A keeping room is a comfortable and welcoming area that you will want to have in your home, even if you’re not familiar with the concept or what it means. Keeping rooms are becoming popular again in modern homes, even though they have been around for hundreds of years. What is a keeping room? Imagine it as a spot adjacent to the kitchen where friends and family may sit in a comfortable chair and converse as the cook prepares a dinner and the delicious smells fill the air.
It is a place where family and guests can relax and socialize while someone is cooking. It is essentially a comfortable area to “keep company” with the cook. It is often characterized by comfortable seating and a casual atmosphere. It is not intended for dining but for hanging out while meals are prepared.
What is the reason for the name “keeping room”?
During the colonial period, when central heating was not yet available, families spent most of their time in the warm kitchen. The keeping room was a shared area where those who were not cooking might sit or even sleep to avoid getting in the process, but they could still benefit from the warmth. They were kept warm by the hearth, which is why it is called that.
On the other hand, keeping rooms are a peaceful spot to have a conversation, read, or do some office work while staying warm near the kitchen. A family room is a larger space that may be used for entertaining guests, watching a big game, or having a family movie night. They do not have to be located right next to the kitchen.
What is another term for a living room?
Keeping rooms have a few different names. These are called family rooms or living rooms, and they are getting more popular in real estate due to the rise of open floor plans.
What is a keeping room ? How to Use a Keeping Room—or the Next Best Thing
It could be a child who needs help with their homework, a teenager and their pals who want to spend time together near food, or a friend or spouse who enjoys being close by to talk about their day. After that, furnish the space with comfort and coziness in mind. (As a first step, try experimenting with different textures, such as a really soft rug, plush pillows, and natural woven furniture.)
However, if your property does not have a designated “official” keeping room, you may still create a similar space by adding chairs to a bigger kitchen or an eat-in kitchen. A modest kitchen may nevertheless accommodate an overstuffed armchair, a table, and a stack of games or books.
A Short History of Keeping Rooms
In the late 18th century, during the Colonial time, keeping rooms were first created. Prior to the development of contemporary central heating, families spent much of their time in the kitchen. This was mostly because the kitchen had a constantly blazing fire. This fire was used for a variety of purposes, including cooking meals, heating water for baths, and keeping the house warm. Many celebrity homes, like those of Morgan Wallen House and Andre Hakkak House, also feature cozy keeping rooms.
In order to make use of the central heat source, rooms were created off the kitchen to give a comfortable place for people to stay warm. They became places where people might work together on duties and unwind after eating. Even if central heating has made it unnecessary to keep rooms, they are becoming popular again since they offer a relaxed living area where families may spend time together while preparing meals.
The differences between a family room, living room, and keeping room
Although keeping rooms were smaller in the past, they are now available in a variety of sizes. They are always open to the kitchen and serve as a comfortable sitting place for entertaining and relaxing.
These rooms are usually seen in homes when the kitchen and living room are located far apart from each other. However, you can add these convenient areas to practically any home.
Do keeping rooms add value to a home?
Because keeping rooms are adaptable and functional, they frequently boost the value of a home. Keeping rooms usually attract purchasers, and many buyers say that their keeping room becomes the most important part of their home. It is also beneficial that these rooms are frequently considered to be an extra luxury or flex area in the house.
You may build the office space you need by adding a built-in desk and even a built-in bookcase. Include storage for books, games, and toys to create a little library, gaming room, or additional area for entertaining.
Designing a Keeping Room
Homeowners who want a relaxed area for their family to spend time in before or after meals are increasingly interested in keeping rooms. When creating a keeping room, you should keep these things in mind.
Comfortable Seating
Keep in mind that the purpose of keeping rooms is to relax, not to eat! Make the area more comfortable by adding couches, sofas, or even a gaming table.
Install a TV or connect a sound system
If you enjoy watching television or listening to music while you cook, consider planning ahead for smart home enhancements, such as a mounted television and a built-in speaker system. These should be planned early in the decoration phase so that wiring may be taken into consideration.
Final words
Keeping rooms are a design component that has been around for a long time and has remained popular because of their classic appeal and usefulness. Even if we no longer need keeping rooms to stay warm in the winter, they are still a great place to spend time together as a family away from the kitchen.