The Real Office Dilemma: Furnished or Bare Space in River Valley? 

After helping dozens of businesses find their ideal workspace in River Valley over the past five years, I’ve noticed one question comes up repeatedly: “Should we go with a ready-to-use furnished office or start from scratch with a bare space?” It’s not just about furniture—it’s about how your workspace impacts everything from your company culture to your monthly cash flow. 

River Valley’s Office Landscape: More Complex Than It Seems 

River Valley isn’t just another business district. Tucked between the crazy nightlife of Clarke Quay and the shopping madness of Orchard Road, it’s got a unique vibe that attracts specific types of companies. I’ve noticed legal firms and creative agencies particularly love this area—probably because clients can easily grab dinner or drinks nearby after meetings. 

Last week, I showed a bare unit at Valley Point to a design agency. The owner walked in, immediately noticed the natural light flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and declared, “This is it. We need that light for our creative work.” No amount of pre-installed furniture would have mattered to him—the space itself was the selling point. 

When Ready-Made Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t) 

I still remember Sophia, who runs a boutique PR firm. She needed an office yesterday and had zero time to deal with furniture deliveries or internet installations. For her, the fully furnished option at UE Square made perfect sense, even though it cost about 35% more per square foot. 

“I closed a client on Tuesday and needed to host them by Friday,” she told me over coffee at Toby’s Estate last month. “That fully furnished office literally saved my business.” 

But then there’s Michael’s architecture firm. They took a bare 2,400 sq ft space at The Riverwalk and transformed it into something you’d see in Architectural Digest. “We spent S$85,000 on the fit-out,” Michael admitted. “But our clients expect us to have an impressive office. We couldn’t achieve that with someone else’s furniture choices.” 

The Numbers Game Nobody Talks About 

Here’s something most property agents won’t tell you: in River Valley, the premium for fully furnished offices has actually dropped since the pandemic. Before COVID, you’d pay about 40-50% more for furnished spaces. Now, with so many companies downsizing or going hybrid, that premium has shrunk to about 25-30% in most buildings. 

I recently compared two similar-sized offices in the same building at Great World City: 

This means if you’re planning to stay less than 2.5 years, furnished often makes financial sense. Anything longer, and bare spaces usually win the cost battle—assuming you can handle the upfront investment. 

Hidden Factors Most People Miss 

During a recent viewing at Martin Modern, a potential tenant asked me, “What about the air-con?” It was a brilliant question most people forget. In bare River Valley offices, you’re typically responsible for maintaining the air conditioning units yourself. In furnished offices, it’s usually covered. 

Same goes for those annoying ceiling light replacements, carpet cleaning, and toilet issues. With furnished spaces, you make one call and it’s handled. With bare spaces, congratulations—you’re now unofficially in the facilities management business! 

I’ve watched clients waste countless hours dealing with internet providers, furniture delivery delays, and contractor disputes when setting up bare offices. One client at River Valley Point spent three weeks working from Starbucks because their internet installation kept getting delayed. That’s three weeks of productivity they’ll never get back. 

My Honest Take: It Depends On Your Business Personality 

After years in this business, I’ve noticed it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about who you are as a company. Control freaks (I say this lovingly) should always go bare. If you have strong opinions about your space and brand image, you’ll never be happy with someone else’s furniture choices. 

Meanwhile, pragmatic businesses focused on their core operations rather than their environment usually thrive in furnished spaces. As one tech CEO at River Place told me, “I don’t care what my office looks like as long as it works and my team is comfortable.” 

Ready to explore your options in River Valley without the sales pitch? MatchOffice has the most comprehensive database of both furnished and bare spaces in the area, complete with transparent pricing and virtual tours that actually show you what you’re getting. Visit MatchOffice today, and find an office that works for your business, not someone else’s idea of what your business needs.