If you’re part of BTO Telegram chats and group buys, you’ll know that there are many young and new homeowners shopping for their furniture and home appliances across the Straits in Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia these days.
Why shop for furniture in JB? Prices are slightly lower across all furniture categories, you get pieces that are a little different than your friends and neighbours, good food while you’re at it, and the cheap thrill of travelling “abroad”.
10 Best Furniture Shops in Johor Bahru (JB)
There are so many furniture, home furnishing, and ceiling fans, lighting shops in JB! Just do a quick search and you’ll easily find over 50 JB furniture shops listed online.
However, most of them seem to stock furniture that’s pretty similar to what you can find on FortyTwo, HipVan, or your local heartland furniture shop.
Instead, we’ve picked out 10 furniture shops in JB that may be worth the travel, distance, and 4-hour traffic jam (if you’re driving into JB).
- Momo Love Concept Johor Bahru
- Miki Curtain
- IKEA JB
- MUJI Malaysia
- Ashley Furniture HomeStore
- JCBespoke Teak Furniture
- Tampoi Lighting
- Boo Furniture
- Mi Kuang
- Teck Seng
Momo Love Concept Johor Bahru
More of a thrift store that sells second hand home accessories as well, Momo Love Concept is a hidden treasure located in Taman Desa Tebrau, Johor Bahru.
This homely store is frequented by locals, and the owners often serve up desserts and drinks to their customers.
You’ll also find the occasional DIY home decor workshop on weekends at approximately RM128. The next workshop will be a Christmas planter DIY session on Dec 17, 11am to 1pm.
The owners welcome good quality and good quality clothes every Tuesday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and 10am to 3pm respectively too. If you’re heading there, you might as well drop some of your unworn clothes off!
Momo Love Concept is located at 17 Jalan Harmonium 23/12, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Tel:+60 14-914 7926.
Miki Curtain & Furnishing
One of the lesser known JB home furnishing stores is this – Miki Curtain & Furnishing. This local store made our list because it’s got pretty good reviews from fellow HDB BTO owners. The owner, Miki, does BTO group buys and will arrange for site visits to Singapore to measure the windows and curtain rail lengths.
Miki quotes you by approximate home sq ft size, and a dual day and night curtain set for an entire 5-room HDB costs approximately RM7,300 (equivalent to $2,254). In Singapore, a single shade of curtains will cost you minimally $1,500 for a 3-room flat.
Miki Curtain & Furnishing is located at 14, Jalan Sutera 3, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +60 16-718 3922.
IKEA JB
Even if you’re not shopping for new furniture, you should still make a trip to the massive IKEA Tebrau in Johor Bahru. Also commonly called Toppen IKEA, the Swedish fast furniture favourite is located right next to the famed AEON Tebrau City.
IKEA Tebrau is often deemed as an upgrade of the IKEAs in Singapore. It’s bigger, more spacious, with more stuff to see, look, and try. Snack on the Kit Kat croissants, rainbow cake, and other pastries in the IKEA Cafe Tebrau that just opened in 2021 – but not too much.
Save your stomach for all the wonderful food that’s just next door in AEON Tebrau: vegetarian sushi at Kinashi Japanese, Penang Road chendol, yakitori joint Tori King, and Lavender bakery.
IKEA Tebrau is located at Toppen Shopping Centre, 33, Jalan Harmonium, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru.
MUJI JB
For small home organisational boxes, drawers, and home diffusers, scents etc., you’d want to find them at one of the MUJIs in Johor Bahru too.
There’s a MUJI located in AEON Tebrau City (just next to IKEA Tebrau). However, the MUJI you should be visiting is MUJI The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey.
Located in Mid Valley Southkey, this 1,574 sq m MUJI is the Japanese lifestyle and homeware giant’s largest flagship in the entire of Malaysia.
In this flagship, you’ll find all the MUJI beds, sofas, dining tables, side tables, study tables, chairs, and recliner chairs displayed. There’s also an extensive display of the brand’s own beddings, pillows, and the entire range of their bed linens.
If you’re bringing your children along, there’s a MUJI playground in the store too.
MUJI The Mall is located in Mid Valley Southkey, F-038 & 039, Jalan Bakar Batu, Southkey, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Ashley Furniture HomeStore (Johor Bahru)
If you’re making a trip to IKEA Tebrau and AEON, you might as well just step into Ashley Furniture Home Store.
Founded in 1997, Ashley Furniture is actually an American furniture chain store. It’s a well-known furniture name in Singapore with four outlets – Marina Square, Sungei Kadut, Genting Lane, and Jalan Kilang Barat.
However, this Ashley Furniture showroom in JB spans a sprawling 10,000 sq ft – which means you can see more in a one-stop-shop. That’s great if you’re still trying to settle on an interior style. You could shop, browse, and eliminate styles that you aren’t fond ot.
Prices in Ashley Furniture JB are more expensive compared to the Singapore stores.
For example, this beautiful rustic cottage Brashland King Panel Bed is retailing in Singapore at $1,969. However, in JB, it’s RM6,847 (equivalent to $2,115).
Good to see, and haggle for seasonal discounts. Who knows, you might just get it cheaper than you would in Singapore!
Ashley Furniture HomeStore JB is located in Toppen Shopping Centre, L2.07 & L2.08, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
JCBespoke Teak Furniture
JCBespoke Teak Furniture is one of the most popular and widely recommended furniture shops to go to in Johor Bahru. And they do hold up to their cross-country reputation.
These guys are renowned for their solid wood teak furniture – such as this American-style bar cabinet crafted entirely from teak.
Furniture ranges from sofa, chairs, to beds, dining tables, study tables and bookshelves. You can even approach them with a custom design that you might have in mind.
Some of the furniture pieces they carry are pretty trendy as well, such as this Chiho Solid Ash Wood with Rattan sofa with cushions (RM3,099 or $955).
Online users have cautioned that JCBespoke will ask you for full payment before they deliver. So, you might need to make a couple of trips back to JCBespoke to view and inspect the final item and pay up the balance.
JCBespoke Teak Furniture is located at 17, Jln Molek 3/20, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tampoi Lighting
There are two popular lighting and ceiling fan shops in JB. They are namely Tampoi Lighting and Starworld. While Starworld is equally reputable (they have several showrooms across Malaysia, Tampoi Lighting seems to be more frequented by Singaporeans.
At Tampoi Lighting, you’ll be able to find some of the newer KDK fan models around $300 (includes shipping and GST).
If you don’t have time to physically travel to JB Tampoi Lighting to see and shop, you can just order from their Facebook page or website.
If you’re in for the cheapest bargains, try visiting Tampoi to see their offerings then hitch a Grab over to HT Lighting at Johor Jaya to compare prices.
Tampoi Lighting is located at 2,4 & 6, Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Boo Furniture Home
Most furniture stores in JB tend to retail the same Italian style of faux leather sofas, recliners, glossy marble surface dining tables with decorative legs. However, you’ll find Boo Furniture Home to be a fresh breath of air.
Mostly Japandi themed, Boo Furniture Home’s products are their own designs and tend to be in solid wood. Online users also often praise Boo Furniture for their relaxed service with no hardselling.
They do produce quite a bit of curved wood furniture – perfect for the curvy walls, cabinets, minimalist theme that’s been trending this year. Prices at Boo are, however, steeper than the teak furniture you’ll find at JCBespoke Teak Furniture.
There are two Boo Furniture Home outlets in the greater Johor Bahru alone. Closest to Woodlands Checkpoint at City Square will be the 306 Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi outlet.
Boo Furniture Home is located at 306, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Mi Kuang
The most recommended JB furniture shop must be Mi Kuang. Located further inland near Paradigm Mall, northwest from Larkin Sentral, Mi Kuang is a standalone furniture shophouse with parking lots right at its doorstep. So, if you want to drive in, it’s just a 12-minute drive from City Square Mall at Woodlands-JB Checkpoint.
Thanks to its convenience and proximity to the checkpoint, quite a fair bit of Singaporean homeowners do end up shopping for their furniture here.
Do not expect fancy or trendy furniture, for Mi Kuang’s furniture designs are pretty run-off-the-mill ordinary. Think along the lines of faux leather plush Italian design sofas, woven outdoor furniture, marble-top dining table with fancy legs, and quilted bed frames.
Prices are value-for-money when you find items on sale, such as the above Japandi-looking Fanworth Teak sofa at RM3,988 ($1,232).
Another solid wood with high density foam cushions Japandi sofa, called the Itsuki sofa is priced at RM3,459 ($1,068).
Mi Kuang is located at 14, 16, 18, 20, Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Teck Seng Furniture
Teck Seng Furniture is located in the Mutiara Rini district, pretty near the Sutera Mall. It’s even further inland, and will take you 30 minutes to get there by car from City Square JB checkpoint.
Their furniture designs are the usual as well – mostly Italian-style recliner sofas, marble dining tables, and quilted dining chairs. The great thing about Teck Seng is their prices – a classic brown leather Gentleman’s Club Chesterfield sofa set is priced at RM1,699.
We love that Teck Seng carries a range of scratch-proof, waterproof, and easy clean pet-friendly sofas at approximately RM3,999 to RM6,288. Most of these designs are rectangular and more modern, too. Cat owners, rejoice!
Teck Seng Furniture is located at 36, Jalan Utama 45, Mutiara Rini, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Other furniture, home furnishing, and home appliance shops in Johor Bahru you might want to check out include:
- KS Curtain Lifestyle
- M Salim Curtain & Carpet
- Starworld Lighting
- HT Lighting
- Yako Lighting Center
- Big Lamp
- HATCH
- Big Brain
- Italhouse
- Fella Design
- Kinsen Home
- Mestro Perfect Home Store
- Tan Furniture
- Mudah Furniture
- Vidi Furniture
- Double Tree Furniture
- Arona Design Furniture
- The Wood Colony
- Art Home Furniture
- Lorenzo
- Erica Furniture Design
- Hologram Furniture
- SSF Home
- QQ Furniture Enterprise
- Alpha Home Furniture
- Rossini Furniture (bad reviews online)
- Milan Furniture Johor Jaya
- LS Furniture
- BestHome Furnishing
- Home Bliss Furniture Design
Be wary when shopping with furniture shops without Singaporean reviews. When shopping for furniture in JB, you must consider the delivery logistics – whether the shop will be honest and send you the right piece of furniture you’ve selected, and if their delivery team or courier partners can be punctual considering the constant Causeway traffic jam that spans four to six hours over peak hours.
There are many JB furniture delivery horror stories going around on online forums such as Hardwarezone, so do read up and always look for furniture shops that have done well for other Singaporeans.
Buying furniture in JB – A trend that’s been around since 2017
When Ms Jennifer Yang’s friend recommended buying furniture in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, the 50-year-old administrator was skeptical.
“I had doubts about getting there, plus I had no idea which shops were trustworthy and reliable, especially when I was going to spend big sums of money,” she said.
She eventually decided to tag along with her friend, a Singaporean who was born in Malaysia, and was surprised by the cheaper prices.
After three trips to various furniture and electrical shops in Johor, Ms Yang spent about RM17,600 ($5,408) on five fans, lights, a bed frame, a dining table and a cupboard for her new HDB home.
She also bought a sofa, a wardrobe, a dining set and a television console for her brother.
“I found that things, on the whole, were 40 per cent cheaper, which means I could use the savings for other things for my home,” she said.
More Singaporeans furniture shopping in Johor Bahru
Ms Yang is among a growing number of Singaporeans making the trip across the Causeway for their furniture needs.
Another such Singaporean is Mr Yeo Zhen Xiong, 33, who bought lights and decorative ornaments from various shops in Johor last month as his family’s condominium underwent renovation.
Ms Mandy Lua, a showroom supervisor of Maestro Perfect Home Store in Skudai, Johor, attributed this to the falling Malaysian ringgit against the Singapore dollar.
“This is also the period (in November and December) when Singaporeans look to buy things for their home,” she said.
JB Furniture Quality Equally Good
Another sales assistant of a shop that sells lighting, fans and electrical appliances also said he was seeing more Singaporean customers.
“Many Singaporeans now trust our quality. Our electronics are usually imported from other countries, such as our fans which are from Taiwan.
“So the quality is no different from purchasing elsewhere,” he said.
Dr Lynda Wee, adjunct associate professor of marketing and international business at the Nanyang Business School in the Nanyang Technological University, agreed that furniture prices are usually higher in Singapore.
This is due to the lack of furniture-making facilities and workers, importing of raw materials – such as wood – and high retail rental and manpower costs, she said.
Furniture prices lower in JB
National University of Singapore Business School associate professor of finance Qian Wenlan and visiting professor Sumit Agarwal had said in an opinion piece published in The New Paper that non-branded items cost 20 per cent to 30 per cent less in Malaysia.
All these factors, as well as the close proximity of both countries, make it appealing for Singaporeans to go cross-border shopping, they had said.
Dr Wee said this trend would hit mom-and-pop furniture retailers here the hardest.
But one such shop owner, Mr H. S. Tee of Vickson Furnishing in Bukit Batok, said his business is unfazed by the competition.
JB Furniture & Appliances: No warranty and servicing
“If anything happens to your purchases from Malaysia, it will be very hard to get them serviced here,” he said in Mandarin.
Mr Tee added that his quality assurance would keep customers coming back.
Both Mr Yeo and Ms Yang said the main consideration of consumers, including themselves, would always be the price.
Larger furniture needs to be delivered
Ms Yang said she brought back most of the smaller items, such as the lights and fans, by car, and had the larger furniture pieces delivered.
Shops in Malaysia offer transportation for larger pieces, usually for a fee, although customers are subject to a 7 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) for items delivered into Singapore.
GST for goods valued below $150 is not applicable for travellers who are out of Singapore for less than 48 hours. For those who are away for more than 48 hours, GST is exempt for goods valued up to $600.
Ms Yang said: “Even after paying the 7 per cent GST, things were still cheaper.
“Price is everything. And so far, it has been a smooth experience buying furniture from Malaysia.”
Part of this article first appeared on The New Paper.
