Almost all rentals in Beijing come furnished, but not necessarily with style, especially for western tastes. There's always the one-stop solution of IKEA, but if you're not careful while shopping there, you'll end up having an apartment that looks like it came right out of the catalog. Or a twenty-something's sharehouse apartment.
The good news is that when you're ready to bid the Swedish flat-packers adjö, there are plenty of shops to meet your furnishing and home decoration needs in Beijing. Here’s our selection of chic stores in the city that will help make your home more personal and welcoming.
For Sample
For Sample, or 拂一个山坡 in Chinese, is a furnishing store and showroom renovated from a disused barn, located by the East Fourth Ring Road. Founded in 2016, the shop has since grown into a furnishing brand featuring woodware, glassware, metalware, and pottery. The 220sqm space is also home to a gallery and a coffee shop. They also sell on their website, forsampleshop.com.
Tue-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am-8pm; No.16 Nan Shiliju, Chaoyang District (138 1013 4030)
朝阳区南十里居16号院
This is C5shop
Located inside C5 Space and next to C5 Cafe, this shop is very conveniently located for those living near Sanlitun. It features furniture, tableware, and various other home accessories, mainly imported from Japan and Europe.
Tue-Sun 11am-7pm; F/Building, No. 5 Sanlitun Xiwu Street, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯西五街5号院F座
待入荷 Handmade Art Store
Despite its attempts to keep a low profile, this two-story white building with a simple logo has quickly become a landmark in the Xinyuanli area. Decorated white inside as well, the boutique more resembles a gallery than a store, featuring objects with strong wabi-sabi aesthetics in meticulous arrangements. It also hosts regular exhibitions with works by Japanese artists.
Wed-Mon 11am-7pm; 1/F, Shifang Haoting, No.16 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6461 1687)
朝阳区新源南路16号世方豪庭首层
Moktsi Home is a two-floor shop located in Dengshikou that sells quite a comprehensive list of domestic objects ranging from kitchen utensils and beddings to ornaments and furniture. The first floor is full of all kinds of kitchen utensils, glassware, and cups that go for about the same price as IKEA equivalents, while the second floor presents colorful almost Indian style chic furniture and ornaments like ceramic vases, lamps, tea tables, chairs, linen sofa, and textiles.
Daily 9.30am-8.30pm. 50m North to the crossing of Qianchang Hutong and Dongsi Nandajie, Dongcheng District
摩其卡家居生活集市：东城区东四南大街与前厂胡同交叉口北50米
Agehome
Agehome probably represents what a dream house would look like in many people’s eyes. All the furniture around the three-floor store comes from major Swedish auction houses so you can feast your eyes on classic Scandinavian styles. Agehome requires customers to call ahead to book a visit.
Mon-Sun 11am-7pm, No. 216 Building Bingheyihao, Jiangtai Donglu, Chaoyang District (131 6191 0248)
朝阳区将台东路滨河一号别墅216号
READ: High-Rise vs. Hutong: How to Choose Your Perfect Beijing Apartment
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Email: kuang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: Huang Chenkuang; courtesy of featured stores
"There's always the one-stop solution of IKEA, but if you're not careful while shopping there, you'll end up having an apartment that looks like it came right out of the catalog." (unquote)
Not to worry. After a couple years' use, IKEA furniture looks like it came out of a landfill.
After a couple years' use, IKEA furniture looks like it came out of a landfill.
Agreed. The best way to retain Ikea furniture apperance is to not use it.
