Living
Furnishing Accommodation
Rental accommodation can be fully, partially or unfurnished. A fully furnished home will come equipped with all the major appliances (fridge, oven, washing machine, television, air-conditioning units and sometimes even a microwave) and major furniture items (beds, bedside tables, sofas, dining table and chairs). A partially furnished home usually has some major appliances (fridge, stove, washing machine and air conditioning units) and a few items of furniture. An unfurnished home is normally bare. Furniture allowances from employers are not common, but see if you can get one.
If you choose partially furnished or unfurnished accommodation there’s a broad range of options to choose from when shopping for your new home. There’s everything from simple and affordable items at IKEA to pricey pieces of sophisticated teak furniture. If buying pre-made furniture isn’t your thing, wander down to Gallery 278 on River Valley Road (www.gallery278.com) to discuss custom-made furniture with the sales staff.
If you don’t know the difference between pastel and parquet, you may want to get some professional assistance in decorating your new home. Interior designers have a knack of turning ideas into tangible things you can sit and eat on, and as they get trade prices for furniture and fittings, it might even cost you less than if you try to do it yourself. Try Audrey Lee of Audrey Lee Interiors (6474 7150) who has helped many expats create their new homes.
Second-Hand Items
If you choose partially furnished or unfurnished accommodation there’s a broad range of options to choose from when shopping for your new home. There’s everything from simple and affordable items at IKEA to pricey pieces of sophisticated teak furniture. If buying pre-made furniture isn’t your thing, wander down to Gallery 278 on River Valley Road (www.gallery278.com) to discuss custom-made furniture with the sales staff.
If you don’t know the difference between pastel and parquet, you may want to get some professional assistance in decorating your new home. Interior designers have a knack of turning ideas into tangible things you can sit and eat on, and as they get trade prices for furniture and fittings, it might even cost you less than if you try to do it yourself. Try Audrey Lee of Audrey Lee Interiors (6474 7150) who has helped many expats create their new homes.
Second-Hand Items
With expats coming and going, there are many opportunities to buy second-hand items. Good places to find out about moving sales are from notice boards at Cold Storage supermarkets, word of mouth from friends and colleagues, or social and sports clubs’ online forums.
