The wearing of masks, physical distancing, and hand-washing are not new concepts. They all contributed to controlling the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic.

And, did you know that they also influenced housing design and innovation?

The Powder Room

A main-floor half-bathroom is a modern convenience. The idea, however, is said to have originated in an attempt to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

In the early 20th century, daily home deliveries were commonplace (ice, coal, dairy, etc.). Several times a week, deliverymen would enter your home after being who-knows-where-else and potentially having been in contact with some contagion.

Housing design evolved to include the main-floor half-bathroom. It enabled you to keep deliverymen, and other visitors, out of your family bathroom! It also made it easier for people in your household to wash their hands more often — which, by the way, you should still do!

You’ll be happy to hear that almost all of the homes we rent have main-floor Powder Rooms. 🙂