13 Best Things in Finnish Homes

*In commercial collaboration with Joutsen – Scandinavian craftmanship since 1936, to keep you warm. Please note that this post has affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. 

Here are 13 things that you can find in a Finnish home. It would be pretty much impossible for a Finn to cope without them.

Let this be a warning, once you get used to these features, you simply won’t want to live without them!

Showers in Finland

It’s lovely to take a shower in Finland. The water pressure is strong and steady. The temperature is easy to regulate.

Hot water comes instantly, not after waiting 10 minutes for it to heat up, and there is plenty of it for the whole family.

Single-person duvets

If you’re looking to take your sleep game to the next level and avoid those bedtime tug-of-wars over the covers, consider switching to a single-person duvet. It is a very common thing in Finland and other Nordic countries to have your own duvet even if you share a bed with a partner.

Joutsen down duvets became a game-changer for me and my hubby. Since I am the one who is always cold and he is always hot, we got two different blankets (naturally!) – a warm and a cool one – and never looked back. No more wrestling matches in the middle of the night, comfortable temperatures – isn’t it heaven?

Here comes a little hack: if you enjoy comfort, but still like snuggling with you partner and worried about keeping the spark alive, try stitching your duvet covers together. I do it at my home and it works wonders!

If you want to upgrade your bedroom to a “pro-sleeper” level, I also highly recommend getting down pillows. Joutsen pillows have different height and softness – it will be easy to find a perfect one for you.

The best thing about Joutsen down products is that down actually goes through several cleaning stages: first, it is washed by the material supplier; then Joutsen Down System does its job, using water and hot air, without the use of any harsh chemicals. This ensures that all unwanted stuff like dust, grease and animal-based proteins are removed from the feathers, making the products safe, hygienic, warm and so light-weight. Joutsen down duvets and pillows have been awarded the Allergy label by the Finnish Allergy, Skin, and Asthma Federation. It’s a stamp of approval that assures users of the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.

Duvet covers with “hand holes”

In Finland, we use a bag type of a duvet cover. The duvet cover bag opens from the open corner of the cover. So comfortable and easy!

We cannot understand the impracticality of an extra bed sheet covered with a heavy blanket on top. Am I the only one who wakes up either having only the thin bed sheet on me or the heavy, coarse blanket?

Dedicated blanket for napping

There’s something special about having a blanket solely for napping. You wouldn’t want to nap under your regular duvet and mess up your sleeping schedule, would you?

Choosing a perfect blanket for naps will make a ritual out of your daytime relaxation and give you a sense of comfort and rest. I use one of the Joutsen’s Kulkuri down blankets: they are super comfortable, keep my body temperature at a perfect level and also very light-weight and portable. I often take mine with me when travelling or simply going to the cabin – naps are important and shouldn’t be ignored.

Filter coffee everywhere

Almost all Finnish homes have a filter coffee machine. That’s the best coffee in the world – a bit watery, self-made, cup of joe.

Personally, I would rather give up my microwave than my filter coffee machine.

The Finnish Standard of Faucets

In the kitchen, in the toilet, in the bathroom, and in the utility room. The Finnish standard of faucets is pristine, even in older buildings. The functionality is impeccable.

We Finns never remember to appreciate our taps at home, but always realize that they are pure gold when we are abroad. Tap water is pure and safe to drink from any faucet in your home,

Toasty Warm Insulation

When I am feeling cold, my friends from other countries are amazed.

How can that be, you are from freezing Finland?

Well, that is the reason why. Finnish homes are very warm, perfected with excellent insulation. Triple glazed windows and underfloor heating are very common.

Some people are having their houses ridiculously warm so that they can have bare feet indoors all year long (Mum, I know you are reading this. Turn the temperature colder please).

The Finnish Sauna

This goes without saying. The sauna is a pretty amazing treat after a run or a hectic day at work.

Locks in Finland

The quality of Finnish locks is unbeatable. They are intelligently built and super safe.

Is it normal for you to have three keys to your apartment? Be prepared to be jealous! In Finland, you would just have one key to all doors and a universal locking system.

Also, most locks open with only one hand which is, once again, practical. (I do not work for the Finnish key&lock industry, I am just terrible with locks in general, so this is a big deal for me.)

No shoes indoors

We never walk around inside the home with outdoor shoes. We like to think that how we keep our floors are clean, air fresh, and home in good condition. A pair of slippers or cozy wool socks are our favorite go-to for walking around the house. My recent favourite is Joutsen down slippers – it’s like wearing little clouds on your feet!

To many Finns, it feels so uncomfortable to leave shoes on, that we still take them off, no matter the host’s indifference on shoes in the home. Even in places where we know that other people are typically keeping them on (like hotels).

Our Kitchen Secret #1: Dish Drying Cabinet

Also known as astiankuivauskaapi in Finnish, this dish drying cabinet has been a genius invention that is so handy in the kitchen.

This type of cabinet is situated above the kitchen sink and has slotted shelved designed to drip-dry your washed dishes. You can find this treaseured space in every Finnish home.

Our Kitchen Secret #2: Cheese Slicer

What can you find in every Finnish household and is used to slice cheese? It’s a juustohöylä (cheese slicer), a Norwegian innovation that Finns absolutely love. For example, the Finnish brand Fiskars makes design cheese slicers.

This tool is essential for Finnish breakfasts and snacks. And bonus, you can also slice cucumber with it too!

What’s your favorite aspect of Finnish homes?

Want an inside look at what it’s like to live in Finland? Check out these blog posts next:

• Modern Log Home Escape: Finnish Design Tips
• Bright and Airy Finnish Rental with Decor Ideas
• 5 Examples of Cost of Living in Finland
• Finnish Sauna Etiquette
• 50 Things You Should Know about the Finnish Culture