12 details of houses in Finland that you almost never see in other countries (12 photos)

Finland is a country where nature, comfort, and thoughtfulness are intertwined in every aspect of life, including homes and apartments. Locals are used to their decisions, but if you are visiting a Finnish home for the first time, you may be in for a surprise.





1. A sauna for every home

Imagine: you come to visit, and the hosts, instead of offering you tea or coffee, invite you to... a sauna. For Finns, this is the norm! Most apartments have their own sauna, and this is not some kind of pampering, but an element of everyday life. It is located right in the bathroom and is ready to use at any time. No complicated rituals: just turn it on, wait a couple of minutes, and here you are already sitting in a cozy steam room. The Finnish winter here seems to hint: "A sauna is salvation."



And even if suddenly there is no sauna in your apartment, then it will definitely be in the basement or on the first floor of the entrance, accessible to all residents. At the same time, there will be a piece of paper on the door, on which each resident can reserve time.

2. Drying cabinet for clothes

When I rented houses in Finland, there was always a special drying cabinet for clothes in the hallway at the entrance. Very convenient: after rolling in the snow, skiing, snowballs and other winter activities, you don’t look for a place to put your jacket, but just hang it in a special cabinet, which will dry it quickly.





This is the cabinet we had in one of the rented houses.

3. Drying room

In apartment buildings there are real rooms for drying clothes — kuivaushuone. These are small rooms (usually in the basement, somewhere near the sauna) with clotheslines stretched out. In the corner there is a powerful unit that literally dries the laundry in a couple of hours using warm air. Just set the time, start it — and the job is done. The only downside is that on weekends there are queues at this miracle room.

4. Outdoor sockets for cars

The Finnish winter is a serious test for cars, but the Finns have found an elegant solution. Right in the parking lot, next to each car, you can see posts with sockets. Yes, in Finland, cars can be "charged" so that they do not freeze. Just plug in the car, and in two hours the engine warms up. You save time and nerves, because you don't have to warm up the car manually. Electricity costs are included in the cost of parking - another small bonus. Something similar is in our northern regions, like Chukotka and Yamal, but not so widespread. After all, here they often just hang wires from the windows of apartments, and do not install special heaters centrally.



5. Bicycle storage room

Bicycles are practically a symbol of the Finnish family. Here everyone has a bicycle, and it does not matter how old you are. Moreover, I have seen that they ride them even in winter.

There are special rooms for storing two-wheeled friends, which are often called ulkovälineet. Such a room is located on the first floor of the entrance. Inside there are special hooks, shelves, sometimes even lockers for seasonal equipment. Surprisingly, sometimes you can find forgotten bicycles here that no one needs anymore. If the owner does not show up, the bicycle quickly disappears - as if it goes into free swimming.



But sometimes bicycles are simply left on the street.

6. Nameplates with the names of residents at the entrance

On the first floor of each entrance you will be greeted by a special sign with the names of all the residents of the house. The apartment numbers and owners' names are listed here. This helps neighbors navigate better, and guests find the right apartment faster. This system saves time and nerves, especially in a large building where it's easy to get confused.



This is what it looks like.

7. One key for everything

Now that's really convenient! Imagine having one single key that opens the door to your apartment, the entrance door, and the stroller room. No need to carry a bunch of keys - one key solves all problems.



8. Shoe brush at the entrance

Clean shoes are the key to a clean home. The Finns know this very well, so there is a special shoe brush near every entrance. In winter, when the roads are covered with snow and dirt, this brush is a real lifesaver. A little effort, and the dirt stays outside the door.



I took this picture in the summer. But in winter it looks the same. :)

9. Holes in the duvet cover

This may seem like a small thing, but here's a Finnish trick for you: they make small holes in the corners of the duvet covers. What for? To make it easier to insert the blanket. Put your hands in these holes, and the blanket snaps into place faster than you can think, "Why was that necessary?" The principle is the same as with a pillowcase, which sort of turns inside out when you put it on.



This is what they look like.

10. Electricity meters in the basement

Have you ever wondered how the Finns read their electricity meters? The correct answer is no way. All electricity meters in apartment buildings are located in the basement in a closed room, and only the housing management and the energy supply company have access to them. The Finns simply receive a bill by mail, pay it, and that's it. No papers, no "fortune telling" about the readings - simple and convenient.



11. Grill houses in the yard

Finns like to spend time outdoors even in winter. Therefore, in some yards you can find a small grill house, where residents can have a barbecue at any time of the year. Such houses are sometimes even heated, so even in the cold you can enjoy a fresh grill and chat with friends.



12. A bin with pebbles at the entrance

Winter in Finland is not only snow, but also ice. To prevent slipping, there is a bin with small pebbles and a scoop at each entrance. If the path is covered with ice, everyone can sprinkle it and protect themselves and their neighbors from falling. This is a manifestation of true Finnish care for their neighbors.



What else is interesting? For example, almost all houses have heated floors and triple glazing. And the kitchen is combined with the living room. The kitchen has a special dish dryer above the sink (like a shelf with a grate instead of a bottom). And there is always a coffee machine.

As you can see, many things in Finnish houses are very well thought out and decided centrally. At a general meeting of residents. But in many of them you can see concern for comfort and attention to detail.