Learn Hardcore Norwegian: På soverommet står det en gammel kommode ved siden av nattbordet. - In the bedroom there is an old dresser next to the nightstand.

Breakdown of På soverommet står det en gammel kommode ved siden av nattbordet.

Why is the sentence order På soverommet står det ... instead of something more like Det står ... på soverommet?

This is because Norwegian main clauses usually follow the V2 rule: the finite verb must come in the second position.

So when På soverommet is moved to the front for emphasis or to set the scene, the verb står must come next:

A more neutral version is also possible:

Both are correct, but the original sentence puts extra focus on where the furniture is.

What is det doing in this sentence? Does it mean it?

Here, det is a dummy subject (also called a formal subject). It does not refer to a specific thing.

In Norwegian, when you say that something exists or is located somewhere, you often use this pattern:

So in this sentence, det is similar to English there in There is a chest of drawers...

It is not the same as a normal it that refers back to an object.