Taobao has been my trusted companion ever since our first home renovation in 2018. From furniture and home décor to the smallest tableware accents, the platform has quietly filled our space with charm and character — even baby items these days find their way into my cart.
I’m often asked where I source our décor, and I always say it with pride — many of the pieces you see in my home came from Taobao.
Turning a house into a home, one beautiful Taobao find at a time.”
In this post, I’m sharing a few of my favourite corners and finds — the Taobao décor and tableware pieces that have truly stood the test of time (some since 2018!). You’ll also find links to the stores I frequently visit, along with my tried-and-true tips for a seamless Taobao home shopping experience.
Dining Area: The Heart of Our Home
Our dining space remains one of my favourite corners — a gathering place where texture, tone, and light come together. The interior theme leans toward Bohemian Mid-Century Modern, a blend of earth tones, macramé, warm woods, and rattan details.
With an Ikea IVAR sideboard and a solid wood dining table from Picket & Rail anchoring the room, I sought décor that would add contrast without weighing the look down — pieces in soft hues that complement rather than compete.
That’s when I discovered Brusheep 涂咩, a Taobao store known for its beautifully crafted frame paintings. I fell instantly for a light-grey frame artwork that felt both modern and timeless. Their frames are made of real wood and glass — sturdy, elegant, and refined — perfectly attuned to a mid-century aesthetic.
My vinyl record player, from the PRC local brand Syitren (store 黑胶盒子). brings a nostalgic warmth to the room. The shop owner’s passion for vinyl is infectious — if you can converse well in Chinese, you’ll find his insights genuinely enriching.
The tall Artificial Cactus Plant from Juhan Home 掬涵 adds a touch of desert calm. Since the corner receives little sunlight and we were often out at work (pre-COVID days), a realistic artificial plant was the perfect choice. It wasn’t exactly cheap (around SGD 70 excluding international shipping), but its quality and lifelike finish made it worth every cent. I’ve since returned to Juhan Home for wedding décor, CNY ornaments, and even our Christmas tree baubles.
Coffee Accessories: Little Rituals of the Everyday
For many, coffee is a ritual; for home baristas, it’s also a passion — one that can become costly. Taobao offers a gentler way to explore without breaking the bank, ideal for anyone experimenting with brewing at home.
I found my pour-over coffee maker with a wooden base, along with espresso and coffee cups from Joto 九土, a reputable home and tableware shop. Their packaging was impeccable — sturdy, secure, and international-shipping-friendly.
Plates: Elevating the Everyday Table
Sometimes, a simple change of dinnerware transforms an ordinary meal into an experience. Taobao is a treasure trove for beautiful, affordable tableware that makes every dining moment feel intentional.
I often shop from Do Easy Home 朵颐家居. Their minimalist designs blend modern lines with subtle wabi-sabi elegance.
However, a word of caution: my recent orders shipped via Taobao’s consolidated service arrived with broken pieces (six out of eight plates!). Though the seller promptly refunded the damaged items, shipping costs weren’t covered, and it is a fact that their packaging quality has declined over the years.
#Tip: If you have a reliable forwarder, always request them to repack fragile items like tableware. A little extra care goes a long way in ensuring your pieces arrive intact.
Whiskey Glass: Art You Can Sip From
Though whiskey isn’t my drink of choice, I couldn’t resist this Japanese mountain peaks–inspired whiskey glass from I Ka Cook 爱加家居. Made from heat-resistant glass and paired with a walnut coaster, it feels artisanal — and at under SGD 15, an irresistible deal.
Sake Cup, Coaster & Wooden Tray: A Study in Texture
I found a petite sake cup from Joto 九土 that doubles beautifully as a Chinese teacup. I like to pair it with a hand-painted coaster from Qixi China 器昔 — a store brimming with vintage and Japanese-inspired ceramics — and a wooden tray from Do Easy Home 朵颐.
These small moments of harmony — glass against wood, glaze against grain — make home life quietly beautiful
Merry-Go-Round Candle: A Gentle Spin of Light
Evenings often begin with a candle. I discovered this whimsical merry-go-round candle holder from 卖香薰的小女孩,a delightful find. Once lit, the carousel spins slowly, scattering light across the walls — a simple, meditative pleasure that feels perfect after a long day. It also makes a charming gift for festive seasons.
Blue & White Floral Bone China Tea Cup: A Classic Reinvented
If you follow my Instagram or blog, you’ve likely seen this piece — a blue-and-white floral bone china tea cup and saucer set from 尚兰欧品屋. It has become part of my afternoon ritual. Owning true vintage bone china can be costly, but Taobao makes this tradition accessible — pretty and attainable, without compromise on grace.
Key & Ring Tray: Everyday Elegance
One of my earliest Taobao purchases remains this Umbra 2-tiered storage rack from OTB Home. I use it by the entrance to hold our keys and rings — small, functional beauty that greets us each day.
Candle Holder: A Touch of Glow
tThis white houses block candle holder from 收集时光 always draws attention. I bought both the large version (for pillar candles) and the smaller one (for tealights). Though this design is no longer available, the shop continues to offer lovely tableware and interior accessories worth bookmarking — especially if you dream of creating a cosy café corner at home. The Christmas garland beside it was from Juhan Home 掬涵.
UV Light Sterilizer: Modern Cleanliness, Simplified
In recent years, cleanliness has become second nature. My Philips UV light sterilizer from 杰逸家居专营店 has been indispensable — compact, USB-chargeable, and efficient. Just eight minutes a day keeps my gadgets and accessories sanitized, quietly supporting our daily routines.
Entrance Décor: A Seasonal Welcome
Our entranceway changes with the seasons — soft pinks in spring, deeper tones as the year matures. The Korean-inspired poster and frame from DESIGN hanajung sets the mood, paired with a brown vase, wooden plate, candle, and fossil coral from SHINY MOMO. Both shops offer an array of stylish, Korean-inspired décor pieces that make home styling a joy.
My Taobao Home Decor & Tableware Shopping Tips
After six years (and countless parcels), I can confidently say my satisfaction rate with Taobao sits around 4.5 to 5 out of 5 — and I’ve rarely had a disastrous experience. Here are my golden rules for curating your own aesthetic home through Taobao:
#Tip 1: Don’t go for dirt-cheap finds
If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Always use the “Find Similar” (找相似) function to compare prices and identify the original sellers. Once you spot the authentic one, it’s your choice — pay a little more for quality and originality, or settle for a dupe that might not last.
#Tip 2: Always read the review section.
Real buyers in the home décor category tend to post genuine photo and video reviews. Even if reading Chinese isn’t your strength, visuals will tell you all you need to know.
#Tip 3: Engage a trusted forwarder for fragile items
Mirrors, glassware, tableware, furniture — anything delicate deserves professional handling. Forwarders often repack items better than Taobao’s own consolidated shipping, ensuring your treasures arrive unbroken.
I personally use Ezship Logistic for bulk shipments or fragile pieces I can’t afford to break. They’re meticulous, responsive, and have handled all my deliveries — even large volumes (materials for renovation and furniture pieces) — without a single broken item. Their rates aren’t the lowest, but for peace of mind and premium handling, they’re worth every bit of the difference.
Key in my referral number 1075 and you’ll receive credits for your delivery!
#Tip 4: Message sellers for reinforced overseas packaging.
After checkout, I always send a note reminding the seller that the parcel is bound for Singapore and request extra layers of protection. Some sellers go the extra mile, while others simply issue refunds for damages — but at least you’ll know who’s worth returning to.
Once your order is placed, message the seller with a short note:
“您好！这是发集运仓来新加坡的，路途遥远，请加固包裹谢谢！”
(Hi! This order will be shipped to Singapore via a forwarder. It’s a long journey, so please reinforce the packaging. Thank you!)
These are my small lessons from years of Taobao home shopping. Each parcel has brought with it not just an object, but a spark of joy — proof that beauty and meaning can come from the simplest of places.
What are your favourite Taobao stores for home décor? Share them below — I’d love to discover new gems with you.
