The Best Design Stores And Boutiques In Copenhagen

Though the words “Scandinavia” and “furniture” often conjure up the picture of a certain well-known chain of Swedish stores, design from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway has gained popularity for its sleek, minimalist approach. Fittingly, a whole range of design stores have appeared throughout those countries and Denmark is no exception: Copenhagen has in many ways become synonymous with innovation. To make shopping a little easier, here’s our guide to the Danish capital’s top design stores.

Stilleben

For over ten years, Stilleben has been a must-see for design fans in Copenhagen. Created and owned by two renowned ceramics artists, his design store offers interior design, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, as well as stationary in bold shapes and colors by leading Danish or foreign designers. They also have posters, prints, and artistic postcards by graphic designers like Playtype or Studio Arhoj. Shopping at Stilleben is a quintessential Copenhagen experience and absolutely essential for anyone with an interest in modern design.

Hay

Danish company Hay, founded in 2002, sells its products all over Scandinavia; but the flagship store on the pedestrian Østergade street, in the heart of central Copenhagen, is worth a visit. It carries its own brand of beautiful, yet affordable furniture and home goods (including some very cool rugs), as well as art supplies, textiles, and even some original artwork. Hay strives to encourage young, innovative designers to further the Scandinavian tradition of functional and affordable everyday objects. Their mission, in their own words, is to bring “functional answers to functional needs.”

Designer Zoo

For a little something out of the ordinary, be sure to visit Designer Zoo. This unconventional space has been combining modern Danish design with arts and crafts for about 15 years, offering a more artistic take on interior design than most stores. It boasts two exhibition spaces and seven workshops, where innovative artists create new ceramics, glassware, textiles, and jewelry pieces. The owner and creator of Designer Zoo is Karsten Lauritsen, famous for his popular bean-shaped tables, which can also be purchased there, but the products as a whole are the creation of a collective of eight artists and designers.

Normann

The 1700-square meters of Normann’s flagship Copenhagen store are a paradise of contemporary design furniture and accessories. Among the brand’s most famous products are Ole Jensen’s award-winning washing-up bowls and the ingenious wall pockets. The display window changes every day, featuring the newest trends in design. The building itself has had a long, fascinating history: previous residents include a water distillery, a cinema, and a theater. To celebrate this history, it’s been restored, revealing the ceiling’s original stucco.

Illums Bolighus

Illums Bolighus is a huge department store, but it carries some of the best Scandinavian designers. The flagship store in Copenhagen occupies several floors, all full of modern furniture, home-ware, textiles, jewelry, and even cosmetics and products for children. They’re all typically Scandinavian in design: modern, functional, beautiful. Products tends to be rather expensive, but simply walking through the store, without buying anything, is a pleasure – starting from the display at street level – so we definitely recommend it for any design fan.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm
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