When you’ve spent any time in France, you’ve most likely marveled in any respect the attractive issues the French do in another way. From meals, to tradition to the language and even the work-life steadiness, the way in which issues are performed in France is notably completely different from life at residence and it’s enjoyable studying about it. At the moment we’re speaking about one side of our life that’s an vital one… our homes! Let’s see how French properties differ from American ones. I’m going to get into 9 options of American properties that you just gained’t discover in France, or at the very least not as continuously.
Earlier than I get began, please word that I’m not saying you’ll by no means discover the issues I point out under in a French residence or that each American residence has these items. I’m simply stating stuff you generally discover in American properties that aren’t practically as mainstream in France. Additionally, lots of the issues I point out apply to locations elsewhere in Europe and aren’t France particular.
P.S. Air-con is one thing I’ve talked about at size, so I gained’t be repeating that one right here. Learn this publish and this publish all a couple of/c in France.
What you discover in French kitchens >>
9 Frequent American residence options you gained’t discover in French homes
1. Giant double door fridges. Many American properties as of late have massive fridges. Many have the freezer drawer on the underside and have left and proper double doorways up prime for the refrigerated portion. The generally include a water/ice dispenser on the entrance. Whereas these exist in France and you will discover them at equipment shops, they’re nowhere close to as prevalent as they’re within the U.S.
Properties are typically smaller in France with much less kitchen house and purchasing habits fluctuate as effectively. The common French residence is 1206 sq. ft (112 sq meters) whereas the common American house is 2164 sq. ft (201 sq meters). It’s form of humorous that we confer with most of these fridges as having “French doorways” as a result of the French don’t actually have them!
2. Yards with out fences. Many properties within the U.S. have entrance and backyards and the bulk aren’t fenced in. Some individuals have fences round their pool or to maintain their canine on their property, but it surely’s regular to drive round U.S. suburbs and see properties that don’t have fences throughout the property traces. In France, it’s quite common to see entrance gates with partitions or fences that present safety and privateness. Backyards are sometimes fenced as effectively, even when there’s no canine or pool.
3. Rubbish disposals. Mounted below the kitchen sink, rubbish disposals eliminate meals waste by grinding it up and sending it out with the water waste as an alternative of it going within the trash. Rising up, pals’ properties had rubbish disposals and my dad at present has one. I really feel like most Individuals at the very least know what they’re. Our residence in France doesn’t and I can’t say they’re extremely popular in any respect.
4. Shingle roofs. There are all completely different roof sorts you’ll see within the U.S., however asphalt shingle roofs are most likely the most typical. Though they’re not essentially the most sturdy choice, shingles are available a wide range of colours and also you’ll see roofs like this all through the nation.
In France, slate and tile roofs are what you’ll see just about all over the place, though metallic (zinc) roofs are getting an increasing number of fashionable. Shingles aren’t utilized in France and in my space, slate roofs are what you see essentially the most. They final for years.
5. Window screens. I’ve talked about this one earlier than. French properties don’t include window screens put in on every window. Within the U.S., window screens are the norm and all home windows have them to maintain bugs out and to maintain issues from falling out your window. In France, the home windows are open to unobstructed recent air and plenty of properties — mine included — have vertical home windows (with a deal with) that open inward and never up and down.
Whereas DIY display kits have turn into an increasing number of out there through the years at {hardware} shops, it’s difficult to get a flawless match and bugs nonetheless make their approach in. DIY kits additionally aren’t sensible you probably have handbook window shutters (les volets) that require you to open your window to open and shut your shutters.
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6. Showerheads which might be completely mounted to the wall. Whereas many American properties have handheld showerheads, a lot of properties even have showerheads which might be fastened to the wall. The water stream begins and stays above your head. Which means you may’t simply do issues like clear simply your ft or wash the canine with out turning on the water overhead.
In France, fastened showerheads aren’t frequent and also you’ll discover handheld ones as an alternative. I’ve even seen ones in individuals’s properties that you just actually want to carry the entire time you’re within the bathe as a result of they don’t have a wall clamp to connect it to whenever you want each arms.
7. Completed basements. Renovated basements appear to be a really American factor. You already know those I imply… former darkish and dingy basements that get become household rooms, sport rooms, and even man caves which have a sofa, TV, and typically even a bar, pool desk, and a further lavatory. In France, basements — les caves — are typically locations for storage and aren’t usually renovated on this approach.
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8. Wall-to-wall carpeting. Such a carpeting is fairly frequent in American properties though I’d say it was most likely extra fashionable 20 years in the past. Lately wall-to-wall carpeting has come a great distance with a lot of trendy, high-end choices and it’s nonetheless fashionable within the U.S. Carpeting does exist in France (two of our bedrooms had it after we moved in), but it surely’s not seen in French properties wherever close to as a lot as it’s in American ones. I discover that French properties go for space rugs below furnishings as an alternative.
9. Garments dryers. Lately, a lot of French households have garments dryers, however they have been approach much less frequent after I moved to France in 2012. Even as we speak, you’ll see a lot of yards with a clothesline and the French most likely grasp their garments and linens as much as dry extra continuously than Individuals do.
Even as we speak within the south of France, dryers aren’t one thing each family has as a result of the nice and cozy climate and lack of rain a lot of the yr means you may dry your garments outdoors within the recent air. It’s a win-win for the atmosphere and your garments.
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There you may have it, my record of frequent American residence options that you just gained’t discover in French properties. What would you add to my record?
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