After a long day of work, there’s nothing as comforting as sinking into a comfy bed surrounded by all the things that remind you of home sweet home. However, the biggest challenge that new homeowners might face is how they can transform their empty house into a safe haven they can call home.
To help with that issue, we asked 7 Singaporeans to share with us some household items that they can’t live without and why. Hopefully, these might inspire you to start shopping for every corner of your house with things you love yourself, so you can always look forward to being at home for both working and relaxing.
“To me, household essentials are bedroom items such as pillows and blankets, as these are items that everyone uses on a daily basis. The one household item that I can’t live without is my quilt from HOOGA! It’s fluffy and soft, and comes in a plain white design as it’s meant to be used with a quilt cover.
It kind of feels like a hotel blanket, which is super comfortable and adds comfort to my bed. I’ve had it for a few months now, as I was shopping for a blanket and instantly fell in love at first touch.
Being wrapped up in a big fluffy quilt provides a sense of comfort and protection every night, so my quilt is very well used. I love how it makes me feel like I’ve sunk into my bed, and I get so nua that I refuse to get out of it.
For new homeowners, I would recommend getting a quilt for a good night’s sleep in a new environment. Besides helping you adapt to your new house, other bed accessories are important as well. Products that are recommended through word of mouth are usually more trustworthy.”
— Kamie, 24
“Toiletries such as bath towels support day to day living and provide comfort in our homes. I can’t live without my bath towels that I use after my showers, as they are soft and look classic. I bought 2 towels in light pink and dark grey last November, and they are very comfortable and absorb water well.
I was convinced to buy the towels when I saw someone posting on Instagram about how these towels were their favourite. Bath towels are my absolute essential because I shower very often to cope with this humid climate.
Price is also important when it comes to purchasing towels, because they are bound to be changed out when worn out, and also for hygiene purposes. So I wouldn’t want to spend too much on them either. My towels were on sale when I bought them and the quality is great since I’ve used them for a few months already.
A quality towel, such as one from HOOGA, can also make or break the aesthetics of the bathroom as a “decorative” piece that guests might see. Especially when it comes to finding the right size that best suits you, HOOGA’s oversized towels feel extra comfy and secure. Besides using at home, oversized towels are also great for a chill day at the pool to dry up after a refreshing soak.”
— Kylie, 23
“I’ve been a homeowner and mother for over 20 years now, and my household essentials are toiletries, kitchenware and electrical appliances. These are basic things that every household needs.
One of my top few household items is this signature black series reed diffuser from HOOGA that came in a sleek black bottle. Mine has a natural scent known as Skyish Blue, while my daughter also owns a similar diffuser in another scent called Poppy Field in her room.
It took me a long time to discover a diffuser that was perfect for my home, as I previously bought many other brands but was not able to find one with a lasting scent I enjoy. Some of my previous purchases had no distinct scent at all, which left me very disappointed.
I’ve been using this HOOGA diffuser for a month now, and it was given to me as a gift from my colleague. It makes my home smell very cosy without being too overpowering, and I will definitely purchase it again on my own after I’ve finished using this bottle.
Especially since I work at a childcare centre, oftentimes I would bring home the smell of paint on my clothes from the children’s arts and crafts. This diffuser works great in helping to get rid of the smell, and its clean aesthetics fits nicely with my house.”
— Michelle, 53
“My bed, bedsheets, pillows and bolster are essentials because I need them to have a comfortable sleeping and resting experience. Everybody deserves a good night’s rest after a long day of hard work.
I can’t live without my baby blue bedsheets, which are smooth and silky, and also cool to the touch. I’ve been using them for around a year now and they were recommended to me by my sister, having heard about its good quality. The best part is that it gets even softer and comfier after a few washes, as it’s made with a blend of cotton and ultra-fine TENCEL fibre.
Without good bed sheets, I’ll probably have poor sleep quality. I love that it feels cool during the colder weather, and that’s really important in a tropical country like Singapore. It’s also smooth, so when I sleep and tussle around, the sheets don’t cause abrasions on my skin.
To me, comfort is key, and price has to match the value. While I initially felt that the bedsheets were a little pricey, it turned out to be worth its value. ”
— Shi Quan, 26
“I think my peers would agree with me that plants, no matter if real or fake, play a role in making the house more aesthetically pleasing.
The forever-green plant I have at home has a rustic vibe to it and feels smooth to the touch. I’ve placed it in the living room and had it for almost a year now — it’s undoubtedly my favourite decor there. I bought it when I was out with my husband, who also appreciates home decor such as these.
After a long day of work, my home decor helps me to relax and chill. My husband and I both prioritise placing our decor in prime locations at home, so that they are eye-pleasing and can even be an ice breaker topic for our guests too.
I think that it’s always nice to have greenery around the house, especially since it helps to soothe the eyes too. When it comes to shopping for aesthetic decor, go with what you like and what matches the theme of your home!”
— Kaitlyn, 40
“All of my friends would agree with me that having a good sleep is one of the most important things when it comes to home living. I really love my fluffy blanket that I got for less than $20 in a cute baby pink colour.
It’s especially useful to cover my body when I’m in bed or lounging on the sofa. I randomly chanced upon this blanket one day and bought it because I felt like treating myself to something practical that can make me happy at the same time.
I’m someone who can’t sleep without a blanket, and this one is extra soft to the touch. I am not very particular about aesthetics as long as the product is of good quality and serves its purpose well. Rather than how it looks aesthetically, I prefer items that stand out in more unique ways.
The blanket is small in size as well, perfect for smaller sized people who do not require extra large blankets in this hot Singapore weather.”
— Jodi, 24
“If someone were to ask me what I cannot live without, it has got to be plush toys, which I must cuddle to sleep every night. I discovered this teardrop plushie one day while walking around the mall and bought it because it was so soft and cute.
The size is just nice — neither is it too small nor too big, perfect for wrapping my arms around it when I sleep. Texture wise, it’s really smooth without any odd angles sticking out to prevent me from cuddling it well.
I love it so much that I bring it with me everywhere in my house, from sleeping in my room to chilling on the sofa. Sometimes, I even bring it out to the kitchen at night to accompany me while I get a glass of water.
This teardrop plushie isn’t expensive either, and sometimes I even push its head down to make it look like a bean. As I’ve already got the Papa and Baby Dew toys, I intend to get Mama Dew to complete the whole family.
I would 100% recommend it to first time homeowners, as its minimalistic design will blend into any home aesthetics while making your house feel more cosy — especially if you have a hard time settling down into your new home.”
— Edith, 24
When looking for household items that bring us joy, there are many factors that can’t be overlooked such as price, quality and aesthetics. Whether it’s bed sheets or a plush toy, all the items that the interviewees shared have one common theme: comfort.
Checking off all the essentials you need for every room in your house, no matter if it’s your bedroom, bathroom or kitchen, HOOGA has everything you need to make your home uniquely yours.
From 4 March to 3 April 2022, HOOGA will be having an exclusive off season sale, where customers can purchase storewide and sitewide items with up to 70% off. This is your best chance to hygge up your home — a Danish word that means “comfort”, as HOOGA has never held such a high discount before.
If you’ve been on the hunt to transform your BTO flat faster than how Fairy Godmother transformed Cinderella’s rags into a dress, now is the time to start. Don’t miss out on getting your hands on HOOGA’s household essentials that will bring ultimate comfort at home for both you and your bae.
For more inspiration on home looks, check out HOOGA’s Instagram and Facebook with aesthetically chio layouts.
This post was brought to you by HOOGA.
Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Cover: Images courtesy of interviewees.
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