About Minal Tejani
I’m an interior architect based in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. I’ve spent the past 15 years designing spaces that range from private homes to IKEA stores, from corporate headquarters to dental clinics. What connects all of it is a belief that good design isn’t about impressing people — it’s about making spaces work better for the people who use them every day.
Credentials & Background
Education: BA in Interior Architecture, University of Hertfordshire, UK
Professional Certification: MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) — Corporate Member
Experience: 15+ years in practice across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and corporate interiors
Base: Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur — serving all of KL and the Klang Valley
What I’ve Worked On
My career has taken me across six sectors of interior design — a breadth of experience that most designers don’t accumulate because they specialise early. I chose not to, and I think that’s made me a better designer for it.
Retail: Three IKEA stores across Malaysia. Retail design at this scale teaches you about customer flow, spatial efficiency, and creating experiences — lessons I bring to every project type.
Corporate: Firmenich (a Swiss multinational), Axiata Group (telecommunications), TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad). Corporate projects require balancing brand identity with workplace functionality, navigating stakeholder groups, and meeting regulatory requirements that residential projects don’t face.
Residential: From luxury condominiums at Sunway Palazzio in Bangsar to family homes across the Klang Valley. Residential is where design becomes most personal — and where getting it right matters most to the people who live there.
Healthcare: Nair Dental Clinic. Healthcare design adds another layer of complexity — clinical compliance, patient experience, infection control, and material selection all influence design decisions.
My Approach
I start by listening. Before I sketch a single layout option, I want to understand how you use your space, what frustrates you about it, and what you’re hoping to achieve. I ask more questions than most designers — because better questions lead to better design.
As an interior architect (not just a designer), I bring structural understanding to every project. I know which walls can move, how building systems interact with layout changes, and what’s feasible before we start dreaming about finishes. This prevents the most common (and expensive) renovation surprises.
I’m direct about budgets. I’ll tell you what’s realistic for your budget, where to invest, and where to save. No point designing a space you can’t afford to build.
And I design for how you actually live — not for how a portfolio photo looks. The best compliment I can receive is when a client tells me their home feels like theirs, not like a designer’s showpiece.
Why MIID Certification Matters
MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) certification isn’t just a badge. It represents:
- Verified qualifications — a minimum three-year interior design or architecture degree
- Professional standards — adherence to the institute’s code of ethics and practice
- Regulatory knowledge — understanding of building codes, fire safety (BOMBA), and local council requirements
- Accountability — membership in a professional body that homeowners and businesses can reference
When you hire a MIID-certified designer, you’re working with someone whose credentials have been assessed and verified by the profession’s governing body.
Learn more about why certification matters →
How I Work
My process follows four stages:
- Consultation — We meet (in person or via WhatsApp), discuss your project, and I assess feasibility and fit
- Design — Space planning, concept development, 3D visualisation, material selection
- Build — Construction management, contractor coordination, quality supervision (for design-and-build projects)
- Handover — Defect inspection, client walkthrough, and project completion
Read the full process breakdown →
Let’s Talk
The easiest way to reach me is WhatsApp. Whether you have a clear project brief or just the beginning of an idea, I’m happy to have a conversation.