Housing
Houses in Pompeii were made of different types of local stone, covered with plaster, and excessively decorated when finances allowed. Houses were constructed very close together and right next to the street. The streets were lower, leaving raised sidewalks. There were stepping stones for crossing the street, so as to avoid the muck that might be found there. Some buildings had second stories, but it seems to have been rare. The floors were made of concrete, and all of the windows were usually closed by wooden shutters (although some glass panes have been found).
Usually upon entry into a house there would be a short corridor, which opened into the atrium. The atrium was a large, central room, which was surrounded by small rooms. The main feature of the atrium would be an impluvium, or small pool to catch rainwater, which would drop through an opening in the roof. The atrium often would open to a tablinum, or reception area. This would open onto the peristyle, which is a large outdoor garden. Houses without a peristyle would often have a smaller outdoor garden at the back of the house. There were no "backyards" in Pompeii, and this would have been their personal outdoor space (for city dwellers). The atrium and peristyle were surrounded by other, smaller rooms used as bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, storerooms, or sometimes a bath, whatever would suit the needs of the owners. Bright colors were used for painting, and beautiful murals were found on the walls of many houses. They painted straight onto the walls of their houses instead of hanging pictures, as most people would nowadays. Many rich homes had the open spaces in the middle.
Usually upon entry into a house there would be a short corridor, which opened into the atrium. The atrium was a large, central room, which was surrounded by small rooms. The main feature of the atrium would be an impluvium, or small pool to catch rainwater, which would drop through an opening in the roof. The atrium often would open to a tablinum, or reception area. This would open onto the peristyle, which is a large outdoor garden. Houses without a peristyle would often have a smaller outdoor garden at the back of the house. There were no "backyards" in Pompeii, and this would have been their personal outdoor space (for city dwellers). The atrium and peristyle were surrounded by other, smaller rooms used as bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, storerooms, or sometimes a bath, whatever would suit the needs of the owners. Bright colors were used for painting, and beautiful murals were found on the walls of many houses. They painted straight onto the walls of their houses instead of hanging pictures, as most people would nowadays. Many rich homes had the open spaces in the middle.