⚡ Quick Answer
Tan Boon Liat Building at 315 Outram Road is one of Singapore’s longest-established furniture destinations — a multi-storey commercial building housing dozens of independent furniture showrooms and retailers. It’s the most efficient place to compare furniture options in Singapore. Born in Colour is located on the 5th floor at #05-05, specialising in mid-century modern furniture, sofas, and home interiors.
If you’ve been searching for quality furniture in Singapore, you’ve probably encountered the name: Tan Boon Liat Building. For those who know it, it’s where you go when you want to see proper furniture — not the mass-market options at the large chain retailers, but independently curated pieces from specialist importers, designers, and niche brands.
For those who don’t know it yet, it’s one of Singapore’s most genuinely useful discoveries when you’re furnishing a home. In a single morning, you can visit dozens of showrooms across multiple floors, compare styles and quality levels side by side, and make informed decisions that would take weeks of scattered online research and separate shop visits to replicate.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Tan Boon Liat Building — where it is, how to navigate it, what you’ll find there, and how to make the most of a visit.
What Is Tan Boon Liat Building and Where Is It?
Tan Boon Liat Building is a commercial building at 315 Outram Road in the Tanjong Pagar district of Singapore. Built in the 1970s, it was originally a mixed-use commercial and light industrial building. Over the decades it became increasingly dominated by furniture retailers, showrooms, and related trades until it evolved into what it is today: Singapore’s most concentrated specialist furniture destination.
The building spans multiple floors and houses a diverse mix of retailers — from high-end imported furniture brands to mid-range specialist retailers to clearance and trade operations. Unlike the large furniture megastores in Tampines or Alexandra, Tan Boon Liat’s retailers are predominantly independent operators with curated selections rather than broad catalogues. The result is a more considered, design-focused shopping environment.
Practical details:
Address: 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Nearest MRT: Outram Park MRT (EW16/NE3/TE17) — approximately 5 minutes’ walk / Havelock MRT (TE16) — approximately 2 minutes’ walk
Parking: Limited parking available at the building; street parking on Outram Road and adjacent streets
General hours: Most showrooms open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am–7pm. Specific hours vary by retailer.
How to Navigate Tan Boon Liat Building
The building’s layout takes a little getting used to on a first visit. Here are the practical things to know:
• The lifts are your friend: The building has multiple floors of showrooms. Don’t rely on the stairs for a full visit — take the lifts between floors and plan to spend time on each level. The density of options is highest on the mid floors.
• Allow at least half a day: Trying to rush Tan Boon Liat is a mistake. If you’re making a significant furniture purchase — a sofa, a dining set, bedroom furniture — plan to spend a full morning or afternoon. The comparison value comes from seeing multiple options in the same visit.
• Come with measurements: Bring the exact dimensions of the rooms you’re furnishing. Most showrooms will have staff who can help you assess whether specific pieces are the right scale for your space, but they can only do this if you know your measurements.
• Don’t feel pressured: Tan Boon Liat’s retailers are generally knowledgeable and low-pressure compared to large chain stores. Most staff understand that buyers visit multiple showrooms in the same trip and won’t push for an immediate decision.
• Check in-stock vs made-to-order: Some retailers at Tan Boon Liat carry in-stock inventory for fast delivery; others operate on 8–16 week lead times for imported or custom pieces. Always confirm delivery timelines before making a decision, especially if you’re working to a renovation schedule.
What You’ll Find at Tan Boon Liat Building
The building’s retail mix is broad, but certain categories dominate:
Mid-century modern and design furniture
This is where Tan Boon Liat is strongest. Several retailers in the building specialise in MCM-influenced furniture — the style that has dominated Singapore’s design-conscious home market for the past decade. Born in Colour on the 5th floor (#05-05) is one of the most focused MCM specialists in the building, carrying collections across sofas, sideboards, cabinets, wall furniture, and bedroom pieces.
Imported sofa brands
Quality sofas — the kind that take four to six months to ship from Japan, Italy, or Korea — are well represented in Tan Boon Liat. The building is one of the few places in Singapore where you can sit in and compare multiple premium imported sofa brands in the same visit. Born in Colour carries CODA (Japan) and Giormani in this category.
Dining furniture
Dining tables and chairs across a wide range of styles and price points are available from multiple retailers in the building. Whether you’re looking for a solid teak dining table, a marble-top contemporary piece, or a Scandi-influenced minimalist set, you’ll find options here that simply aren’t available in the large chain stores.
Bedroom furniture
Bedframes, wardrobe systems, and bedroom storage across multiple styles are well represented. For those looking for quality solid wood bedroom furniture with a mid-century or Japandi aesthetic, several Tan Boon Liat retailers carry pieces that aren’t available anywhere else in Singapore.
Home accessories and lighting
Beyond furniture, several operators in the building carry complementary home accessories, lighting, rugs, and decorative objects. These are useful for completing a room or finding pieces that work with furniture you’ve already chosen.
Born in Colour at Tan Boon Liat: What to Expect
Born in Colour occupies unit #05-05 on the 5th floor of Tan Boon Liat Building. The showroom specialises in mid-century modern furniture — a focused curation of pieces across the Nova Retro, Seio Casual, Fika Swedish, Verso, and Certo collections, alongside quality sofas from CODA (Japanese-made) and Giormani.
What distinguishes Born in Colour from larger furniture retailers is the specificity of the curation. Rather than carrying hundreds of pieces across every style, the showroom carries a carefully selected range within a coherent aesthetic — which makes it significantly easier to build a cohesive interior from a single visit.
The team is knowledgeable about the pieces and generally straightforward about lead times, materials, and sizing. For those who prefer to browse without pressure, the showroom’s layout allows you to move through the pieces independently.
Born in Colour showroom details:
Location: 315 Outram Road, #05-05, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169074
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am–7pm
Phone: +65 6988 3308
Online: bornincolour.com — full collection available with island-wide delivery
Clearance: A second outlet in Yishun (1024 Yishun Industrial Park A, #02-31) carries clearance and discounted in-stock pieces
Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Tan Boon Liat Visit
• Go on a weekday if possible: Weekends are busier and some showrooms may have less staff available. Tuesday to Thursday mornings tend to be the quietest and most productive times to visit.
• Start with your priority categories: If you know you need a sofa and a TV console, start with those floors and work outward. Don’t get drawn into accessories before you’ve made the major decisions.
• Photograph everything: When you see a piece you like, photograph it from multiple angles and capture the price tag and any model information. This makes it much easier to compare pieces after the visit.
• Ask about promotions and bundles: Many Tan Boon Liat retailers offer package pricing if you’re buying multiple pieces. It’s always worth asking, especially for significant purchases.
• Don’t buy on the first visit for large pieces: For a sofa or major furniture purchase, it’s worth doing a second visit after you’ve lived with the decision for a day or two. Most reputable retailers will hold a piece for a short period if you’re seriously considering it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tan Boon Liat Building in Singapore?
Tan Boon Liat Building is at 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074, in the Tanjong Pagar district. The nearest MRT station is Outram Park (EW16/NE3/TE17), approximately five minutes’ walk away.
What furniture shops are in Tan Boon Liat Building?
Tan Boon Liat Building houses dozens of independent furniture retailers across multiple floors, specialising in a wide range of styles including mid-century modern, contemporary, Japandi, imported European and Japanese brands, and more. Born in Colour (#05-05) specialises in mid-century modern furniture and quality sofas.
Is Tan Boon Liat Building worth visiting?
Yes — particularly if you’re furnishing a home or making a significant furniture purchase. The concentration of specialist retailers in one building allows you to compare quality, style, and pricing across multiple options in a single visit, which is far more efficient than visiting scattered shops across Singapore.
What are the opening hours at Tan Boon Liat Building?
Most showrooms in Tan Boon Liat Building are open Tuesday to Sunday, approximately 11am to 7pm. Hours vary by individual retailer. Born in Colour (#05-05) is open Monday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm.
Does Born in Colour offer delivery across Singapore?
Yes — Born in Colour offers island-wide delivery across Singapore. Online shopping is also available at bornincolour.com for those who prefer to browse and purchase remotely. Assembly is included with delivery.
Is there parking at Tan Boon Liat Building?
Limited parking is available at the building itself. Street parking is available on Outram Road and adjacent streets. Given the proximity to Outram Park MRT (approximately five minutes’ walk), public transport is often the most convenient option.
Tan Boon Liat Building: Singapore’s Best-Kept Furniture Secret (Full Guide)
⚡ Quick Answer
Tan Boon Liat Building at 315 Outram Road is one of Singapore’s longest-established furniture destinations — a multi-storey commercial building housing dozens of independent furniture showrooms and retailers. It’s the most efficient place to compare furniture options in Singapore. Born in Colour is located on the 5th floor at #05-05, specialising in mid-century modern furniture, sofas, and home interiors.
If you’ve been searching for quality furniture in Singapore, you’ve probably encountered the name: Tan Boon Liat Building. For those who know it, it’s where you go when you want to see proper furniture — not the mass-market options at the large chain retailers, but independently curated pieces from specialist importers, designers, and niche brands.
For those who don’t know it yet, it’s one of Singapore’s most genuinely useful discoveries when you’re furnishing a home. In a single morning, you can visit dozens of showrooms across multiple floors, compare styles and quality levels side by side, and make informed decisions that would take weeks of scattered online research and separate shop visits to replicate.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Tan Boon Liat Building — where it is, how to navigate it, what you’ll find there, and how to make the most of a visit.
What Is Tan Boon Liat Building and Where Is It?
Tan Boon Liat Building is a commercial building at 315 Outram Road in the Tanjong Pagar district of Singapore. Built in the 1970s, it was originally a mixed-use commercial and light industrial building. Over the decades it became increasingly dominated by furniture retailers, showrooms, and related trades until it evolved into what it is today: Singapore’s most concentrated specialist furniture destination.
The building spans multiple floors and houses a diverse mix of retailers — from high-end imported furniture brands to mid-range specialist retailers to clearance and trade operations. Unlike the large furniture megastores in Tampines or Alexandra, Tan Boon Liat’s retailers are predominantly independent operators with curated selections rather than broad catalogues. The result is a more considered, design-focused shopping environment.
Practical details:
Address: 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074
Nearest MRT: Outram Park MRT (EW16/NE3/TE17) — approximately 5 minutes’ walk / Havelock MRT (TE16) — approximately 2 minutes’ walk
Parking: Limited parking available at the building; street parking on Outram Road and adjacent streets
General hours: Most showrooms open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am–7pm. Specific hours vary by retailer.
How to Navigate Tan Boon Liat Building
The building’s layout takes a little getting used to on a first visit. Here are the practical things to know:
• The lifts are your friend: The building has multiple floors of showrooms. Don’t rely on the stairs for a full visit — take the lifts between floors and plan to spend time on each level. The density of options is highest on the mid floors.
• Allow at least half a day: Trying to rush Tan Boon Liat is a mistake. If you’re making a significant furniture purchase — a sofa, a dining set, bedroom furniture — plan to spend a full morning or afternoon. The comparison value comes from seeing multiple options in the same visit.
• Come with measurements: Bring the exact dimensions of the rooms you’re furnishing. Most showrooms will have staff who can help you assess whether specific pieces are the right scale for your space, but they can only do this if you know your measurements.
• Don’t feel pressured: Tan Boon Liat’s retailers are generally knowledgeable and low-pressure compared to large chain stores. Most staff understand that buyers visit multiple showrooms in the same trip and won’t push for an immediate decision.
• Check in-stock vs made-to-order: Some retailers at Tan Boon Liat carry in-stock inventory for fast delivery; others operate on 8–16 week lead times for imported or custom pieces. Always confirm delivery timelines before making a decision, especially if you’re working to a renovation schedule.
What You’ll Find at Tan Boon Liat Building
The building’s retail mix is broad, but certain categories dominate:
Mid-century modern and design furniture
This is where Tan Boon Liat is strongest. Several retailers in the building specialise in MCM-influenced furniture — the style that has dominated Singapore’s design-conscious home market for the past decade. Born in Colour on the 5th floor (#05-05) is one of the most focused MCM specialists in the building, carrying collections across sofas, sideboards, cabinets, wall furniture, and bedroom pieces.
Imported sofa brands
Quality sofas — the kind that take four to six months to ship from Japan, Italy, or Korea — are well represented in Tan Boon Liat. The building is one of the few places in Singapore where you can sit in and compare multiple premium imported sofa brands in the same visit. Born in Colour carries CODA (Japan) and Giormani in this category.
Dining furniture
Dining tables and chairs across a wide range of styles and price points are available from multiple retailers in the building. Whether you’re looking for a solid teak dining table, a marble-top contemporary piece, or a Scandi-influenced minimalist set, you’ll find options here that simply aren’t available in the large chain stores.
Bedroom furniture
Bedframes, wardrobe systems, and bedroom storage across multiple styles are well represented. For those looking for quality solid wood bedroom furniture with a mid-century or Japandi aesthetic, several Tan Boon Liat retailers carry pieces that aren’t available anywhere else in Singapore.
Home accessories and lighting
Beyond furniture, several operators in the building carry complementary home accessories, lighting, rugs, and decorative objects. These are useful for completing a room or finding pieces that work with furniture you’ve already chosen.
Born in Colour at Tan Boon Liat: What to Expect
Born in Colour occupies unit #05-05 on the 5th floor of Tan Boon Liat Building. The showroom specialises in mid-century modern furniture — a focused curation of pieces across the Nova Retro, Seio Casual, Fika Swedish, Verso, and Certo collections, alongside quality sofas from CODA (Japanese-made) and Giormani.
What distinguishes Born in Colour from larger furniture retailers is the specificity of the curation. Rather than carrying hundreds of pieces across every style, the showroom carries a carefully selected range within a coherent aesthetic — which makes it significantly easier to build a cohesive interior from a single visit.
The team is knowledgeable about the pieces and generally straightforward about lead times, materials, and sizing. For those who prefer to browse without pressure, the showroom’s layout allows you to move through the pieces independently.
Born in Colour showroom details:
Location: 315 Outram Road, #05-05, Tan Boon Liat Building, Singapore 169074
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am–7pm
Phone: +65 6988 3308
Online: bornincolour.com — full collection available with island-wide delivery
Clearance: A second outlet in Yishun (1024 Yishun Industrial Park A, #02-31) carries clearance and discounted in-stock pieces
Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Tan Boon Liat Visit
• Go on a weekday if possible: Weekends are busier and some showrooms may have less staff available. Tuesday to Thursday mornings tend to be the quietest and most productive times to visit.
• Start with your priority categories: If you know you need a sofa and a TV console, start with those floors and work outward. Don’t get drawn into accessories before you’ve made the major decisions.
• Photograph everything: When you see a piece you like, photograph it from multiple angles and capture the price tag and any model information. This makes it much easier to compare pieces after the visit.
• Ask about promotions and bundles: Many Tan Boon Liat retailers offer package pricing if you’re buying multiple pieces. It’s always worth asking, especially for significant purchases.
• Don’t buy on the first visit for large pieces: For a sofa or major furniture purchase, it’s worth doing a second visit after you’ve lived with the decision for a day or two. Most reputable retailers will hold a piece for a short period if you’re seriously considering it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tan Boon Liat Building in Singapore?
Tan Boon Liat Building is at 315 Outram Road, Singapore 169074, in the Tanjong Pagar district. The nearest MRT station is Outram Park (EW16/NE3/TE17), approximately five minutes’ walk away.
What furniture shops are in Tan Boon Liat Building?
Tan Boon Liat Building houses dozens of independent furniture retailers across multiple floors, specialising in a wide range of styles including mid-century modern, contemporary, Japandi, imported European and Japanese brands, and more. Born in Colour (#05-05) specialises in mid-century modern furniture and quality sofas.
Is Tan Boon Liat Building worth visiting?
Yes — particularly if you’re furnishing a home or making a significant furniture purchase. The concentration of specialist retailers in one building allows you to compare quality, style, and pricing across multiple options in a single visit, which is far more efficient than visiting scattered shops across Singapore.
What are the opening hours at Tan Boon Liat Building?
Most showrooms in Tan Boon Liat Building are open Tuesday to Sunday, approximately 11am to 7pm. Hours vary by individual retailer. Born in Colour (#05-05) is open Monday to Sunday, 11am to 7pm.
Does Born in Colour offer delivery across Singapore?
Yes — Born in Colour offers island-wide delivery across Singapore. Online shopping is also available at bornincolour.com for those who prefer to browse and purchase remotely. Assembly is included with delivery.
Is there parking at Tan Boon Liat Building?
Limited parking is available at the building itself. Street parking is available on Outram Road and adjacent streets. Given the proximity to Outram Park MRT (approximately five minutes’ walk), public transport is often the most convenient option.