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Covering Windows Around the World - Where Do the Differences Between Countries Come From?

20.05.2026

Covering Windows Around the World - Where Do the Differences Between Countries Come From?

The way we cover our windows often results not only from personal taste, but also from the living conditions in a given place. Many factors influence the choice of window coverings: historical, cultural and practical. Differences can also be seen in the approach to privacy - in some countries, uncovered windows are completely normal, while in others it is difficult to imagine a home without net curtains, curtains or roller blinds.

We are now taking you on a journey through various corners of Europe to show how differently people can approach covering their windows. Show us your window, and we will try to guess where you come from!

The Netherlands - open windows and greater freedom

The Netherlands is one of the countries where uncovered windows have long attracted the attention of visitors. In the past, many homes featured large glass surfaces without net curtains or curtains, and domestic life was much more visible than in many other parts of Europe. Although this custom is no longer as common today as it once was, you can still find Dutch homes where the windows remain completely uncovered.

Atmospheric Dutch-style street with buildings featuring large windows without window coverings.

Where did this approach come from? There are several explanations. One theory says that this tradition may have been connected with former port life. Men often went out to sea, and uncovered windows were meant to show that there was order, peace and a good family life at home. The visible interior was therefore a kind of signal to the surroundings: everything here is in its place.

Another explanation links this custom with Protestantism and values such as honesty, loyalty and truthfulness. In the past, it was believed that honest people had nothing to hide, while covered windows could arouse suspicion. Open, completely uncovered windows were therefore meant to be a symbol of honesty, transparency and an orderly life. According to one interpretation, this way of arranging windows may also have given a greater sense of security. A visible home remained, in a way, under the supervision of the neighborhood community, which could discourage potential thieves.

The climate is also important. In the Netherlands, there is not as much sun as in southern countries, so the need to cover windows heavily during the day is smaller. For many residents, access to natural light was more important than completely separating themselves from their surroundings. Large, uncovered windows allowed interiors to be better lit and visually enlarged.

Dutch corner building with large windows and standard grey pleated blinds on the windows.

Today, the Dutch are increasingly moving away from completely uncovered windows. This is influenced by social changes, a greater need for privacy and everyday comfort - especially in the evening, when the interior of the home becomes clearly visible from the street. Tourism also plays a role, especially in popular cities such as Amsterdam or Rotterdam, where people looking into apartments can be troublesome for residents.

That is why roller blinds, light curtains and day and night roller blinds are now appearing more and more often in Dutch interiors. These solutions make it possible to shield the interior from the eyes of passers-by while not completely cutting off access to light. It is a compromise between former openness and the modern need for privacy and convenience.

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Dark Grey–Light Grey–Ash Grey Day and Night Blind

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Modern Day and Night Pleated Blind in Dark Grey–Light Grey–Ash Grey – Style and Functionality The day and night pleated blind in shades of dark grey, light grey, and ash grey is the perfect solution for those who appreciate modern design and versatility. Subtle, neutral colors blend seamlessly with any interior, regardless of its style. The blind combines functionality with aesthetics, giving the space a contemporary character. Thanks to the multicolored combination of shades, it also becomes an eye-catching decorative accent that enhances the elegance and harmony of your home. Complete Control of Light and Privacy The dark grey–light grey–ash grey day and night pleated blind offers excellent control over the amount of incoming light. Alternating fabric stripes allow for flexible light adjustment—ranging from gentle diffusion of sunlight to full blackout. This system gives you full control over the ambiance of your interior at any time of day. Moreover, the blinds ensure privacy while shielding you from prying eyes outside. High Quality and Easy Installation Made from high-quality materials, the dark grey–light grey–ash grey day and night pleated blind is durable, fade-resistant, and easy to maintain. Its longevity makes it a smart long-term investment. Installation is quick and simple, making it easy to refresh the look of your home. The neutral grey tones are universally appealing and suit any décor—from modern, minimalist interiors to more classic arrangements.

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Scandinavia - bright interiors, simplicity and the need for natural light

In Scandinavian countries, the approach to covering windows partly resembles the one known from the Netherlands. Here too, access to natural light and the lack of need to cover windows heavily during the day are very important. In Scandinavia, however, there is one more important factor - the specific rhythm of day and night in different seasons.

In winter, there is very little natural light there, and dusk can fall as early as the early afternoon. That is why Scandinavian interiors so often feature light colors, simple forms and minimalist arrangements. White walls are not just a style element - they reflect the light entering through uncovered windows, making rooms appear brighter, larger and more cozy.

Scandinavian fishing village in Norway with colourful houses and day-and-night blinds in the windows.

In the living area of the home, heavy curtains that could limit access to light are often avoided. Instead, light fabrics, bright roller blinds are chosen, or the windows are left uncovered. The aim is to make maximum use of daylight, especially when there is very little of it.

The situation is different in bedrooms. In summer, especially in the northern regions of Scandinavia, nights can be very bright, and in some places the phenomenon of the midnight sun occurs. In such conditions, blackout roller blinds are needed, as they help create comfortable sleeping conditions.

The Scandinavian approach to windows therefore shows how important it is to match window coverings to the rhythm of the day, the season and the function of the room. As a result, the interior remains bright, cozy and practical in everyday use.

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White Blackout Roller Blind (Double-Sided)

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Spain and Italy - protection from strong sun

In southern Europe, the situation looks completely different than in Scandinavian countries. Here, there is often too much sun, which is why windows are covered primarily to protect the interior from heat and excessive warming. In traditional Spanish or Italian homes, especially in smaller towns, provinces and villages, wooden, double-leaf shutters are often found instead of roller blinds or pleated blinds.

Such shutters are very practical. They effectively block harsh sunlight, darken the room and help maintain a more pleasant temperature inside the home. At the same time, thanks to their construction, they do not close off the interior completely - they allow air to flow in, which is especially important on hot days. During the day, windows and shutters often remain closed so as not to let hot air inside, while airing is usually done early in the morning or in the evening, when the temperature drops.

Charming Italian alley with shutters and grey day-and-night blinds in the windows.

Shutters also have an additional protective function. They can limit the access not only of sunlight, but also of dust, larger insects or small animals, such as lizards, which are completely natural in southern regions of Europe. There is also the aesthetic aspect - colorful wooden shutters give buildings a distinctive Mediterranean charm and create an atmosphere strongly associated with Italian and Spanish streets.

Central Europe - net curtains, curtains and the need for privacy

After the open windows of the Netherlands, the bright interiors of Scandinavia and the southern protection from the sun, it is time for Central Europe. Here, temperatures are usually not as troublesome as in southern Europe, so window coverings are not used primarily to protect against heat. Much more often, it is about privacy and a sense of freedom in one’s own home.

This need to shield one’s space does not end with windows, however. It can also be seen in high fences, walls, hedges or popular thuja trees, which are meant to shield the property from the eyes of neighbors and passers-by.

Modern grey house in a residential area with standard grey blinds on the window.

In Poland, as in the Czech Republic or Slovakia, net curtains were a permanent element of homes and apartments for many years. They worked especially well on the ground floor or by windows facing the street, where it was easy to look inside. They let in light while at the same time giving a sense of privacy and gently separating the home from its surroundings.

Today, net curtains still have their supporters, but they are increasingly being replaced by more modern window coverings: roller blinds, pleated blinds, day and night roller blinds or external roller shutters. The form is changing, but the need remains similar - we want to decide for ourselves how much of our home is visible from the outside.

In Central Europe, covering windows is therefore strongly connected with privacy, peace and a sense of security. Window coverings help regulate the amount of light and protect against the sun, but above all they make it possible to create one’s own comfortable space, separated from outside glances.

How can these inspirations be used when choosing roller blinds and pleated blinds?

Differences in the choice of window coverings result from various needs, traditions and living conditions. For some, the most important thing is to maintain access to natural light; for others, protection from the sun; and for others still, complete privacy. That is why, instead of following only trends, it is worth drawing inspiration from solutions used in different countries and adapting them to your own home.

If your interior lacks light, the Scandinavian approach will be a good direction. In that case, it is worth choosing light window coverings that will not darken the room completely. Bright roller blinds and pleated blinds or day and night roller blinds will work well, as they gently cover the window while still allowing you to benefit from natural light.

For strongly sunlit windows, in turn, it is worth choosing solutions inspired by southern Europe, where window coverings are primarily meant to protect against sunlight and excessive heating. In this case, blackout roller blinds and honeycomb pleated blinds will work well, as they help improve comfort on hot days.

In Poland and Central Europe, privacy also remains important. As Poles, it would probably be difficult for us to fully switch to the Dutch model of uncovered windows - we have become used to the feeling that home is our sheltered space. That is why, for windows facing the street, pavement or a neighboring building, pleated blinds that can be positioned at any height and day and night roller blinds will work well.

Dove Grey Window Pleated Blind

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Pistachio Window Pleated Blind

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Powder Pink Window Pleated Blind

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The most important thing, then, is a practical approach. Well-chosen roller blinds or pleated blinds should match not only the décor, but also everyday life - letting in light, protecting from the sun and providing privacy exactly when you need it.

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