The History of the Victorian Bathroom

There is a really great book by Ellen M. Plante, titled “The Victorian Home,” that gives a history of the evolution of the Victorian bathroom. In her book, Plante states:

“It was only a matter of time before inventive Victorians found a way to replace the old outhouse and the bathing accoutrements usually housed in the dressing room with a with a convenient “water closet,” or bathroom. The well-to-do were the first to take advantage of this novel concept, but by the 1860s a bathroom could be found in the majority of middle-class urban homes. This was an era in which a thorough knowledge of etiquette signified good breeding. Personal hygiene was of paramount importance in the late Victorian era and was closely tied to self-respect as well as common consideration for others. As such, bathing was a topic routinely discussed in etiquette manuals. Along with the daily toilette, frequent bathing was recommended as were periodic “air-baths,” which exposed the body to air and sunlight for short durations.

Victorian Plumbing

When indoor plumbing was introduced in the on the mid-century, a bedroom was usually converted into a bathroom, and occasionally a smaller bath was carved out of space on the first floor near the kitchen as well. To avoid offending delicate Victorian sensibilities, the bathroom was politely treated as simply another room to be furnished, and opulent darkwood enclosures and case pieces masked the function of tubs, toilets, sitz baths, bidets, and sinks. As was fashionable in the other rooms during the 1870s and 1880s, the bathroom was outfitted with beautiful Oriental or needlepoint rugs carefully laid atop the wooden flooring, and walls were routinely embellished with wainscoting, wallpaper, tiles, decorative cornices, and, in some homes ceiling adornments. As with any room the Victorians took great pride in art – work was hung in the bathroom to give it a polished look, and fancy marble surfaces and brass hardware made it appear elegant.”

Victorian Art

Joan and I, as owners of the Bedford Fine Art Gallery, were pleased that Ms. Plante’s write-up stated that “Victorians took great pride in art”, even in their bathrooms. Nowadays, people typically do think of art in a bathroom, but as she points out, Victorians recognized beauty and elegance. As we say, live with what you love!