Markus Anecdotes-Behind the Glass: What Dutch Windows Say About the Netherlands

Written by Markus, with photos from Markus

Walk down any residential street in the Netherlands, and you’ll notice something striking — large, curtainless windows that offer an unobstructed view into the heart of people’s homes. While someone from Singapore might find this quite surprising or even uncomfortable, to the Dutch, it is not only normal, it’s a subtle reflection of cultural values like transparency, practicality, trust, and an unusual sense of shared space.

In this blog, written from my perspective as someone living in the Netherlands and writing for a reader in Singapore, I want to introduce you to this fascinating aspect of Dutch life. I’ll explore not just what you see through these windows, but what those windows tell us about Dutch society — past and present. We’ll look into history, psychology, social customs, and even urban design, all through the lens of Dutch glass.

A First Glance: Dutch Windows as a Cultural Mirror

You might think that leaving your home fully visible to passersby is a sign of showing off. But in the Netherlands, it's quite the opposite. The large, open windows are not about display, but rather about a subtle, shared sense of honesty. The message is simple: "I have nothing to hide."

There’s even a common Dutch saying: “Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg.” It loosely translates to: “Just act normal, that’s already crazy enough.” This idea of modesty, restraint, and openness is visible right on their windowsills.

How Big Windows Came to Be

It’s important to understand how Dutch architecture evolved to include such prominent windows. Many of the houses, especially in the older cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Delft, were built during the Golden Age (17th century), when space was limited but wealth was growing.

Dutch townhouses were built tall and narrow due to limited plot space and property taxes based on the width of the house’s façade. As such, homes became vertically stacked, and every square meter counted. To compensate for the tight width and to let in as much natural light as possible, large windows became essential.

You’ll often find that older homes have sash or casement windows covering the entire ground floor. The Dutch climate, with its long winters and frequent rain, made natural lighting a premium feature — and the large windows brought that light in generously.

The Window Tax: How History Shaped Façades

There’s a quirky piece of history behind many Dutch windows — the infamous window tax. In the 18th and 19th centuries, several European countries (including the Netherlands, France, and Britain) imposed taxes based on the number of windows in a house. The logic was simple: more windows meant a wealthier household, and wealthier households could afford higher taxes.

The result? Some homeowners bricked up extra windows or built narrower frames to reduce the count. In Dutch cities today, especially in historical districts, you can still spot bricked-up or oddly sized windows. They’re historical remnants of a tax that ended long ago but left a visible mark on the Dutch cityscape.

This tax also deepened the cultural idea that windows were not just structural features — they were social signals. The balance between having enough light and not flaunting your wealth was delicate. Even now, Dutch people tend to decorate windowsills with neutral items — potted plants, candles, small figurines — but never anything too flashy.

A Social Contract of Privacy

One of the most fascinating things about Dutch windows is that while homes are visually open, there’s an unspoken social agreement: you do not stare. And you definitely not take pictures.

Locals might glance politely as they walk by, but they never pause or inspect what’s happening inside. This mutual understanding maintains a respectful boundary. Dutch society generally trusts its citizens to act responsibly, whether in terms of taxes, recycling, or personal privacy. The large windows, left open and unguarded, symbolize this trust.

It’s a subtle paradox: visibility, but not surveillance. Transparency, but not intrusion.

Compare this to Singapore, where privacy is deeply valued and it’s common to have thick curtains, tinted windows, or grills. In contrast, a Dutch street feels like a quiet stage — visible, but never violated.

Living Room as a Public Message

In many Dutch homes, the living room is the first space behind the window. And what you see is often tidy, tastefully arranged, and modest. Decorations on the window ledge often follow the seasons — pumpkins in the fall, tulips in spring, candlelights in winter.

This is not mere decoration — it's part of a subtle cultural messaging system. The front room is not just for relaxing — it's for representing the household to the outside world.

Religion and Morality

There’s another layer to this openness — a religious one. Historically, Dutch society was deeply influenced by Calvinism, a branch of Protestant Christianity that values sobriety, transparency, and a strong moral code. The idea that a “good citizen has nothing to hide” fits within this moral framework. Keeping your curtains open became a small but daily way to show that you live a decent, honest life.

In fact, people who kept their curtains closed during daylight hours might raise suspicion in earlier times. Were they doing something immoral? Something secretive? This kind of thinking still lingers in subtle ways today.

Modern Adaptations and Urban Living

While the tradition of curtainless windows still holds strong, especially in older neighborhoods and among older generations, things are changing. Newer apartment blocks and suburban homes might have more privacy features — frosted glass, blinds, or tinted panes.

Globalization, the rise of home security concerns, and simply individual taste all play a role. Still, many young Dutch couples and families continue the custom of open windows, albeit with a bit more flexibility.

Some people opt for voile curtains — semi-transparent drapes that let in light but obscure details. Others may install automated blinds that close at sunset. But even then, the interiors remain quite visible during the day.

A Trust-Based Society

There’s a deeper societal point here. Dutch cities function on a high level of trust. There’s relatively low petty crime. People leave bikes unlocked in rural areas. Children play freely in public spaces. People talk to strangers on the train.

The open window becomes a metaphor: “I live my life openly, and I trust you to respect that.” In some ways, this is what many people around the world are longing for — a community built not on fear, but on mutual respect.

Singapore vs. the Netherlands: A Cultural Contrast

As someone familiar with Singaporean culture, I find the differences striking. In Singapore, where high-rise apartment living is the norm, privacy is closely guarded. Many flats have multiple layers of barriers — windows, grilles, curtains, and blinds. Neighbors might be physically close but socially distant.

In contrast, the Dutch value proximity with interaction. They build open kitchens that face the street. They sit by the window with a coffee, watching the world go by, sometimes even waving to a neighbor walking a dog. It’s a more horizontal, shared way of living.

Singaporean homes are havens of retreat. Dutch homes are almost public extensions of the street. Neither is better — but the contrast says a lot about cultural psychology and history.

Decorating with Restraint

While Dutch homes are open, they’re rarely flamboyant. The interior style leans toward minimalism and natural textures. Think wooden floors, neutral colors, linen curtains (if any), and indoor plants. A typical windowsill might have:

• A white orchid

• A row of tealight holders

• A ceramic house

• Seasonal décor (e.g., Easter eggs, pinecones, or pumpkins)

In contrast to the ornate altars or statement pieces you might see in Southeast Asian households, Dutch interior style avoids excess.

This aesthetic restraint reinforces the cultural message: "I’m open, but I’m modest."

Urban Planning and Architecture

Dutch window culture isn’t only social — it’s also practical. In cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, where space is tight and zoning regulations are strict, architects are trained to use every bit of daylight efficiently. Window placement is a deliberate decision.

Many homes are terraced or semi-detached, so front-facing windows become a critical source of light. Open-plan living spaces, often visible from the street, are designed around these natural light sources. In fact, Dutch architects are among the world leaders in daylight optimization and sustainable urban design.

Light as a National Mood

It’s hard to overstate how important light is in the Netherlands. Winters are long and dark — daylight can fade as early as 4 p.m. during December. In response, the Dutch maximize every ray of sun they can get.

Large windows aren’t just cultural — they’re psychological. People sit near the window. Children do homework there. Pets sunbathe on the windowsill. It becomes a physical and emotional focal point of the home.

This obsession with light affects everything — from the orientation of new buildings to the paint colors sold at hardware stores (white, cream, pale gray — to reflect light). And again, it’s visible right from the street.

Final Thoughts: What Dutch Windows Taught Me

After spending time in the Netherlands, I began to leave my curtains open more often. Not fully, not always, but enough to feel like part of the street rather than separate from it.

I began to understand that these windows aren’t about showing off. They’re about showing up. About saying: “This is my life, nothing more, nothing less.”

Dutch windows have taught me that privacy and transparency aren’t opposites. They can coexist — with mutual respect and community awareness. They’re a quiet reminder that sometimes the most meaningful walls are made of glass.

So next time you walk down a street in the Netherlands, take a moment to appreciate the view — not just of a room, but of a mindset.