Collecting Copenhagen: The Best Shops for Design & Vintage Treasures

As someone who moves often, I’ve learned to travel light — meaning that extra items, no matter how tempting, often pose a dilemma. Yet in Copenhagen, it feels almost impossible to resist. A city so attuned to beauty and function, it invites you to carry away more than objects: small memory-keepers of carefree summers, vibrant colours, and days spent wandering.

But with so many renowned design stores and independent shops, where does one begin?

This guide brings together a personal selection of Copenhagen’s most distinctive stores — from vintage finds and jewellery ateliers to design flagships and lifestyle studios. Each space offers something that feels timeless yet playful, practical yet infused with imagination.

Happy shopping (or window shopping)!

Stilleben No. 22

If you’re short on time, Stilleben No. 22 is the place to see Danish design in all its breadth under one roof. From Tekla pillowcases and Aiayu pouches to HAY kitchen tools, cookbooks, and prints by independent artists, its selection is both encompassing and inspiring.

Conveniently located beside Torvehallerne market and just steps from Nørreport Station, it’s an ideal first stop to spark ideas — or a last-minute dash for gifts before heading home.

Frama Studio Store

Known for its classic and honest approach to living through objects and spatial integration, Frama’s showroom in central Copenhagen gives you immediate access to its mindful and quiet world of furniture, lifestyle objects, fragrances and self-care essentials.

Housed in the historic St. Paul’s Apotek established in 1878, the studio is an ever-evolving space connecting the past, present and future. Expect new installations and displays across the year, feel the original wooden structure, and don’t forget to look up – the studio preserves a beautiful set of Neoclassical ceiling decorations.

Helle Mardahl Studio

Luminous, soft, and dreamlike: Helle Mardahl Studio feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The lofty rooms showcase whimsical glassworks where bold colours and tender forms play together — lamps, vases, and vessels that feel both functional and sculptural, a celebration of unique glass-making techniques and artistic design.

Fragile though they may be, smaller treasures such as mugs or ring holders make lovely keepsakes, while larger pieces can always be ordered through their online shop.

Joliment

Tucked away in Valby, just 15 minutes from the city centre by S-train, Joliment is a small delight: half café, half vintage store, with a curated selection of plates, textiles, and homeware.

On a sunny weekday, I spent an hour meandering between shelves of tableware before settling by the window with a matcha latte and a granola bowl. A place where browsing drifts seamlessly into lingering, it feels as much like a pause as a destination.

Neroli

Another personal favourite of mine, Neroli is a vintage store in the heart of Nørrebro. Its founder, Cecilie Bjørnskov, sources interiors, clothing, and furniture from around the world — think Italian ceramics, French wall bowls, or silver-plated art deco jewellery boxes.

Apart from its charming pieces, Cecilie also creates delicate velvet bows and lavender sachets, small tokens of charm. Three bows — pink, beige, and white — now hang in my wardrobe at home in Shanghai, endearing reminders of the lovely people and experiences I encountered throughout my travels.

Antik K

Here’s a spot I’ve been wanting to gate-keep: Antik K is the place to go if you want to find a comprehensive collection of historic Royal Copenhagen wares with good values.

Stepping into the tiny storefront requires care and attention as you manoeuvre between what seems like mountains of RC dishes, saucers, and teapots. But the fear of breaking something quickly fades into excitement as you discover something special – perhaps a vintage Flora Danica set, hand-painted and coated four times in gold leaves?

It is impossible to leave Antik K without a little treasure in hand.

Tekla

When it comes to clothing and fabrics, I would always visit Tekla’s flagship store for inspiration. The endless choices of vibrant tones, paired with stripes of just the right scale, and made into various items like home textiles and bathing towels… I almost spent half an hour just deciding which pattern I want for my new sleepwear, before trying out all available sizes in a ridiculously huge and well-furnished dressing room.

I eventually end up with a light blue pinstripe poplin sleepwear set, which feels so lovely and crisp on my skin, like wearing a Danish summer sky.

Lié Studio

Next to Tekla on the same street is Lié Studio, founded by twin sisters Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard in 2021. The showroom pairs dark wood interiors with delicate jewellery, each piece designed for versatility and longevity.

At the heart of the space stands a polished wooden cabinet. Open its drawers and discover rings, necklaces, and accessories waiting to be chosen — a contemporary cabinet of curiosities.

HAY House

No Copenhagen shopping trip feels complete without HAY House. Situated on the busy avenues of Strøget, between ILLUM and Magasin, the elegant historical building contains a dazzling collection of HAY design.

Explore new interpretations of living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces spread across two floors, and indulge in picking out tablewares, stationery, and self-care items to complement your daily rituals.

On a final note, keep an eye out for open-air markets and small neighbourhood stalls — often the best places to discover a hidden treasure.

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