Your first apartment. Finally independent, finally deciding for yourself where the sofa goes. But then you walk into the empty four walls and realize: somehow, stuff needs to go in here.
If you were like me, your budget is pretty thin after paying the deposit and first month's rent. Here's how to furnish a home anyway.
Set Priorities
You don't need everything right away. There are things you absolutely can't do without, and things that can wait.
What you need on day one: a bed or at least a mattress. Somewhere to sit. Basic kitchen equipment -- a pot, a pan, some plates and cutlery. Towels. Toilet paper.
What should come in the first week: a table where you can eat and work. Proper lighting. A few hangers or a shelf for clothes.
What can wait: decoration, rugs, extra chairs. Anything that's "nice to have" but not essential.
This prioritization helps stretch the budget. And it gives you time to keep an eye out for good free offerings.
Where to Start Looking
Before you rush to the nearest IKEA, look around.
Family and friends are the most obvious source. Ask around -- parents or grandparents often have things in the basement that they no longer need. An old sofa here, a shelf there.
Online platforms like PIKITUP show you what's currently being given away near you. The advantage: you can see immediately on the map how far you'd need to go.
Facebook groups are good for targeted searches. If you need a desk, search for "free desk" in your city's group.
What's Worth Getting for Free, What's Not
Some things you should look for free, others you're better off buying new.
Free works well for: shelves, tables, chairs, dressers, dishes, pots, books, decoration. These things wear slowly and are often still in perfect condition.
Be cautious with: mattresses (hygiene), upholstered furniture (can harbor pests), electrical appliances (might be defective).
With beds and mattresses, I wouldn't cut corners. You spend a third of your life in them. It doesn't have to be expensive -- IKEA has good mattresses for 100-200 francs -- but it should be new.
The Transport Challenge
You don't have a car. How do you get the stuff to your apartment?
Smaller items can be transported by public transit or bike. A chair fits on the train, a box of books on the bike.
For larger items: ask if someone can help. Parents, friends, flatmates -- someone usually has access to a car.
Mobility car-sharing vans are an option. Costs about 40-50 francs for a few hours, but if you're picking up multiple items at once, it's worth it.
Some people in the groups also offer transport services. "Will drive for gas money" or similar. That can be worthwhile.
The DIY Approach
Sometimes free items aren't perfect. A shelf is okay, but the color doesn't match. A chair is sturdy, but the upholstery is worn through.
With a bit of handiwork, you can upgrade many things. Repainting a shelf isn't hard. Reupholstering a chair is doable if you can sew.
YouTube has tutorials for almost everything. "Paint BILLY bookshelf," "reupholster chair DIY" -- give it a try.
It costs time, but little money. And you end up with a one-of-a-kind piece.
The Psychological Side
Your first apartment doesn't have to be perfect from the start.
It's okay to sit on the floor for a while because the sofa isn't there yet. It's okay to live out of moving boxes while you're looking for shelves. It's okay to leave walls bare until you know what should go on them.
The apartment grows with you. In six months, you'll have things you don't even know you need yet. And you'll get rid of things you currently think you need.
Give yourself time.
What I Would Do Differently in Hindsight
I would have bought less and searched more. Out of impatience, I sometimes bought things at IKEA that I would have seen for free a week later.
I would have started looking earlier. Checking the groups before moving in, getting a feel for the market.
I would have asked more people. Some have things in the basement they don't even think of themselves. But when you ask, they're happy to get rid of them.
Conclusion
Furnishing your first apartment is a challenge, but also an opportunity. You can learn to get by with less. You can consume sustainably before sustainability becomes a lifestyle trend.
Take your time, look around, be creative. In a few months, you'll be sitting in an apartment that feels like home -- and that didn't drive you into financial ruin.
On PIKITUP, you might already find your first piece of furniture. Check it out.
How did you furnish your first apartment? Tell me about it -- hello@pikitup.ch