Rich Roman's Homes

Rich Roman families lived in single-storey houses which were built around a central hall known as an atrium.  Atrium had rooms opening up off of them and they were also open to the weather as they had no roofs. Many atriums had a trough built into their design so that water could be collected when it rained.

Beyond an atrium was a second open courtyard known as a peristylum. This area included a garden and it also had rooms opening up off of it. Gardens served as a meeting point and they were shady and comfortable.
The main rooms were decorated with coloured plaster walls and, if they family could be afford they had mosaics to decorate the floors.
Furniture tended to be basic. Stools were common and reclining couches were used.

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