While both Castlery and Hipvan are Singapore-based brands that champion stylish, mid-range furniture for modern homes, they cater to slightly different tastes. Castlery focuses on a curated, modern minimalist aesthetic with strong Scandinavian influences and a reputation for solid craftsmanship, whereas Hipvan offers a broader, more eclectic range of contemporary styles at slightly more accessible price points.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right home furniture retailer for your space.
Castlery: The Modern Minimalist Choice
Castlery is a modern furniture brand that has gained international popularity for its stylish, functional pieces that feel both contemporary and timeless. Their collections are tightly curated to fit a modern minimalist aesthetic, making it easy to create a cohesive look. Castlery is a go-to for young professionals and urban dwellers looking for quality furniture that blends clean lines with practical design without a luxury-level price tag.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection of home furniture, including sofas, beds, dining sets, storage solutions, and home accessories. Their focus is on creating a complete, styled home look.
- Style/vibe: Modern minimalism with a strong Scandinavian influence. Expect simple silhouettes, neutral color palettes, functional forms, and clean, uncluttered designs.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible. Sofas generally start around $799, dining tables from $499, and major bedroom pieces often fall between $300 and $1,200.
- Quality: Known for durable construction, often using solid wood frames and engineered wood with high-quality upholstery. Their pieces are designed to be long-lasting staples.
- Fit & Sizing: Many pieces are designed with urban living in mind, offering modular and space-efficient options perfect for apartments and smaller homes.
- Shopping Experience: Primarily an online experience with a sleek, user-friendly website. They also operate showrooms in select cities for an in-person look and feel.
- Delivery & Assembly: Offers delivery and assembly services for convenience, with clear communication on lead times and scheduling.
- Return policy: A flexible return policy makes online purchasing less stressful, though conditions apply for custom items.
- Sustainability: The brand emphasizes responsible sourcing of materials and works to maintain transparent and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
Castlery is an excellent choice for a refined, modern home, offering durable and stylish pieces that create a cohesive and sophisticated space.
Shop Castlery: castlery.com
Hipvan: The Trendy & Versatile Option
Hipvan focuses on making designer furniture and home decor accessible to everyone. Also based in Singapore, this brand offers a wide and varied collection of trendy, functional pieces that cater to diverse modern tastes. Hipvan is perfect for design-conscious homeowners who want stylish and up-to-date furniture without committing to a single aesthetic, serving as a one-stop-shop for furnishing an entire home with flair.
- Product mix: Extensive range includes sofas, beds, dining sets, storage units, a strong selection of lighting, and a wide array of home accessories and decor.
- Style/vibe: Contemporary with a mix of eclectic styles, including Scandinavian, industrial, and minimalist influences. Their collections feature warm wood tones, varied textures, and sleek designs.
- Price point: Mid-range, often positioned as slightly more budget-friendly than Castlery. Sofas typically start around $699, and dining tables can be found from $399.
- Quality: Hipvan uses quality materials like solid and engineered wood, along with durable performance fabrics. The focus is on providing good value and lasting style.
- Fit & Sizing: Offers a great variety of sizes, from compact furniture for small apartments to more oversized pieces for larger living spaces, with helpful size guides online.
- Shopping Experience: A straightforward online platform featuring curated collections and styling inspiration. Like Castlery, they also have physical showrooms.
- Delivery & Assembly: Provides standard delivery and assembly services to ensure a hassle-free setup process for customers.
- Return policy: Flexible return policies give shoppers confidence in their online furniture purchases.
- Sustainability: Shares a commitment to eco-conscious practices through responsible sourcing, sustainable materials, and eco-friendly packaging where possible.
Hipvan shines for those who want on-trend, versatile furniture at a great value, making it easy to create a personalized and stylish home.
Shop Hipvan: hipvan.com
Castlery vs. Hipvan Comparison
Price Comparison
Both brands operate in the accessible mid-range furniture market, but there are slight differences. Hipvan often comes in at a lower price point, with sofas starting around $699 and dining tables from $399. In comparison, Castlery's entry-level sofas are closer to $799, with dining tables beginning at $499.
While the initial prices differ slightly, both brands provide excellent value for the quality. They also frequently run sales and promotional deals, so the final price you pay could be very comparable depending on when you shop. Overall, Hipvan may offer more options for those on a stricter budget, while Castlery's slightly higher prices reflect a focus on specific materials and curated design.
Style & Aesthetic
The primary difference between the two brands lies in their design direction. Castlery is committed to a modern, minimalist look heavily inspired by Scandinavian design. Its collections are cohesive, featuring neutral palettes and clean lines, making it easy to furnish a room with a consistent, sophisticated aesthetic.
Hipvan is more stylistically diverse. While still contemporary, its catalog includes pieces with industrial, eclectic, and boho touches alongside minimalist and Scandinavian designs. This makes Hipvan a great choice for shoppers who like to mix and match different styles or who are looking for a statement piece that stands out. If you want a perfectly coordinated look, Castlery is your guide, if you prefer more variety and trend-driven options, Hipvan is a fantastic playground.
Quality & Construction
Both brands prioritize quality materials that deliver durability without the markup of high-end retailers. They commonly use solid wood and sturdy engineered wood for frames and legs, along with high-performance and resilient upholstery fabrics. Castlery often emphasizes its craftsmanship and details, which may give some pieces a slightly more premium and long-lasting feel.
Hipvan also focuses on creating well-made furniture, but its primary goal is to balance style, quality, and affordability. Customers for both brands can expect dependable furniture built for modern life, though those prioritizing fine construction details might lean towards Castlery.
Shopping Experience
Both companies are digitally native and have invested in creating smooth online shopping experiences. Their websites are intuitive, featuring detailed product pages with dimensions, high-quality images, and customer reviews. Both also offer physical showrooms in select cities, which is a major benefit for customers who want to see and test furniture before buying.
The service offerings, including delivery, optional assembly, and customer support, are comparable. The choice here comes down to personal preference for website layout and the specific styles featured in their curated online collections.
Sustainability & Ethics
Sustainability is a core consideration for both Castlery and Hipvan. They demonstrate a commitment to responsible business practices through eco-conscious sourcing of materials and efforts to make their supply chains more transparent. While they may not have the extensive certifications of some luxury environmental brands, both are making genuine efforts to reduce their impact and create products that are both stylish and conscientiously made.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands are excellent choices for modern furniture, but they serve different priorities and design sensibilities.
Choose Castlery if:
- You love a sleek, modern minimalist aesthetic with a clear Scandinavian influence.
- You want to build a cohesive, coordinated look with timeless pieces.
- You are focused on craftsmanship and are willing to pay a small premium for it.
- You are furnishing an urban apartment and need stylish, space-efficient designs.
Choose Hipvan if:
- You prefer a wider variety of contemporary styles, from industrial to eclectic.
- Your budget is a primary concern, and you're looking for the best possible value.
- You enjoy mixing and matching items to create a personalized, trendy look.
- You are looking for a one-stop-shop that also includes a broad selection of lighting and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Castlery or Hipvan cheaper?
Generally, Hipvan is slightly more affordable. For example, their sofas and dining tables often have lower starting prices than Castlery's. However, both are considered mid-range brands and offer great value for their price point.
Which has better quality furniture?
Both brands offer good quality construction with durable materials like solid wood and performance fabrics. Castlery places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship details, which gives it a slight edge in perceived premium quality and longevity for some customers.
What is the style difference between Castlery and Hipvan?
Castlery has a focused modern minimalist and Scandinavian aesthetic with clean lines and neutral tones. Hipvan offers a more diverse, eclectic range of contemporary styles, including industrial and warmer designs, making it more suitable for mixing different aesthetics.
Are Castlery and Hipvan good for small apartments?
Yes, both brands are excellent for urban living. Castlery specializes in modular and space-efficient designs perfect for smaller rooms. Hipvan offers a wide array of compact furniture options across its various collections.
Do both brands have showrooms?
Yes, both Castlery and Hipvan operate physical showrooms primarily in Singapore and select other cities, allowing customers to experience the furniture in person before making a purchase.
What are their return policies like?
Both brands offer flexible return policies to cater to their largely online customer base. This helps shoppers feel more secure when buying furniture without seeing it first. It's always best to check their websites for the most current policy details as terms can vary.
Do Castlery and Hipvan only sell furniture?
No, while furniture is their main focus, both have expanded their product lines. Both offer home decor and accessories, but Hipvan also has a particularly wide selection of lighting fixtures.
Which brand is more sustainable?
Both Castlery and Hipvan are committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing. They use eco-friendly materials and work towards transparent supply chains. Neither is an overtly "eco-brand," but both are consciously making efforts to be more responsible, making them solid choices for environmentally aware shoppers.
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