Fill your home with one-of-a-kind unique pieces that are good for the planet too
As typical of our Scandinavian capitals, there are plenty of great vintage design gems to be found in Oslo. The Norwegian city may be small, but it knows it's design. The best boutiques often mix high and low, new and old, and a variety of interior design periods so that shoppers can find the furniture that really speaks to them.
Here we have rounded up the five best:
Utopia Retro Modern
The really, really good vintage pieces can be found at Utopia Retro Modern. From hard-to-find designers and rare furniture to smaller items such as lighting and even jewellery, the showroom-slash-store is a veritable smorgasbord of delicious vintage treats.
They have vintage furniture from many countries - largely Scandinavian and Italian - but be sure to check out their Norwegian vintage furniture in particular. There are many wonderful pieces and designers that are lesser-known internationally, but are definitely worth knowing.
Bygdøy allé 60, 0265 Oslo
Inventarium
Tucked away in the centre of the Grünerløkka neighborhood, Inventarium is a vintage-lovers delight. Filled to the brim with goodies including furniture, lighting and ceramics, Inventarium focuses mostly on Scandinavian items, with a hefty dose of retro feel (think 1930s-50s).
It’s not so much about big name designers here, so the their price points are quite affordable and the pieces unique.
Markveien 51, 0554 Oslo
Sølvesen Myhre Berntsen Antikviteter
When you’re looking for antiques - not just vintage - Sølvesen Myhre Berntsen Antikviteter is where to go. Their collection borders on museum-quality, with pieces that span the 16th to 19th centuries, from Rococo to Baroque and more.
If you want a piece for your home that’s ultra-special and a bit more ornate than typical Scandinavian design (and you have a bit of money to spend), there’s no better place in Oslo.
Frognerveien 31, 0263 Oslo. Visits by appointment.
Antikkvarehuset
It may look like an unassuming warehouse from the outside, but Antikkvarehuset has been a favourite for vintage and secondhand furniture in Oslo for nearly 30 years for a reason. They also have a range of lighting and accessories such as ceramics, glass and jewellery.
Whether you’re shopping for something specific or just want to have a fun afternoon of browsing, Antikkvarehuset is the kind of place in which you can enjoy getting lost. They have an enormous range of furniture in a variety of styles and eras which they break down into two categories: “antiques” and “retro.” Both the quality and prices are great.
Sannergata 3, 0557 Oslo
Fretex
Fretex, which is the Norwegian Salvation Army, runs secondhand shops that can be found all over Norway. Their biggest one is in Oslo, and the selection is enormous. There’s lots of secondhand furniture, some of it very high quality, to choose from, as well as a plethora of other items like clothes, lighting, books, and more. It’s not exactly “vintage,” but Fretex is beloved in Norway and the Oslo location is huge, so we recommend checking it out.
The money you spend at Fretex goes towards vocational training services in Norway, so you can feel good about shopping there.
Ole Deviks vei 20, 0666 Oslo