If the house has an upper storey, the floor is comprised of wide planks supported on a row of small beams. The indoor staircase is wooden, while the ground floor is of beaten earth. Any interior partitions are not stone-built but made of planks and a door which never reaches the ceiling. The few doors and windows on the ground floor are barred for safety. Wealthy houses have a large, deep fireplace, while poor houses have a small corner hearth.
The main casements, such as those of the garden gate and main door, are particularly well-made and decorated compared to the simplicity of the rest of the building. The shutters open inwards on the ground floor due to the security bars, and outwards on the upper floor. They are very simply made compared to the doors.
Remarkably, Cretan rural houses have no glass in the windows, even in mountain villages where the winter is cruel. This economy may be due to the Cretan habit of opening doors and windows every morning all year round, regardless of the weather. The houses are well-aired but very cool in winter, although this does not seem to bother the inhabitants.
The doors and windows are supported by special hinges and metal struts. Locks and door-handles of many kinds are used.
Furniture is extremely simple from the time of the Turkish occupation onwards. It is comprised of chairs, armchairs and sofas derived from an ancient Byzantine tradition, small chairs and stools. Storage furniture includes carved wooden chests and large trunks, wardrobes and dressers.
Tables and beds are roughly made because they do not show, being covered by decorative cloths.
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