Interior Designer in Cheras

Cheras is one of those KL neighbourhoods that surprises people who haven’t spent time there. It’s enormous, deeply established, and quietly one of the most design-ready areas in the city.

I’m Minal Tejani — a MIID-certified interior architect with over 15 years of experience. I’ve designed spaces across Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, from luxury condos to commercial projects for clients like IKEA, Firmenich, Axiata, and TNB. Cheras holds a particular connection for me: IKEA Cheras is one of the stores I’ve worked on, so I know this part of the city well.

What draws me to projects here is the range. You might be sitting in a 1980s double-storey terrace in Taman Connaught that hasn’t been touched since your parents moved in, or you might have just collected keys to a compact unit at EkoCheras with nothing but bare concrete and a view of the MRT line. Both are exciting starting points. Both deserve thoughtful design.

What Makes Cheras Interesting to Design For

Cheras has evolved in layers, and that layering is exactly what makes it interesting as a designer.

The established residential neighbourhoods — Taman Connaught, Taman Midah, Taman Yulek, Taman Segar — were built when land was generous and layouts prioritised separation: formal living rooms you never used, closed kitchens tucked away at the back, corridors that ate up valuable floor area. These homes have solid structures and mature trees shading their gardens, but they’re often living in the past architecturally.

Then there’s the newer Cheras. The MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line has transformed connectivity here, and transit-oriented developments like EkoCheras have brought a different kind of resident — younger professionals and couples who value location and efficiency over raw space. Sunway Velocity has added a lifestyle dimension that didn’t exist a decade ago.

Between the old and the new sits a neighbourhood with enormous design potential. Families in the established areas are ready to modernise homes they plan to keep for another generation. Young owners in the high-rises want compact spaces that feel considered rather than cramped. And the overall design awareness in Cheras has risen sharply — people here know what good design looks like, and they want it for themselves.

Property Types I Work With in Cheras

Older Terraces and Semi-Detached Homes

Taman Connaught, Taman Midah, Taman Yulek, Taman Segar, and Cheras Perdana are full of double-storey terraces and semi-Ds from the 1980s and 1990s. These homes typically share a set of design challenges:

Closed, dark kitchens separated from living areas by a solid wall — opening these up to create a modern open-plan living and dining space is one of the most common requests I receive.
Narrow corridors and compartmentalised rooms that waste usable area. Rethinking circulation and combining spaces can make a terrace feel dramatically larger without adding a single square foot.
Outdated wiring and plumbing that needs upgrading before any aesthetic work begins. I always recommend a proper assessment early so there are no surprises mid-project.
Rear extensions that were added piecemeal over the years, sometimes without proper planning. Rationalising these into a cohesive layout is rewarding work.

The advantage of these older properties is their generous proportions. A typical Cheras terrace has more floor area than many newer condos, and with thoughtful redesign, they become genuinely wonderful homes.

Condominiums and High-Rise Developments

EkoCheras, Sunway Velocity residences, M Vertica, and newer developments along the MRT corridor represent a different design brief. These units tend to be more compact — typically between 700 and 1,200 square feet — and the design challenge shifts to maximising function within fixed boundaries.

Smart storage, built-in furniture that serves multiple purposes, and careful material choices that make a space feel open and airy are essential here. I find this kind of design deeply satisfying. There’s nowhere to hide in a compact condo — every decision matters.

Shophouse and Commercial Spaces

Cheras has a vibrant commercial scene, from the restaurants along Taman Connaught’s famous night market strip to professional offices in the shophouses around Leisure Mall and Yulek. Commercial fit-outs here benefit from the same spatial thinking I bring to residential work: understanding traffic flow, optimising layouts for how people actually use the space, and creating environments that support the business within.

Common Renovation Projects in Cheras

Based on the projects I see most frequently from Cheras homeowners:

Full terrace makeover — Stripping back a 30-year-old terrace to its structure and reimagining the entire home. This typically involves opening up the ground floor to create a connected kitchen-dining-living space, reconfiguring upstairs bedrooms to add an ensuite master bathroom, and updating all M&E systems. Budget typically ranges from RM150,000 to RM350,000 depending on finishes.

Kitchen renovation — The single most impactful change you can make to an older Cheras terrace. Knocking through the kitchen wall, installing modern cabinetry, proper ventilation, and functional countertop space transforms daily life.

Condo ID package — Taking a new shell unit at EkoCheras or similar and designing a complete, move-in-ready home. This includes space planning, custom carpentry, flooring, lighting, and all fixtures. For a typical 900-square-foot unit, budgets usually start around RM80,000 to RM150,000.

Bathroom upgrades — Older Cheras homes often have bathrooms that haven’t been touched in decades. Waterproofing, modern fixtures, and better layouts make a significant difference to both comfort and property value.

Permits and Local Council Requirements

Cheras falls under Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) jurisdiction. Here’s what you need to know:

Structural renovations — any work involving load-bearing walls, extensions, additional floors, or changes to the building footprint requires planning approval from DBKL. I prepare and submit these applications as a standard part of my service.
Cosmetic renovations — internal works like repainting, flooring replacement, fixture updates, and carpentry generally do not require council permits, though condo management may have their own approval process.
Condo-specific rules — developments like EkoCheras, Sunway Velocity, and M Vertica each have their own renovation guidelines governing working hours (usually 9am to 5pm on weekdays), noise restrictions, material delivery logistics, and deposit requirements. I check these with management before work begins so there are no surprises.
Timeline — DBKL permit applications typically take 2 to 4 weeks for straightforward residential renovations. I factor this into every project schedule.

My Relevant Experience

My work spans residential and commercial projects across KL, and several connect directly to Cheras:

IKEA Cheras — I designed retail interiors for IKEA, including their Cheras store. Understanding how a space needs to function at scale, guide people intuitively, and balance aesthetics with practicality is something I bring to every project, regardless of size. You can learn more about my commercial design work.
Sunway Palazzio — a residential project in nearby Bangsar that demonstrates my approach to premium finishes and spatial design. View the project.
Nair Dental Clinic — a healthcare fit-out that shows how I handle spaces where function and patient experience must work in harmony. View the project.

With a BA in Interior Architecture from the University of Hertfordshire, UK, and MIID certification, I bring formal training and professional accountability to every project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does interior design cost in Cheras?

Interior design fees in Cheras typically range from RM50 to RM120 per square foot for renovation, depending on property type and finishes. Older terraces in Taman Connaught or Taman Midah that need structural updates will sit at a different point than a fresh condo shell at EkoCheras. I work across a range of budgets and always start with an honest conversation about scope and priorities. For a detailed breakdown, see my guide to interior design costs in Malaysia.

Do I need DBKL approval for renovation in Cheras?

Yes, if your renovation involves structural changes, extensions, or changes to the building facade, you’ll need to submit plans to DBKL for approval. Minor cosmetic works — repainting, replacing flooring, updating fixtures — generally don’t require permits. For condos, your management corporation will have its own set of renovation guidelines on top of council requirements. I handle the submission process as part of every project.

Can you renovate older terraces in Taman Connaught and Taman Midah?

Absolutely. These mature neighbourhoods are full of solid double-storey terraces with good bones but outdated layouts. Opening up dark kitchens, reconfiguring bathrooms, updating wiring, and creating more functional living spaces is exactly the kind of work I enjoy. With 15 years of experience and MIID certification, I understand how to modernise these homes without losing the generous proportions that make them so liveable.

Do you work on both condos and landed homes in Cheras?

Yes, I work across both. The design thinking is different for each — a terrace in Taman Yulek involves spatial planning across multiple floors and possibly rear extensions, while a condo at EkoCheras or Sunway Velocity is about maximising every square foot of a fixed layout. I enjoy both kinds of problem-solving and bring the same level of care to each.

Ready to Talk About Your Cheras Home?

Whether you’re modernising a family terrace in Taman Connaught or designing a new condo at EkoCheras, it starts with a conversation. Tell me about your space — I’ll tell you what’s possible.

WhatsApp me about my Cheras project

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