Furniture Shopping: IKEA, Conforama, Galaxus, and Second-Hand Brockis
Walking into your first Swiss apartment and realizing there isn't a single lightbulb, curtain rod, or wardrobe is a rite of passage every expat dreads. I still remember sitting on my suitcase in a hollow-sounding living room in Basel, staring at exposed copper wires dangling from the ceiling. This guide solves your "empty shell" crisis by navigating the best furniture sources in Switzerland.
The Bare Shell Reality of Swiss Apartments
When you sign a lease for a typical flat here, you are often getting exactly that: a flat. Unlike many other countries where "unfurnished" still implies basic fixtures, Switzerland takes the term literally. You are likely moving into a space without ceiling lights, closets, or sometimes even a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. This immediate need for everything—from big-ticket items like beds to the smallest screws—can be overwhelming during your first week.
Understanding the Space Constraints
Before you rush to buy a massive sectional sofa, you need to understand the architecture. If you are living in an older building, you’ll want to research Altbau vs Neubau: Pros and Cons of Historic Swiss Apartments. Historic buildings often have narrow stairwells and no elevators, making the delivery of a pre-assembled wardrobe nearly impossible. I once watched a neighbor attempt to hoist a sofa through a third-story window with a pulley system because it wouldn’t fit around the 1920s banister.
Newer builds, or Neubau, generally have more generous elevators and open floor plans, but they still require a strategic approach. Regardless of the building age, measuring your doorways and elevator depth is the first step before clicking "buy" on any website. Swiss rooms are measured in "half-rooms," and understanding Decoding Swiss Apartment Ads: What 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 Rooms Actually Mean will help you visualize how much furniture you actually need without cluttering your limited square footage.
The Lighting and Fixture Hurdle
The most jarring discovery for newcomers is the lack of lighting. You will likely find three wires (Phase, Neutral, and Earth) sticking out of the ceiling in every room. Since you cannot live in the dark, lighting becomes your first priority. Most expats head straight to a hardware store or furniture giant to buy "temporary" plastic sockets and bulbs just to survive the first night.
Installing these yourself is common, but if you are uncomfortable with basic electrical work, you may need to hire a handyman. This is an added expense on top of your already high Cost of Living Realities: Groceries, Telecoms, and Household Expenses. Remember that when you eventually move out, you are often expected to take your lights with you and leave the bare wires exactly as you found them, which is a key part of the Swiss Apartment Handovers (Wohnungsübergabe): Protocols and Deposits process.
Big Box Giants: IKEA and Conforama
For the vast majority of expats, the journey begins at IKEA. It is the most predictable way to fill a house quickly without breaking the bank. There are several large branches across the country, with locations like Spreitenbach (near Zurich), Pratteln (near Basel), and Aubonne (near Lausanne) serving as the primary hubs for new arrivals. IKEA’s popularity in Switzerland is bolstered by the fact that their "Pax" wardrobe system serves as the unofficial national closet for thousands of apartments that lack built-in storage.
Navigating the IKEA Logistics
IKEA Switzerland offers a range of delivery and assembly services, but they come at a premium. If you don't have a car, you might think about renting one, but be aware that many rental vans require a specific license or a hefty deposit. Many expats utilize car-sharing services like Mobility to transport smaller flat-packs. If you choose the delivery route, be prepared for a "delivery to the curb" vs. "delivery to the room" price difference.
One veteran tip: check the "As-Is" section (Fundgrube) near the checkouts. Swiss consumers are notoriously picky, and you can often find high-quality items with barely a scratch for 50% off. While you are there, you can also grab kitchen essentials, though for your pantry staples, you might want to read about Migros vs Coop: Decoding the Swiss Supermarket Loyalty Programs to see where to stock up once your kitchen is finally assembled.
Conforama: The Value Alternative
Conforama is often described as the "French-owned rival" to IKEA, and it is a staple for those looking for slightly different aesthetics at a similar price point. While IKEA has a very distinct "Scandi" look, Conforama tends to offer more variety in traditional and modern-gloss styles. They are particularly good for electronic appliances and mattresses, which can be significantly cheaper than specialty bedding stores.
The shopping experience at Conforama is a bit more old-school. You often have to take a ticket to a warehouse window and wait for your items to be brought out by a forklift. It lacks the "experience" of IKEA’s showroom, but for items like washing machines or TVs, it’s often the better deal. If you are staying in a temporary apartment found via HousingAnywhere while waiting for your furniture to arrive, Conforama is a great place to pick up the "extra" items your temporary host might not have provided.
Online Convenience: Galaxus and Digital Shopping
If the thought of navigating a physical showroom on a Saturday makes you cringe, the Swiss digital landscape has you covered. Switzerland has a very sophisticated e-commerce scene that rivals anything in the US or UK. Most residents rely heavily on local platforms because they understand the unique Swiss delivery requirements, such as the "Milchkasten" (the small parcel box) and the specific ways Swiss addresses are formatted.
Galaxus: The Swiss Amazon
Galaxus is the undisputed king of online shopping in Switzerland. It isn't just for electronics; their furniture and home decor sections are massive. The best part about Galaxus vs Digitec: Ordering Electronics and Homeware Online is the transparency. The user reviews are often brutally honest, and the "price transparency" tool shows you how the price of an item has fluctuated over the last six months.
Shipping is usually incredibly fast—often next-day if you order before a certain cutoff. For an expat who has just moved in and is still waiting for their Setting Up Swiss Home Internet: Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt Compared, ordering furniture on a smartphone using an Airalo eSIM is a lifesaver. Galaxus also offers a great "second-hand" platform where users can resell items they bought on the site, often with a remaining warranty.
Amazon Germany: The Border-Crossing Hack
Many expats are surprised to find there is no "Amazon.ch." While you can order from Amazon Germany, it comes with caveats. Amazon will often calculate the Swiss VAT (which is lower than the German VAT) at checkout and handle the customs duties for you, but not every item can be shipped across the border. Large furniture items are frequently restricted to German addresses.
If you do find a piece of furniture that ships to Switzerland, Amazon can be cheaper for brand-name items. However, be wary of the delivery times. Crossing the border means your package might sit in a customs warehouse for a few days. For small decor, lamps, or specific kitchen gadgets not found in Coop City, Amazon.de is a solid backup, but for a 200kg sofa, stick to a Swiss-based retailer to avoid a logistical nightmare at the border.
Second-Hand Treasures: The Brocki Culture
The most "Swiss" way to furnish your home is by visiting a Brockenhaus, affectionately known as a "Brocki." These are large second-hand warehouses, often run by charitable organizations like the Salvation Army (Heilsarmee) or local cooperatives. Unlike thrift stores in many other countries, Swiss Brockis are often meticulously organized and contain high-quality, solid wood furniture that has been well-maintained for decades.
Finding Quality at a Discount
Shopping at a Brocki is a sport. In wealthy cantons like Zurich or Zug, you can often find designer mid-century modern pieces or high-end Swiss brands like USM Haller for a fraction of their original price. For a deeper dive into this, you should check out Shopping at Brockis (Brockenhaus): Finding High-Quality Thrift Furniture. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about finding pieces with character that fit the specific dimensions of older Swiss apartments.
The challenge with Brockis is transport. Most do not offer delivery, or if they do, it is only within a very small radius and on specific days. You will likely need to arrange your own man-with-a-van. However, for items like dining tables, chairs, and bookshelves, the quality you get for CHF 100 at a Brocki often far exceeds what you would get for the same price at a budget flat-pack retailer.
Online Second-Hand: Ricardo and Tutti
If you prefer to browse second-hand from your couch, Ricardo.ch and Tutti.ch are the local equivalents of eBay and Craigslist. Ricardo is an auction-based site and is the most popular platform for selling furniture. You can find incredible deals here, but the "buyer collects" rule is almost universal.
Tutti.ch is more for direct classified ads. It’s a great place to find people who are "moving abroad" and need to clear out an entire 4-room apartment in a weekend. I once furnished a guest bedroom entirely for free just by being the first person to show up with a van to a "Gratis" (free) listing on Tutti. Just be sure to mind the Quiet Hours (Ruhezeiten): Sunday Rules for Laundry, Mowing, and Noise when you are moving heavy items into your new place.
Premium Options: Pfister, Livique, and Maison du Monde
Once you’ve moved past the "survival" phase of furniture shopping, you might want to invest in pieces that will last a lifetime. Switzerland has several high-end retailers that offer "Swiss Quality" (which usually means very sturdy and very expensive). These stores offer comprehensive interior design services and will often send someone to your home to measure the space for you.
Pfister and Livique: The Established Leaders
Möbel Pfister is perhaps the most famous furniture brand in Switzerland. Their showrooms are vast and high-end, featuring both international brands and their own lines. Buying from Pfister is a statement of permanence. They offer excellent delivery and "white glove" assembly services where they will even take away the packaging.
Livique is the furniture arm of the Coop Group. It sits somewhere between IKEA and Pfister in terms of price. It’s a great place to look if you want something that feels a bit more "boutique" than IKEA but you aren't ready to spend CHF 5,000 on a sofa. They often have sales during the change of seasons (January and July) where you can snag floor models for significant discounts.
Maison du Monde and Westwing
For those who want a more "Instagrammable" aesthetic, Maison du Monde has several physical locations in Switzerland and a robust online shop. Their style is much more eclectic—ranging from industrial to "shabby chic." Be aware that their furniture is often shipped from France, so delivery times can be longer than Galaxus.
Westwing is another popular choice, operating primarily as a "shopping club" with daily deals. It’s excellent for rugs, lighting, and decor that makes a Swiss apartment feel less like a clinical white box and more like a home. Just remember that if you are ordering from these international-facing brands, you should verify they are shipping from within Switzerland to avoid unexpected customs fees.
Comparison of Major Swiss Furniture Retailers
| Retailer | Price Point | Delivery Speed | Best For | Assembly Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Low to Mid | 1-2 Weeks | Wardrobes & Kitchens | Available (Paid) |
| Conforama | Low | Immediate (In-store) | Appliances & Mattresses | Limited |
| Galaxus | Mid | 1-2 Days | Electronics & Home Office | None |
| Brockis | Very Low | Same Day (Self) | Vintage & Solid Wood | No |
| Pfister | High | 4-8 Weeks | Statement Pieces & Sofas | Full Service |
| Livique | Mid to High | 2-6 Weeks | Modern Living Room | Available |
The Logistics of Delivery and Disposal
The biggest headache in Swiss furniture shopping isn't the buying—it's the moving. Delivery fees are notoriously high, and the strict labor laws mean that delivery crews generally only work during standard business hours. If you work a 100% workload, you may need to take a half-day off just to receive a dining table.
The Delivery Fee Trap
Always read the fine print on delivery. Many companies will offer "delivery to the building door" for a flat fee of CHF 50, but if you want them to bring it to the 4th floor, the price can jump to CHF 150. Given the high cost of labor, sometimes it is cheaper to hire a local student with a van via a platform like Rent-a-Friend than to use the official store delivery.
Also, check if the delivery includes "disposal of packaging." Swiss recycling rules are very strict, and you cannot simply throw large cardboard boxes in the general trash. You will need to flat-pack them and wait for the specific "Cardboard Collection" day in your commune. If the delivery team takes the cardboard with them, it saves you a massive headache.
Disposing of Old Furniture
When you upgrade your furniture, you cannot just leave your old stuff on the sidewalk. This is a quick way to get a heavy fine from the "Abfallpolizei" (trash police). You have two main options: sell/give it away on Tutti or Ricardo, or take it to a local recycling center (Ökihof or Entsorgungshof).
If you don't have a car to take things to the dump, many communes offer "Sperrgut" stickers. You buy these at the post office or grocery store, attach them to the item, and leave it out on the specific "big trash" day. Make sure you follow the Swiss Recycling Rules: Cantonal Paid Garbage Bags (Züri-Sack, Bebbi-Sagg) to the letter, as every canton has slightly different regulations on what constitutes "bulky goods."
Final Advice for the First-Time Buyer
Don't try to furnish your entire apartment in the first weekend. Start with the "Big Three": a bed, a ceiling light for each room, and a place to sit. Everything else can be acquired slowly as you get a feel for the light and the flow of your new home.
The "second-hand" market in Switzerland is your best friend. Because people move frequently and Swiss apartments are standardized in many ways, the "gently used" market is flooded with high-quality items that simply didn't fit in someone else's new flat. Take your time, measure twice, and always keep a set of Allen keys in your kitchen drawer—you’re going to need them.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only. Prices, store locations, and delivery policies in Switzerland change frequently. While we strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date advice for expats, always verify specific terms, customs duties, and assembly fees directly with the retailer before making a purchase. Individual experiences with delivery and second-hand quality may vary by canton.
