Culture shock alert! Let’s just say that closet space in Denmark isn’t at all what this American girl is used to.
Not counting the kitchen cabinets, you’re looking at all of the closet space in my entire Danish apartment! I consider myself a simple living girl, but this is a just a little bit extreme!
Closet Space in Denmark
This is actually a quite normal standard of closet space in Denmark. Most houses and apartments don’t have built-in closets like I’d become accustomed to while growing up and living in the States. Freestanding wardrobes like this one make up most of the very limited closet space in Denmark. These wardrobes are considered part of the furniture, and people usually take them when they move, but I negotiated this one as part of the real estate deal. On top of everything else I’m dealing with in conjunction with moving to a new country, the last thing I wanted to worry about was finding a wardrobe. I don’t even know where they sell such things, let alone trying to get there on a bike or public transportation!
Sometimes, people convert a small room in their house to a walk-in closet, but that’s exceptional and a lot of space to give up in already small (by American standards anyway) living spaces. Not that these freestanding beasts take up much less room in comparison.
Nevermind winter coats, hats, handbags, sweaters, and my extensive shoe collection, but where am I supposed to keep practical things like a vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies, sewing materials, luggage, my aerobic step, exercise ball, and cat litter? Danes must have a lot less stuff than I do!
I guess I’ve just found a use for the scary and abandoned bathroom in the common hallway, the only problem is, I’m a bit scared of going in there…
seanymph says
Guess you didnt check that out before you planned to move there huh? Considering how we women love shoes and clothes, that would be one of the big things to look for sure. This house I moved to amazed me, theres closets everywhere and even one I didnt know in the second bathroom. I never noticed it when I was looking at the house lol How lucky was that? Guess you will have to get some large storage pieces.
Kimberly says
Wow – that’s unreal. Do you have a garage? Laundry space?
Sage says
Honestly, the enormity of working out the logistics of moving to a new country trumped little details like closet space.
People here live with much less than the average American is used to and I think it’s a fair trade for the high ceilings, big windows, and amazing kitchen and bathroom, but it would be nice to discover a closet I hadn’t expected :)
There is a shared laundry room in the basement, but it’s damp, and the stairs are very narrow, so it’s not really a practical solution.
But I’m not in the US anymore and most people here make due in much less space, so I will not complain, I will find a solution.
~ Sage
Anonymous says
This is normal for Europe. You will find lots of wardrobe options in furniture stores.
smilingsurfer says
I’m sure that you will get ideas from the organized readers. Here are some possible fixes from a wanna-be organized person:
1. Use under-bed storage, possibly raise bed with Bed Lifts.
2. Space Bags might help for seasonal items.
3. If your kitchen has ample storage, possibly the cleaning supplies will fit in a cabinet or two. Maybe the vacuum, too?
4. Make full use of the walls.
5. Check Ikea website and catalog for ideas.
6. Look for a good handyman to fix the scary bathroom.
7. You might try draping decorative fabric over storage boxes until you get settled.