Looking for rugs in Singapore? Floor coverings like modern carpets or oriental rugs don’t just provide comfort in the home, they also add colour and a centrepiece of whatever room they’re in. Read these recommendations for carpet shops in Singapore – as well as some buying tips!
#1 Carpet Shop – Lotto Carpets Gallery
Recommended by Professor David Stringer and Dr Irene Lim, Singaporean
We first met Mr Abid Mir in London in the early 1970s, when Lotto Carpets was in Bond Street. I renewed acquaintance again when I relocated to Singapore in 2001 and found he was here. Unfortunately, he passed away, but his son Imran Mir now looks after the business in the same meticulous way as his father. They are two of the most knowledgeable carpet dealers I’ve come across in the last 50 years that I have been collecting. They are scrupulously honest and will tell you the real facts about their carpets and hence are totally trustworthy. That’s why I can thoroughly recommend this carpet shop. Novice buyers can be so totally easily taken in by others; I would also strongly advise not to buy rugs in Singapore at auction unless you know a lot about the subject.
If you buy an older piece from a reputable store like Lotto Carpets, it’s a real investment and, more importantly, you can enjoy for many years. We have about 40 carpets, all from the 16th to late 19th century.
What floor coverings you buy is very much a question of taste. I collect Tribal and Village carpets so they are mainly Caucasian with some Turkmen (from the Tekke, Ersari and Yomut tribes) and one Qashqai from one of the two nomadic tribes in Iran. The oldest and most precious are four from the 16th and 17th centuries. They’re most probably from the Ottoman Empire’s finest carpet producing centre, Ushak, in Turkey. One of these four carpets features the same pattern that Henry VIII is seen standing on in a painting from the 16th century. A slightly later “Holbein carpet” from the 18th century is so named as it appears in a painting by the famous portrait artist Hans Holbein the Younger, dating to the 15th or 16th century. It’s pictured here on a Peranakan wedding bed.
Lotto Carpets Gallery
23 Depot Lane, #01-01/02
6472 7460 | lottocarpets.com
#2 Carpet Shop – Living DNA
Recommended by Danielle Falb Sedlak and Thomas (10), Raleigh (9) and Auggie (4), American
We moved here from Dallas, Texas in late July. Our new home, like many homes in Singapore, has lots of marble and tile. And while it’s beautiful, it lacks a certain comfort or “homey” quality that rugs can produce. Also, a lot of the areas follow an open-plan concept, so for each to have its own personality and function, rugs were a must. Finally, we have a young family who are often playing with toys or wrestling with each other, and we needed floor coverings that allow that!
I was also looking for rugs in Singapore that brought out our family’s personality and style, while also being beautiful and functional. They needed to accent our rooms and décor but not overwhelm them.
I visited Living DNA after reading some expat reviews – and I’m so happy I did! The service was wonderful; they understood my style and needs and provided multiple ideas about different rugs to make sure they were a good match.
We ended up buying two rugs, one for the boys’ playroom and one for our main living area. I fell in love with the colouring of the boys’ rug – a mixture of blues, greys and some lighter spots. It’s fun and modern and provides a juxtaposition against our all-white built-in cabinets. Along with the quality, it’s perfect for all-day play with train stations or Hot Wheels cars, or just for lounging with friends while playing video games. It’s so comfortable, I often lie on it when I’m playing with the boys.
The living room rug was actually the first pattern I saw when I walked into the shop. It was a modern take on a traditional rug with subtle shifts in colouring to make it truly beautiful. With our kids, very active dog and love for red wine, I had to be honest that a white or cream-style rug was not the best option. But this one really provided that sophisticated look while providing variations to hide any imperfections that might happen in the future.
A final selling point with this carpet shop was the ability to “try them on” at home before buying. As a decorator, you never know how the sun is going to hit, or what lighting will do to make the colouring different than what you see at the shop or online. I could see first-hand how the rugs looked in my home and if they were the best addition for the space.
I am so happy with our purchases! Both rugs make the rooms come together, and I loved the people I worked with at Living DNA. They understood my vision and kept providing options to make it come to life. I would buy from them again in a heartbeat! In fact, I’m debating an option for our master bedroom right now.
Living DNA
16 Keong Saik Road
8511 3584 | livingdna.sg
#3 Carpet Shop – Hassan’s Carpets
Recommended by Gita Kumar & Anand Harikes (Singaporean)
We’ve just moved into our home and the space called for something unique. We had tried a few run-of-the mill type rugs in Singapore but none elevated the space quite as we hoped. We were just hoping to find “the one” when Dania from Hassan’s Carpets opened up our perspective with custom rugs!
Being interior enthusiasts, the Tan Boon Liat Building has always been a place we frequent so we were familiar with the shops in the building. However, buying a carpet can be a daunting task; it can ultimately make or break a space. So having someone who was willing to go on a journey with us was important.
The experience was unique from the get-go at Hassan’s Carpets. Dania was patient and advised us as she would for her own home. That’s when we knew we’d be getting our carpet from them.
In the end, the floor covering we chose was a 4m x 3.7m custom curved rug in pure New Zealand wool. This is a soft, plush and extremely durable wool. We went for a monotone vibe with a cool toned cream beige chosen from over 500 colours. The curves on the carpet were also physically charted at our home by Dania. This ensured they complemented the space and didn’t feel “forced”.
It’s this level of attention to detail that made us feel comfortable with going custom. This is now our fourth carpet from this carpet shop and we’ve been very pleased with all our purchases. Dania takes the time to not only understand the aesthetic but also its “use scenario” (for example, a high traffic area or a pet friendly home). The experience is a perfect blend of what you’d hope carpet shopping would be like – special yet functional.
Hassan’s Carpets
315 Outram Road, #02-06 Tan Boon Liat Building
6737 5626 | hassanscarpets.com
This article on rugs in Singapore first appeared in the December 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!
