The Mrs and I have been watching a lot of shows on YouTube about houses for sale in Italy. Some are old structures where bathrooms, indoor plumbing and electricity literally had not been invented when they were originally built.
So, if they have a shower, it is about the size of one we might have in an RV. Electrical lines are in channels attached to the wall made out of rocks, concrete and plaster.
In addition, closets are almost never part of the floor plan. They have these huge wardrobes that take up a lot of space in the bedrooms. Which are also very small. More like a cell.
There are no “open concept” houses. Unless they have been extensively remodeled. Usually, because they were owned by a Brit as a vacation home. You see a lot of this in Tuscany.
Again, this is why some of these “houses” in Italy are so cheap. The 1EU homes all need extensive renovation. They are also primarily in the “hill towns” of southern Italy that have so train service. May of the towns have no bus service either. Plus, there are also thousands that are 15k-40K that also need extensive renovations.
However, coastal properties in southern Italy, Sicily, even Sardinia are much cheaper than they would be anywhere in the USA. Also, much cheaper than the touristy parts of Italy. Like the Amalfi coast which are in the millions.
Here are a couple I found on the MLS listing:
https://www.idealista.it/en/immobile/23222924/ $429M US
https://www.idealista.it/en/immobile/25447945/ $319M US
These are both in Calabria. The toe of the boot. One is right on the Med. The other is up the hill overlooking the Med. The both have a western exposure.
Closets are very American.
Im certainly no expert on all the old tax laws of every European nation but I do know that many places had laws based on square area and or number of rooms which would include closets.
Maybe you could buy a home with more cells than needed and add enough armoires to one cell to create a walk in closet. Add mirrors/dressing tables as suits Mrsbutcher.
Looking more toward Northern Europe and Asia might help. In Northern Europe they dont just use armoires as wardrobes. They have expanded the idea into things like the schrank/klaedeskab that are designed for every room. Wardrobe/bookcase/portable bar/entertainment center/china hutch/display case/etc all in one type of furniture, obviously preferrably not at the same time. Each is designed a little bit different and suitable for their role and when you find one you like your closet for that room moves with you. Just close the door, chuck it in the wagon, and scoot. Im not saying Mrs should necessarily redo her entire decorating aesthetic necessarily but find correct pieces that mimic the furniture from elsewhere. A Japanese todana (like the old apothecary style) make nice end tables/coffee tables etc for rooms where a larger towering piece wont work.
Its nicer for you that way too. When you have to move between places or even just rooms, things are already all encased together. Repairs/remodeling? Snip, snap, slide, the room is now empty and everything is protected, hidden from contractors, and ready to go back when youre done.
Small rooms equals small costs for resources. Whether youre cutting the wood or using your retirement savings its far more economical to have small rooms. Saving time and money just equals more time and money whether its cannolis or catamarans. Open concept is about to bite a lot of Americans right in the ass.