3 ms·

I enjoy watching a couple of shows about home renovations that take place in the US (some twin brothers and love or list it, or something like that). Two things

I enjoy watching a couple of shows about home renovations that take place in the US (some twin brothers and love or list it, or something like that). Two things always strike me as odd as an European: * People on that show always needs a shit load of space. Especially in the kitchens, for some reason. Sometimes they are a couple without kids or maybe have one kid but they want 2 ovens? And a huge island is a must. Most of the kitchens in those shows are bigger than the average living room in my country. * Houses made out of wood and walls that you can punch through. This is a different matter though.

mcv 5y ago
Exactly. Those houses always strike me as simultaneously extravagant and cheap quality. A weird combination.
kelnos 5y ago
Do Europeans not cook all that much? I imagine most suburban US families cook most of their meals, both for cost reasons and because taking children to a restaurant is viewed as a chore here. Even without kids, my partner and I try to cook often. We have a decent-sized kitchen by urban US standards (it would probably be considered on the small side if we lived in the suburbs), but could still stand to have more counter space for food prep (and cabinet space for storage). Agree that 2 ovens is a bit much, but a huge island can be incredibly useful.
- Xenoamorphous 5y ago
  I personally don’t cook but luckily for me my girlfriend loves it, and even though we have a decent kitchen now that we bought a place, she seemed to do fine in smaller kitchens. And I’ve never met anyone with 2 ovens. And even though kitchens are way smaller than in the US (or at least the average one in those shows), another difference is that we have the washer in the kitchen (almost no one has a drier though, and after using one in London I wonder why anyone would use one for anything other than sheets and towels, those things destroy clothes) and usually the kitchen was a separate room (due to the smell, I guess?), but nowadays an “open plan” has grown a lot in demand.
  - Symbiote 5y ago
    Putting the washing machine in the kitchen is just a result of limited space. Houses in Britain with enough space will put it a different room, often called a utility room, scullery or laundry room. That would be difficult to find in London. (Apartments in Denmark will put it in the bathroom, since the building regulations require a floor drain in case of leaks.)
- Symbiote 5y ago
  I would guess Europeans cook more than Americans, since the average disposable income is less in Europe. Beyond that, I'm unwilling to generalize over Europe. HN people are unlikely to be typical on either continent. I do know a European with two ovens. It's very unusual, but they really like cooking. Even so, they only use the second oven rarely -- perhaps roasting meat in one, and baking in the other. The additional oven was installed after seeing two ovens in a kitchen on a trip to the USA.
ryathal 5y ago
A kitchen much like a server is designed for peak use, not average use. having the space to prep and cook thanksgiving for the extended family or host a party is valuable even if you need maybe half of it on most days.

mcv 5y ago

Exactly. Those houses always strike me as simultaneously extravagant and cheap quality. A weird combination.

kelnos 5y ago

Do Europeans not cook all that much? I imagine most suburban US families cook most of their meals, both for cost reasons and because taking children to a restaurant is viewed as a chore here. Even without kids, my partner and I try to cook often. We have a decent-sized kitchen by urban US standards (it would probably be considered on the small side if we lived in the suburbs), but could still stand to have more counter space for food prep (and cabinet space for storage). Agree that 2 ovens is a bit much, but a huge island can be incredibly useful.

Xenoamorphous 5y ago
I personally don’t cook but luckily for me my girlfriend loves it, and even though we have a decent kitchen now that we bought a place, she seemed to do fine in smaller kitchens. And I’ve never met anyone with 2 ovens. And even though kitchens are way smaller than in the US (or at least the average one in those shows), another difference is that we have the washer in the kitchen (almost no one has a drier though, and after using one in London I wonder why anyone would use one for anything other than sheets and towels, those things destroy clothes) and usually the kitchen was a separate room (due to the smell, I guess?), but nowadays an “open plan” has grown a lot in demand.
- Symbiote 5y ago
  Putting the washing machine in the kitchen is just a result of limited space. Houses in Britain with enough space will put it a different room, often called a utility room, scullery or laundry room. That would be difficult to find in London. (Apartments in Denmark will put it in the bathroom, since the building regulations require a floor drain in case of leaks.)
Symbiote 5y ago
I would guess Europeans cook more than Americans, since the average disposable income is less in Europe. Beyond that, I'm unwilling to generalize over Europe. HN people are unlikely to be typical on either continent. I do know a European with two ovens. It's very unusual, but they really like cooking. Even so, they only use the second oven rarely -- perhaps roasting meat in one, and baking in the other. The additional oven was installed after seeing two ovens in a kitchen on a trip to the USA.

ryathal 5y ago

A kitchen much like a server is designed for peak use, not average use. having the space to prep and cook thanksgiving for the extended family or host a party is valuable even if you need maybe half of it on most days.