Outdoor German Shutters for Inspiration

The observation of outdoor German shutters and architecture is fascinating. Often the buildings are painted with depictions of lifestyle, traditions, folklore or beliefs. The exterior shutters are both decorative and practical for day-to-day living.

Many of the exterior shutters in Germany are solid raised panel or board and batten. The paint color of the shutters is often green with accent colors to enhance the character of the building.

Cutouts of various shapes on solid panel shutters are more frequently used in Europe as yet another design element to enhance homes or commercial buildings.

Instead of separate paneled areas, paint is occasionally used on shutters in Bravaria to create the illusion of raised surfaces on flat panels.

Combination shutters with louvers on top and a solid panel area below mirror the mullions in the windows and allow for complete privacy when in the closed position.

A long row of homes and shops can be differentiated by paint color, rooflines and different styles and colors of shutters to provide variety and display an authentic streetscape. This is a similar approach to shutters in France or shutters in Switzerland.

Some of the exterior shutters are louvered and often functional to let a breeze through the building on temperate days.

Inspiration from European countries and different historical periods can often help inform modern design choices in the United States. These homes, hotels and restaurants from Germany provide many examples of shutters that have stood the test of time.