Who We Are
A studio that listens
before it draws
Hako Design was founded in Taman Tun Dr Ismail with a clear conviction: that good interior design begins with understanding — not sketches. Too many spaces are dressed quickly and without care. We work differently.
The name Hako comes from the Japanese word for box — an acknowledgment of the containers we inhabit and how much the quality of a space shapes daily experience. We work from a belief that rooms, when considered carefully, can support the life lived inside them rather than merely filling a floor plan.
Our team works on apartments, homes, studios, and select commercial spaces across Kuala Lumpur. We take a small number of projects at a time so that each one receives the attention it deserves.
Our Mission
Design that serves
the people within
We believe the most successful interiors are not the most complex. They are the ones where materials, light, proportion, and arrangement have been thought through with care — and where the client's habits and preferences are legible in every detail.
Our work spans from early consultation — where we help clients understand the latent qualities of their space — through to full design documentation and on-site realization. Each stage is treated as a craft in its own right.
8+
Years in Practice
140+
Projects Completed
3
Core Services
KL
Based in Kuala Lumpur
The Team
The people behind the work
Lim Yun Xiu
Principal Designer
Trained in Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo, Yun Xiu brings a rigorous spatial sensibility to residential and hospitality projects. Her work centres on material honesty and clear spatial hierarchy.
Raj Harinder Singh
Design & Documentation
Raj manages the technical precision behind every design package — from spatial drawings to material specifications. His background in architecture means our documents are clear, buildable, and contractor-ready.
Nurul Ain Zulkifli
Realization & Client Liaison
Nurul Ain coordinates the realization phase of each project — working closely with contractors, suppliers, and clients to maintain design integrity through construction. She is known for her measured, reliable presence on site.
How We Work
Standards we hold ourselves to
Measured Documentation
Every design package is drawn to scale with complete material call-outs, furniture schedules, and contractor notes. We do not hand over vague direction — we produce documents that tradespeople can act on.
Client Confidentiality
We share project details only with the contractors and suppliers directly involved in your work. Images and project information are never published or referenced without explicit consent.
Material Integrity
We specify materials that age well and are appropriate to the Malaysian climate. Our palette leans toward natural, durable choices — timber, stone, clay finishes — rather than surface effects that fade.
Clear Communication
We communicate in plain language at each stage. No jargon, no surprises. Clients receive written summaries after site visits and a clear scope before any work begins.
Proportional Thinking
Every spatial decision is considered in relation to the whole. We check proportion at every stage — furniture scale, ceiling-to-floor ratios, opening widths — because small misalignments accumulate.
Responsible Sourcing
We prefer local artisans and regional manufacturers where quality allows. This reduces lead times and keeps material sourcing traceable. We are transparent about the origin and properties of everything we specify.
Our Approach
Interior design in Kuala Lumpur — a considered practice
Kuala Lumpur is a city of remarkable spatial contrasts — high-density living alongside generous landed homes, tropical light that changes interior character hour by hour, and a construction culture that moves quickly. Hako Design was built to navigate these conditions thoughtfully. We work at a pace that allows for care.
Our expertise spans residential apartments in Mont Kiara and Bangsar South, older homes in TTDI and Damansara Heights that reward sensitive renovation, and commercial studios where the working environment matters as much as its appearance. Each typology carries its own spatial logic, and we adjust our approach accordingly.
We draw on the discipline of Japanese joinery as a design philosophy — not as an aesthetic reference, but as a way of thinking. The principle that well-fitted parts make a stronger whole, that visible structure can be beautiful, and that restraint in material choice leads to longer-lasting results. These ideas shape how we compose each interior from its foundations.
If you are considering design work for your home or studio, we welcome an initial conversation. There is no pressure and no fixed direction — only a genuine interest in understanding your space and what it might become.
Work With Us
Let's talk about your space
A brief conversation is often enough to understand whether we are a good fit. We are happy to meet at the studio or on site.
Begin a Conversation