If you're moving to Portugal, or you have just moved here, Portuguese homes might surprise you. In many cases, they are quite different from what most foreigners are used to.
As an interior designer I’ve visited many apartments and homes while working with international clients, and I’ve noticed the same questions and even frustration.
I’ll walk you through some things that often surprise foreigners about Portuguese homes, and share a few practical ways to deal with them.

1. Cold apartments, humidity and mold

When people move to Portugal, especially from Northern countries, they usually expect a warm, sunny climate all year round. And in general, it is so, but there is one unexpected moment that the space inside can feel colder than outside in the winter.
The reason is that homes do not have central heating, and many buildings are not well insulated and have very poor ventilation. So, what can actually be done without serious reconstruction?
First, heating. Air conditioning in heating mode is very effective, and portable electric heaters are still very common solution. The main thing is to make them efficient, smart devices or smart plugs will help to set heating according to your schedule.
One unusual device in Portugal is electric sheets and blankets. They don’t solve the overall problem, but they make sleeping much more comfortable and reduce the need for constant heating in the room.
Humidity is another key issue that makes the environment uncomfortable, and it can lead to condensation and mold. When it comes to humidity, ventilation is essential. Regularly air the rooms and use an extractor in the kitchen and bathroom.
One more useful device is a dehumidifier. These devices remove moisture from the air and collect it in a water tank. They look bulky, but they are very effective at solving the humidity problem, and the room will feel warmer even without additional heating. There are also compact versions designed for wardrobes and closets.
From a design perspective, the choice of finishing materials also plays a role. Painted walls are practical because they are easy to repair and repaint if mold appears. Anti-mold paints can help in problem areas.
It is better to avoid moisture-sensitive materials in humid areas like wallpaper, rattan, untreated wood, cotton, linen, and other natural materials, because they absorb moisture and can support mold growth.

2. Almost every apartment looks the same

Clients are sometimes surprised by how I can guess their interior appearance so accurately. But there is no mystery here. Most interiors in Portugal look almost the same.
I ask a new client whether they bought a new-build or an old property, and how old the building is, and most cases have a clear picture in my mind of what I will see. We already started touching on this topic in the previous chapter, the most common wall finishing is white paint.
Most new developments in Portugal, no matter if they are big or small projects, follow a very similar formula. You usually see white walls, a white kitchen, white built-in wardrobes and white doors. Floors are typically a medium-dark oak laminate. In bathrooms and backsplashes, you often find tiles or stone that imitate white marble with grey veins. Sometimes it is grey stone or beige stone, but the idea is the same: neutral and minimal.
Older apartments are also like twins. You still often see white walls, but kitchens, wardrobes and doors are usually in reddish-brown wood. In the bedroom the floor is small pieces of parquet in the same warm reddish tones. For the rest of the apartment, sometimes for living room as well, there will be tile. And often you will see the tile not only on the floor, but on the walls as well.
So, what is the conclusion? If you want a home with personality, it is a good idea to work with an interior designer. This is exactly what I help with. Together, we can create an individual interior. For the walls could be used wallpaper, wall panels, colored paint, or decorative plaster. Interior character could also be created through furniture, lighting, textiles, and styling.

3. Low ceilings

This unpleasant feature is very common both for old houses and for brand new apartments
Of course, are the beautiful historic apartments that have much higher ceilings, but this type of property has its own issues. As an interior designer, this makes me a little sad because it limits some of the design possibilities. For example, we are limited about decorative lighting. We cannot hide the ventilation systems behind the false ceiling.
Unfortunately, ceiling height is one of the few things that is very difficult to change, even with major construction work. That is why I focus on visual solutions instead.
One option is to divide a large open space into smaller zones. For example, you can separate the dining area from the living room with shelving, a decorative screen, or another type of room divider.
The larger a room is, the higher the ceiling needs to be to feel proportional. By creating smaller zones, the space often feels more balanced.
If you prefer to keep the space open, there are still some useful design tricks.
The most effective ones are elements that create strong vertical lines. Full-height shelving or bookcases work very well. Vertical wall panels also make you look up, which helps the room feel taller.
Another important detail is curtain installation. I would avoid the wall-mounted curtain rails that are very popular in Portugal. I always recommend ceiling-mounted rails and curtains from ceiling to floor. The folds create these vertical lines and create the impression of higher windows and ceilings.

4. Where do you put your coat?

Another thing that often surprises foreigners in Portugal is that most homes don’t have an entrance area with storage for coats and jackets.
Maybe it comes from older traditions, when homes were smaller and there was no space for a wardrobe. But what I don't understand is why architects still design modern houses this way.
Even in new homes of 200 square meters or more, I often see layouts without an entrance area and storage for outwear, without a comfortable place where you can take off your shoes and leave your jacket.
Portugal does not have a tropical climate. In winter, you need a reasonably warm jacket. And even during the warmer months, if you go for an evening walk by the ocean, you will probably want to put on something. That is why almost all of my clients ask me to include a closed wardrobe for coats, jackets, and shoes near the entrance.
By the way, the Portuguese have a special piece of furniture just for shoe storage. It is called a sapateira. Most furniture manufacturers have one in their collection.

5. Metal shutters are part of everyday life

Shutters are something you will find in almost every Portuguese house and apartment.
Portuguese people use them not only to protect against the sun, which is quite strong throughout the year, but also for security, especially on lower floors.
One of my clients once asked me if shutters can replace curtains. From a practical point of view, yes. Shutters can fully block sunlight and make the room dark when needed. But if we talk about the feeling of comfort and the complete interior look, curtains are still very important. They bring softness, texture, and warmth into the space, which shutters alone cannot give. One important point is that if you already have shutters on the windows, you usually do not need blackout curtains. Instead, you can use lighter, sheer fabrics, which makes the interior feel softer and more elegant.

6. Laundry in the kitchen

Another thing that surprises many foreigners is finding a washing machine in the kitchen.
Even when the bathroom is quite spacious, Portuguese developers often prefer to place the washing machine in the kitchen.
In larger apartments or private houses, there is sometimes a dedicated laundry space. This can be a separate room or a combined utility area, often together with a storage room or pantry. In this case, you will usually find a washing machine, a dryer, and space for laundry baskets.
In older apartments, a dryer is usually not provided at all. Instead, people dry clothes outside the window using special racks or lines. That is why in older districts of Lisbon, you often see buildings where the facades are full of hanging laundry in different colors. It is very typical here, and sometimes it even feels like you know your neighbors a bit too well.

7. Yes, there is usually a bidet

Another thing that surprises many foreigners is the bidet.
In many Portuguese homes, even in new ones, you will still find a bidet in the bathroom. For a long time, it was mandatory to include one when building a house.
Every time my clients renovate their homes, they usually ask me to remove it. To be honest, most people don’t really know how to use it or what to do with it. Instead, you can install a compact bidet spray shower next to the toilet.
One interesting alternative is the Japanese toilet with a built-in bidet system. It gives you the same function, but without taking extra space in the bathroom. And of course, it feels much more modern and practical. So instead of having a separate bidet that nobody uses, you can have one smart solution built into the toilet itself.

8. Fireplaces

Fireplaces are very common in Portugal. You can find them in many houses, and sometimes even in apartments, especially in older buildings. In the past, they were used as a main source of heating.
Today, I feel that most people use them more for comfort and atmosphere. There is something very special about sitting next to a fireplace on a cold winter evening and simply watching the fire.
If you live in an apartment without a chimney, and you cannot install a traditional wood-burning fireplace, there are still good alternatives. One popular option today is bioethanol fireplaces. They create a real flame, are easy to maintain, and do not require a chimney or complex installation. This means you can still create the same cozy winter atmosphere in your home, even without a traditional fireplace.