Why European Apartments Have This Feature That Americans Rip Out Immediately

And what it reveals about cultural priorities, practicality, and the quiet value of what lasts over what looks new

Walk into a newly renovated apartment in Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, or Rome, and you’re likely to find something still intact that would have been the first thing ripped out in an American remodel — the bidet, the ceiling-dangling clothesline, the tile floor in the living room, the original wooden shutters, or most often of all: the built-in wall intercom with a handset.

Americans visiting or moving into European apartments often pause when they see it. What is that old phone on the wall? Is it connected to anything? Why does it look like it belongs in a Cold War spy movie?

And if given the chance during a renovation, most Americans would rip it out without a second thought. They’d also remove:

• The weird bathroom window that opens into a stairwell
• The drying rack attached to the ceiling
• The shutters you have to close manually
• The deep ceramic sink in the laundry room
• The light switches outside the bathroom door
• The narrow galley kitchens without islands
• The intercom buzzer with a crackly speaker

All of it seems outdated, inconvenient, or unnecessary.

But to Europeans, these features are not eyesores — they’re practical, smart, durable, and meant to last.

Here’s why European apartments keep the very features that Americans immediately remove — and what that reveals about two very different definitions of “home comfort.”

Want More Deep Dives into Everyday European Culture?
– Why Europeans Walk Everywhere (And Americans Should Too)
– How Europeans Actually Afford Living in Cities Without Six-Figure Salaries
– 9 ‘Luxury’ Items in America That Europeans Consider Basic Necessities

Quick Easy Tips

Before remodeling, ask locals or property managers why a feature exists—there may be cultural or climate-related reasons it’s still valued.

If you’re renting or buying abroad, live with the feature first—many expats end up appreciating it over time.

Avoid assuming “modern” means better—European standards of comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics can differ dramatically from American ones.

In many European apartments, you’ll find features Americans are quick to dismiss or demolish: bidets in the bathroom, small galley kitchens, wall-mounted radiators, or even clotheslines in lieu of dryers. To Americans, these features may appear outdated or unnecessary. But to Europeans, these elements are functional, economical, and sometimes non-negotiable. What gets labeled as “quirky” or “inconvenient” often has deep roots in environmental consciousness and centuries of living within limited, shared spaces.

Take the bidet, for example. Many American homeowners rip it out during renovations, assuming it’s a strange luxury or useless extra. But across Europe, it’s a standard hygiene tool that locals argue is cleaner, more sustainable, and far superior to toilet paper alone. Similarly, the lack of large closets or air conditioning isn’t neglect—it’s a reflection of cultural values like minimalism, energy efficiency, and the prioritization of communal living over sprawling personal space.

This disconnect often stems from Americans applying their domestic expectations universally. Spacious suburban homes, walk-in closets, and built-in appliances are not the global default. European apartments are built with different assumptions: that space is shared, that energy is costly, and that daily life doesn’t need to be optimized for convenience at the expense of culture or conservation.

1. The Intercom Isn’t Ugly — It’s the Key to Community Life

In most European apartment buildings, there’s a wall-mounted phone-style intercom system, sometimes with a cracked receiver and a single button labeled “Portero” or “Puerta.” You pick it up when someone buzzes from downstairs. You can speak. You press a button, and you let them in.

In the U.S., many apartment dwellers are used to video systems, smart locks, apps, or nothing at all. If there’s a buzzer, it’s often ugly and outdated — and most landlords replace it.

In Europe, the analog intercom is functional, cheap to repair, and built to last decades. It’s not meant to be beautiful. It’s meant to work.

Most Europeans wouldn’t dream of ripping it out. It’s part of the infrastructure. And it works every time the pizza delivery guy arrives — no Wi-Fi needed.

2. The Ceiling Drying Rack Isn’t an Eyesore — It’s Your Dryer

In older European apartments, especially in Italy, Portugal, and Spain, you’ll often find a pulley-operated drying rack installed just below the bathroom ceiling or in the laundry area.

Americans are baffled. It looks clunky. It makes the room feel crowded. It’s clearly not modern.

But to Europeans, it’s brilliant: you hang your wet clothes, pull the rack up to the ceiling, and they dry naturally — no energy, no noise, no appliance repair.

Why would you remove something that works perfectly?

To an American remodeler, it’s dated. To a European, it’s common sense

3. Wall-Mounted Radiators Are Not Outdated — They’re Targeted Heat

In the U.S., central heating dominates. Americans expect vents in every room and a single thermostat to manage the whole house.

In Europe, heating is often room-by-room, and done with wall-mounted radiators, sometimes electric, sometimes water-based.

They’re seen by Americans as old-fashioned. But they let you heat only the room you’re using, saving money and energy. Many Europeans actually prefer them.

Sure, they don’t match minimalist decor. But they keep your toes warm — and your electric bill low.

4. Manual Shutters Are Better Than Blackout Curtains

Many American homes rely on blackout curtains to block light. In Europe, especially in southern countries, homes come with built-in rolling shutters called persianas or tapparelle.

You lower them manually with a strap or crank. They make the room pitch-black. They help with insulation. They keep noise out. And when fully closed, they’re virtually impenetrable from the outside.

Americans often remove them, thinking they’re too bulky or clunky. But then they wonder why their room is noisy and hot.

Ask any Spaniard: there’s no better nap than a siesta under closed shutters.

5. The Kitchen May Be Small — But It’s Efficient

Many European kitchens don’t have islands. They don’t have double-door fridges. They don’t have pantries or garbage disposals.

They have compact stoves, wall-mounted racks for utensils, dish drying shelves above the sink, and just enough space to cook without wasting steps.

American renovators often see these kitchens and want to rip everything out. But to Europeans, a kitchen should be easy to clean, easy to use, and part of daily life — not a showpiece.

Form follows function. And if you’re not baking 12 dozen cookies or filming a cooking vlog, it works just fine.

6. Deep Utility Sinks Are a Lifesaver — Not a Design Flaw

In the U.S., laundry rooms are sleek. Stackable washers and dryers. White subway tile. Maybe a folding table and a tiny sink.

In European homes, especially older ones, you’ll often find a deep, freestanding ceramic utility sink, sometimes with visible pipes and stains.

It’s not pretty. But you can soak laundry, hand-wash delicates, clean muddy shoes, or fill a mop bucket easily.

Americans might rip it out during a remodel. Europeans just nod and say, “You’ll be glad you have it one day.”

7. Tiles in the Living Room Aren’t Cold — They’re Strategic

American living rooms almost always have hardwood, carpet, or engineered flooring. Tiles are for bathrooms, kitchens, and patios.

But in Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France and Italy, it’s common to find full-tile flooring throughout the entire home — even in the living room and bedrooms.

Why? Because tile stays cool in summer, it’s easy to clean, and it’s durable for decades.

Americans may see it as cold or uncomfortable. Europeans throw down a rug or two — and enjoy the breezy, effortless floor underfoot.

8. Light Switches Outside the Bathroom Aren’t Mistakes — They’re Intentional

This one never fails to confuse Americans: Why is the bathroom light switch outside the bathroom?

It feels awkward. Like an error in construction. Surely this should be corrected.

But in many European countries, especially Spain and France, this is intentional. It’s a holdover from older electrical codes meant to keep moisture away from switches, especially in bathrooms without full ventilation.

It’s not broken. It’s safer. And everyone gets used to it.

Even if it means occasionally getting pranked by someone flipping the lights off mid-shower.

9. The Features Aren’t Pretty — But They’re Built to Last

Many American remodels are driven by aesthetics. Features are updated every 5–10 years. Counters are swapped, sinks replaced, finishes refreshed.

In European apartments, the mentality is different. You don’t renovate unless something is broken. And many things — from ceramic sinks to marble window sills to old intercoms — last for 30, 40, even 70 years.

It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about using what works, maintaining what matters, and not obsessing over making every room look like a showroom.

One Apartment, Two Philosophies

To Americans, these features look like flaws.
To Europeans, they look like solutions.

Americans often rip out and rebuild to make space more beautiful.
Europeans keep what works — even if it’s quirky — because it makes life easier.

You don’t need smart locks when the intercom works.
You don’t need an island when the countertop is well-placed.
You don’t need a dryer when the ceiling rack dries clothes for free.

So before you renovate that charming apartment in Barcelona, Lisbon, or Florence, pause.
The thing you’re about to rip out might be the smartest part of the whole home.

Understanding why European homes are designed the way they are can be the difference between culture shock and cultural appreciation. What seems backward at first often turns out to be smarter, more sustainable, and more aligned with intentional living. Instead of rushing to remodel, consider what these features reflect about the values of the people who live there.

The challenge for many American expats or travelers isn’t just adapting to smaller spaces—it’s letting go of the belief that American standards are global best practices. What if line-drying clothes teaches patience? What if a bidet really does improve hygiene? What if heating one room instead of the whole apartment actually makes more sense? These questions can lead to more than just different living habits—they can lead to better ones.