These 9 Cafe-Like Homes in Singapore Are Serving Major Vibes

You don’t even have to step out of the door to get your cafe fix.

We all have that one friend who’s obsessed with finding the best cafes in town, even while overseas. You might even be that friend!

There’s just something comforting about sipping a drink in a cafe, enjoying the background tunes while you catch up with a friend or just chill out.

If that sounds like how you’d enjoy spending the weekend, have you considered bringing the cafe ambience home? Here are 9 Singapore homes that did just that, from moody industrial joints to the classic Scandi hangouts.

1. A whimsical cafe-like home in Kallang with retro vibes

With a palette of earthy tones and a roomy social space for chilling out, this 4-room BTO flat could pass off as a whimsical retro cafe (like this vinyl-listening one in Tanjong Pagar).

For a roomier living/dining room, one junior bedroom was hacked away while at the foyer, you’ll spot a settee backed by a ‘brick wall’ (done up with tiles).

Besides connecting the kitchen with the communal spaces, the open shelving here doubles as a great spot to pick up a cup of coffee.

To add to the retro mix, you’ll spot quirky candles, graphic art and vinyl records.

Suffice it to say, we can already imagine ourselves lounging around nursing our drinks while jazz music plays in the background!

2. An Instagrammable home in Punggol inspired by cafes in Korea

Making the most of the long stretch of living/dining space they had, the owners of this 5-room BTO flat in Punggol turned it into a cosy ‘cafe’ inspired by pictures on social media – the perfect place to unwind.

You probably recognise some of the trendy features often spotted in Japanese-inspired cafes: the curved bar counter, the warmly-lit wall niches and the textured walls and ceilings that call to mind the wabi sabi concept.

One element that really sets this home apart from the standard affair though, is the iridescent visual effect you’ll find in every space, from the coffee table in the living room to the bedroom partition and even the holographic tiles in the bathroom.

If we had a home like this, we’d never complain again about Instagrammable cafes with pricey menus again!

3. A charming neighbourhood ‘cafe’ in Sengkang for brunch with friends

It’s hard to beat this combination: a lovely cafe, good food and equally good company. That’s evidently what the owner of this 2-room BTO flat in Sengkang thought too. Plus, all in a tight space at that!

With her interior designer’s help, she converted her living/dining room into a charming Scandinavian-themed home ‘cafe’, complete with clean lines, light wood accents and an airy layout.

Every inch of space was maximised for seating space, including the settee at the window while directly opposite, the peninsula doubles as a coffee/bar counter and a standing workstation.

If we had a friend with a home like this, you can be sure we’d visit every weekend.

4. An industrial-style book ‘cafe’ in Hougang for the bookworms

We think we can get a little closer to actually completing our yearly Goodreads reading goals if we had a book ‘cafe’ (like in this executive maisonette) for a home.

At first glance, you can see that the kitchen sports a mix of metal and raw bricks, alongside a dark palette of neutrals.

That’s because the owners wanted to replicate elements from their favourite industrial-style cafes.

Our favourite space, though, is this curved corner-turned-home library.

The 5.5m ceiling height gives the space a sense of depth and grandeur, while the decor – like the brick and street lamp-style pendant light – might remind you of a certain school of wizardry.

It’s easy to imagine grabbing a book from here and heading over to the two-tiered peninsula in the kitchen to read while sipping a cuppa. Bookworms, take note!

5. A vibrant, eclectic ‘cafe’ in Woodlands for a dash of fun

If you’re always on the lookout for quirky, eclectic cafes, why not recreate the look in your own home? That’s what the owners of this 5-room flat in Woodlands did.

The mix of pink and soft orange in the kitchen, coupled with the terrazzo flooring, reminds us of The Tipsy Flamingo – a space inspired by the ‘80s and pool party vibes.

Have you noticed that there’s even a drink menu on the wall?

There’s no doubt guests will be drawn to this part of the home, thanks to the way the terrazzo flooring curves in a quadrant around the kitchen, simultaneously separating it from the living area and drawing attention to it.

6. A trendy industrial joint for quiet time

If finding a satisfying cafe to chill at is proving difficult, why not turn your home into one instead?

Case in point: this contemporary home with minimal built-ins and large format tiles on the walls and floor that create a sense of a bigger space.

The dark palette of greys and black creates a moody atmosphere, perfect for winding down. Is it just us who think it resembles The Founder’s Cafe in Johor Bahru?

7. A Japanese-inspired manga ‘cafe’ hideaway

Considering that manga cafes are sanctuaries for enthusiasts, having one in your home – where you can really unleash your personality and indulge in your interests – sounds perfect.

Inspired by Japanese design elements, this living room is dressed in soft neutrals. It includes a raised platform in the living room that connects to the sleeping area.

You’ll also find legless seats by the TV feature wall-cum-bookshelf, which is filled with volumes upon volumes of manga.

Given the limited square footage, every corner was designed with functionality in mind. Curled up here over a hot cup of matcha, you could definitely lose track of the hours.

8. A dual-tone cafe-style home in Simei to enjoy food and design

This home might be impressive just by virtue of having two floors, but the kitchen definitely helps it level up in a different way.

The dual tones used in this maisonette’s kitchen might remind you of Coexist Coffee in Hillview before it was recently renovated, with its distinct split of red and white that had everyone talking when it opened.

To get ample space for this setup with the standalone island, the owners combined the kitchen and the study room next to it.

To differentiate the different ‘layers’ of elements, the island has fluted panel detailing while the backsplash is done up with tiles that have shade variation.

The cabinets above, meanwhile, have a smooth and flat finish.

With this kind of setup, you won’t have to travel too far to enjoy impeccable cafe vibes!

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