From a 2-Bedroom to a 4-Bedroom: How We Upgraded

When the Space Became Too Small

Mette and Jonas had lived in their 2-bedroom apartment on Amager for nearly five years. It was their first shared home, and they loved it: high ceilings, a large kitchen, and a view over Kløvermarken. But then something happened that changed everything.

In the summer of 2024, they found out they were expecting twins. The joy was enormous - but worry quickly followed. How would they fit two babies into an apartment where the dining area already doubled as a home office?

København Calls - But Closes the Door

Like so many other young families in København, Mette and Jonas began searching for a larger home. They signed up for waiting lists, looked at co-operative housing, and explored the private rental market.

The results were discouraging. Waiting lists for family-sized apartments in København were 12-15 years long (according to BL – Danmarks Almene Boliger, the Danish national federation of social housing organisations). Co-operative apartments were either too expensive or snapped up before they could bid. And the private rentals? 18,000 DKK per month for something with enough space. It simply was not realistic.

"We felt trapped," says Mette. "We had a great apartment with low rent, but it was too small. And everything that was big enough was either out of reach or would eat our entire budget."

A Friend Mentions Home Swapping

It was Jonas's colleague who first brought up the idea. His sister had swapped apartments the year before and was thrilled. "Have you considered a home swap?" he asked one day at the lunch table.

Jonas had to admit he had never really thought about it. He knew it existed but assumed it was complicated and old-fashioned. But when he looked into it further, he discovered that there were actually modern platforms dedicated to exactly this.

That same evening, Mette and Jonas created a profile on HomeSwap. They photographed their apartment, wrote an honest description, and entered their preferences: at least 4 rooms, preferably on Amager or nearby, and a rent they could manage.

The Perfect Match

After three weeks of searching, it happened. A notification popped up: "New match based on your preferences."

It was Kirsten and Bent, a couple in their 60s who had lived in their 4-bedroom apartment in Sundbyøster for 28 years. Their children had long since moved out, and they had been thinking about downsizing. The large apartment felt empty, and the garden had become more work than pleasure.

When Kirsten saw Mette and Jonas's 2-bedroom apartment, she was thrilled. "It was exactly what we were looking for," she says. "Not too big, not too small. And the location was perfect - close to shops and S-tog."

It turned out that all four parties were interested. Mette and Jonas loved the large apartment with three bedrooms and a separate office. Kirsten and Bent looked forward to a more manageable daily life in the cosy 2-bedroom.

The Process - Easier Than Expected

The next few weeks were spent on viewings and conversations. Both couples needed to see both apartments, meet each other, and make sure it felt right. "It was actually quite enjoyable," says Jonas. "We had coffee together and talked about more than just the apartments."

They then contacted their respective landlords. Mette and Jonas's landlord approved the swap without any issues - they had lived there for over five years and been impeccable tenants. Kirsten and Bent's social housing association had a bit more paperwork, but they also said yes.

On 1 November 2024, both couples received the keys to their new home.

A New Chapter

Today, Mette sits in what is now the nursery, folding baby clothes. Jonas has his home office in a room of his own. The twins have arrived, and there is room for everything.

"I don't think we could have found anything comparable any other way," says Mette. "The rent is almost the same as before, the location is perfect, and we have three times as much space."

Kirsten and Bent still send Christmas cards. They are thriving in the smaller apartment and have never regretted the swap.

Advice for Others in the Same Situation

Mette and Jonas have some concrete advice for others considering a home swap:

Take great photos. The better your listing looks, the more enquiries you will receive. Tidy up, turn on all the lights, and photograph in daylight.

Be honest. Write about what is good, but also about what is not perfect. It saves everyone time.

Think about the other party. Who would love your apartment? Think about them when you write your listing.

Be patient. The right match does not necessarily come straight away. Give it time.

Meet each other. Swapping is also about trust. Take the time to get to know your swap partner.

Want to get started? Read our guide to creating a good listing or check out how matching works.

A home swap changed everything for Mette and Jonas. Perhaps it can do the same for you.