It feels like yesterday that I was writing about moving furniture via the U-Bahn. But that was 5 years ago (!) and a lot of growing up has happened, including having a baby. A baby who has wrecked havoc on our furniture. Like the adults we apparently are, we are now shopping for a couch.

Do you think Freud’s London couch needs updating? PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

But where to turn? It is surprising how many everyday items you have no idea where to find in Germany. Some international brands are easy to find here, but you might miss out on great deals and better quality items if you rely on your existing knowledge.

Here is our guide to furniture shopping in Germany including recommended stores, German vocabulary, and what to do with that old couch.

When to Shop for Furniture in Germany

Perhaps before we talk about where, I should make a mention of when. Just like grocery stores, furniture stores are closed on Sundays. That means that on Saturdays these places are packed. It is ideal if you can shop during the weekday, but that is not always an option.

There are occasional Verkaufsoffene Sonntage (shopping Sundays) throughout the year, but they may be just as busy as an average Saturday – if not more so. Nevertheless, here are the 2019 Sunday shopping dates in Berlin.

Where to Shop for Furniture in Germany

What is an IKEA visit without meatballs? PHOTO: Erin Porter

• IKEA – This international behemoth is very popular in Germany. Known for great prices, decent quality, and hot dogs and Swedish meatballs, a trip to IKEA is usually an all-day adventure. You can buy everything from houseplants to couches to utensils.
• Möbel Höffner – This German furniture store has many locations with something for all tastes.
• Poco Domäne – Another major German chain, Poco Domäne offers prices similar to IKEA with less of a chance that the inside of your house looks exactly like your neighbors.
• Dänisches Bettenlager – More unique and high-quality than IKEA, you can avoid the crowd mentality at this Danish store.
• Home24 – Once just an online shop, there are now several storefronts with vastly discounted furniture and friendly customer service.

As mentioned with Home24, online shopping is gradually becoming a thing in Germany.  All of these retailers offer handy online catalogs as well as the ability to pay in installments. For second-hand goods, eBay Kleinanzeigen is a very popular resource.

Another option is social media. Facebook groups like free your stuff and sell your stuff feature a variety of goods at all price points. If you are comfortable in German and located near Berlin, try Zu Verschenken in Berlin & Brandenburg and Möbel verkaufen, tauschen, verschenken. Most popular in cities, they can offer great items at vast savings, particularly if you have your own transport. This can be a fabulous answer for questions like how do you outfit an entire kitchen?

If you want something truly distinctive, Germany’s many Flohmärkte (flea market) are available across the country. They often have great pieces at reasonable prices, although be aware of what things are truly worth as trendy markets can overcharge. Bargaining is welcome,  although you shouldn’t expect massive discounts on anything marked with a price tag.

It might sound quite low-rent to get furniture off the street, but in places like Berlin that is another valid option. I proudly use a pair of wood chairs I found on the sidewalk.  However, the city isn’t always so happy to have furniture (or Christmas trees) littered across its walkways. The BSR is responsible for disposal of these items in Berlin and to avoid having so many items carelessly left on the street, they provide an online portal so you can see what is available: Verschenkmarkt. For what to do in other places, refer to the post What to do with all that junk?

Furniture Delivery in Germany

To utilize this last method of picking up another man’s garbage or even to transport your new furniture home from the outskirts, you need a way to transport your goods. Obviously, I am not above hauling my worldly goods around on the U-Bahn, but even I admit there are better ways.

Most companies offer lieferung (delivery) – for a price. They also have services like taking away your old furniture, often for free. This is something you can negotiate at the big stores. Note that delivery is not usually immediately available. You can be left waiting several weeks (or even months) for your furnishings to finally arrive.

For low-cost help getting your goods home, a Möbel-Taxi can be the ideal choice. They are often waiting in the parking lot of mega-stores like IKEA on the weekend, ready to jump on the people trying to carry their world on their back.

If you plan ahead, you might want to rent a vehicle to deliver your own goods. Car shares like DriveNow are one option, or you can go with traditional car rental companies. Many of them offer trucks or U-hauls. Berlin-based Robben & Wientjes is extremely popular for its great prices, English info, and that they accept foreign drivers’ licenses, but they may be reserved well in advance (never doubt the ability of Germans to plan ahead).

German Furniture Vocabulary

(kid sold separately) PHOTO: Erin Porter

• room – das Zimmer
• bookcase – das Bücherregal
• lamp – die Lampe
• table – der Tisch
• bathtub – die Badewanne
• sofa – das Sofa
• drawer – die Schublade
• closet – der (Kleider)schrank
• dresser – die Kommode
• bed – das Bett
• shelf – das Regal
• rug – der Teppich
• mirror – der Spiegel
• armchair – der Sessel
• stove – der Herd
• oven – der Backofen
• silverware – das Besteck
• dishes – das Geschirr
• refrigerator – der Kühlschrank
• dishwasher – die Geschirrspülmaschine
• faucet – der Wasserhahn
• wastebasket – der Papierkorb / der Mülleimer