Edwardian Bathroom

This room depicts a typical bathroom of about 1910.

The bathroom proper began to develop from the 1870's onwards when circulating water systems finally made piped water to upper floors possible. Water was heated by the kitchen range and piped upstairs. Alternatively, cold water fed to the bathroom was heated on the spot by a gas boiler or geyser.

Early plumbed baths were made of enamelled cast iron. Wealthy homes had combined bath and shower units. These were a full-length bath with a large hood at one end, which was tall enough to stand under. The hoods provided horizontal sprays as well as the traditional overhead shower. Some baths had up to ten different spray settings.

Having a separate bathroom soon became a status symbol. All new houses were built with one; while existing home-owners had to make do with a converted bedroom. These early bathrooms were filled with a variety of furniture. Large ornate ceramic washbasins were common, with free standing towel rails, mirrors, cupboards, and shelves. There was however one thing missing the toilet.

Like the bath, the development of the toilet was dependent on better drainage and a free flowing water supply. Plumbed-in toilets or water closets had been available since the 1770's. However, most households, whether rich or poor, preferred the humble chamber pot or commode. These were emptied by servants into a cesspit at the rear of the house or in the cellar.

Plumbed-in toilets began to become more common as the cesspits were replaced with proper sewers. Toilets were, however, generally built in the back yard away from the house to avoid unpleasant odours. It was not until the early 1900's that homes were built with bathrooms containing toilets.

By the 1920's, most cast iron baths had been replaced with enamelled porcelain; which was in turn replaced by plastic. That most essential of bathroom items, soft toilet paper, became available in 1942.