

Although I proclaim myself a feminist and positively balk at the idea of women being in any way inferior to men, I must admit that I do believe there are key innate differences between the two sexes. Men intrinsically, and almost primitively, will always be drawn to computer games and electrical goods. Women on the other hand seem to be universally and magnetically drawn to furniture shops. However, finding furniture shops in Hong Kong that are both stylish and affordable is almost as hard as finding MSG-free dim sum. So, being the kind soul that I am, I decided to share my furniture tips with you to allow you to effortlessly satisfy your inner furniture fiend and get shopping! This is my step by step guide to furnishing your home.
Step 1: Online Research
Suss out your style and what sort of look you want to go for before you head to the shops. Write lists of everything you need, dimensions and also take the measurements of your lift so you know what items you can actually logistically buy.
Di-Mension Living, Unit A6, 18/F, Wah Ha Factory Building, No.8 Shipyard Lane, Tai Koo Hong Kong, 2246 8382. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-7pm, Sunday 12-6pm and Monday for appointments only. www.di-mension.com
Step 2: Horizon Plaza – The Big Items
Horizon Plaza is a furniture lover’s dream. 28 floors of stores dedicated almost exclusively to furniture. Armed with the Sassy guide on how to tackle Horizon plaza (see here!), I had the most successful day’s shopping ever! The shops may not be the cheapest but it’s perfect for buying all your main items in one place. Here are my top picks:
Tequila Kola, 1/F (discount outlet 17/F), Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2877 3295, Open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday & Public Holidays 12pm – 7pm. www.tequilakola.com
Indigo Living, 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2555 0530. Open daily 10am – 7pm. www.indigo-living.com
Marc James, 16/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2517 2000, Open daily 10am – 7pm. www.marcjamesdesign.com
TREE, 28/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2870 1582. Open daily 10.30am-7pm. Also located in Soho, Cyberport and Sai Kung (see the website for full addresses). www.tree.com.hk
Inside, 12/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, 2873 1795. Open Monday-Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am – 7pm. Also located in The Prince’s Building, Central and The Repulse Bay (see the website for full addresses). www.inside.com.hk
Step 3: Quirkier, independent shops for statement items and unique pieces
Mirth Home, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2553 9811. Open daily 10am – 6pm. www.mirthhome.com
Attic Lifestyle, Unit 4, 12/F, Sungib Industrial Building, 53 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 6901 6715. Open Wednesday–Saturday 10am-2pm or by appointment. www.attic-lifestyle.com
Step 4: The privileged few
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with outside space, a real secret is that most outdoor stores source their furniture from the same suppliers but charge outrageously varied prices. Wicka Designs has a fantastic range of furniture, which is stylish and durable, but at the lowest possible prices.
Step 6: For smaller furniture items and those final all-important home staples
Franc Franc flagship store, 2nd Floor, Hang Lung Center, 2-20 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 3427 3366. Also located at Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong and k11, Tsim Sha Tsui (see website for full addresses). www.francfranc.com.hk
Ikea – you don’t need me to tell you why to go here. Unbeatable for certain items such as side tables, kitchen equipment and spare bedding. They even have a surprisingly good rug selection! But be warned, head there on the weekend at your peril. Many head here as a destination rather than to shop (and make themselves at home accordingly – we’ve spotted people literally putting their feet up!). Go once and make it epic, with a clear list of what you need.
Ikea, Upper Basement, Park Lane Hotel, Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 3125 0888. Open daily 10.30am–10.30pm. Also located at Megabox, Kowloon Bay and Sha Tin (see website for full addresses). www.ikea.com/hk/en
Pricerite – think of this at as the Hong Kong version of Ikea! This should take care of most of your basic homeware needs (although it does also sell a decent range of sofas and beds) and is particularly good for storage solutions and other practical, functional items – watch them sell-out of fans and mobile air-conditioning units come summer!
Pricerite, practically everywhere! http://e-catalogue.pricerite.com.hk
Japan Home Centre – this should be the very last place you visit. Suitable for ironing boards, cleaning equipment and random kitchen appliances. Don’t expect to find stuff of the highest quality but bag some practical items at bargain prices.
Japan Home Centre, also everywhere! www.japanhome.com.hk
So there you have it, my 6-step apartment furnishing guide. Got any more hot furniture tips? Let us know!