Why do Dutch people not use curtains?

The most popular explanation stems from the Protestant religious tradition of Calvinism, which insists that honest citizens have nothing to hide. Closing the curtains could indicate otherwise. And by letting people have a look inside, you let them know: Look, I'm a decent person!

Do they use curtains in the Netherlands?

Just Don't Care. While it has become (more or less) a tradition to avoid curtains and blinds, a lot of Dutch people have adapted to it as a practice that is there in their subconscious minds, and they don't even care thinking about it.

Why don t Scandinavians use curtains?

Swedes, it appears, have nothing to hide. According to Jonas Engman, a curator at Stockholm's Nordic Museum, the lack of curtains may simply reflect how late the country was to achieve material prosperity.

Why do Dutch houses have big windows?

You can just look through into their homes and no one has any problem with that. One story says, that the Dutch windows are “wide open” because of the tax system from the past – people to avoid big amounts of money to pay, wanted to show everything they owed and build a trust, that they don't hide anything.

Is it OK to not have curtains?

It's ok to go bare—for the right reasons. To hear most designers say it, window treatments are the jewelry of the home, the finishing touch without which no good room is complete. But, as with every rule—design and elsewhere—there are exceptions.

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Are curtains out of style 2021?

The Main Interior Trends 2021 for Curtains

Various ruffles and frills are no longer trendy. Such options are appropriate only if you have chosen a design for the bedroom or the living room in the style of some period era like Victorian times.

How can I cover my window for privacy without curtains?

Why do Dutch bedrooms have sinks?

In the old days, sinks were often in the bedrooms because showers were not in your typical dutch apartment until about 50 years ago! In some unfurnished or shell apartments, there are no light fixtures installed before the tenant moves into the apartment.

Why are Dutch stairs so steep?

By the time the Dutch were tasked with rebuilding after two massive fires, stone chimneys had been invented and coal was widely available, so these new buildings not only had chimneys, but stairs, too. But since space was limited, builders had to be creative—thus the un-ideally steep, narrow staircases.

Why do Dutch houses have hooks on the roof?

So, why do Amsterdam's buildings have hooks? Many of Amsterdam's leaning buildings have a cantilevered beam and hook protruding from the gable at roof height. These would be used to winch possessions, and merchandise in the case of warehouses, to the upper levels.

Why do Swedes put lights in their windows?

They were first manufactured in 1937 by the Philips company in Gothenburg and quickly gained popularity as a safer alternative to open flames. They are linked to an old Swedish tradition of placing lighted candles in the windows to help light the way to the church for Christmas worshipers.

Why should you close your curtains at night?

If passersby can see into your house and either valuables are on display, or the room visible is a functional, private, family space, by all means you should keep your curtains closed.

Why do Norwegians put lights in their windows?

Hospitality is one reason window-side lights are such a prominent part of Norwegian evenings. It's a signal of friendliness and provision to those in need. Although this act of goodwill may not be on the minds of all modern Norwegians, their ancestors may have done this to help those who are lost.

Why is the Netherlands so great?

The Netherlands came out top for the honour, according to the 2018 HSBC Expat Explorer survey. It's really no surprise in a country with a great economy, great childcare, great healthcare, great education system, excellent English and a life revolving around biking.

Why are there so many Dutch models?

Why do you think so many successful models come out of the Netherlands? Dutch people have a softness and positive energy about them that makes them very likable. We also tend to be very active, ambitious people with over-planned agendas. We grow up riding our bikes through the rain, we're sporty and persistent.

Do they use curtains in Sweden?

But this is no joke – Sweden does have a law banning window curtains. The strange document was adopted in the 17th century and several reasons are given as a basis.

Why are Dutch houses so narrow?

Houses in Amsterdam are very narrow because in Medieval times owners would have to pay for the meter of the facade facing the canals. To avoid paying such high taxes, houses were designed to be narrow yet tall and functional. These buildings tend to be narrow, leaning forward and facing the water.

Why are they called Dancing houses in Amsterdam?

Today there are 165 canals and over 1,200 bridges in Amsterdam! These are called the “Dancing Houses” on the Amstel river. The soil was so swampy that homes along the canals had to be built on stilts.

Why do Dutch houses have steep roofs?

Apparently the reason for these terrifying structures is that most properties in the Netherlands are built on soft sandy soil, requiring massive load-bearing stakes called piles to be driven into the earth to support them. Houses are also usually built in a row, which helps them keep each other upright.

What is a typical Dutch house?

The most common type of dwelling is the rijtjeshuis. This is a family home, two or three stories high, with a front and back garden, adjoined by two, three or more identical homes. A standard Dutch house has two rooms in addition to the kitchen, living room, toilet and bathroom.

What is a Dutch house called?

A canal house (Dutch: grachtenpand) is a (usually old) house overlooking a canal. These houses are often slim, high and deep. Canal houses usually had a basement and a loft and attic where trade goods could be stored.

Why do Dutch houses have shutters?

The most popular explanation stems from the Protestant religious tradition of Calvinism, which insists that honest citizens have nothing to hide. Closing the curtains could indicate otherwise. And by letting people have a look inside, you let them know: Look, I'm a decent person!

Are curtains out of style?

Modern types of window treatments have become more and more popular over the year. But, even though curtains are from the past, they will never go out of style. They are classic window coverings that can adapt to modern design and style.

What can I do instead of curtains?

Can I have blinds and no curtains?

We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control. However, there are some style guidelines to follow to get the look just right.