Life in Germany so far has been interesting. I’ve got to focus on things that make me happy because otherwise I’m going to lose it over the 5pm sunsets, micro fridge challenges, cleaning lady intrusions, and lack of buffalo sauce. Fortunately, the list of wonderful things about this country is pretty long.
So let’s talk about what makes me happy in my German home.
1. The blinds are automatic.
Pretty much all Germans have roller blinds on the outside of their windows called Rouladen. Some are wooden and controlled by strings on the inside but ours are metal and all I have to do is flip a switch on the wall. Sometimes we’ll be walking down the street and someone will loudly and furiously shut their blinds. Of course, over here being loud and furious is just part of everyday life.
The controls are reversed for the one in our bathroom, but I don’t really care because who leaves the blinds open in a first floor bathroom? The design of the shutters protects the window in bad weather and can keep the room cooler in the summer – you know, since air conditioning is widely frowned upon as wasteful. They are especially useful when my neighbors across the street are home and staring out their window, which I can attest is about 60% of the time. I would love to have these in my future home… connected to a smart phone app so I can lazily lower them from the couch. Plus I like the idea of having the metal shutters in the event of a zombie apocalypse (for all you believers out there).
2. The light switches located next to both sides of the bed.
Seriously, why did anybody ever think that having them across the room was a good idea? I’m over the whole flip it off and sprint to the bed in the dark thing. Or trying to use my phone as a flashlight and then seeing all sorts of imagined terrors. 
3. Low and high flow toilet options.
You know why. I like to save water. It’s a precious resource!
4. Doors, cabinets, and drawers that don’t slam.
Every time I close something here there is a mechanism that automatically makes the door close softly and gently. No more scaring the bird with a slammed door or accidentally jamming my finger. I don’t even know what to do anymore when I get angry at Mr. Meena.
It’s more refreshing than you would think. I just push it halfway and it finishes closing for me. I save so much time.
5. Radiators.
Holy Mackeral Batman, these things are incredible. You can go from not being able to feel your toes cold to sauna temperatures in about three minutes. Plus, you can warm up one small area without heating the entire home. No wonder Germans use so much less electricity than Americans. It’s super useful in the event that you bring a tropical bird to Germany that needs to be warm all the time (guilty).
6. Incredibly soundproof windows.
These windows are massive, thick, clear, and very effective at blocking sound. This is great because everyone with a manual car in Germany likes to drive fast, shift gears, slam on their brakes, honk their horn, and have near collisions in front of our home. Don’t even get me started on the police sirens.
7. Timer lights.
Okay, so I thought this light was broken and had taken to smacking it with my hand to get it to turn back on. Don’t tell the owner. Mr. Meena was the one that realized it had a motion sensor and would turn off after a certain amount of time. I get along with this light much better now.
8. Emergency shut-off switches.
Again with the electricity conservation. There are two of these switches in our rooms and they will turn off everything except the refrigerator. Half the time this one drives me nuts because the cleaning ladies will hit it on their way out and I’ll be in the dark without my fan.
Nearly all of the things on this list seem to be universal throughout Germany. We’ve stayed in three other hotels and enjoyed similar experiences. Which feature would you like to have the most?
Maybe it's a bit late, but I've to comment anyway.
As a german, I've t say, those things aren't that common. At least in my region.
I only have the low and high flow toilet options in my apartment and maybe the thick windows, I can't tell.
Otherwise, I love your writing and I'm eager to read all your posts about germany.
It's realy interessting to see an other view about my country.
I guess, I'll leave some more comments on other post.
So, see you soon 😉
Thanks for commenting and letting me know what you think! I’d love to visit homes in different regions of Germany to get a better idea of what the homes are like – my experiences were admittedly limited. I’m glad you enjoy my posts about Germany. 🙂