During our search for a home in Lucca Centro Storico, we discovered features and quirks that differed significantly from our experiences in the US.
Many properties demonstrated a thoughtful use of space, from compact kitchens designed for intimate gatherings to clever storage solutions, proving that less can indeed be more. However, some aspects added a layer of charm and curiosity...
Kitchen Chronicles
Italians have a deep-rooted appreciation for the art of cooking and dining, viewing the kitchen as the heart of the home where culinary magic happens. You will find that most kitchens are enclosed, known as "cucina chiusa" in Italian. Unlike the open-plan layouts popular in many Western countries, enclosed kitchens offer a sense of intimacy and coziness, creating a dedicated space where the aromas of simmering sauces and sizzling pans can flourish without encroaching on other living areas.
In fact, even in apartments, Italian homes are often designed with distinct "day" and "night" zones, a concept that reflects a thoughtful approach to living space and functionality. The "zona giorno" (day zone) typically includes the living room, dining room, and kitchen—areas where daily activities and social interactions take place. This zone is designed to be welcoming and open, ideal for entertaining guests and family gatherings. In contrast, the "zona notte" (night zone) encompasses the bedrooms and bathrooms, providing a private, tranquil space for rest and relaxation. This separation not only enhances privacy but also helps maintain a clear distinction between social and personal areas within the home. It also helps with maintaining comfortable temperatures and only heating/cooling the areas you're currently using.
Airing Your Laundry
In Italian homes, washers (and dryers, if there even is one) often find themselves in unexpected spots like the kitchen or bathroom, seamlessly blending into daily life. One home we viewed during our search had a balcony off of one of the bedrooms that housed the washing machine. While this odd choice would make hanging laundry out to dry easier, it seemed like an impractical but creative solution.
While washers are indispensable, drying clothes is a different story – Italians prefer the traditional clothesline, embodying a sustainable ritual.
Another quirk? Appliances like stoves and dryers typically lack external venting, relying on internal systems. This reflects the challenge of modernizing centuries-old buildings.
Our dryer is conveniently located in the pantry off the kitchen. After a year of relying on our clothesline, we decided to try using our dryer for some heavy wet towels, only to find it suddenly malfunctioning. We discovered it required manual water tank emptying between loads – we had absolutely no idea. I guess the water has to go somewhere!
Appliances...Size Does Matter
Unlike their American counterparts, Italian appliances often employ a more compact and space-efficient design. From cozy refrigerators to stacked washer and dryers, these scaled-down appliances perfectly complement the limited square footage of many Italian kitchens. This compactness also aligns with the Italian lifestyle, where daily shopping for fresh ingredients is the norm, reducing the need for large refrigerators and pantries.
Compost, Not Disposals
American kitchens might boast the convenience of garbage disposals, but their absence in Italian households serves as a reminder of the nation's commitment to waste reduction and recycling. Instead of grinding food scraps into oblivion, Italians diligently separate their organic waste for composting, reflecting a culture deeply invested in sustainability and resourcefulness in every aspect of daily life. Dishwashers are another luxury not present in many Italian homes. More on Lucca's waste managment here.
Double Door Design
The practice of having two doors separating food areas and bathrooms in Italian homes is not necessarily a legal requirement but rather a cultural and practical tradition deeply ingrained in Italian home design. While there may not be a specific law mandating this design feature, it is commonly observed in Italian homes as a cultural norm and practical consideration for maintaining cleanliness and privacy.
Living Large in a Smaller Home
Open floor plans are unusual in historic homes primarily due to their architectural and functional evolution. Historic homes were built at a time when distinct, compartmentalized rooms were the norm, each serving specific purposes—such as a separate kitchen, dining room, and parlor. This design was influenced by the social norms and practical needs of the period, emphasizing formal dining and private spaces. So even the grandest villas, with their impressive facades and lush gardens, will have a series of smaller, defined rooms rather than expansive open spaces. In these homes, each room was crafted to fulfill a particular role, reflecting the Italian emphasis on both form and function.
Years ago, I read Steven Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families. In it, Covey highlights the advantages of living in a smaller home, noting that it can foster a close-knit, efficient family environment. He suggests that smaller homes promote stronger family connections by encouraging more shared experiences and interactions.
Italian homes, often feature intimate layouts that not only optimize space but also create opportunities for meaningful family moments. This preference for compact living spaces, common throughout Italy and Europe, reflects a cultural embrace of intimacy and efficiency shaped by centuries-old urban landscapes. Embracing a smaller home can lead to a more focused and intentional lifestyle, where every square foot is utilized to its fullest potential, reinforcing Steven Covey’s idea that a well-designed living space enhances family cohesion and effectiveness. While American participants on shows like House Hunters International never cease to lament the smaller rooms and lack of open floor plans in other countries, embracing the charm of these cozy dwellings invites us to prioritize simplicity and functionality. This approach fosters a deeper connection with our surroundings and each other, as we come to view the entire town—its lively piazzas and the walls of Lucca—as an extension of our living space.
Additionally, structural considerations played a role. Many historic homes were constructed with load-bearing walls that supported the building’s integrity, making it difficult to remove or alter these walls without compromising the structure. The use of separate rooms also reflected the heating and insulation technologies of the time, which were less efficient, leading to a preference for compartmentalized spaces that could be more easily managed with stoves or fireplaces.
Closet Conundrum
In Italy, closets are often conspicuously absent, a surprise for many foreigners who are used to built-in storage. Italian homes, especially those in older buildings, tend to favor wardrobes, armoires, and dressers over closets. This tradition stems from historical architectural practices where space was utilized differently, and permanent closets weren't part of the home design.
Chill Out
Say arrivederci to central air conditioning! While a lot of US homes come with central AC systems that efficiently cool large spaces, that is not the case in Italy. With a warm climate and a lifestyle that celebrates outdoor living, Italians generally prefer to keep their homes naturally ventilated vs. high-tech cooling. We wrote about this a bit more, here.
If you're an American accustomed to central air, the absence of it in Italian homes can be quite a shock. Installing air conditioning splits—individual units mounted on walls designed to cool specific areas—can be a costly endeavor. These splits, while effective, require professional installation and can significantly impact your renovation budget. Unlike central AC systems that distribute cool air throughout the home, splits are typically used in individual rooms, making them less efficient for larger spaces.
For many Italians, the expense of air conditioning splits is outweighed by the benefits of traditional cooling methods. However, for many AC-loving Americans, that's a non-starter during the summer!
Power Play
In Italy, the variety of electrical plugs can be confusing. With multiple plug types coexisting even within the same room, it’s not uncommon to encounter a dizzying array of shapes and sizes. This stems from different regions adopting various plug designs over the years. For instance, the Type L plug, with its three round pins, is the standard for most Italian households, but Type C and Type F plugs are also common, adding to the confusion.
In the US, building codes require a specific number of electrical outlets on each wall to ensure convenience and safety. This standard makes it easy to plug in various appliances and devices without relying on extension cords. In contrast, Italian apartments often lack a similar regulation, leading to fewer outlets that are often inconveniently placed. We have entire walls without outlets in our place! This difference can pose a challenge for those accustomed to the plentiful and strategically located outlets of American homes.
Bidet Bliss & The Case of the Missing Toilet Seat
In Italian bathrooms, you might find yourself surprised by something extra you didn’t expect—like a bidet—and something mysteriously missing, like the toilet seat!
Nope, it's not a fancy foot bath or a miniature bathtub for your chihuahua. The bidet, found in most Italian bathrooms, serves a far more noble purpose. It's like having your own personal fountain of cleanliness right in the comfort of your bathroom! So, while bidets may baffle the uninitiated, to Italians, they're a cherished companion in the quest for impeccable posterior perfection.
If you’ve traveled in Europe, you’ve likely encountered a public toilet without a seat. But we were surprised to see this even in some Italian homes! This curious phenomenon has a few roots. Italian homes, especially older ones, were built before toilet seats became common or standardized. Over time, the bidet gained prominence as a staple of hygiene, leading some to view a toilet seat as an optional extra rather than a necessity.
In public bathrooms, the absence of toilet seats can sometimes be attributed to practical concerns, as people standing on them has led to breakage and subsequent removal.
In addition to the unexpected bidet and the occasional missing toilet seat, Italian toilets themselves come with their own quirks. For one, you’ll often notice there’s no visible tank behind the toilet. Instead, the tank is usually hidden within the wall, which creates a sleeker look.
Another unique feature is the dual flush buttons, typically found on the wall above the toilet. The toilet bowl itself might seem oddly low in water compared to what you’re used to back home. But don't let that fool you! Once you flush, a surprising amount of water rushes in, making sure everything is cleared out efficiently. Ok, enough about toilets!
Essential Outdoor Spaces
In Italy, where homes are often compact, outdoor spaces like terraces, gardens, and courtyards play a crucial role in expanding living areas and enhancing the overall quality of life. These outdoor retreats effectively extend the small indoor spaces, providing additional room for relaxation, dining, and socializing. A balcony can transform into an open-air dining room where family meals become an experience to savor, while a garden offers a lush escape for leisure and quiet moments. Courtyards and gardens create private oases that enrich the home environment. By seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living, these spaces not only compensate for the smaller interior footprint but also embody Italy’s celebration of its beautiful climate and outdoor lifestyle.
Shutters: Not Just for Show
Shutters adorn the windows of Italian buildings and are not merely decorative but functional guardians of privacy, light, and climate control. These traditional features, serve as versatile shields against the elements, allowing residents to regulate airflow and sunlight with precision. Whether thrown wide open to welcome the warm embrace of the Tuscan sunshine or closed tight to fend off the scorching midday heat, shutters play an integral role in shaping the ambiance and comfort of Italian interiors. Beyond their practical utility, these shutters bestow a timeless charm upon the facades of Italian buildings.
She's a Brick House
Italian homes stand as enduring symbols of architectural resilience, built with materials like brick, stone, and cement that ensure durability and timeless elegance. Unlike the wooden frameworks common in American homes, these robust materials provide superior thermal mass and insulation, maintaining comfortable interiors year-round while minimizing energy consumption. Italian homes, therefore, embody a legacy of architectural excellence and ingenuity. In contrast, we replaced the roof on our Virginia home after less than 20 years, highlighting the difference in longevity and maintenance between the two approaches.
We touched on more of our experiences house hunting in Italy with this blog post. As we embrace these Italian home features, we're reminded of the beauty in simplicity and the importance of functionality in creating spaces that truly feel like home. Whether it's the dance of light through traditional shutters or the creative placement of appliances, Italian homes invite us to appreciate the simplicity in everyday living.
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