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I furnished my student room with second-hand finds, and it’s still what I’d tell anyone to try first. Danes sell good furniture cheaply, and in August half the city is giving things away.
Quick answer
Get the big, heavy things second-hand: beds, desks, wardrobes and sofas are on DBA and Facebook Marketplace for a fraction of the new price, and often free in August when students move out. Buy new only what’s cheap to buy new or unhygienic second-hand, like a mattress and bedding. For new furniture delivered to your door, compare IKEA with budget online shops like vidaXL.
What you actually need
Many Danish rooms come empty. A practical minimum for the first month:
- A bed frame and a new mattress
- Duvet (dyne), pillow and two sets of bedding
- A desk and chair; you’ll study at home more than you expect
- A lamp, because Danish winters are dark by 4 pm
- Somewhere to store clothes
- Curtains or blinds, for privacy and the long summer evenings
Everything else can wait until you know how you use the room.
Free and second-hand
Second-hand furniture is normal in Denmark, and quality is good.
- DBA (Den Blå Avis) is the main Danish marketplace. Search in Danish: “seng” (bed), “skrivebord” (desk), “kontorstol” (office chair), “reol” (shelf), “gives væk” (giving away).
- Facebook Marketplace and your city’s student groups are full of furniture at the start and end of each semester.
- Genbrug (charity shops) like Røde Kors and Kirkens Korshær sell furniture cheaply. Bigger stores often deliver for a fee.
- Your kollegium often has a Facebook group where people leaving give things away.
The catch is transport. Rent a van by the hour from a petrol station or a car-sharing service, or ask the seller whether they can deliver. Split the van with friends who are also moving in.
New, on a budget
When you can’t find it second-hand, buy new from budget shops:
| Best for | Watch out | |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Mattresses, bedding, storage, small things; stores in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg | Delivery costs extra; queues in August |
| vidaXL | Cheap desks, shelves, bed frames and garden furniture delivered to your door | Self-assembly; check reviews on each product |
| JYSK | Bedding, duvets and mattresses on sale | Furniture quality varies |
vidaXL
vidaXL is an online shop with a huge range of cheap furniture and home items, delivered in Denmark. It’s useful when you don’t have a car to get to IKEA and want a desk or shelf delivered flat-packed to your door.
Saving more
- Wait for August and January sales, and for when students move out in June and December.
- Buy a new mattress, but a second-hand bed frame.
- Check whether your room is furnished before you buy anything. Many kollegier include a bed and desk.
- Keep receipts for anything expensive. If you have contents insurance, you’ll need them for a claim.
FAQ
Are student rooms in Denmark furnished?
Some are. Many kollegier include basic furniture, while private rooms are often empty. Ask before you sign.
Where can I get free furniture in Denmark?
Search “gives væk” on DBA, and join Facebook groups for your city and kollegium. Students moving out give away a lot in June, August and December.
How do I transport furniture without a car?
Rent a van by the hour from a petrol station or car-sharing service, or pay the seller or shop for delivery.
Last checked: October 2026.