When I moved to Zurich three years ago, I was standing in an empty apartment with a not-quite-full bank account. The solution seemed simple: IKEA. But then a colleague told me he'd put together half his living room for free. I was skeptical – until I tried it myself.
Today I don't want to write a perfectly polished guide, just share what I've learned. Maybe it'll help you save a few francs and do something good for the environment along the way.
My First Find: A Sofa Nobody Wanted
It was a Saturday afternoon in September. I was scrolling through a local Facebook group and saw a post: "Grey sofa, needs to go today." The photos looked okay, so I wrote spontaneously. Two hours later I was sitting on my "new" sofa.
The thing had a few signs of wear, sure. But it was comfortable, clean, and – most importantly – it was free. The previous owner was moving abroad and simply didn't have time to sell it. His time pressure was my luck.
That experience flipped a switch in me. Since then I've barely bought any new furniture. Not because I'm cheap, but because it's simply unnecessary.
Where the Swiss Give Away Their Stuff
Switzerland is a wealthy country. That also means: A lot gets thrown away. But more and more people are rethinking and giving things away instead of disposing of them. The question is just where you find these offers.
In the beginning I mainly used Facebook groups. That works, but has a big disadvantage: You have to constantly scroll and hope to be online at the right time. If you're an hour late responding, the good sofa is already taken.
Then there are platforms like tutti.ch, where you can filter for "free". Also okay, but cluttered and full of spam.
What bothered me most: I never knew what was currently available near me. I didn't want to drive across the city for a chair. That's why we built PIKITUP – a map where you can immediately see what's being given away around you. But more on that later.
What You Can Realistically Find for Free
Let me be honest: You won't find a designer sofa every day. But you'll be surprised at what gets given away.
Furniture is the classic. IKEA shelves feel like they're on every corner – no wonder, half of Switzerland has a Billy at home. Tables, chairs, dressers, sometimes even entire bedroom sets. The quality varies, but with some patience you'll find real gems.
Electronics are trickier. Nobody's giving away their new iPhone. But working TVs, older laptops, printers, kitchen appliances – all of that shows up regularly. Important: Always test before you take it home.
Clothing and books are almost always available. Children's clothes especially get passed on constantly because kids outgrow them so fast. Books too – who reads a novel twice?
The Right Timing Makes the Difference
After a few months I noticed patterns. At the end of the month, the listings practically explode. It makes sense: Moves usually happen at the turn of the month, and suddenly furniture needs to go that doesn't fit in the new place.
Spring is also interesting. Spring cleaning is a real thing – in March and April people clear out what accumulated over the winter.
And then there are the university cities. Zurich, Bern, Lausanne – when the semester starts in August and September, thousands of students move. Many give away what they no longer need. At the same time, newcomers are looking for affordable furnishings. A perfect cycle, if you know when to look.
What I Look for Before Taking Something
In the beginning I was too enthusiastic. If something was free, I took it. The result: An apartment full of stuff I didn't need. A floor lamp that suited my style like ketchup suits fondue. A shelf I had no space for.
Now I ask myself three questions before every pickup:
Do I actually need this, or do I just think it's cool because it's free? This distinction is more important than you'd think. Free is no reason to fill up your basement with junk.
Do I have space for it? Sounds obvious, but I once picked up a bookshelf that didn't fit through my apartment door. That was an educational afternoon.
How will I transport it? Getting a free sofa is great – but if you don't have a car and your nearest friend with a station wagon lives in Basel, it gets complicated. Sometimes it's worth renting a van. Sometimes the item isn't worth the effort.
The Transport Problem
Speaking of transport: That's probably the biggest hurdle when collecting free furniture. Not everyone has a car, and even if you do – a KALLAX shelf doesn't fit in every trunk.
What helped me: Building a network. I now know two or three people with big cars who I can ask when needed. In return I help with carrying or bring beer next time. That's how community works.
For bigger items there are also Mobility vans that you can rent by the hour. Costs maybe 40-50 francs for half a day, but if you're getting furniture worth several hundred francs, that's still a good deal.
Why I Started Giving Things Away Myself
At some point I had more stuff than space. And instead of disposing of it, I gave it away. That was almost as satisfying as finding things.
It's a good feeling knowing that your old desk is now at a student's place who can't afford a new one. Or that your finished books end up with someone who'll actually read them.
Switzerland throws away millions of tons of usable items every year. That's not only ecologically questionable, it's also simply a shame. Every piece of furniture that gets reused instead of disposed of is a small victory.
What I Want to Leave You With
If you've never looked for free stuff, just give it a try. You don't have to furnish your entire apartment this way right away. Start with something small – maybe a bookshelf or a few plants.
You'll be surprised how much gets given away in your neighborhood. And you'll meet people who think similarly to you. People who'd rather share than throw away. That's a community I'm happy to be part of.
On PIKITUP we're trying to make exactly that easier. A map showing you what's currently available around you. No scrolling through endless groups, no back-and-forth messaging. Just look, go, and take.
But no matter which platform you use – the most important step is the first one. So: What are you waiting for?
Do you have your own stories about free finds? I'd love to hear them. Write to me at hello@pikitup.ch