Zurich is expensive. Everyone who lives here knows that. A two-room apartment easily costs 2,000 francs, and then you're supposed to furnish it too. No wonder more and more people in Zurich are getting their furniture secondhand -- and for free.
I've lived here for a few years and tried quite a bit. Not everything worked, but I've learned a lot. I'd like to share that here.
The Neighborhood Factor
Not all neighborhoods are equal when it comes to free furniture. That sounds strange at first, but it makes sense when you think about it.
In neighborhoods with lots of students and young people -- Kreis 4, Kreis 5, parts of Oerlikon -- there's constant movement. People move in, move out, switch shared apartments. Things get left behind. I got my desk from the Langstrasse area, my bookshelf from Wiedikon.
In the wealthier areas like Enge or Seefeld, things get given away too, but the competition is fiercer. Everyone here is checking tutti.ch and Facebook. When a nice piece of furniture shows up, it's gone within minutes.
I've had the most luck in the transitional neighborhoods -- Altstetten, Schwamendingen, parts of Oerlikon. Families moving, older people downsizing their households live here. The offerings might not be as trendy, but they're often better quality. My sturdiest kitchen table came from an older woman in Affoltern who was moving to a smaller apartment.
When to Search
Timing is more important than location. I learned that the hard way.
The end of the month gets wild. In Zurich, most rental contracts have notice periods ending at month's end, so moves happen in the last and first days of the month. If you look around the 28th or 29th, you'll find people desperately wanting to get rid of their furniture. Sometimes they just put things outside with a "Free" sign.
September is special in Zurich. The start of the semester means: thousands of students move into the city. The old ones leave, the new ones arrive. This creates a cycle of giving away and searching that you can benefit from.
Spring cleaning in March and April is good too. Zurich residents clear out what accumulated during winter. Not just furniture -- sports equipment, clothing, household items too.
Curbside Culture in Zurich
Zurich has an interesting culture when it comes to giving things away. In some neighborhoods, it's completely normal to put usable items outside your door. In others, you'll get strange looks.
In Wiedikon, Aussersihl, and the Langstrasse area, I've regularly made curbside finds. Shelves, chairs, sometimes even small sofas. Usually with a sign saying "Free" or "Please take." That's convenient because you don't have to ask -- but also risky because the condition is often unclear.
In the more bourgeois neighborhoods, that works less well. People here tend to use online platforms or bring things directly to the thrift store.
A tip: after rainy days, a walk around is less worthwhile. Upholstered furniture that spent a night in the rain is a write-off. Look when the weather is dry instead.
Online vs. Offline
I use both, but for different things.
Online -- whether PIKITUP, Facebook groups, or tutti -- is better for targeted searches. If you need a desk, you can filter for it and get notified as soon as one appears. You see photos, can assess the condition, and know where to go.
Offline -- meaning walks through the neighborhood -- is better for chance finds. You discover things you didn't know you needed. A plant here, a lamp there. It's also just fun if you enjoy walking around anyway.
The best times for neighborhood walks are Saturday and Sunday mornings. That's when people put out things they want picked up over the weekend.
Transport in Zurich
This is the eternal topic. Zurich is a cycling city, but a sofa doesn't fit on a bike.
If you don't have your own car -- like most people in Zurich -- there are a few options. Mobility has vans you can rent by the hour. The stations are distributed across the city; you just need to be a member. For a few furniture pieces, it usually pays off.
For smaller items, there are a few cargo bike rentals in Zurich. "Carvelo" has stations in various neighborhoods. You can easily manage a shelf or small table with that.
And then there's the classic approach: ask friends. In Zurich, pretty much everyone knows someone with a station wagon or a van. A beer or pizza as thanks, and the job's done.
What I'd Never Do Again
I've made a few mistakes you can avoid.
First: never again mattresses from the curbside. I know it's tempting, but you don't know what lives in there. Upholstered furniture in general is tricky -- a thorough vacuum and disinfection is the minimum, and even then there's a risk.
Second: don't travel too far. Once, I went from Oerlikon to Altstetten for a chair. A single chair. When I arrived, it was already gone. The trip cost me an hour of my life. Since then, I make sure the journey is worth it.
Third: don't get emotional. Just because something is free doesn't mean you need it. I went through a phase where I took all sorts of things just because they were free. The result was an overcrowded apartment. Nowadays, I always ask myself: would I pay money for this? If not, I leave it.
To Wrap Up
Zurich is expensive, but furniture doesn't have to be. With a bit of patience and the right sources, you can furnish an entire apartment without spending much. That's good for your wallet and for the environment.
On PIKITUP, we're trying to make that even easier. A map that shows you what's currently available near you. Check it out -- your next piece of furniture might already be just around the corner.
Know any secret hotspots in Zurich for free finds? Write to me at hello@pikitup.ch -- I'm happy to update the article.