You don’t need to make massive renovations to your home just to make it feel truly yours. Oftentimes, thoughtful upgrades like replacing that noisy ceiling fan or investing in a washer-dryer combo can make a big difference, too. But anyone who has done a big appliance haul will tell you that the cost of these improvements can add up fast.
The good news is that you don’t have to splurge all at once and max out your credit card in a singular shopping spree. Whether you’re shopping at Best Denki, COURTS, Harvey Norman, or Gain City, you can opt for flexible payment options to stretch your dollar.
From a fancy new projector to the handheld vacuum cleaner that you’ve always wanted, here are some smart upgrades to your home appliances you should invest in, and how the DBS Instalment Payment Plan can help you afford them on your own terms.
P.S. You can score even more savings when you take advantage of the limited time promotions, read to the end for more details!
1. Energy-efficient washer/dryer combo
The reality of many Singaporean homes, especially HDB flats, is that service yards are compact and drying space is severely limited. In this case, a washer-dryer combo kills two birds with one stone: it handles the entire laundry process from start to finish, and it frees you from needing to put out a clothes rack.
Newer models, like LG’s AI Direct Drive Front Load Washer Dryer (S$2,342 from Harvey Norman), also boast faster spin cycles, steam cleaning features, and a turbo wash mode that finishes washing your clothes in just 39 minutes. You can also connect it to the LG ThinQ app to track wash cycles or start washing the dirty clothes you loaded in the morning.
2. Smart fridge with multiple compartments
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to storing leftovers, meal prep, and grocery hauls in the fridge. This is where having a smart fridge that can adapt to your needs becomes a game-changer, and we’re not just talking about ice makers.
Many fridges now offer convertible compartments that can be configured to your exact specifications, so you don’t have to worry about laying that bottle of soy sauce on the side. Some fridges, like this Panasonic Multi Door Fridge (S$4,699 from Best Denki), even have a dedicated compartment to store and softly freeze meat and fish for up to 7 days without the need to defrost.
Having such flexibility will make it easier to adapt your fridge for many occasions, including a hotpot feast one night, and drinks at your crib the next.
3. Cordless stick vacuum
When it comes to cordless stick vacuums, the odds are good you already have one at home. But if the model you have isn’t your holy grail—maybe it has too small of a bin, or its battery runs out too fast, or it’s simply too heavy to hold—then perhaps you should get one sooner rather than later so that cleaning your house becomes less of a chore.
The Dyson Gen5Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum (S$1,399 from COURTS), for starters, can run for a full hour when fully charged. It also has a high-tech laser that can highlight the small pieces of dirt and dust on the floor you might have otherwise missed.
4. Wide-screen smart TV
Going out to the movies is getting really expensive these days, especially when the snacks and drinks can cost almost as much as the tickets. A wide-screen TV can bring that cinematic experience into your living room as well, minus the crowds and overpriced popcorn.
Take the LG C5 55” OLED TV (S$3,399 from COURTS) for example. The 55” wide screen and its 4K resolution will be able to transform your humble BTO living room into a space that rivals your neighbourhood cinema. It is also packed with plenty of smart features, and has a 120hz refresh rate if you want to play video games on the big screen.
5. Standing desk for your home office
A standing desk might not seem like a necessity until you realise that your back and shoulders are aching after spending 8 hours hunched over your dining table, staring at your laptop. These desks will help improve your posture, especially during long Zoom calls or even when you’re 3 hours deep into a gaming session.
For many, a no-frills standing desk, like the Urban Ambrose 120cm Height Adjustable Office Desk (S$1,239 from Harvey Norman) is more than enough. However, those who like to zhng their workspaces can even go for models with built-in USB ports, cable management features, and other accoutrements like a wireless charging pad for your smartphone.
6. Designer ceiling fan with smart controls
Image credit: Intheory Design
You don’t want to have spent tens of thousands of dollars on your aesthetic renovation, only for the theme to be broken up by a cheap, flimsy ceiling fan. Investing in a stylish fan will not only elevate the look of your home, but also improve airflow and save your energy bill as you won’t have to turn on your air conditioning as much. It also doesn’t take up any floor space at all.
Many ceiling fan models from manufacturers like KDK, available at Best Denki from S$260, are also compatible with smart home ecosystems, allowing you to turn them on with your smartphone instead of searching through your sofa cushions for the remote.
KDK also has ceiling fans like the U60FWL (S$678 from Best Denki) with built-in lights, so you don’t need to mount multiple things on your ceiling.
7. Compact dishwasher that fits in your BTO kitchen
The habit of handwashing dishes is something that has been instilled in most of us since we were young. But as time becomes more precious, the convenience of having a dishwasher is unbeatable. Plus, many dishwashers are compact enough to fit into the kitchen of smaller BTO flats without compromising on space, making them surprisingly practical for homes in 2025.
Besides the convenience of hands-free cleaning, dishwashers often use less water than handwashing. Many models are also really quiet, and you’ll barely hear a peep from the machine if you let it run overnight.
The Fisher & Paykel Series 7 Contemporary Double DishDrawer Dishwasher (S$3,200 from Gain City) even has 2 half-sized dishwashers stacked on top of each other, so you can wash one load of dishes while you load another. Both compartments can still accommodate full-size dinner plates, and it is also Wi-Fi compatible, so you can control it remotely.
8. Multi-zone air conditioning system
Image credit: The Smart Local
A strong air conditioning system is an essential in Singaporean homes, no thanks to the sweltering heat and humidity that rage all year round. Multi-split systems let you cool specific rooms without wasting energy on empty spaces, like the living area or home office during the day and the bedrooms at night.
Newer air conditioners, like the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Rocket Series that start from S$1,546, also have smart systems built in, offering features like Wi-Fi connectivity so you can cool down your home remotely before arriving home. Said series is available at Gain City.
Stretch your dollar with the DBS Instalment Payment Plan
All of these upgrades may seem like splurges, especially if you’re eyeing all of them at once. But over time, they pay for themselves in convenience, comfort, and an overall improvement in your quality of life. And with the DBS Instalment Payment Plan (IPP), you can afford to buy what you need today and pay later in equal monthly instalments.
The DBS IPP offers 0% interest and S$0 processing fees for payments across a period from 3 months up to 48 months, and best of all, it’s 100% easy to use. All you need to do is to make a minimum purchase at participating in-store or online merchants (minimum spend amount vary across merchants).
While said merchants have their own offers ongoing that you can take advantage of, from now till 31st July 2025, you can save even more with these DBS IPP promotions:
- Get S$60 off a minimum spend of S$1,800
- Get S$100 off a minimum spend of S$2,500
The DBS Instalment Payment Plan is also available at plenty of the usual home electronics retailers such as Best Denki, COURTS, Gain City, and Harvey Norman. If you’re looking for decor knick-knacks, you can check out e-commerce sites like Shopee, Lazada, Amazon, and more. The DBS IPP is exclusive for payment using DBS/POSB Credit Cards, so if you don’t have one already, this is a sign to apply for one today.
All DBS Credit Cardmembers will also be able to unlock a cornucopia of deals on the DBS PayLah! app (App Store | Google Play). All you need to do is head to the PayLater icon on the app to peruse all of the available deals at your disposal.
Discover more DBS Instalment Payment Plan Promotions
This post was brought to you by DBS.
All prices and values are accurate at the point of posting.
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