Keeping rooms have their origins in the 18th-century colonial United States, when they were also known as "hearth rooms".[1][2][3] They allowed family members to enjoy the heat of the fireplace—the warmest area in the house—while staying out of the cook's way.[3][4][5] Keeping rooms were areas for family members to sew, do household chores, read, play games, or simply stay warm during winter.[1][2] They first appeared in New England, but were also featured in homes in the Southern United States.[1]
In recent years, keeping rooms have experienced a revival in new home construction.[1][5] Due to the modern availability of central heating, keeping rooms' purpose has shifted to focus more on entertaining and socializing.[2][3]
Design
Keeping rooms are considered distinct from dens and family rooms in that dens are secluded areas, while family rooms are not necessarily next to the kitchen and usually feature a television.[1][2] They are typically smaller areas intended for two to four people.[2]
The décor of keeping rooms emphasizes coziness and comfort, such as with rugs, pillows, and cushions.[1][3] Modern keeping rooms may also feature a fireplace, like their historical equivalents.[1][5] In the absence of a separate room, designers can create the feel of a keeping room by adding seating and tables to the kitchen.[3] Some open-concept kitchens flow into a dining room or other space that can be used as a keeping room.[1]
Other usage
The term "keeping room" was used among Scotch-Irish immigrants in Georgia and the Carolinas to designate a parlor where a family's best furniture and other items such as silver and porcelain were kept. This usage was revived among interior decorators in the 1930s.[6][7]
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