We don’t know about you, but we absolutely love wandering in and around lifestyle stores. Perhaps it’s the sheer size of them or possibly the fact that they carry such a wide array of gorgeous items and ornaments that we could only wish our homes had space for.

These stores are usually filled to the brim with quirky items and little knick-knacks that will definitely keep you occupied for quite some time. They are also great places to head to if you’re looking for a gift for someone or if you want some pretty pieces to decorate your home.

From the ever-bustling Don Don Donki to vintage bookstore, Books Actually, here are 14 of our favourite lifestyle stores in Singapore that you definitely should check out.

BOOKS ACTUALLY 

It’s easy to get lost in a good book on a lazy day, and a place like Books Actually is no exception. Nestled in a quaint, quiet neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, this gorgeous vintage will easily keep you preoccupied for a while.

This hipster-esque bookstore does not just house a plethora of good books. They also have pretty, old-school trinkets on display and for sale. You can also take home the treasures that you’ve found here in one of their customised tote bags which are sold for S$10 each.

9 Yong Siak Street
Singapore 168645
Tel: +65 6222 9195
Tue to Sat: 10am – 8pm
Sun to Mon: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

CAT SOCRATES 

If you adore cats, this is one place that you definitely must visit. One of the shopkeepers here happen to be Chestnut the cat, and he will “assist” you (or simply follow you around) as you browse around the shop.

The store is filled to the brim with quirky knick-knacks and many cat-themed items. We could stay here forever if we could!

231 Bain Street, #02-25
Singapore 180231
Tel: +65 6333 0870
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun: 1pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah & Bugis

COMMUNE

Commune specialises mainly in beautiful and luxurious home goods that will definitely spice up your living area and give it a modern touch. Besides home goods, they also have a cafe area for you to chill at after the shopping’s done.

#02-51/52/53 Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6338 3823
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

CRATE & BARREL 

If you’re bored of the furniture at IKEA, you can always hop over to Crate & Barrel to look through the gorgeous furniture and home decor items that they have here for sale. From king-sized beds to aesthetically-pleasing wooden ornaments that’ll beautify your kitchen, they have pretty much everything here that you need to do up your home.

2 Orchard Turn, #04-21/22 Ion Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6634 4222
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

DON DON DONKI 

The popular Japanese discount king store was all over the news late last year because they had finally opened a store in Singapore. This megastore sells a plethora of things such as food, household items, makeup and novelty items. We also love how it is open 24-hours so that we can do some late night shopping when insomnia strikes.

Orchard Central, B1 & B2
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6444 2422
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Somerset

DOVER STREET MARKET 

Dover Street Market is a multi-brand retailer located at the quaint Dempsey Road. If you’re into high-end streetwear such as Balenciaga, Brain Dead, Vetements, Comme des Garcons and Gucci, this is the place that you should be at.

18 Dempsey Road
Singapore 249677
Tel: +65 6304 1388
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Road

EDIT 

Edit Lifestyle oozes with beachy summer vibes. This airy, spacious store sells very tropical related items such as bikinis, beachwear, sunglasses, hats and baskets. They also sell pretty home decor items to jazz up your living space.

Tudor Court, 137 – 139 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247927
Tel: +65 6836 5686
Mon to Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

GRAFUNKT 

Grafunkt is an independent (indie) design brand that specialises mostly in modern furniture and home goods that adopt a somewhat industrial style. Their products are beautifully laid out throughout the store and make for a good and comfortable place to browse for furniture or simply to take a short break from all the walking.

9 Raffles Blvd, 34/35/36
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6336 6046
Daily: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

IN GOOD COMPANY 

Tucked away in ION Orchard is In Good Company, a store that specialises mainly in clothes and accessories. They also house popular cupcake brand Plain Vanilla that sells their signature sweet treats and decent coffee to match.

#B1-06, 2 Orchard Turn
ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 4786
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KAPOK 

Located at the National Design Centre, Kapok is filled to the brim with interesting knick-knacks and quirky items. Besides that, they sell a range of pretty interesting and creative clothes and accessories. We also adore the walkway leading up to the store entrance—it’s so adorable!

111 Middle Road
Singapore 188969
Tel: +65 9060 9107
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

KNOTS CAFE AND LIVING 

We absolutely love the concept of Knots Cafe and Living. This rustic, cosy cafe not only sells great eats and fragrant coffee, but all their furniture in the cafe itself is also for sale!

From the tables and chairs that you sit on to the paintings on the wall, if you like it just buy it from there. They also sell fresh flowers which are great for if you’re bringing your date here.

#01-07, 160 Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 409022
Tel: +65 6817 0383
Tue to Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Mon: 9am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: MacPherson

MONUMENT LIFESTYLE GOODS & CAFE 

Hidden away in a crevice of Duxton Road is Monument Lifestyle. Here, they sell men’s items that are imported from the US. They also have a coffee shop that serves up fresh brews and teatime snacks.

75 Duxton Road
Singapore 089534
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar & Outram

MUJI 

Muji has always been popular for their minimalistic products and store design, and we have always been in love with their woody, minimalistic interiors and simple but versatile home goods. Besides home decor, they also sell food and stationery.

68 Orchard Road, #01-10
17 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6264 5838
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

NAIISE 

Naiise is a colourful, quirky store that sells a plethora of interesting knick-knacks and novelty items. We love how many of the things here are Singapore themed such as tote bags with MRT locations printed on it as well as pillows in the shape of local childhood snacks.

2 Handy Road, #B1-08
The Cathy Building
Singapore 229233
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

Singapore may be just a tiny red dot on the world map, but we have been put in the spotlight for many things. Apart from being a hub for transiting flights and hub for several other purposes, Singapore has been a popular tourism destination for her regional fans. While we may not have the glamor of the world famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, we do have a myriad of options for every shopaholic – from budget shopping to all-time favorite high street labels to a session of luxury indulgence.

Here is our Beginners Guide on Where to Shop in Singapore.

1. Orchard Road

Definitely everyone’s favorite shopping spot in Singapore. Orchard Road is a long belt of shopping malls, each with its own characteristics and tenant mix to entice different crowds.

Far East Plaza has a whole cove of small shops with fab finds, from vintage goods to pocket-friendly fashion to cameras to tailors; spend a little more time here combing the levels and you might just be surprised by unexpected finds.

Ion Orchard and Ngee Ann City are the undisputed destinations for the luxury shoppers, where the international luxe labels congregate and spoil you with choices. Expect all-time favorites like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent Paris and Christian Dior.

313 @ Somerset and Plaza Singapura are two trendy malls with arrays of shops, eateries and beauty services stops. They are both all-in-one malls for the young and family crowds – think names like Daiso, Cotton On, Forever 21, The Body Shop and Jean Yip salons.

2. Bugis Village

This is THE ultimate spot for budget fashionable buys. Bugis Village is one fascinating destination for fashion lovers; even Steve Tyler was spotted buying a pair of shoes when he came to town recently! From accessories of all sorts, to male and female apparels, to shoes galore, Bugis Village has so much to offer – all at very competitive and unbeatable prices. Accessories go as cheap as S$2 for a pair of earrings, and it is not difficult to find dresses at S$10 each.

3. Haji Lane

For the indie lovers, for those with a thing for local designers, for vintage treasurers, Haji Lane is a colorful street just a stone’s throw from Bugis Village. With an exquisite and unconventional offering, this cult street sees both locals and tourists hunting for that unique buy that regular malls do not otherwise offer. Well, even if you are not a fan, take a stroll and snap some photos here because it is really quite a flavorful side of Singapore.

4. Vivo City

If you are not a fan of shopping in town, Vivo City is your next best option. Situated at the South of Singapore, just before our famed Sentosa Island, Vivo City is a relatively huge mall with a comprehensive shopping directory. Here, you can easily keep yourself entertained with the numerous things to do – Shop at your favorite brands like Zara, Aldo and L’occitane, or Tangs the departmental store; wine and dine at the many restaurants, fast food chains and small eateries; catch a movie in between shopping at the cinema; or pamper yourself with a facial or manicure at the various beauty services pit stops. You can even do your grocery-shopping at the hyper mart at the basement.

Words by Melody Yap

For the opening of this blog post on the Things to Do in Singapore, I wanted to show the beautiful Singapore Skyline, but I decided to use a photo of food since it sums up Singapore nicely — eating is our way of life.

I always receive emails from overseas readers asking me to suggest some of the things that they can do while having holiday in Singapore. So I have been working on this little project for a while, going to different places to explore and take photos.

Here is my list of 10 Things To Do In Singapore:

For this post, I’m writing from the angle of visitors who have never been to Singapore. At the same time, I think it will be cool for the locals to take this opportunity and explore our country; people always complain that there’s nothing to do in Singapore when in fact there are a lot of places that we seldom visit.

Check out the Swanky Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

Since everyone is talking about the new integrated resorts in Singapore, I shall start off the list with MBS.

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore that is developed by Las Vegas Sands. Besides the hotel, the resort also includes the Shoppes mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, seven celebrity chef restaurants, and the casino.

They have this amazing Skypark pool which has a breathtaking view of the city. Shopping, food, entertainment all under one roof, what else can you ask for?

Visit Sentosa and go for rides at Resorts World Sentosa Universal Studios

Sentosa is one of the major tourist attractions in Singapore, and things are becoming very happening with the addition of Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore. The best part? There are so many new restaurants at Resorts World Sentosa!

I know everyone is excited with the new rides at Universal Studios Singapore, and the casino at Resorts World, but let’s not forget about the other attractions on Sentosa.

From Fort Siloso, to the Underwater World, Wavehouse and the three beaches, there are plenty of things to do in Sentosa Island.

Shopping in Singapore

Okay, this really depends on what you are looking for. Generally speaking (for overseas visitors), the best time to come to Singapore (if your agenda is shopping) will be during the Great Singapore Sale (June to July) and the Year End Sale (November to December). If you are a make-up Junkie, Sephora Singapore is definitely one of the make up stores in Singapore that’s worth going to.

Orchard road is probably your best bet when it comes to shopping in Singapore. With shopping malls like Ion, Paragon, Takashimaya, Tangs, 313 @ Somerset, Mandarin Gallery and Orchard Central all on a stretch of road, you will be spoiled for choices. If you are tired after a day of shopping, find a nice restaurant in Orchard road for dinner, and continue with your spree after that!

For niche shopping in Singapore, Haji Lane has many independent and local fashion boutiques that are worth checking out.

Make a trip to Mustafa in the middle of the night

It is quite an experience to visit Singapore’s 24 Hour Mall, Mustafa Centre. It is a place where you can get anything and everything, especially when you need something in the wee hours and all the other shops are closed. For the full Mustafa experience – go during a Sunday night, and you will understand what I’m talking about.

Eat The Best Hawker Food in Singapore

We have many fine restaurants in Singapore, but so do other countries. What is unique to Singapore, is the local hawker food. If it is your first time in Singapore, you must try some of the popular hawker food like: chicken rice, char kway teow, laksa, bak kut teh, popiah, hokkien mee – stuff that you can never find elsewhere. I will be writing a separate blog post on the must-try hawker food in Singapore, so more on that next time.

Visit the heritage places like Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam

I guess visiting heritage places is considered as a touristy thing, but hey, you are a tourist anyway. I love it whenever my overseas friends are in Singapore as it gives me the chance to be a tourist and explore places in Singapore that I have never been to.

Venture into the heartlands

When I travel to other countries, I like to go to the residential areas and see what it is like to live there. It is a nice feeling to learn more about others’ culture, and also to experience the local lifestyle. Venture into the heartlands in Singapore like Toa Payoh, Bishan, Ang Mo Kio and people-watch.

Eat, eat, eat and eat

Do I really need to elaborate on this? Singapore is a foodie paradise, and I bet you already have a list of eating places ready. If not… it’s time to read more Singapore Food Blogs!

What to do at Night in Singapore

For Nightlife in Singapore, Clark Quay and Boat Quay are the places to be with so many clubs, bars and pubs in the area. Party till late and have roti prata and frog leg porridge for supper.

Go to Funan IT Mall for gadgets.

Go to Sim Lim Square and fall for the tourist trap. Sim Lim Square has a reputation for being dodgy with all the tourist traps, so I usually go to Funan IT Mall to get my gadgets. If you are looking for camera equipments, check out John 3:16, or Cathay Photos (Peninsula Plaza).

Other tourist attractions in Singapore: take a stroll at the Singapore Botanical Gardens, and have a relaxing brunch at Dempsey road. There are plenty of Museums in Singapore: the Asian Civilisation museum, Pernankan museum, & the National Museum of Singapore are worth checking out. Depending on where you are from, you may want to check out the markets for tropical fruits if you are not living in this part of the world. Even though I hate durian, I think it’s a pretty cool experience to go down to Geylang and sit by the roadside to try the king of fruits. Lastly, if you have not been on a Ferris Wheel before, it’s a good idea to go on the Singapore Flyer which offers a great view of the Marina Bay area.

Travelling in Singapore is easy as we have a really developed public transport network. Unless you are on a tight schedule, try to travel around on buses and trains (instead of cabs), it’s very interesting to watch and listen to the locals conversations.

Explore Singapore and experience what our beautiful country has to offer, try out new things & local food with an open mind, and I am sure you will have a very good time in Singapore!