I still remember my first day in the shared flat. The room was empty apart from a mattress on the floor. My bank account was practically at zero after paying the deposit. And I thought: How am I ever going to furnish this place?
Today I know: It's possible. And it barely has to cost anything.
The Reality of a Student Budget
Let's be honest: As a student, you have no money. Sure, some have wealthy parents, but most of us are juggling student loans, side jobs, and the eternal question of whether we can still afford a pizza this month.
Buying furniture is right at the bottom of the list. And that's okay. Because most of the furniture you need, someone else is giving away right now.
September is the magic time. Students who are finishing up move out. Students who are starting move in. In between lies a window where furniture changes hands -- often for free.
What You Actually Need
Before you start looking, make a list. Not what you'd like to have, but what you actually need. There's a difference.
You need: A desk. A chair. Somewhere to store clothes. A shelf for books. Maybe a small lamp.
You don't necessarily need: A sofa (you probably have a bed). A second chair (you live in the room alone). A big TV (you have a laptop).
I know people who filled their shared flat room with free stuff they never used. That's just as pointless as buying things you don't need. Free is no reason to fill your space with junk.
Timing Is Everything
The semester changeover in September is the best time. But there's an order to it.
Late August and early September: The departing students move out and give things away. Search now, not later.
Mid-September: The new students are here and looking too. Competition gets bigger.
October and later: The wave has passed. There are still offers, but fewer.
If you can, start before the semester begins. Check the local groups two weeks early, get a feel for what's available.
Where Students Should Look
Your university's Facebook groups are pure gold. Almost every university has a "marketplace" group or a free-stuff group. "ETH Boerse", "UZH Free Stuff", that kind of thing. People there have been students themselves and know how tight the budget is.
The general city groups work too, but you're competing with everyone there, not just students.
PIKITUP is practical because you can immediately see what's nearby. No endless scrolling, no back-and-forth messages. If something is nearby, you go and pick it up.
The notice boards in university buildings are often forgotten. Old-school, but sometimes there are flyers with furniture offers. Especially in student halls.
Transport Without a Car
This is the main problem for students: You don't have a car. How do you transport a desk?
Option one: Ask the person giving it away. Sometimes people help with transport, especially when they see you're a student. Be polite, explain the situation.
Option two: Ask in the flat. Someone usually has access to a car -- whether through parents, friends, or Mobility car-sharing.
Option three: Rent a Mobility van. Costs about 30-40 francs for a few hours, but if you pick up several large items at once, it's worth it.
Option four: Cargo bikes. In many cities you can borrow them for free or very cheaply. You can easily manage smaller furniture pieces with those.
What to Avoid
A few lessons I learned the hard way.
Don't take mattresses from the curb. I know it sounds tempting, but you don't know what lives in them. Upholstered furniture in general is tricky. When in doubt, leave it.
Be realistic about dimensions. Measure your room beforehand, and measure the furniture before you pick it up. I once collected a desk that didn't fit through the door. Embarrassing.
Don't get everything at once. You have a whole semester to furnish your room. Take the essentials first, and add things gradually.
A Final Thought
Your first shared flat room doesn't have to be perfect. It has to work. A desk, a chair, some light -- that's enough to study with. Everything else comes with time.
And when you finish your studies -- or move to a different city -- remember to give things away yourself. The cycle only works if everyone takes part.
Good luck with the start of semester. And if you're on the lookout, check out PIKITUP.
Tips for students that I forgot? Write to me -- hello@pikitup.ch