Household

Main Hall

Main Hall

The main hall was not only used for dining, but it was also used to show wealth and impress guests.

Windows

Instead of just having shutters to cover window openings, the rich began using glass.

Fireplaces

People in the Renaissance developed a way for smoke to go up the chimney instead of filling up the rooms of the house.  Therefore, more fireplaces were used to heat houses.

Shakespeare's House

Inside of Shakespeare's House

Rich Merchant's House

Since people had more money to spend, living conditions dramatically improved.

Garderobe

In lieu of chamberpots garderobes were built for indoor bathrooms.  Sometimes this area doubled as the closet since the odor kept moths away.

Mattresses

Mattresses were made of cotton, wool, horsehair and vermin.  Linen sheets and goose feather coverlets were used as well.

Staircases

Instead of using ladders to move from floor to floor, stairwells were built inside the house.