When buying an apartment abroad, investors often encounter surprises: furniture does not fit, ceilings are low, and the layout seems illogical. The reason is that each country builds according to its own standards, which have been formed over centuries.
Europe: low ceilings and narrow corridors
In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the standard ceiling height is 2.4-2.5 meters. Historically, this is related to heating savings: lower ceilings heat rooms faster. Bathrooms often occupy 3-4 square meters. Instead of washing machines, there are shared laundry rooms in the basement of the building.
In France and Italy, there are strict regulations regarding natural lighting: windows must occupy at least 1/8 of the floor area. Therefore, even in compact Parisian studios, you will see tall French windows — this is not a design feature, but a legal requirement.
Asia: functionality of every centimeter
Japanese apartments are the benchmark for thoughtfulness when space is limited. The standard height of a kitchen countertop is 85 cm (compared to 90-92 cm in Europe), which corresponds to the average height of the population. Bathtubs are deeper but shorter than European ones: 60-70 cm deep and 100-120 cm long — the Japanese traditionally take baths while sitting.
In Hong Kong, where the cost per square meter reaches $30,000, architects have invented “shoe-box apartments” — apartments of 15-20 square meters with transformable furniture. The bed lifts up to the ceiling, the table folds into the wall, and the wardrobes are built into the floor.
The Middle East: space as the norm
In the UAE, the minimum area of a one-room apartment is 50 square meters, with ceilings at least 3 meters high. The law requires developers to provide balconies with an area of at least 8 square meters, even in budget projects.
In Saudi Arabia, residential buildings traditionally have separate entrances for men and women, and the layout includes a “majlis” — a 20-30 sq. m reception room for guests, isolated from the private part of the apartment.
USA: open spaces and drywall
American homes are distinguished by their open-space layout: the kitchen, dining room, and living room are combined into a single space measuring 40-60 square meters. Drywall walls make it easy to redesign the home, but can add some inconveniences due to sound insulation.
The standard depth of cabinets is 60 cm (compared to 45-50 cm in Europe), and the height of doorways is 2.1 meters. Double sinks are mandatory in bathrooms, even in one-bedroom apartments.
Standards are shaped not only by history, but also by climate, culture, and even legislation. For investors, this means that before buying, it is worth studying not only the market, but also local regulations to understand where overseas real estate https://myestateinvest.com/en/ will be convenient to live in or profitable to rent.
