Secondhand furniture is totally underrated, especially when you’re moving countries and the cost of filling a new house with new furniture is daunting for you (and your bank account). Here’s our guide on where to find cool pre-loved furniture, with loads of character guaranteed.
Expat Auctions
A true expat furniture recycling centre, this place has weekly auctions that you have to register for (at no cost) if you’re looking to bid. Here you can find beds, cabinet, sofas, chairs, and dining tables. If you are lucky, you can also grab lamps, Asian artifacts, and other home accessories. With lots of photos of their website, check in to preview each week before heading out to the auction.
See expatauctions.com.sg and head to Level 1, Unit 1, Citilink Warehouse Complex, 102F Pasir Panjang Road on auction day.
Junkie’s Corner
True to its name, this is one store where you can find anything and everything. It’s packed to the rafters with all sorts of cool stuff, which means you’ll find furniture from all eras, plus some beautifully refurbished pieces too. Some bargaining with Uncle Charlie can be done, but be sure to bring plenty of cash and a sharp eye!
Junkie’s Corner, 2 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287988, p. 9791 2607. Call to check opening hours.
Singapore Trading Post
This is the latest project from the team behind Expat Auctions. Singapore Trading Post carefully selects pieces from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. With lamps and linens to side tables and cabinets, the selection here is definitely worthy of a visit if you are looking for Asian charm.
Singapore Trading Post, 02-04 Citilink Warehouse, 102F Pasir Panjang Road. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm.
Long-longtime Store
Long-longtime Store
At Long-longtime Store, you’ll be able to find restored furniture hailing back to the olden days, like old-school industrial metal chairs and teakwood drawers from an old 70s writing table to teak dining chairs and metal side tables. Pieces come in limited numbers so be quick to grab them before they’re gone! Keep in mind their store only accept cash payments, but online purchases via bank transfer can be made too.
Long-longtime Store, #03-11 Tradehub 21, 8 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 609964, p. 9832 5378. Call to make a viewing appointment/purchase.
Like That One
These guys bring fun and funky, vintage-style furnishings together with a sense of place that is distinctively Singapore. Each piece has been lovingly painted, embellished or crafted by hand, making them unique, one-off creations that have been given a new breath of life.
Like That One, #01-02 Skytech, 2 Bukit Batok Street 24, Singapore 659480, p. 6560 9168. Open Wed-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-7pm
Rococo Kent
Keep your eyes peeled for this one! Tucked away in a corner on the second storey of a conservation shophouse in the Kampong Glam vicinity, this is where you’ll find a selection of midcentury, vintage industrial furniture. All items are carefully and lovingly handpicked from around the world.
Rococo Kent, 753 North Bridge Road #02-02, Tangerine (Entrance via Jalan Kledek), Singapore 198721, p. 8522 8631. Open Tue-Fri 3-8pm, Sat 1-8pm, Sun 1-6pm
KB Living
Having been in the furni scene for 15 years now, this store is a treasure trove for furniture seekers who are after unique pieces for their homes. With everything from vintage to deco style to modern furniture, as well as architectural décor pieces and collectibles, Kirby himself handpicks all items. Most pieces are also one-offs and imported, so if you see something you like, make sure to snap it up quick!
KB Living, #05-28 Midview Building, 50 Bukit Batok Street 23, Singapore 659578, p. 6316 5574. Open Wed-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. Mon-Tue by appointment only, call 8126 3255 to arrange one.
Journey East
Focusing on reclaimed teak wood originals and refurbished vintage pieces from around the world, this is guilt-free furniture shopping at its best! Discover rare vintage finds and eco-friendly recycled teak and designer outdoor furniture. We also like that Journey East’s vintage furniture collection is sharply edited – their “youngest” furniture dates back to the 1960s!
Journey East, 315 Outram Road, #03-02 Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169704, p. 6473 1693. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun & PH 1130am-6pm.
Things Your Mother Throw
Link the past to the present through the wide range of restored vintage and antique old teak, art deco, and industrial style furniture available here. Pick from sofas, dining chairs, and writing desks, to enamelware and coffee tables. No two pieces are alike, and what’s more, there have been collaborations made with artists to produce one-of-a-kind pieces. They also offer to source artworks and sculptures for home and office spaces, or vintage architectural elements and fixtures for renovation projects.
Things Your Mother Throw, 1092, #02-16 Lower Delta Road, Singapore 169203, p. 6315 0221. Open Sat & Sun 1-6pm, Wed & Thu by appointment only.
Second Charm
Second Charm
Charm is right – this store is full of it! Coo over French armchairs, iconic midcentury furniture, reupholstered sofas, wingbacks, and desks made from recycled teak.
Second Charm, Blk 19 Kallang Avenue, #04-157, Mapletree Industrial Building, Singapore 339410, p. 6294 2919 or 9628 9171, Tue-Sat 11am-530pm, Sun 12-5pm
Hock Siong & Co.
Always wanted to live in a hotel? Now you can. Find used 5 star hotel quality furniture here – from $10 down-filled pillows to Shanghainese rosewood furniture and refurbished teak desks. Also plenty of home accessories to rifle through – hell, you can even go home with your own bellhop trolley! Go prepared to hunt down your bargain.
Hock Siong & Co., 153 Kampong Ampat, #01-03 Junjie Industrial Building, Singapore 368326, p. 6281 8338, daily 930am-550pm
Mad About Vintage
We wouldn’t have guessed it – but original vintage furniture from Indonesia? The scene just keeps getting better. If you’re in the market for a new dresser, side table, or coffee table, you’ll be glad to know that hand-restored wooden furniture features prominently here.
Mad About Vintage, Extra Space, No. 7 Kaki Bukit Road 2 (opposite Ubi Driving Centre), p. 9155 1337, viewings by appointment only
Odyssey – odds & whatnots
Last we spied some great conversation pieces: heavy typewriters (the good stuff), refurbished chairs, and great sofa frames. Don’t have family heirlooms? Start your collection here.
Odyssey – odds & whatnots, 6 Harper Road, #03-03, Leong Huat Building, Singapore 369674, p. 6100 6011. Open Mon 11am-7pm, Wed-Sun 11am-7pm.
Jennifer’s Vintage & Antique
Some things are lovely only when they are new; others become lovelier when they are old. There’s a lot to dig through here, but they aren’t refurbished or restored. Instead, what you see is what you get, and what you get is pre-loved, vintage pieces.
Jennifer’s Vintage & Antique, Blk 27 #01-306 Jalan Bahagia (Near Balestier Rd & Whampoa Drive), Singapore 320027, p. 9633 7309, Open Sat 12-3pm. Call ahead.
Restore Living
Specializing in vintage furniture and good coffee (and homemade waffles) – this is a coffee shop that also restores second hand furniture. Worth visting if you love vintage and have time to chill and enjoy the space.
Restore Living, 124 Tanjong Pagar Road, Tue to Fri 11am to 7pm, Sat & Sun 11am to 6pm, closed on Mon
Direct sales
There are a number of great trading websites that offer direct sales from previous owners –and cutting out the middleman means big saving! RenoTalk has a great Exchange Corner, sg.88db.com has a Home Furniture section, STClassifieds has a Home & Appliances section, and there is Gumtree Singapore – Stuff for Sale.
Top image: Like That One