Where to Buy Furniture in Singapore: A Guide by Budget and Style
A Singapore homeowner's guide to furniture stores by budget and style, from IKEA and Courts to Castlery, Commune and Scanteak, with tips on sizing and delivery.
For most Singapore homes, the easiest path is to match your budget to a store tier: IKEA and Fortytwo for value flat-pack, Courts, Harvey Norman and Star Living for mid-range one-stop shopping, HipVan and Castlery for design-led online pieces, and Commune, Scanteak or W. Atelier for solid-wood and premium furniture. Pick two or three stores that fit your style, then compare sizes and delivery lead times before you commit.
Furniture in Singapore spans a wide range, from budget flat-pack you assemble yourself to made-to-order solid wood that takes weeks to arrive. Because HDB and condo layouts are compact, the right store for you depends as much on delivery, sizing and lead time as on price. This guide breaks down where to shop by budget and by style, so you can furnish a renovated home without over-ordering or waiting longer than your move-in date allows.
What are the best budget furniture stores in Singapore?
If you want to furnish a whole flat without overspending, focus on value-tier retailers that carry ready stock and flat-pack ranges. These are ideal for first homes, rental units or rooms you plan to update again in a few years.
- IKEA: flat-pack sofas, wardrobes and storage, generally from around S$50 for small items up to a few hundred dollars for larger pieces; self-assembly or paid assembly.
- Fortytwo: online-only value furniture with frequent stock of beds, sofas and dining sets, often delivered quickly.
- Courts and Star Living: regular sales and bundle deals on beds, mattresses and living sets, useful when buying several rooms at once.
Budget stores are strongest on price and availability. The trade-offs are usually thinner materials, simpler finishes and less design distinction, so inspect key pieces like sofas and mattresses in person where you can.
Where should I shop for mid-range, one-stop furniture?
Mid-range retailers are the practical middle ground: better build quality than budget flat-pack, a broad catalogue, and showrooms where you can sit on a sofa or test a mattress before buying. They suit homeowners who want everything from one or two shops.
- Courts and Harvey Norman: large showrooms covering furniture plus appliances, handy if you are buying a fridge, TV and sofa together.
- Star Living, Cellini and Comfort Furniture: sofas, dining and bedroom sets across leather, fabric and wood at moderate prices.
- HipVan: design-forward online store with a Singapore showroom, strong on sofas, dining tables and storage.
Expect to spend from around S$800 to S$3,000 for a decent three-seater sofa here, and more for leather or modular designs. Always check current prices and delivery windows, which can range from in-stock to several weeks for popular pieces.
Which stores are best for designer and premium furniture?
For statement pieces, solid wood, or a more curated look, premium and design-led retailers are worth the higher spend. Many offer made-to-order options in your choice of fabric, wood or finish.
- Castlery: online-first, design-led sofas and dining furniture with a showroom, popular for a modern look at upper-mid pricing.
- Commune: solid-wood furniture with a warm, contemporary Asian aesthetic and multiple showrooms.
- Scanteak: teak and solid-wood specialists known for durable, timeless dining and bedroom pieces.
- Grafunkt, W. Atelier and Journey East: curated and premium brands for design lovers and higher budgets.
Premium furniture costs more upfront but tends to last longer and hold its look, which can be better value over a home's lifespan. Confirm lead times early, as made-to-order sofas and tables can take four to twelve weeks.
How do I choose furniture that fits an HDB or condo layout?
Singapore homes are compact, so measuring before you buy matters more than the store you pick. A sofa or dining table that looks fine in a showroom can block a walkway or crowd a bomb shelter door at home.
- Measure your room, doorways, lift and corridor before ordering large items, so delivery can actually get in.
- Leave at least 60 to 90cm of walking space around a dining table and in front of sofas.
- For small living rooms, consider slim-arm sofas, extendable dining tables or storage beds to save space.
When in doubt, sketch your floor plan to scale or use a store's room planner. It is cheaper to catch a sizing problem on paper than to arrange a return.
How does furniture buying fit into a renovation?
Furniture choices are easiest when they are decided alongside your renovation, not after. If you are planning built-in carpentry such as a TV feature wall, wardrobes or a kitchen island, your contractor can size loose furniture and walkways to match, so nothing feels cramped once everything is in.
Timing and services to coordinate during renovation:
- Wiring and points: agree on power points, lighting positions and TV or data points early, so a media console, floor lamp or study desk lands where the sockets are.
- Built-ins versus loose furniture: built-in wardrobes and shelving use tight corners better, while loose pieces are flexible and movable; a good contractor helps you balance the two.
- Delivery timing: schedule big furniture deliveries after painting and flooring are done, to avoid scratches and dust.
If you are still planning the space, talk to your renovation contractor about layout and carpentry before you place large furniture orders, so the finished home flows and every point is where you need it.
Should I buy furniture online or in a showroom?
Both work in Singapore, and many buyers mix the two. Showrooms are best for pieces you sit or lie on, while online is convenient for storage, decor and known brands.
- Buy in a showroom: sofas, mattresses and dining chairs, where comfort and firmness are hard to judge from photos.
- Buy online: shelving, side tables, rugs, lighting and repeat purchases of a brand you already trust.
Whichever you choose, check the return and warranty policy, delivery and assembly fees, and whether the quoted price includes GST. For online-only stores, read recent reviews on delivery reliability before paying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest place to buy furniture in Singapore? IKEA and online value stores like Fortytwo are usually the most affordable for flat-pack and ready-stock items, while Courts and Star Living run frequent sales on beds and living sets. Prices change often, so compare current promotions before buying.
How long does furniture delivery take in Singapore? In-stock items from big retailers can arrive within days, but made-to-order sofas, solid-wood tables and imported pieces often take four to twelve weeks. Confirm the lead time in writing before you pay, especially if you have a move-in date.
Is it better to buy built-in or loose furniture? Built-in carpentry uses awkward corners and small rooms efficiently and gives a seamless look, while loose furniture is cheaper to change and can move with you. Many Singapore homes use built-ins for wardrobes and storage and loose pieces for sofas and dining.
Should I buy furniture before or during renovation? Decide on major furniture during renovation planning so your contractor can align power points, lighting and walkways with each piece. Schedule the actual delivery for after painting and flooring are finished to protect new surfaces.