From House to HOME (Take 1): IKEA and Taobao
Why Taobao? - Most would ask.
Made in China products are often deemed to be inferior.
Then why IKEA? - You know the answer yourself.
Unless you are very rich, you can go ahead and buy your premium items. But in order for you to own premium-looking items, it doesn't necessary equate to a hefty price tag.
Hence, Taobao and IKEA come into the picture like naturally.
IKEA
You buy things from IKEA because there is an IKEA store in your area. You can see and touch the product and decide whether you should buy or not. That is the benefit.
Laundry Area
They offer many ideas on how can you organise your laundry area.
 |
| Laundry Baskets that cost SGD19.90 |
 |
| The Cheaper and not so sturdy version @ SGD4.90 |
 |
| Laundry Cabinet that costs SGD268 |
 |
| Detergent Organisers at SGD15.90 each |
Bathroom
 |
| Poles to hang towels @ SGD29.90 |
 |
| We can have one installed in our Common Bathroom @ SGD15.90 |
 |
| Looks sturdy too :) |
 |
| Bath Mats |
Bedroom
 |
| Chest of Drawers @ SGD269 |
 |
| Drawer Organisation Ideas... |
 |
| Approx SGD9.90 a set. |
 |
| Ryssby Curtain... SGD69. I prefer Sheers though |
 |
| Rug to be placed in front of the wardrobe (SGD159) |
 |
Alhede Rugs for SGD199
 | | Hampen Rugs for SGD59 |
|
Kitchen Organisation Ideas
 |
| Variera Cutlery Organisation - SGD3.90 |
 |
| Pots Organisation.. Reminds me of BLUM |
 |
| Receptacles for the spices - SGD3.90 |
 |
| Sink and Tap |
 |
| Dish Rack - SGD49 |
 |
| Kitchen Tabletop |
 |
| Kitchen Tabletop with Backsplash |
 |
| Enigt Plates for SGD4.90 |
 |
| Enigit 28cm Dish for SGD5.90 |
 |
| Trygg Salad Bowl for SGD3.90 |
 |
| Bevara for SGD2.90 (30 pcs) - helps keep your food fresh after opening |
TAOBAO
You can only see pictures of the products and order them online through an agent. You need to factor in the costing, delivery and freight charges to have them shipped from China to Singapore and take the risk that the quality of the products are inferior. Hence you need to spend more time on your research and read the customers' reviews before committing to buy the product itself. It takes more effort and it only makes sense to buy from there if the cost is a lot lower than getting it from Singapore (after paying for shipping, GST and agents' fees).
Dustbins
Soft-closure Pedal Bins are exorbitant in Singapore. Moreover the designs available is very limited :(
 |
| Guide Price of the EKO Soft Close Pedal Bins from Home-Fix |
For Kitchen - 6L capacity should suffice I think...
 |
| 6L bin: RMB99.90 (approx SGD21.30 excluding freight etc) |
Living / Ding Area
I might want one to be placed there so that our guests or ourselves can throw our rubbish there.
 |
| 5L Slim-Fit Pedal Bin - RMB57.50 (approx SGD12.30 excluding freight etc) |
Lightings
 |
| 8头奢华版K9金色 - RMB448.90 (Approx SGD95.51) |
 |
| 奢华版k9白色8头 - RMB547.90 (Approx SGD117) |
Bathroom
 |
| Rain Shower Set at RMB613 (Approx SGD130++) |
 |
| Bathroom Set - RMB179 (SGD39) |
 |
| Kohler Tap - RMB85 (SGD19) |
 |
| The Brass Set Looks Cool!!! Starting from RMB665 (Approx SGD141) |
 |
| RMB228 (Approx SGD50) |
 |
| Matching Brass Tap - RMB219 (SGD47) |
Kitchen
 |
| Kitchen Tap - RMB258 (SGD55) |
Below design is more ideal if we intend to install a water purifier at the tap.
 |
| RMB238 (SGD51) |
 |
| The Extendable bidet spray can be used to wash the sink area for convenience's sake :) |
Bedroom
Hairdryer Holder is handy especially when I dry my hair daily.
 |
| RM19.90 (SGD4.30) |
HOE KEE
They sell household items at pretty reasonable prices.
I like the stone sinks as compared to the aluminium ones.
It seems that inbuilt ones are more classy :)
Also, might want to replace the gas stove with the electronic induction one as I am afraid of naked flames.
OTHERS
Fridge from Best Denki.
Life will be "Good-er" if the price tag is cheaper!
Micro-fibre Mop from GIANT
As our flooring is laminate and parquet, we cannot afford to tarnish the flooring with too much moisture from the mopping. Hence this looks like an ideal solution for mopping..
It's inexpensive - below SGD15 for a mop like this and the cloth can be machine washable and reusable.
Air-Con
Can use this pricing guide as a reference
Digital Door Lock
Looks good. Can actually buy from Qoo10.
Coat / Handbag Hanger
Convenient to hang my stuff when I get home.. Costs SGD119.09 from Eco Links. No photography is allowed and hence I took this photo outside the shop LOL.
BTW, the salesgirl (an aunty) from The Furniture Mall branch sucks. Her attitude was really nasty when I commented that their sofa is not suitable for me as my legs are unable to touch the ground. She immediately said because her sofas are imported and the sizes are USA based and I am SHORT, that is reason. And she 'served' us with her ultra black face. I would suggest you to visit the branch at Park Mall instead. *MEH*
Dining Set from Lorenzo
I fell in love with this piece. I love the solid wood structure with the tampered glass top. Very classy and elegant. The chairs are sturdy also.
Costs SGD999 for 4 chairs and SGD1,199 for 6 chairs.
I like it because the table is wide and spacious enough. However Sweetie Muffin is singing an opposite tune due to the price tag as usual.
P.S.Find this post amusing?? Please stay tuned to my future musings by clicking the icons below:
x♥x♥
