Updated in May 2026
Everything came full circle on my first day back in Spain after a summer in the states – the Novio asked me to pick up a few housewares and suggested I head to the cheap bazaar shop two blocks away. My jet-lagged body was on auto pilot as I walked in, found the corner dedicated to tupperware and kitchen utensils, and picked out a few necessities.
It hit me: this was the same place I bought my household necessities when I first moved into a shared flat in Triana seven years ago. And now, with a big kid paycheck and an entire house to fill, I was back at the same chino to buy dishes and tools.
Drying my clothes on our terrace is a luxury with the Andalusian sun
As we settle into our newly purchased chalet in Barrio León, we’re slowly learning the quirks of the so-called ‘Alcázar.’ Our outside lights don’t work, the oven takes an hour to heat for a morning tostada and the lock on the heavy iron door to our parking spaces split a key in two. But it’s ours! Part of the fun (or agony) of looking for a place to live in Spain is the differences between homes in the US and homes here.
It goes far, far beyond the house versus apartment debate.
Bombonas
Melissa was clear about setting down the rules: she would shower every evening at 8pm once she was done with her classes, so no one could use the hot water from 6pm. When I inquired why (first world problems, indeed), she opened a cabinet in the kitchen to reveal a bright orange tank – of propane.
In order to heat water, the bombona uses pressure and a small flame, which flows into the pipes in your sink, shower and washing machine. When the tank runs dry, no hot water: you’ll have to call up Repsol and wait for them to deliver a new one, or just wait until siesta time, when the truck will inevitably drive by and clank all of the fuel tanks together to wake you up.
I ended up joining a gym nearby just to have unlimited hot water. Flash forward to 2026, and we are now hardcore bombona addicts!
Lights on the Outside of the Room
How many times have you fumbled around in the dark to find a light switch?
Surprise! Spanish living spaces tend to have the light switches outside of the room they correspond to. This isn’t always the case, but you may have to reach around the doorframe to illuminate the kitchen after a night out. That, or use the fridge to guide you.
The lights above correspond not to the hall or study, but to my bedroom. When I’m just waking up in the morning, I’m thankful it’s already daylight.
Persianas
I never leave home without a pair of sunglasses because the Andalusian sun is far too bright. Your house has an answer to that, though, as one of the greatest inventions known to man – persianas. These industrial strength blinds are awesome for cutting out light and noise when you’re taking a midday snooze or wanting to sleep in late, but they also mean zero air flow. Fine when it’s cold, but not fine when you’re on the fourth floor and it’s summertime.
Now that I’m living in a house and not a flat, curious neighbors are always peering into our living room, so we often have the persianas down and the lights on.
Braseros
Believe it or not, it gets cold in Spain – even in the south. While houses in the north are more prone to have central heating and thick carpets, Andalusian houses have thick walls, tile floors and often a noticeable lack of central heating and/or air.
Take it from a Chicagoan: you do not know cold until you have lived a damp Andalusian winter.
Spaniards cope with homes that are colder than the temps on the street by installing something called a brasero. Simply put, a space heater is put under a table, and a thick blanket is draped over the table to trap in the heat. People gather around the brasero and try to cover as much of their bodies with the blanket (extra points if it’s velvet). Ingenious? Maybe. Dangerous? Definitely.
Jesus Tiles
There is nothing more Spanish than bad decor. It was hard for me to imagine living in my new house while the former tenants’ things were still there – heavy wooden furniture, mismatched fabrics and enormous portraits of the Virgin Mother above every bed.
It’s not uncommon to see a flat that has hand-painted tiles depicting Jesus Christ crowned with thorns or a weeping virgin (or, if you’re that lucky, the timeless Spanish rose known as Cayetana de Alba). Each city and town have their own patron saints, which grace buildings, benches and even bars. Sevillano favorites? The Virgen of the Macarena, Jesus of the Great Power and the Queen of the Swamps, Our Lady of Rocío.
The Novio and I have one new tile, a housewarming gift courtesy of my younger sister:
If you’re lucky, your digs will have modern furniture, an oven and a dryer – and you will have essentially won the Spanish housing lottery. Snatch that place up if the price is right! You also won’t get mosquito screens or air conditioning, so start training your body to cope with bugs and heat rash.
Our second year on Calle Numancia, we were able to give the place a good coat of paint, though the mint green in my room clashed with the heavy, dark wooden furniture. But somehow, it felt a little more like my own place in the city. Now that my name is on the deed, I have come to miss those days when I paid rent and utilities, and left the rest to Manolo, my landlord.
More links: Where to Live in Seville // How to Survive Spanish Convivencia
How are you going about searching for an apartment? Have you found anything strange or kooky?
After an abysmal time wrangling bombonas in the Leonese winter, I REFUSE to live in a piso with them ever again!
Cute, custom tiles, however–that’s a different story entirely.
Cassandra recently posted..Cartagena Colonial Cool (For Naysayers!)
I am all for the tiles…and can’t wait till the bombona goes!
Loved this post. I think each country has its quirks. I was surprised by the Brasero. I thought Japan was the only country that did this.
Corinne recently posted..Red Rocks, Nevada
I had no idea that Japan used it until I google searched! They make me nervous – too many horror stories!
In Iran they also have something like braseros! but they are typically lower to the ground allowing you to sit on the floor.
Who knew!
“Extra points if it’s velvet” hahaha! Muy bueno! 😀
Velvet is the only way to go.
I hate bombonas. End of story.
Trevor Huxham recently posted..What to Eat in Porto, Portugal
Ugh, I know. I practically skipped around my apartment when we got rid of ours at the last place. After we put in a new oven (I can’t live without pizza), a hot water tank and placas solares are next!
Cat, i am surprised to hear that it is cold in Andalucia!
when i think of cold i have in mine places like Burgos, Madrid, Leon or Teruel, places where you get chilled to the bone.
It’s a different kind of cold because it’s damp. THAT’s what gets to your bones!
Oh my goodness, that Cayetana tile. Do you think I can find one for my apartment in Australia?
Kirstie recently posted..Sorry, World. I Left My Heart in Spain
When I do find it (or paint it myself, which means it will look like a blond Hombre Ecco), I will UPS that kitsch!!!
LOL! I still look at that every time I need a good chuckle.
I know you mean the Duquesa 😉
My senora during my semester in Madrid was vigilant about reminding us not to leave lights on when we left a room. To this day, I prefer low-light/not to turn too many lights on!
Nicole recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
Ugh, and that was way before the prices for electricity shot through the roof!
I’m looking forward to enjoying all these weird things! I ship out in 5 days and am eager to start the house hunt. I doubt I’ll win the Spanish housing lottery, but a nice place in a great location will do the trick. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Mike of Mapless Mike recently posted..Musings with Only 7 Days Left
In La Rioja, I’m sure you’ll have heat, maybe even carpet!
The lights on the outside of the bathroom gets me EVERY time. I just always think about how cruel children must turn the lights off on people in the bathroom because that’s exactly what I’ve done and still been tempted to do…. Ooops.
Alex, Speaking Denglish recently posted..TOP FIVE PLACES IN GERMANY I’D VISIT AGAIN AND AGAIN
You are speaking my language.
FYI there’s a small typo! ” Andalusian houses have think walls, tile floors and often a noticeable lack of central heating and/or air.” I wish my walls could think…
Ha, my walls do talk/think – my neighbors speak really loudly! Thanks for catching the error, Kat.
Lovely post!it reminded to me my two moves..once in Italy(awful apartments with horrible furniture, hardly any balcony)) and lately in Germany (bare homes..sometimes u must have the pavement or the bathroom! Installed!!..if u find a house with kitchen then u really won the lottery!!)..indeed every country has its quirks!
Veeeeery true!
Every time I shower I THANK GOD I don’t have to deal with bombonas. When I studied in Cádiz, my host family ran out of propane and didn’t get a new one for three days. So during hot, sandy, sweaty beach season, I had to go THREE DAYS without a shower. God bless my poor classmates who had to smell me.
Courtney recently posted..Santorini One Sip at a Time: An Afternoon with SAFOWI
(Although in hindsight I probably could have just sucked it up and taken a cold shower, but I didn’t have the cojones for that at the time.)
Courtney recently posted..Santorini One Sip at a Time: An Afternoon with SAFOWI
Ugh, it’s the worst. As soon as we’re able, we’re getting rid of it (though my boyfriend and I have opposite schedules, so it doesn’t matter too much). I studied abroad during a drought, so e actually had to conserve water! I got used to short showers and turning off the water between lathers.
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