Vienna — The Austrian Federal Housing Authority has introduced a new rule requiring residents to obtain official approval for any curtain colors visible from the street. The directive aims to ensure that all street-facing windows remain consistent with building façades and surrounding architecture.
Officials said the regulation will help preserve what they called “visual harmony” across Vienna’s historic districts. Residents must now submit a short online application to the Bundesamt für Wohnbauordnung before installing or changing curtains.
According to the Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, the rule applies to both public and private housing units. Applications will be reviewed by a three-person design board within ten business days.
Local authorities clarified that neutral tones such as beige, cream, and light gray are preferred for most city blocks. However, buildings listed under the Federal Monuments Authority Austria may require stricter approval.
Austrian media outlet ORF reported that several property owners’ associations welcomed the move, saying it would “reduce visual clutter.” Meanwhile, residents in the Leopoldstadt and Favoriten districts expressed confusion about how to match colors correctly.
Retailers like IKEA Austria and Leiner have already updated their online catalogs to include “façade-friendly” curtain collections. The city of Graz plans to adopt similar standards later this year.
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