If you walk down Bredgade in Copenhagen, you’ll eventually hit a massive, sprawling complex that looks like it belongs in a period drama about 18th-century royalty. This is the Designmuseum Danmark. But it wasn't always a place for sleek mid-century chairs. It was actually the King Frederik’s Hospital, Denmark’s first public hospital. Honestly, there is something deeply poetic about a place that used to heal bodies now being used to celebrate the objects that support them.
The Designmuseum Danmark (formerly known as the Danish Museum of Art and Design) is the beating heart of why you probably own something from IKEA that looks "sorta Scandinavian." But don't tell a Dane that. Danish design is about way more than flat-pack furniture. It’s a philosophy. It’s about the democratization of beauty.
The Weird History of Bredgade 68
Most people show up expecting a glass-and-steel modern box. Instead, you get Frederiks Hospital, built between 1752 and 1757. The architects Nicolai Eigtved and Lauritz de Thurah designed this place in a gorgeous Rococo style. It’s symmetrical. It’s grand. It’s also where Søren Kierkegaard, the famous philosopher, died in 1855.
The museum moved here in the 1920s. Think about that for a second. While the rest of the world was struggling with the aftermath of WWI, Denmark was busy turning an old infirmary into a temple for industrial design. The renovation was led by Kaare Klint and Ivar Bentsen. Klint is basically the "Godfather of Danish Modern." He didn't just move some shelves around; he adapted the entire interior to fit a new way of looking at objects. He believed that everything—from a teapot to a wardrobe—should be measured against the human body. This "functionalism" started right here in these halls.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the Chairs
You can't talk about the Designmuseum Danmark without talking about the "Danish Chair" exhibition. It is arguably the most famous part of the museum. They have this long, tunnel-like gallery where chairs are displayed in individual backlit boxes like they’re holy relics.
It’s not just a collection of seats. It’s a family tree.
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You see how Hans J. Wegner took a traditional Chinese Ming chair and stripped it down until it became "The Chair"—the one Nixon and Kennedy sat in during their 1960 debate. You see Arne Jacobsen’s "Ant" and "Series 7," which are probably the most copied chairs in human history. The museum does a great job of explaining that these weren't just "cool designs." They were responses to a changing world. After the war, wood was scarce, space was tight, and people needed furniture that was light, stackable, and affordable.
The Danish designers were obsessed with the "honest" use of materials. If it’s wood, let it look like wood. If it’s leather, let it age.
The Kaare Klint Influence
Klint wasn't just an architect; he was a researcher. He spent years measuring the average height of a human, the reach of an arm, and the size of standard dinner plates. He wanted to make sure that a cabinet wasn't just a box, but a tool. In the museum, you can see his influence everywhere. His "Faaborg Chair" from 1914 is often cited as the first true piece of Danish Modern design. It was designed specifically for museum-goers to sit in while looking at art. It’s light so you can move it easily, but sturdy enough to last a century.
It’s Not Just About 1950s Wood
A common mistake? Thinking the Designmuseum Danmark is a time capsule of the 1950s.
It’s not.
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The museum recently underwent a massive two-year renovation, reopening in 2022. They shifted the focus quite a bit. Now, a huge chunk of the space is dedicated to "The Future is Present." This section deals with climate change, sustainability, and how design can actually help us survive the next hundred years. It’s a bit heavier than just looking at pretty lamps, but it’s necessary. They feature projects involving lab-grown textiles, circular fashion, and plastic recycling.
Then there’s the fashion and textile collection. It’s one of the largest in the Nordic region. You’ll find everything from 18th-century silk gowns to experimental 3D-printed sneakers. It’s a wild contrast to the austere wooden furniture in the next room over.
The Library and the Hidden Garden
If you’re a researcher or just a massive nerd for blueprints, the museum library is a goldmine. It’s the largest library for design in Scandinavia. It’s open to the public, and it’s one of those quiet, wood-paneled places where you feel like you should be wearing a turtleneck and drinking espresso.
And the garden! The Grønnegården is a courtyard in the middle of the complex. In the summer, it’s one of the best spots in Copenhagen to just exist. They have outdoor exhibitions, and the cafe—Format—is actually good. A lot of museum cafes are overpriced traps, but Format focuses on local Danish ingredients. Get the smørrebrød. It’s expensive, but it’s Copenhagen; everything is expensive.
What Most People Miss
People rush to the Wegner chairs and forget to look at the Japanese collection.
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Denmark and Japan have a long-standing design crush on each other. Both cultures value simplicity, natural materials, and craftsmanship. In the late 19th century, Danish artists became obsessed with Japanese ceramics and woodwork. You can see this influence in the museum’s extensive collection of Japanese crafts. It explains why a lot of Danish pottery from the early 1900s looks surprisingly "Zen."
The museum also holds the archives for some of the biggest names in Danish design history. We're talking Poul Henningsen (the guy who made the PH lamps that everyone tries to replicate) and Verner Panton (the guy who went the opposite direction and made everything look like a psychedelic space station).
Is it worth the 130 DKK?
Honestly, yeah. Even if you aren't a "design person," you use design every day. You're sitting on a chair right now. You're looking at a screen. Understanding why these objects look the way they do is kind of like learning the secret code of the physical world.
The Designmuseum Danmark isn't just a place to look at expensive things. It’s a place to understand the Danish "Hyggelig" lifestyle. It’s about making your surroundings better so that your life feels better.
Practical Advice for Visiting
- Timing is everything. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning right when they open at 10:00 AM. By 1:00 PM, the tour groups start clogging the narrow hallways of the old hospital building.
- Check the gift shop first. Usually, I say save the shop for last, but the museum shop here is basically a curated design boutique. It gives you a good "cheat sheet" of what current Danish designers are doing before you go back in time through the galleries.
- The 18-25 Rule. If you are under 26, the ticket price drops significantly. If you're a student, it's even cheaper. Bring your ID. They actually check.
- Don't skip the posters. The museum has a massive collection of graphic design and posters. It’s often tucked away or part of rotating exhibits, but it’s where you see the political and social side of Danish history.
How to get there
The museum is located at Bredgade 68. It’s a short walk from the Marmorkirken (Marble Church) Metro station. If you’re coming from Nyhavn, it’s about a 10-minute walk through some of the poshest streets in the city. You’ll pass a lot of high-end art galleries and antique shops on the way, which sets the mood perfectly.
Final Thought on the "Danish Look"
The reason Designmuseum Danmark remains relevant isn't because of nostalgia. It’s because the problems those 1950s designers were trying to solve—lack of space, need for durability, and desire for beauty—are still our problems. Walking through the museum, you realize that a "classic" isn't just something old. It’s something that hasn't been improved upon yet.
Actionable Next Steps
- Visit the official website to check for current temporary exhibitions, as the museum rotates its modern collections every few months.
- Book a guided tour if you are interested in the architectural history of the hospital building itself; the stories of the wards and the transition to a museum are fascinating.
- Download the "Parken" app if you are driving, but honestly, take the Metro to Marmorkirken; parking in Frederiksstaden is a nightmare.
- Pair your visit with a trip to the nearby Kunsthal Charlottenborg or the Royal Danish Academy if you want a full day of "Copenhagen Culture."