Have you ever looked at your spare room and thought it could be earning its keep? Turns out, some of the most interesting businesses in Singapore aren’t in commercial spaces like malls or shophouses. There’s no signboard or walk-in traffic, just an address you get when you book and a living space that does double-duty.
We all know about home cafes, which have exploded in popularity over the last few years. But here are 8 unique home-based businesses you might not know, from salons to art studios.
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1. Cosmic Rays Comics & Records: 10,000 vinyls under one roof
Image credit: shannonkreissl via TikTok
PSA:This home-based shop is currently having a moving out sale before fully shifting to its Smith Street location. Catch them before 23rd October to get your hands on some highly discounted vinyls.
If you’re an audiophile, you could easily lose hours in Cosmic Rays Comics & Records. Operating out of an HDB flat in Bedok Reservoir, this shop is home to a collection of over 10,000 vinyl records. It has everything from old-school hip hop to rock and R&B, and even some wildcards like Cantonese classics thrown in.
Stepping into a shop of over 10,000 records might sound overwhelming, but fear not! The owner actually has an organisational system making it a lot easier to find what you’re looking for. And if you don’t know what that is, he is also highly knowledgeable and ready to give you some personalised recommendations so you can leave with the perfect vinyl for you.
Prices for second-hand vinyls typically range from $30 to $60 depending on the state of the record, but most are kept in very good condition.
For those who can’t make it down to the shop, he’s also a highly-rated seller on Carousell, but there’s something special about physically thumbing through thousands of vinyls looking for the perfect find.
Address: 601 Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 470601
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 9026 5445 | Cosmic Rays Comics & Records Instagram | Carousell
2. FM.SALONSG: professional hairstyling in a Pasir Ris HDB
Image credit: fm.salonsg via Instagram
The experience of going to a commercial salon can sometimes be overwhelming, with multiple patrons and stylists constantly buzzing around. FM.SALONSG gets rid of that commotion with a serene experience all from the comfort of your stylist’s home.
Owner Nisyah Abdat is a professionally trained hairstylist who has been running a home salon since 2018. She transformed one room of her Pasir Ris HDB into a dedicated studio with two styling seats, a hairwash station, and salon mirrors and lighting. This private space allows customers to get their hair done in peace, with an emphasis on being hijabi-friendly.
She offers a range of styles, from a simple wash and blow to complex technical colouring and even K-Gloss hair treatment. And with no GST or hidden charges, an afternoon of pampering and styling here is guaranteed to be easier on your wallet than going to a commercial salon.
Bookings are by appointment only and can be made through WhatsApp.
Address: 247 Pasir Ris Street 21, #05-147, Singapore 510247
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 9741 6434 | FM.SALONSG Instagram
3. The Long Weekend Pizza: wood-fire oven in a front garden
Image credit: Hayes Hyungjun Kim via Google Maps
Wood-fired ovens have become a coveted staple in the pizza-making process, with their high heat imparting that sought-after smoky flavour we’ve come to associate with artisanal pizzas. The Long Weekend Pizza operates a wood-fired oven right in their front garden, serving freshly-fired pizzas all weekend long from their East Coast landed home.
People rave about their mushroom & truffle oil pizza for its earthy and aromatic flavours, and their unique ratatouille pizza which will have you re-enacting the iconic scene from the film of the same name. Their pizzas go from $17 to $23, making them more reasonably priced compared to what some restaurants are putting on the market.
The Long Weekend Pizza opens Fridays to Sundays from 5pm to 9pm. Preorders can be placed Tuesday onwards for collection that weekend. Simply send them a WhatsApp with your full name, order, and preferred timeslot, and make payment on the day of collection. Due to the high volume of orders and quick turnaround times, customers are encouraged to arrive promptly for their allocated timeslot.
Address: 61 St. Patrick’s Road, Singapore 424174
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 5pm to 9pm
Contact: 8913 0331 | The Long Weekend Pizza Instagram
4. Bar59: from tipsy teasing to serious side hustle
Image credit: @59 via Google Maps
Bar59 owner Leon has always loved hosting, with the large marble island in his Serangoon HDB being the perfect anchor around which to have friends and family. It was on one of these nights when a friend jokingly created the Google Maps listing Bar59, posting a picture of one of Leon’s drinks. To their surprise, Google approved it, and thus Leon’s home bar was born.
Bar59 takes its inspiration from Asian cuisine, itself an amalgamation of many different cultures. Leon’s cocktails are rooted in his Peranakan heritage but reach across borders, leading to unique specialty concoctions like his Buah Keluak Old Fashioned and Ang Ku Sour.
Seatings are capped at 20 attendees, with people congregating around that marble island or perching on camping chairs or sofas. The home’s dark tones and low-level ambient lighting make this intimate experience truly feels like stepping into a hidden speakeasy.
Image credit: bar59sg.com
To further share his love for mixology, Leon hosts cocktail workshops every other month. With an ever-changing theme, this hands-on tasting session explains the thought process of crafting each drink and unravels the theory behind why we like what we like.
Leon’s infectious passion comes through in everything he puts on the menu. If you’d like to spend a night at this intimate cocktail spot, or attend one of their workshops, Bar59 is strictly by reservation only with no walk-ins. Reservations can be made on their website or via Instagram DM.
Address: 539 Serangoon North Avenue 4, #01-01, Singapore 550539
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: Bar59 Instagram | website
5. This and That SG: like raiding your mum’s closet
Image credit: thisandthat.sg via Instagram
If you loved going through your mum’s closet growing up, relishing the feeling of combing through decades of treasures, you will love home-based thrift shop This and That, where Auntie Myrna sells pieces of her own collection accumulated over a lifetime. Every week, her Marine Crescent HDB transforms into a flea market for people to sift through, hunting for their prized finds.
Here you’ll find clothes, shoes, jewellery, bags, and more, spanning across eras from vintage to Y2K. And if you’re not that much of a fashion enthusiast but still appreciate the look of retro decor, there are also vintage toys, collectables, and crockery. Auntie Myrna handmakes and sells her own jewellery too, so there is really something for everyone.
For those who want to enjoy a little sweet treat while they shop, Auntie Myrna is also an avid home baker. She prepares homemade treats and cafe-style drinks for every thrifting session, making sure everyone remains well fed as they browse.
This and That transforms from a home to a community space each time they open their doors, customers leaving happy with full arms and bellies. They usually open on Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm, but check their Instagram to confirm, and keep an eye out for the occasional pop-up event!
Address: 28 Marine Crescent, Singapore 440028 (DM for unit number)
Opening hours: Check Instagram, usually every Saturday 12pm to 5pm
Contact: This and That Instagram
6. Studio Asobi: small-group pottery classes in a Hougang maisonette
Image credit: studioasobi.com
Husband and wife Kenneth and Huiwen believe life to be “a journey of exploration and a joyous adventure”. They use pottery as a form of mindful creation, putting the artist in a near meditative state. With various sculptures and installations displayed around Singapore, the professional potters opened Studio Asobi, hosting workshops from their Hougang Maisonette.
Their 3-hour Living Clay Pottery Workshop is beginner-friendly, encouraging participants to slow down and reconnect with their creativity. You can expect to learn basic pottery principles, get a guided experience on the electric potter wheel, and leave with a cup, bowl, or small planter. The sunny home studio comes with two studio cats, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
With class sizes capped at 7, you’ll get plenty of individual guidance to create an amazing and intentional piece. Workshops are eligible for SG Culture Pass, making them all the more attractive. Studio Asobi also hosts spiritual retreats and team-building workshops; see their website for more details.
Address: 705 Hougang Avenue 2, #02-265, Singapore 530705
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: Studio Asobi website | Instagram | 6557 1644 | [email protected]
7. boppingnails: customisable nail art in Toa Payoh
Image credit: bopanail via Instagram
boppingnails is a home-based nail tech operating out of a Toa Payoh HDB, offering the cutest customisable designs for reasonable prices. With manicures from $40 and additional nail art for as little as $15 depending on complexity of the design, it is an economical way to spend an afternoon of pampering.
From florals and nautical designs to characters and pop culture, she really does it all. Cherry blossoms, SMISKI and Spongebob, the list goes on. Send her a mood board before your appointment, or if you’re having trouble deciding, send her your budget and let her freestyle. Either way, you’re bound to end up with something personalised to you.
Bookings are by appointment only and can be made through her Sody page.
Address: Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 311403
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: boppingnails Instagram
8. French Cooking Lab: French pastries adapted to Singapore’s climate
Image credit: frenchcookinglab.sg
Singapore’s climate can make baking a tricky task, especially technical French baking where any bit of humidity could easily ruin a recipe. Chef Eric Peigne, the founder of French Cooking Lab, realised this, and spent months studying and tweaking familiar recipes from home to work in this environment.
Run from Chef Eric’s home kitchen in Kensington Park Condominium, French Cooking Lab offers classes in various French pastries, from baguettes and brioche to canelés and pain au chocolat. Classes are capped at 6, keeping things small and intimate, and ensuring you can properly absorb the recipes to recreate at home.
Image credit: frenchcookinglab.sg
His baguette class is a standout. After making and shaping your loaves, you get to enjoy some charcuterie on Chef Eric’s balcony with gorgeous views of the city. When the fruits of your labour are ready, Chef Eric pairs them with homemade French onion soup, giving you an authentic brasserie experience right here in Singapore.
On top of regular classes, they also host kids camps which are especially popular over the school holidays, and a domestic helper programme, teaching them the basics of French cooking and various recipes to add to their arsenal. More information can be found on their website.
Address: 8 Kensington Park Drive, #10-01, Singapore 557323
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: French Cooking Lab website | [email protected] | 8886 7039
Singapore’s unique home-based businesses
Singapore’s home-based business scene is flourishing. Whether you’re looking for a day of self-care, to pick up a new skill, or simply want a vintage wardrobe expansion, hopefully this has shown you that there are plenty of options to shop small and support local, all from the comfort of someone else’s home.
For more home inspiration:
- How to set up a home business in Singapore
- This Hougang HDB looks like a cafe
- Inside the homes of Singapore’s young entrepreneurs
Cover image adapted from: rayna via Google Maps, thisandthat.sg via Instagram, sinith Sau via Google Maps
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