Singapore
China
Custom Furniture: What It Actually Costs
An honest look at high-end bespoke furniture pricing - from the workshop floor of a manufacturer who has built for over 200 homes.
BOOK A CONSULTATIONEvery week, homeowners ask us the same question: why does one custom wardrobe cost S$8,000 and another S$28,000? The answer is never one thing - it is veneer grade, hinge brand, hand-finishing hours, and whether the maker owns the factory or marks up a subcontractor's quote.
Built On Three Principles
Material Honesty
We publish our material origin - European E0 board, Blum hardware, real wood veneer. No 'imported quality' marketing language.
Factory-Direct Pricing
MRETTY owns its 12,000sqm Foshan workshop. The price you see is the price of craft, not the retailer's margin.
Lifetime Structure Warranty
Carcass, hinges, and drawer runners covered for life. Because real bespoke should outlast the trend cycle.
Why Two Quotes Can Differ By 3x
A common scenario on Reddit's r/cabinetry: one shop quotes S$15k for a kitchen, another quotes S$45k. Both call themselves 'custom'. The difference usually comes down to three invisible layers:
- Substrate - particleboard vs E0 plywood vs solid wood
- Hardware - generic vs Blum/Hettich/Hafele
- Finish - sprayed laminate vs hand-rubbed lacquer
At MRETTY we itemise all three in writing before the deposit.
What S$30k-S$80k Buys In A Whole Home
For most 3-4 bedroom condos in Singapore, our whole-home custom packages land between S$30,000 and S$80,000 depending on storey count, finish tier, and stone selection. That covers entryway, kitchen, full wardrobes, vanity units, and TV feature wall.
It does not include movable furniture, lighting design, or curtains - those are quoted separately so nothing is hidden inside a 'package price'.
Where We Refuse To Cut Corners
We will quote alternatives on stone, on appliance brand, on door profile - because taste is personal. We will not quote alternatives on carcass thickness (18mm minimum), edge banding (laser-sealed), or hinge brand. These are the parts you cannot see and cannot fix later.
Honest Answers
Is custom furniture really worth the cost over IKEA or off-the-shelf?+
For a rental or 5-year flip, no. For a home you plan to live in for 10+ years with unusual ceiling heights, awkward corners, or specific storage needs, custom pays back in usable square metres - typically 15-25% more storage in the same footprint.
Do you charge a design fee on top?+
Initial consultation and 2 design revisions are included. Major scope changes after approval are billed transparently at S$80/hour.
What is your typical payment schedule?+
30% on contract, 50% before factory production, 20% on installation completion. We never ask for full payment upfront.
How long from deposit to installation?+
8-12 weeks for whole-home, 5-7 weeks for single rooms. We share a factory production photo log every two weeks.
See It In Real Homes
Parisian Grace
Noir Classique
The Warm Edit
Marble Luxe
Charcoal & Crimson
Emerald Edge
Velvet Stone
Shadow & Gold
Travertine & Timber
Obsidian & Timber
From Sketch To Soul.
Every MRETTY home begins with a conversation. No catalogues, no pressure - just a designer who listens.
BOOK A CONSULTATION