How to Design A ‘MUJI’ Home (That’s Actually Affordable)

March 6, 2018

Admit it, whether it's their 'brandless' packaging or sleek wooden furniture pieces, we Singaporeans are fans of anything and everything MUJI! And what better way to show our love than decking our homes in the Japanese label's iconic, minimal style? Practical yet stylish, there's something about the brand's airy, clean-cut aesthetic that also makes it perfect for Singapore's compact spaces.

But even if less is more, that doesn't mean you'll need to spend a chunk just to achieve a 'MUJI' style home! Case in point? These 6 MUJI-inspired homes offer the same minimalist look - for less.


1. Bartley Ridge

Interior Designer: Authors Interior & Styling

Despite its tiny size, this space-savvy condo makes the most of whatever limited built-ins it has with tons of concealed storage. Minimalist, Japanese-style wooden finishes are accented throughout, from the custom dining area (with hidden under-seat and overhead storage units) to the tatami-style fold out study desk – complete with a pull-out bed underneath.

Renovation Cost: $18,000


*2. Waterway Cascadia *

Interior Designer: DB Studio

Keeping true to MUJI’s simple-meets-practical philosophy, this $30,000 home renovation in Punggol proves you don’t always need built-ins to achieve a clean, pared-down look. Save for its raised platform and its airy semi-open kitchen, the rest of this HDB apartment is filled up with loose furnishings in classic shapes and natural textures. In fact, its living room’s main highlight - those eye-catching stacking oak shelves? No less, from MUJI.

Renovation Cost: $30,000


3. Ang Mo Kio

Interior Designer: Edge Interior

Decked entirely in a palette of whites and woods, this airy (and roomy) HDB flat is one of the pricier projects on the list – but with good reason. No expense is spared in transforming the otherwise clogged and dim layout into a bright, open-plan abode. In the living area, walls were hacked and replaced with slatted wooden partitions to create a combined communal space encompassing the dry kitchen and dining corner. Meanwhile, the master bedroom’s odd layout is solved with a nifty reading nook (cum platform storage piece) and a walk-in wardrobe packed with storage compartments.

Renovation Cost: $68,000


4. Waterway Woodcress

Interior Designer: Third Avenue Studio

Looking straight out of a MUJI furniture catalog, this relaxing, white-washed home reminds us of lazy weekends, slow afternoons and general good vibes. Stackable, MUJI oak shelves make their appearance again, doubling as a bookshelf, TV feature console, and bed headrest throughout the home. But there’s more to this HDB flat than its modest furnishings. For starters, its flooring and built-ins (such as the wardrobe and pegboard wall) were specifically designed to mimic the furniture's light, wooden finishes for a consistent look. And let's not forget that 'pole dancing' room - definitely not something you’d see every day!

Renovation Cost: $46,000


5. Teck Ghee Parkview

Interior Designer: Luova Project Services

Maximising every penny, this $33,000 HDB renovation manages to pull off the same homely look whilst packing in a ton of storage! Keeping to a white-and-oak combination (a key feature in many MUJI-inspired spaces), simple lines take centre stage, with closed storage cabinets for a visually uncluttered look. Meanwhile, wooden furnishings add a touch of warmth – creating an abode that’s practical and welcoming.

Renovation Cost: $33,000


6. Ang Mo Kio Street 51

Interior Designer: Weiken.com

Get ready to be transported into a serene, modern Japanese ryokan! From pale wooden accents, floor seating to rustic, MUJI-style furnishings, this 3-room HDB instantly sets our minds at ease upon stepping in. Not forgetting a sense of practicality, ample built-ins are installed - such as the dining bench-cum-storage cubby, floor to ceiling cabinets and glass panels that provide an illusion of openness to the kitchen area.

Renovation Cost: $38,000


Zen out in your own Japanese-inspired space - for less.

Love the minimal, timeless designs of these Muji-themed homes? Whatever your budget and style, we can recommend you the right interior designer to help you achieve that look to a tee. Request for a free quote here, and we'll match you with 5 interior firms. All recommendations made by Qanvast will be covered under the Guarantee, up to $50,000*.

Looking for more local home ideas? Download the Qanvast app to save your favourite interior looks, read up on helpful renovation tips and get matched with interior designers, on the move.

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