Keeping room
A keeping room is a cozy living space right next to the kitchen where family and guests can gather while meals are being prepared. It began in 18th‑century colonial America and was also known as a hearth room because people stayed by the fireplace for warmth and to stay out of the cook’s way.
These rooms started in New England and spread to the Southern United States. Today they’re making a comeback in new homes, but their use has shifted from heating to entertaining and socializing. Keeping rooms are smaller, usually for two to four people, and the décor emphasizes comfort with items like rugs, pillows, and cushions. Some keeping rooms still have a fireplace.
Keeping rooms are different from dens (which are more secluded) and family rooms (which aren’t always next to the kitchen and may have a TV). If there isn’t a separate room, designers can create the feel by adding seating and a table to the kitchen, or by designing an open space that flows into a dining area.
The term also came from Scotch‑Irish immigrants in the Georgia and Carolinas to describe a parlor for the best furniture and valuables. It was revived by interior designers starting in the 1930s.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:34 (CET).