As the Copenhagen housing market becomes increasingly inaccessible, one young woman is turning to an unconventional solution: building her own tiny house in her parents’ backyard.
A Personal Housing Crisis Sparks an Unusual Solution
With home prices climbing to historic highs in Denmark’s major cities, finding an affordable living space in Copenhagen has become virtually impossible for many. This was the harsh reality 28-year-old Freja Brinks faced as she neared the end of her lease in the capital. Her roommates were moving on, the rental market was unforgiving, and buying a home in the city was financially out of reach. Many young people struggle to find a place to live in the Copenhagen housing market.
Instead of compromising with a long commute from the suburbs, Freja decided to take matters into her own hands, literally. Inspired by a late-night epiphany, she proposed living in her parents’ backyard on Amager, an island district of Copenhagen. What started as a joking suggestion to live in the family’s toolshed turned into a full-scale DIY homebuilding project: a 37-square-meter tiny house constructed from scratch. A small idea quickly became a serious plan.
Building a Home from the Ground Up
Freja quit her job in the restaurant industry and committed herself full-time to the ambitious project. With no background in construction, she relied on online tutorials and guidance from her father, Henrik Brinks, a legal professional between jobs who had some experience with home renovations.
Over the span of several months, they transformed the idea of a backyard shed into a fully functional home. At just under 400 square feet of livable space, the house will include a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and common living area. Designed for compact, efficient living, it will also feature a private patio and a garden where Freja plans to grow herbs and vegetables.
The budget for the entire build was set at 350,000 Danish kroner (approximately $50,000), a sum modest compared to the average price of a one-bedroom apartment in the Copenhagen housing market, which now exceeds 3.5 million kroner ($500,000). However, sticking to that budget hasn’t been easy, and Freja acknowledges that cost overruns are likely.
From Desperation to Opportunity
While some might view moving back in with parents at 28 as a step backward, for Freja, it has become a chance to create her dream home while staying close to the life she’s built in Copenhagen. The arrangement, sharing an address and mailbox with her parents wasn’t her original plan. But she now sees it as a stroke of luck, given how few young people today can remain in central parts of Denmark’s largest city.
The construction process has also deepened her bond with her father. With much of the building done by hand, father and daughter have moved over 13 tons of materials together. Although it’s physically demanding and often frustrating, Freja describes the experience as both rewarding and empowering.
The Danish Housing Dilemma
The housing market in Denmark, particularly in urban centers like Copenhagen, has become increasingly exclusionary. According to the Danish Housing Statistics 2024 report, the average apartment in central Copenhagen now costs over 50,000 kroner per square meter – more than double the national average.
A broader public conversation about the Copenhagen housing market, has emerged questioning whether young people still have a place in the city at all. Critics argue that central Copenhagen is becoming a preserve for the wealthy and middle-aged, forcing younger generations to seek homes in less desirable suburbs. But Freja’s story challenges that narrative, offering a model for how alternative housing solutions, like tiny homes, might offer a way to stay rooted in urban centers without going into lifelong debt.
A Long-Term Living Option
Freja envisions living in her tiny home for the foreseeable future. Despite its compact size, she believes the space is sufficient for one – or even two people, should she choose to live with a partner. She has made no concrete plans to move again, saying she’ll stay as long as it makes sense for her lifestyle.
After almost a year of planning and navigating municipal permits, Freja finally received local government approval in May to begin construction. Though paperwork and compliance requirements, like fire safety plans, came as a surprise, she is relieved to be moving forward.
This backyard construction isn’t just a DIY building project; it’s a practical response to a generational crisis in housing affordability. And for Freja, what began as an emergency fix has turned into a customized, sustainable, and deeply personal dream home.
