{"id":104098,"date":"2020-04-26T01:18:05","date_gmt":"2020-04-26T08:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=104098"},"modified":"2026-04-15T01:26:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:26:55","slug":"american-apartments-versus-european-flats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/renting\/american-apartments-versus-european-flats\/","title":{"rendered":"A Little Corner of the World: American Apartments Versus European Flats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now more than ever, your home should be your refuge. It doesn\u2019t matter whether you\u2019re living in a charming bungalow you just purchased with your life savings, the family home that you were born in, or a quaint rental apartment on the outskirts of the city,<\/span>\u00a0your home truly should be where your heart is.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of whether you rent or own your apartment, though,\u00a0<\/span>where<\/span><\/i>\u00a0you live is going to have a major impact on\u00a0<\/span>how<\/span><\/i>\u00a0you live.\u00a0<\/span>Although each home is different and it speaks of its inhabitant\u2019s style, t<\/span>his article discusses\u00a0<\/span>some interesting<\/span>\u00a0differences, as well as\u00a0similarities, between American apartments and European flats.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s Different<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to\u00a0<\/span>apartment living in Chicago<\/span><\/a>\u00a0versus flat letting in London, there are some\u00a0<\/span>pretty stark<\/span>\u00a0differences.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The firs<\/span>t is the question of space. Unless you\u2019re jockeying for rare and precious real estate in an American megalopolis like New York City, chances are,\u00a0<\/span>your American apartment is going to be a lot bigger than your European flat<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>And it\u2019s not just size that\u2019s different<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>but<\/span>\u00a0also what\u2019s included in your living space that will vary greatly between Europe and the U.S. For instance, clos<\/span>ets are not really\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/i>thing in Europe, but they\u2019re considered a virtual necessity in America.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since<\/span>\u00a0space is at such a premium in European apartments, you\u2019re probably going to have to get creative when it comes to storage. Fortunately, there are a<\/span>\u00a0ton of space-saving storage hacks to help you make the most of the space you have.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"extra<\/p>\n

For instance, you can buy\u00a0<\/span>corner clothes racks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to give you a pla<\/span>ce to hang your clothes so that you won\u2019t look like you\u2019ve just rolled out of bed with the clothes you slept in! You can also capitalize on under-the-bed storage space by getting your\u00a0<\/span>hands on<\/span>\u00a0bed risers and plastic storage totes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another big difference b<\/span>etween American and European apartments is that Americans tend to enjoy\u00a0<\/span>comfy, oversized seating, sumptuous rugs and draperies<\/span><\/a>, and an overall rich, warm and cozy feel. And this is t<\/span>rue even in the tiniest of apartments. The \u201chomey\u201d feel is usually the go-to in American design.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Europeans, on the other hand, generally gravitate toward minimalism<\/span>, reminiscent of the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Scandanavian<\/span>\u00a0style<\/span><\/a>. The goal is clean lines, neutral interiors and lots of natural light<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0whenever possible<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>when light is not enough,\u00a0<\/span>plentiful lamp<\/span>s and overhead lighting. The priority is functionality and utility, as well as an open and airy ambiance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Same<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While there are lots of differences between American and European apartment living, there are some things that are unive<\/span>rsal.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"seaside<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most important one is — of course — location, location, location. No matter whether you\u2019re living in Miami or Marseille, Atlanta or Rome, people are going to pay a premium price for a premium view. For instance,\u00a0<\/span>ocean-front and waterfront properties<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in general, a<\/span>ttract<\/span>\u00a0renters and buyers the world over. Similarly,\u00a0<\/span>the majority of<\/span>\u00a0renters and buyers prefer to live at the end of<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0quiet cul-de-sac rat<\/span>her than at a busy street corner.<\/span>\u00a0While it depends on personal preferences and priorities, where a person chooses to place their home is an important factor in the decision-making process.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Takeaway<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re\u00a0<\/span>lovin<\/span>g<\/span>\u00a0life in Liverp<\/span>ool or kicking it California style, your home should be a place of peace and joy. It should\u00a0<\/span>be a reflection of<\/span>\u00a0who you are and of the life you want to live.\u00a0<\/span>Yet\u00a0<\/span>where you<\/span>r home is will<\/span>\u00a0play a big role in\u00a0<\/span>defining\u00a0<\/span>your lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re living in a European\u00a0<\/span>flat, your home is probably going to be short on space but long on character. The goal will likely be to get creative with your storage solutions while capitalizing on that clean, crisp\u00a0<\/span>Scandinavian<\/span>\u00a0style\u00a0<\/span>of common<\/span>\u00a0European flats.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, if you\u2019re renting an apartment in the U.S., you\u2019re probably going to have a good deal more space, but probably a lot less character and history. You<\/span>\u00a0can always\u00a0<\/span>turn toward the cozy, homey feel, with rich fabrics and draperies, large and\u00a0<\/span>cushy furnishings, and lots of personal touches, from wall decor to collectibles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now more than ever, your home should be your refuge. It doesn\u2019t matter whether you\u2019re living in a charming bungalow you just purchased with your life savings, the family home that you were born in, or a quaint rental apartment on the outskirts of the city,\u00a0your home truly should be where your heart is.\u00a0 Regardless…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":104885,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3671],"tags":[38976],"class_list":["post-104098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-renting","tag-types-of-apartments","gallery-content-unit"],"yoast_head":"\nAmerican Apartments vs. European Flats - RentCafe rental blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Curious about how design varies across the ocean? 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