Gårdsrum

Gårdsrum is a term used in Swedish architectural history to denote a room in a dwelling that faces or opens onto the inner courtyard or farmyard. The term is formed from gård (farm, yard) and rum (room) and is typically applied to rural or vernacular houses, as well as to urban houses with a yard.

In traditional farmhouses, the gårdsrum was a multipurpose space situated near the work areas (kitchen, pantry, stable) and functioned as a transition space between the kitchen and the yard, often used for chores such as drying, laundry, and storage, and sometimes as a reception or living area in bad weather. It could be separated from the central living room or integrated as part of the house’s ground floor plan. Regional variations existed, with some gårdsrum more closely connected to service spaces and others acting as a more public space for family and visitors.

In architectural histories, gårdsrum is discussed in the context of vernacular Swedish house types and the evolution of domestic space from the 17th through 19th centuries. In modern times, the term is primarily used by researchers and in restoration contexts; contemporary architects occasionally reintroduce gårdsrum elements in new-builds to evoke traditional rural character or to create sheltered outdoor rooms.