Search for furnitures

Reached home quite early as our last stop today was at Toa Payoh and Web got to rush home for the EPL match since not much place to watch outside.

Went IMM and the nearby furniture shop again. Wanted to check out this furniture shop above NTUC at Jurong East Central but realised its no more there. I remembered it was still there couple of months back, many years since we last went there (sometime during my secondary school days) to buy my study table and cupboard which are still very sturdy today. When I finally decide to go again, it either moved or closed down.

Nothing much to see in IMM except they finally shifted some furniture shops on the 3rd floor. We left shortly to the "Furniture Warehouse" just behind Giant and decided nothing much to get from there. Might just go back to "The Green" and check out other shops at Tanjong Katong Shopping Centre at Paya Lebar. We only had time to browse thru "The Green" the last time, spending 1.5hrs+ there.

Took a bus to Toa Payoh wanting to change to a bus to Upper Paya Lebar to check out another furniture shop (Silver River) but decided to alight at Toa Payoh to take a look at one of the furnitures shop there but realised most of the stuff were quite cheapo. We wanted cheap and good but have to accept that the quality is just worth the amount you pay (一分钱一分货). Went to courts again and realised the chest drawers were quite ex although the material is indeed better.

Wood
Learnt that those cheapo furnitures usually use plank wood, which is hollow inside. Such wood will not last long and cannot hold too heavy stuff. Those more ex ones, use solid wood, which is sturdy and definitely stronger and made to last. For eg., a similar TV console can cost as cheap as $168 (plank wood) and $399 for solid wood. We then have to decided depending on budget and needs. I am someone who will go for quality than price, to save the hassle of changing furnitures every one or two years.

The reason why fabricated furnitures done by renovation company usually cost quite alot coz they use solid wood and you also pay for worksmanship. I have seen furnitures at some places where the worksmanship really cannot make it so no point wasting money even though they are real cheap.

That's why things like wardrobe in our master bedroom and cabinets below vanity in the master bedroom bathroom, I would prefer to have it fabricated as I will want them to last long. Of coz another reason is coz its quite difficult to find exact size to fit in those areas.

TV console
The usual price for a TV console (based on about a normal size for living room) can range from $300+ up to $800+ depending on the quality and material. For eg. a $300+ one, expect plank wood material and probably no glass anywhere (covers or top). For an average one, expect to pay ard $500+ to $600+. We chose one which is ard $599 and managed to get a $100 discount, which is quite a good bargain coz its made of solid wood, with glass doors and internal lights (which is not crucial - just for decor only). "The Furniture Warehouse" has quite alot of good and cheap TV consoles, except most of which dun come with covers (a minus point for us coz players will be dusty if not cleaned regularly).

Sofas
Sat and tried on many sets of sofa even b4 we got our flat. The 2 sets at Courts were the most comfortable we saw so far and managed to place orders for both. Same logic about price and materials applies for sofas. The ones we saw were originally at ard $1999 each set but now going for only $833. Of coz I have heard feedbacks that Courts furniture not really that good but I dun mind coz I dun see any set of sofas can last for long time. Instead of spending so much (a good set costs at least $1.5k to $2k+) on a set of sofa whereby it will wear and tear in a couple of years anyway.

Of coz another criteria for us in choosing a set of sofa is the comfort level. We should be able to enjoy sitting on it while watching tv or just relaxing. No point buying a really cheap set and you can feel the wood when you sit on it, which we have experienced alot while trying.

As for the material, leather of coz is the best but also the most ex. Half leather works well too if you are willing to pay abit more than synthetic (manmade) leather. The latter feels abit harder and not so smooth but its a cheaper alternative.

Bed frame and mattress
Choosing of mattress is quite easy but not for bed frame. Of coz the only problem we have is the size of the overall set coz our master bedroom is not very big and spacious. Even the other bedrooms actually looked bigger but no choice coz we have an attached bathroom.

Due to our body weight, we cannot get too hard or too soft a mattress. Main thing is to try (with pillows of coz) to see the comfort level and main criteria is that they have the individual spring technology, so either of us wun get disturbed when the other is turning and tossing. I always have this problem of being awaken by the other party tossing and turning in hotel rooms, like elephants thumping. No joke ok... they wun feel it but I am the one suffering. Snoring is already bad enough to endure (even though I do snore too).

As for the bed frame, we wanted puffy and sturdy kind, so we could sit back and read books or whatever b4 bedtime. It must of coz be within the room allowance and be able to within our weight. Nowadays bed frames usually come in 4, 5, 6 or 8 legs. 4 legs is usual but not suitable for too heavy couples, you wun want your bed to collapse so easily rite? 5 legs is what Four Stars has as they have an extra leg in the middle for support (in case the middle part sinks). 6 legs is also becoming more popular as it can have better support. As for 8 legs, its usually when the divan set consist of 2 single portions (each has 4 legs) and each of which can be used separately later if the king size mattress is not in use anymore. It also has better support, especially for heavy couples like us.

One important factor to choose is bedframe is also to get a 2-piece headboard instead of just one which goes straight down to the bottom at the divan side. Simple reason being support when you lean on it, it wun break down so fast as it has double the support. Of coz when choosing, dun get those shaky ones even though they are cheap coz your bed frame would likely collapse within a couple of years. A reasonably price would range from $600+ to $800+ for a good to excellent head frame. Anything below that buy at your own risk and above that you have to careful not to get conned (unless its real branded).

Others
Will post my research and findings after the rest of the furnitures is settled. We need to check out more furniture shops to take a look and decide where to get them. Pending stuff are dining table + chairs, cupboards for bedroom (guest room), study table for cosy room, smaller TV console for cosy room, chest drawers, altar table and shoe rack.

Furniture shops visited so far:
Courts
Ikea
The Furniture Warehouse (Toh Guan - behind IMM)
Nova Furnishing
Style Furniture (Paya Lebar)
Sincere Furniture (Paya Lebar)
The Green (Tanjong Katong SC)
Aero Furnishing (Parkway Parade)
Brighton (Toa Payoh)
Defu Furniture (AMK)
TPY 177 Furniture (Toa Payoh)
Comfort Furniture (Rochor)
Rochor Furniture (cun rem what name) (Rochor)

Review about them tomorrow, very tired need to zzz.... (started blog at 10.52pm, now is 12.42am!!)