turnroom

A turnroom is a type of room found in older residential buildings, particularly in Victorian and Edwardian eras. Its primary function was to provide a discrete transition space between the public areas of the house and the more private family or service areas. Often located off the main hallway or reception room, the turnroom was a small, enclosed space that allowed occupants to shed outer garments, adjust their appearance, or prepare themselves before entering the main living spaces or receiving guests.

These rooms were typically furnished with a small table or chest of drawers, a mirror, and sometimes a chair. They served as a buffer, offering a degree of privacy and a place to compose oneself. In larger houses, a turnroom might also be used by servants to briefly rest or store items before entering the main household. The concept of the turnroom reflects the social customs and architectural styles of its time, emphasizing formality and the separation of different spheres within the home. While less common in modern architecture, the principles of creating transitional or secondary spaces persist in vestibules, mudrooms, and dressing rooms.