There’s no denying that the current pandemic is having a significant impact on our lives. In fact, life as we know it has been flipped upside down, turned back to front and suspended in a realm of uncertainty. However, this isn’t the first time we, as humans, have been presented with significant health implications that have altered everything. Outbreaks such as tuberculosis, SARS and cholera have forced us to look at how we live our lives and, indeed, how we style our homes. Bathroom design has been heavily dictated by the state of our national health.

DISEASE AVOIDANCE

Throughout the years, we’ve seen bathrooms move from decorative showcases of wealth to places where hygiene and health was prioritised. Disease avoidance played a heavy roll in the development of these designs, with a focus on minimising the spread of pathogens within our own homes.

BATHROOM DESIGN DEVELOPMENTS

If we look at bathroom design throughout the years, the changes are clear. In short, we’ve gone from the common use of a chamber pot within our bedrooms through to a fully dedicated room where we relieve ourselves and clean our bodies. And this is a far cry from where we first started.

THE PLAGUE - 16th & 18th CENTURY

The Plague is one historic event that has had the greatest impact on bathing and cleanliness. Spreading through the country numerous times between the 16th and 18th century, it was a pandemic that took scientists years to full understand. In time, it was determined that the Bubonic plague could be spread quickly in large groups of people by coughing and direct human contact. This knowledge impacted social life significantly while also driving us to take a more conscious look at hygiene, bathing and our dispose of waste. As a result, technology advanced in line with interior design. The flushing toilet was invented in 1596 before becoming commonplace in homes by 1851. And, following on from this, the modern shower came to England in 1767

INFECTIOUS SPREAD - 19th & 20th CENTURY

Our early belief that sewer gasses spread disease was one of the reasons that, even upper-class households, used facilities outside of their homes in an attempt to maintain health. And, it took until the early 1900s for medical professionals to realise that indoor toilets connected to sewer systems were actually a more hygienic option. Before we eliminated chamber pots entirely, wooden comodes were used to contain and add a sense of luxury to our homes. Ornately carved timber surroundings for the toilet, sink and bathtub were popular. The goal here was to create a feeling of luxury for the wealthiest homes. Walls were adorned with detailed wallpapers to disguise the presence of flies and heavy drapery was used for privacy. Once pandemics such as the Spanish Flu, tuberculosis and influenza swept through the country, it caused us to take a look at the ways in which we designed our homes to cope with viral spread.

KEY CHANGES

Wood

We discovered that wood was difficult to clean and a potential harbouring spot for bacteria. As a result, it was the first design flaw to go - replaced by sheets of zinc and then later enamel. With its wipe-clean properties, this new material made it easy to keep bathrooms hygienic - both in hospitals and those in residential homes.

Wallpaper

As a common feature in the most luxurious houses, the first bathrooms were adorned with ornate and decorative wallpaper. Once it was deemed that respiratory illnesses needed rest, sunlight and fresh air as treatment, this quickly disseminated. All-white hospital rooms became the norm - deemed to be easy to clean and a visual symbol of hygiene. This then translated into bathroom design.

Powder Rooms

There was a new understanding that pathogens such as viruses and bacteria were likely transmitted when a person was outside of the home. And, this led to the popularity of the Powder Room - a ground floor, half bathroom positioned near a home’s entrance. The idea is that one could come in, remove outerwear and wash their hands before entering the house.

Bathroom fittings

The early 20th century saw trends turn, once more, to sterile and hospital-like bathroom fittings. Again, easy-to-clean surfaces were favourable, leading to a rise in popularity of solid brass fittings and hardware that imitated silver.

WHAT IMPACT MIGHT CORONAVIRUS HAVE?

It’s too early to say concisely what changes we may see after the current pandemic. But one thing is sure, the UK will never be the same again. Some predictions include the rise in multiple bathrooms - a precaution used to isolate sick household members and minimise the spread of infection. This stands alongside a rise in vestibules in homes; smaller bathrooms where people can remove their outdoors clothes and wash before crossing the threshold. Others have suggested that bidet sales could see a rise in popularity amidst a toilet-paper obsessed nation.