company and 3 ways to protect yourself

Renovations in Antalya that started at attractive prices and were left unfinished have victimised many people. How can you protect yourself with a contract, written details and the company’s track record?

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What is Feng Shui? The philosophy of balance and harmony at homeReels · 0:59 · 33K views
Home OrganisationSeptember 29, 2025

What is Feng Shui? The philosophy of balance and harmony at home

Feng Shui, literally “wind and water”, is a philosophy that aims to bring balance and positive energy flow to living spaces. We explain its relationship with architecture.

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Can you renovate while living at home?Reels · 1:55 · 24K views
RenovationSeptember 27, 2025

Can you renovate while living at home?

It’s possible, but it’s a process that requires care. Realistic advice from an architect on bathroom renovation, protecting your belongings, dust and the coming and going of workers.

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The 3 most common problems in renovation and their solutionsReels · 2:19 · 20K views
RenovationSeptember 25, 2025

The 3 most common problems in renovation and their solutions

Hidden infrastructure surprises, planning and communication mismatches, the difference between samples and the actual result: what happens during a renovation and how is it solved?

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6 interior design myths we believe are trueReels · 1:59 · 12K views
MaterialsJune 9, 2025

6 interior design myths we believe are true

Dark colours in a small bathroom, light-coloured kitchens, energy-saving lighting, built-in appliance sizes, thin grout lines and tiles that suit everywhere: we examined common beliefs one by one.

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Open kitchen or closed kitchen?Reels · 0:55 · 13K views
KitchenApril 25, 2025

Open kitchen or closed kitchen?

Spaciousness, daylight and sociability, or odour control, quiet and order? We compared the pros and cons of both kitchen types and who each one suits.

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The power of paint: shortening, lengthening and lowering a space with colourReels · 0:18 · 10K views
ColourDecember 4, 2024

The power of paint: shortening, lengthening and lowering a space with colour

We use six examples to show how dark colours on the back wall, half wall, ceiling and side walls change the perception of a space.

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Making small spaces functional: an architect’s take on 7 examplesReels · 3:00 · 13K views
Home OrganisationNovember 18, 2024

Making small spaces functional: an architect’s take on 7 examples

Following questions from our followers, we commented on narrow room examples: bedhead storage, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, daylight and children’s room solutions.

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Chipboard or MDF? The differences and where to use eachReels · 1:07 · 11K views
MaterialsNovember 7, 2024

Chipboard or MDF? The differences and where to use each

How the two most commonly confused furniture materials are made, their resistance to moisture and impact, whether they can be painted, and why melamine-faced surfaces aren’t painted.

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Columns and beams in renovation: the first rule of a safe renovationReels · 1:00 · 6K views
RenovationOctober 28, 2024

Columns and beams in renovation: the first rule of a safe renovation

Obtaining the project from the municipality, marking column and beam positions on site, running services without touching dropped beams: what we do before starting a renovation.

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The right start to a project: planning is everythingReels · 1:07 · 11K views
PlanningSeptember 22, 2024

The right start to a project: planning is everything

Without planning, the process drags on and the budget suffers. The role of planning in budget limits, changing prices, procedures and the building inspection process.

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How is underfloor heating installed? Details from the siteReels · 1:49 · 16K views
RenovationSeptember 12, 2024

How is underfloor heating installed? Details from the site

Polystyrene insulation, PEX-A pipes, edge expansion strip and manifold planning: important details from our own project for installing underfloor heating correctly.

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5 ways to create more storage space at homeReels · 1:17 · 26K views
Home OrganisationSeptember 9, 2024

5 ways to create more storage space at home

Say goodbye to clutter with organisation, unused spaces, dual-purpose and transforming furniture, under-stair areas and floor-to-ceiling vertical storage.

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The right furniture layout: 4 solutions by living room typeReels · 1:05 · 22K views
Home OrganisationSeptember 3, 2024

The right furniture layout: 4 solutions by living room type

Furniture layout tips for symmetrical layouts, L-shaped living rooms, asymmetrical (irregular) living rooms and long rectangular sitting rooms.

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Colour psychology: how do colours affect us in a space?Reels · 1:40 · 22K views
ColourAugust 27, 2024

Colour psychology: how do colours affect us in a space?

From the calming effect of blue and the stress-reducing effect of pink to the strength of red and grey: the psychological effects of colours and tips for using them at home.

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Engineered wood or laminate flooring? The differences and the right choiceReels · 1:22 · 141K views
MaterialsJuly 31, 2024

Engineered wood or laminate flooring? The differences and the right choice

The differences in production, durability, maintenance and cost between two floor coverings with very similar names, and which one is right for you.

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4 soft colour pairings for the home: mink, blue, pink and greenReels · 0:22 · 43K views
ColourJuly 26, 2024

4 soft colour pairings for the home: mink, blue, pink and green

Soft mink & beige, dusty blue & cream, powder pink & beige, sage green & cream. Four pastel combinations for calm, elegant spaces.

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How to design a minimalist homeReels · 1:30 · 65K views
DecorationJuly 13, 2024

How to design a minimalist home

Minimalism is not an “empty house”. Ways to create a minimalist home with functional furniture, natural light, calm colours and natural textures such as travertine, marble and wood.

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4 details that spoil your home’s elegance: from the entrance to empty wallsReels · 1:38 · 1M views
DecorationJune 27, 2024

4 details that spoil your home’s elegance: from the entrance to empty walls

Architect’s advice on cluttered entrances, mixed styles, too many small objects and empty walls, from our video viewed more than 1 million times.

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Living room furniture colour combinations: 5 tipsReels · 0:13 · 86K views
ColourJune 11, 2024

Living room furniture colour combinations: 5 tips

Cognac leather sofa, green couch, grey and navy, sage green and grey–white: five combinations for matching furniture with wall and accessory colours in the living room.

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5 things to consider when choosing a rugReels · 1:53 · 69K views
DecorationJune 5, 2024

5 things to consider when choosing a rug

Material according to the room, the relationship with floor design, furniture proportions, the colour–pattern balance and our architect’s tip that makes choosing a rug easier.

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Decoration and fabric choice for homes with petsReels · 1:35 · 58K views
Home OrganisationJune 1, 2024

Decoration and fabric choice for homes with pets

Practical tips on curtains, covers, space layout and scratch-resistant fabrics for homes we share with our furry friends.

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10 details that make your home look cheap (and easy fixes)Reels · 1:43 · 4.1M views
DecorationMay 29, 2024

10 details that make your home look cheap (and easy fixes)

Mistakes found in almost every home that make a space look more ordinary than it is, and their solutions, from our video viewed more than 4 million times.

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5 perfect colours that go with greyReels · 0:19 · 70K views
ColourMay 5, 2024

5 perfect colours that go with grey

Grey is one of the safest colours but also one of the quickest to become boring. From wood to mustard yellow, we’ve gathered five combinations that bring grey to life, with tips on how to use them.

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Why should we work with an architect?Reels · 1:21 · 38K views
PlanningApril 18, 2024

Why should we work with an architect?

Design, engineering infrastructure, process management, municipal approvals and, most importantly, structural safety: why working with a professional matters in an earthquake country.

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Choosing a kitchen worktop: granite, acrylic, quartz or porcelain?Reels · 1:42 · 1.5M views
MaterialsApril 14, 2024

Choosing a kitchen worktop: granite, acrylic, quartz or porcelain?

The pros and cons of the four most popular worktop types: which is right for which kitchen, and which do we prefer in our projects and why?

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How can I get my home renovated? The SYK Mimarlık process step by stepReels · 1:30 · 185K views
RenovationMarch 16, 2024

How can I get my home renovated? The SYK Mimarlık process step by step

We explain how a renovation progresses from start to finish, from measuring to 3D design, detail drawings, the site and material selection.

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I have zoned land: what do I need to do to get a building permit?Reels · 1:30 · 32K views
PlanningMarch 14, 2024

I have zoned land: what do I need to do to get a building permit?

The steps of the building permit process, from the floor area ratio calculation and preliminary design to building inspection, engineering projects and the municipal permit application.

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