In Spain, a U.S. resident highlights an contrasting norm: "It's not necessarily wealth that matters," referring to a more common practice in Spain compared to wealth- dependent reality in the U.S.
In the heart of Madrid, American expatriate Nicholas Joseph has found a unique contrast that redefines the idea of luxury and normality. Living in Spain has opened his eyes to aspects of daily life that are surprising or even shocking to those coming from another part of the world.
One thing that captivates him is the widespread access to outdoor space in Spanish homes, specifically balconies. This is a luxury that many in the United States do not have the privilege of enjoying.
Spanish architectural culture has incorporated balconies and terraces as part of the usual structure of buildings, even in humble neighborhoods. For Spaniards, the idea of having breakfast on a balcony, hanging clothes out to dry in the sun, or simply opening a door and letting fresh air in, doesn't seem extraordinary.
This access to outdoor space is not limited to expensive homes or luxury areas in Spain, but is a general pattern found in cities and towns throughout the country. In the street where Nicholas Joseph lived, balconies line the whole street, inviting residents to go out and enjoy the sun or breeze.
Outdoor living spaces in Spain have a unique cultural and climatic importance that makes them essential living areas, deeply tied to social life and the Mediterranean way of life. Spain’s mild, sunny climate encourages year-round use of outdoor areas such as patios, terraces, and gardens. This fosters outdoor living as a daily routine rather than a seasonal luxury.
Spanish homes traditionally feature patios or outdoor courtyards as central, multifunctional social spaces. These areas serve for relaxation, dining, and gatherings, emphasizing community and hospitality, which contrasts with many U.S. homes where outdoor spaces might be more private or utilitarian.
Contemporary Spanish design blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors, using high-quality, stylish furnishings and sophisticated layouts that turn outdoor spaces into comfortable living rooms or dining areas. In Spain, outdoor public amenities like solar-powered benches with Wi-Fi and charging stations support a culture of outdoor connectivity and extended outdoor social life, showing a societal embrace of outdoor living beyond the private home.
While outdoor living spaces in the U.S. are popular, their use can be more seasonal depending on the region, and they often emphasize private recreation like barbecues, pools, or decks. U.S. outdoor areas may also focus more on large-scale entertainment or gardening, sometimes less integrated architecturally with the interior living spaces.
Nicholas Joseph shares his observations and experiences through his Instagram account 'spainwithnick', highlighting customs and architectural elements that pass unnoticed by Spaniards but are considered luxuries in the United States. For Nicholas, experiences that in the United States would be reserved for those living in penthouses or houses with terraces, are part of the daily life of the majority in Spain.
This article does not specify the specific custom or architectural element that Nicholas Joseph highlights as a luxury in the United States, beyond the lack of widespread access to outdoor space in homes. What is considered everyday and essential in Spain belongs to a more exclusive sphere in the United States, according to Nicholas Joseph.
Art and lifestyle intertwine in Spanish homes, as Nicholas Joseph discovered, with outdoor-living spaces serving as an extension of indoor areas. Home-and-garden spaces, such as balconies, patios, or terraces, are integral to the Spanish way of life, forming crucial social spaces that blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.
