Need a place for clothes not dirty enough for the wash? There’s a chair for that

SINGAPORE – In Singapore’s tropical heat, most outfits are surrendered to the laundry basket at the end of the day. But what about the jacket or jeans that are not quite “dirty” enough?

For many, this is the interim solution: Dumping them on a chair in the corner of the bedroom.

Even The Washington Post has chimed in, observing in a 2024 opinion column that “most of us have some kind of clothes chair’ – including, famously, US senator Bernie Sanders.

The op-ed pointed to a viral moment from the Democrat’s 2020 political campaign. During a live stream from his home, viewers spotted a wooden dining chair piled high with clothes.

Enter the Laundry Chair from Swiss inventor and designer Simone Giertz, who runs design company Yetch Studio in Los Angeles. 

Ms Giertz’s invention comes with a built-in, rotatable clothes rail to neatly hang all that laundry in limbo. The chair doubles as a stylish decor item, crafted from hardwood and finished with 100 per cent cotton upholstery. 

A global Kickstarter campaign (str.sg/pJyi) has been launched for the chair. Backers in Singapore can get it for $1,494, inclusive of shipping. The chairs are expected to ship in November. 

The campaign, which has already raised more than $1.3 million, ends on April 12, 8.59pm (Singapore time). Those who pledge to the campaign can order other inventions by Ms Giertz, such as a whimsical side table that looks like a spool of embroidery thread. 

The Laundry Chair has quickly gone viral in design-forward internet spaces. One X user commented: “This is great because I literally always throw my clothes on the chair in my room.”

On TikTok, another user wrote: “I would definitely put blankets or throws on it.”

Taking a cue from the Laundry Chair, here are five other visually striking, problem-solving pieces of home decor trending in Singapore’s design scene. 

Modular, metal shelving from USM

Swiss brand USM’s Haller modular storage solution has been sold since the 1960s, but the adaptable metal shelving system has seen a boom in popularity in the last five years.

In January, interior design and landscaping magazine Architectural Digest declared the brand’s shelving systems – designed by influential Swiss architect Fritz Haller and engineer Paul Scharer – to be the ultimate flex for Gen Z. 

Notably, Haller components made in the 1960s are still compatible with parts manufactured by the brand today. 

Base pieces – made of chrome-plated brass ball joints, connecting tubes and panels – include a dresser, media console and desk. The idea is that home owners can customise a storage system to fit any space and vibe.

Info: Local retailer Club Modular (clubmodular.com.sg) specialises in USM solutions. Luxury design store Grafunkt (str.sg/nPSv) also added the brand to its selection in March; price available on request. 

Ornamental stool from Nathan Home

“I believe in design that makes your life better by making it more beautiful,” home-grown designer Nathan Yong told The Straits Times in 2025 following the launch of his furniture and lifestyle brand, Nathan Home. 

He says function is important, but function alone does not make a home. Homes should exude beauty and restoration, and be a place to relax and connect with loved ones.

This philosophy is distilled into his Drum Stool ($280). Its cylindrical form, both simple and playful, is crafted from mild steel in a palette of black, rust-red, white and grassy green. The versatile stool multitasks as a seat, side table or standalone sculptural accent.

Info: str.sg/bq3v 

Subtly Singaporean lighting from Onlewo

Local design house Onlewo creates design-centric prints and fabrics that pay a lush, subtle tribute to Singapore culture. Apart from small gifts and home items such as tableware, the brand also offers bigger home decor pieces, such as its Abundance Kueh Tile lamp ($320).

The table lamp features a pattern reminiscent of classic Peranakan tiles, and was inspired by a multicultural feast of treats from kueh tutu to pineapple tarts to ladoo. 

Info: str.sg/jyPw 

Doughnut-shaped lamp from Ikea

Swiss home decor and lifestyle brand Ikea is the defining name in mass-market home retail. 

But the brand also regularly collaborates with influential global designers on special products and limited collections. In 2022, it teamed with Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis to launch the Varmblixt lighting range. 

This includes a doughnut-shaped lamp ($69.90) that took the internet by storm with its striking curves, orange hue and vintage look. 

It can be used in several ways – on the wall, for instance, or on the sideboard as a statement piece. Enterprising social media users have “hacked” it by opening it up and applying electrical tape. This results in cosy, diffused lighting that makes it look like a glowing stone. 

In January, Ikea announced it will launch a smart version of the Varmblixt lamp, which can toggle between 12 preset colours. It can also be connected to the Ikea Home Smart app to access more than 40 shades, as well as dimming functions.

The smart Varmblixt lamp is expected to arrive in Ikea’s Singapore stores later in 2026. 

Info: str.sg/FCjh  

Sculptural bookend from Detail

The Slope Bookend ($129) from Japanese design brand Detail is a three-in-one piece: It stores books, keeps them from falling off the edge and is also statement decor.

This is thanks to the sliding mango wood ball that keeps books in place. The minimalist design of the sloped stainless-steel frame is eye-catching and versatile. It is large enough to display vinyl records instead of, or in addition to, books.

Premium home decor and lifestyle brand Stacked Store offers the bookend in black, gold and silver. 

Info: str.sg/ACvb