Good design isn’t just about looking nice; the design should be functional and practical, it should be a clever way to achieve the item’s purpose. And with so many smart lifestyle products on its register, there’s always something new and interesting to discover at Muji. And this month, we join Muji Singapore in celebrating their online store’s (muji.com.sg) one-year anniversary! By Adele Chan
AROMA DIFFUSER, $89 (S) / $139 (L)
I’m a strong believer in smells being a big part of the quality of life — especially at home and in the office. Imagine if you live above the rubbish collection dump or the communal incense bin, or if your colleague has a particular odour… an aroma diffuser will allow you to breathe again in peace. Muji has two sizes of electric diffusers that are safe and easy to use, and very discreet. Ultrasonic waves vaporise water and the essential oil in the tank to produce a cool, dry, fragrant mist, and there’s a useful timer that you can set to 30/60/120/180 minutes, as well as built-in LED lights with two stages of brightness.
POCKET IN BAG, $7.90
If your bag’s a mess of random smaller pouches, or worse, a jumble of things with no order, it’s high time to get organised. Muji has perfected the art of a “bag- in-bag”; personally, I love this particular pocket bag which has two useful loops that can hang neatly around the arms of any tote bag. And I can think of a million uses for this pouch: makeup, medicine, electronic peripherals, stationery, money, cards, tissue paper…
2WAYS FOLDABLE UMBRELLA, $33
You’ll never go wrong with a classic black umbrella; and even better if it’s this intelligent design from Muji. Keep it extended in the hand when you sense rain so it opens quickly, or fold it in half for more compact storage in your handbag. It has a convenient wrist strap and comes with a cover that also snaps in place at both lengths.
CRAYON CLOTH USE, $9
This pack of 16 crayons colour easily and beautifully on fabrics — like Muji’s plain cloth bags — and they seal into the material when ironed on. It’s a fun way for both kids and adults to personalise simple fabrics.
LINEN CARDIGANS, $59 EACH
Linen is one of the best materials to wear in Singapore; the material wicks moisture away from the skin to keep it cool in the summer, it is smooth to the touch, and gets softer the more it is washed. Muji’s linen cardigan comes in a classic crew and V-neck, and in neutral hues like this light grey that transcends all seasons. Treat it well and it will become a wardrobe staple that you’ll turn to time and time again.
PULP BOARD BOX WITH CASTER, $79
Muji’s series of Craft Pulp Board Storage Boxes are a wonderfully cost effective way to organise any space. This shelving combination can be used vertically or horizontally, and includes movable shelves and a handlebar on its side. It’s neat, compact, highly useful, and best of all, affordable.
