Taobao’s the name, and online furniture shopping’s the game. If you’re a prospecting new homeowner or renovating your house soon, searching for aesthetic but affordable furniture online is part of the venture.
Not to mention, as Singaporeans, we can’t resist a good deal or bargain. And with the frequent flash deals on e-commerce sites like Shopee, Lazada, and Taobao, hunting for good quality furniture for a fraction of the price has become a monthly ritual. However, out of the three giants, it seems Taobao still reigns supreme due to unbeatable prices straight from China. Plus, with the new English interface launched recently, shopping for furniture on Taobao has gotten easier than ever.
How does Taobao shipping work?
1. Air freight vs sea freight
While shopping on Taobao, there are typically two main options for Taobao shipping: air freight and sea freight.
Shipping by air typically takes between 2 to 7 days, whereas shipping by sea can take between 8 to 15 days. Although air freight is faster and more efficient, it can be less cost-effective for bulky or heavy packages such as Taobao furniture due to higher shipping costs. As a result, it might be more advisable to opt for sea freight for furniture orders, thereby lowering your overall shipping costs.
2. Direct vs consolidated shipping
Once you’ve chosen your preferred shipping method, you may choose between direct shipping (官方直邮) or consolidated shipping (官方集运).
For direct shipping, your shipping fee will be calculated per order at checkout.
Conversely for consolidated shipping, your items will be grouped into a single package at the Taobao warehouse before being shipped. The shipping fee is then calculated at this consolidation juncture.
Taobao shipping costs breakdown
Additional shipping fees will also be calculated based on actual weight or the volumetric weight of the package — whichever is heavier. Here’s an overview of typical Taobao shipping rates through different agents according to Qanvast:
- Ezbuy (By air): From $1.69 per 500g
- Ezbuy (By sea): $0.70 per 500g (up to 30kg)
- Lazada: $5.90 for first 1kg, additional $2.20 for next 500g
- Taobao (Cai Niao Sea): $4.30 for first 1kg, additional $1.50 for next kg
- Taobao (Cai Niao Air): $3.70 for first 1kg, additional $3.10 for next kg
While these Taobao agents are convenient and can settle/simplify the logistical heavy lifting for you, beware of their service fees and markup costs such as agent commissions, inflated shipping fees, and currency conversion charges. Do note that Taobao agents differ from freight forwarders who primarily handle only the shipping, and not the communication between you and the Taobao seller — so do be clear of what kind of services you’re engaging in. Regardless, such extra costs are usually the killer to the final tally of your expenses.
Overall, we recommend opting for sea freight and to skip enlisting a Taobao agent (since Taobao is now available in English) to fully maximise your savings on Taobao furniture.
All that aside, are you curious to know what some of the best Taobao furniture shop recommendations are? Here are our top picks!
| Taobao Furniture Shop | Price Range | Best for… |
|---|---|---|
| Yuanxing Classical Furniture | From RMB 498 (~S$92) | Wabi-sabi wooden furniture mixed with antique Chinese styles |
| Mu Xiu Yuan Wood Show | From RMB 112 (~S$21) | MUJI-inspired designer lamp and lighting fixtures |
| Mr Tie Furniture | From RMB 42 (~S$8) | Quirky, colourful, and playful chair designs |
| iDesk Furniture Flagship Store | From RMB 149 (~S$28) | Affordable ergonomic desk chairs |
| ABIN Best | From RMB 8 (~S$1.50) | TOGO-inspired lounge chair/bean bag dupes |
| Huiqiang Wood Furniture | From RMB 149 (~S$28) | Sturdy and stylish rocking chairs for both indoor and outdoor settings |
| Senlan Furniture | From RMB 495 (~S$92) | Luxurious leather and fabric cloud sofas & adjustable bed frames |
| Best Living Home Store | From RMB 88 (~S$17) | Chic and stylish modern makeup vanity with LED mirrors |
| Yiju Aishang Woodwork | From RMB 560 (~S$104) | Classic, antique-style wooden furniture crafted from North American Black Walnut wood |
Yuanxing Classical Furniture
Can’t seem to get enough of the Japandi and Wabi Sabi aesthetic? Don’t worry, us too. While we might not be able to afford a pilgrimage to Japan every year, what we can afford is investing in quality Wabi Sabi-inspired furniture from Yuanxing Classical Furniture.
Here, you’ll discover exquisite black walnut furniture like wooden cushioned sofas, asymmetrical shelves, antique Chinese cupboards and storage units, TV consoles, and more. Besides traditional silhouettes, their catalogue also features modernised styles of wooden leather sofas, seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary elegance.
Indeed, these Taobao furniture pieces will bring a sense of timeless beauty to your home, evoking the ambience of either a traditional Chinese period drama or a serene Japanese garden. Either way, your household will be infused with a tranquil and calming atmosphere overall.
Find Yuanxing Classical Furniture here.
Mu Xiu Yuan Wood Show
Move aside, bright and glaring overhead lights — soft ambient mood lighting is in! After the sun sets, we can all agree that turning on harsh ceiling lights feels intrusive and criminal. They strip the bedroom and living room of their warmth, making them neither inviting nor a true sanctuary. That’s why you need one of these artisanal wooden lamps from Mu Xiu Yuan Wood Show.
Sticking with the MUJI or Scandi theme, these unique handcrafted lamps and light fixtures not only breathe life back into cold spaces but also serve as distinctive accent pieces that make for good conversation starters.
I mean, just look at this gorgeous wooden “isolated island landscape” floating lamp (from RMB 2,680; ~S$530), perfect for hanging as a statement piece over your dining table or living room! Need we say more?
Find Mu Xiu Yuan Wood Show here.
Mr Tie Furniture
On the hunt for some quirky designs to liven up your typical HDB home? Specifically, if you like colourful and retro-themed barstools reminiscent of Korean BBQ restaurants, these oil barrel-esque stools (from RMB 42; ~S$8) make for eye-catching guest seating.
Otherwise, feel free to browse through other unique assortments of furniture like a “flat head” side table (from RMB 128; ~S$24) or plastic balloon animal-inspired chairs (from RMB 138; ~S$26) to entertain the little ones (and the adults young at heart, we don’t judge!)
iDesk Furniture (Flagship Store)
Who said ergonomics can’t be stylish? The team at iDesk Furniture has successfully designed computer and desk chairs that fulfil both form and function. Personal recommendations even vouch that these chairs are more comfortable than SecretLab gaming chairs, providing great support and adjustments for long hours at the desk.
You can elevate your work and study space with their reclining leather chair (from RMB 699; ~S$130) for a more luxurious touch, or opt for a retro camel brown chair (from RMB 429; ~S$80) if that’s more your speed. Not to mention, all their chairs are quite affordably priced, so you can enjoy comfort without breaking the bank (or your back).
Find iDesk Furniture (Flagship Store) here.
ABIN Best
Were you eyeing the TOGO fabric lounge chair-beanbag hybrid when it first launched, but couldn’t quite afford the real deal? Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with hunting for dupes. After all, that’s what shopping for Taobao furniture is all about!
Featuring the TOGO lounge chair dupe for only RMB 223 (~S$42), stores like ABIN Best carry a diverse range of furniture and homeware items you never knew you needed. From cat cages to shoes and coat racks, sometimes your home just needs a little bit of everything, doesn’t it?
Find ABIN Best here.
Huiqiang Wood Furniture
Not-so-hot take: Every home needs a solid, comfortable reclining or rocking chair.
Normally, when we think of rocking chairs, we typically imagine rickety, old wooden versions. But did you know that Taobao furniture stores like Huiqiang Wood Furniture carry stylish and sleek rocking chairs that break that stereotype?
From plush, whimsical-looking rocking chairs (from RMB 179; ~S$34) to timeless, classic patterns (from RMB 379; ~S$71), these chairs will have you drifting off to dreamland in no time. They also offer a stylish waterproof Jersey chair (from RMB 399; ~S$74), perfect for indoor seating or your patio or balcony.
And with over 10,000 satisfied purchases for their rocking chair, you’ll be remiss not to consider adding one to your home’s collection.
Find Huiqiang Wood Furniture here.
Senlan Furniture
If your new home or home renovation works follow a mid-century modern, art-deco, or bohemian interior style, we highly recommend investing in a sofa or bed from Senlan Furniture.
They carry a wide selection of sleek yet plush leather and fabric sofas with soft, curved edges. And when it comes to colour, they don’t hold back either — ranging from rich matcha green to calming neutrals like dark brown and grey, their sofas truly embody the essence of cosy lounging. In fact, we believe that their sofas are perfect dupes for the viral cloud sofas too!
They also sell adjustable bedframes and mattresses, which are ideal for alleviating back pain caused by certain sleep positions. These options provide customisable support to help improve your sleep quality and comfort overall.
Best Living Home Store
Attention makeup enthusiasts: it’s time to assemble the girlies™️ together and check out this Taobao furniture store. If you’ve always dreamed of owning your vanity, Best Living Home Store offers a stunning selection of makeup dressers that are simply a dream come true.
These pieces feature gorgeous marble or glass countertops, ample drawer storage for your ever-growing makeup collection, and chic LED mirrors (available in both circular and abstract shapes) to save you from horrible lighting while doing your makeup. For reference, their small 60-cm apartment dressing table is priced at RMB 428 (~S$80) and has been sold over 30,000 times!
Find Best Living Home Store here.
Yiju Aishang Woodwork
If your home follows a darker colour palette, incorporating furniture with rich wood finishes like the pieces at Yiju Aishang Woodwork can seamlessly complement your interior.
Their wide catalogue collection features cabinets, drawers, coffee tables, wardrobes, dressing tables, bookcases, and desks — all specially crafted from North American Black Walnut wood, showcasing intricate carvings and attention to detail. Furthermore, we can see that the designs draw inspiration from influences of Wabi-Sabi, modern minimalism, and mid-century vintage, blending these elements to deliver a timeless, classic look.
Standout pieces from their collection include their Nordic dressing table (from RMB 8,000; ~$1504.80), and their large display bookcase (from RMB 2,800; ~S$519).