Evie Summers
Sleeping porches were once a common feature of homes in the United States, particularly in the South, and enjoyed a surge in popularity in the early 20th century. The porches were designed to provide a comfortable and cool place to sleep during hot weather, with better air circulation and evening breezes. They were often screened-in to keep out insects and could be found on the second floor or higher, at the back or side of the house to maximise airflow. The popularity of sleeping porches waned with the advent of residential air conditioning in the mid-20th century, which provided a more convenient and efficient way to control the indoor climate. However, in recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in outdoor living spaces and the health benefits of sleeping outdoors, which may signal a comeback for the sleeping porch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | To escape the "vitiated" indoor air and to prevent diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia |
| Popularity | Gained popularity in the early 1900s and became common in the United States |
| Location | Usually on the second floor or higher, often at the back or side of the house to maximize airflow |
| Design | Screened-in to protect against insects, with windows, curtains, tall potted plants, and furniture |
| Use | Used for sleeping, napping, reading, journaling, and unwinding |
| Users | Families, especially children |
| Decline | With the advent of affordable residential air conditioning |
| Revival | Making a comeback due to the health benefits of sleeping outdoors |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity of sleeping porches
Sleeping porches became popular in the early 1900s, particularly in the southern United States, as a way to escape the heat and sleep comfortably during hot weather. They were a response to the sanitary revolution of the time, which instilled a fear of germs, and the fresh air was believed to be beneficial for health. Tuberculosis was the leading cause of death at the time, and doctors recommended getting plenty of fresh air to stave off the disease. As a result, families often created well-aired rooms where their children could sleep during the summer.
The design of sleeping porches varied, but they were typically located on the second floor or higher, often at the back or side of the house to maximize airflow. They were usually screened-in to protect against insects, allowing residents to enjoy the benefits of fresh air while maintaining privacy and security. Some porches were simple, with just enough space for a bed and a few chairs, while others were more elaborate, featuring built-in furniture and decorative elements.
The popularity of sleeping porches began to wane with the advent of affordable electric fans and air conditioning. As indoor environments became climate-controlled, sleeping porches were no longer a necessity. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in outdoor living spaces, and the sleeping porch is making a comeback, with people rediscovering the health benefits of sleeping outdoors.
Sleeping porches were once a common feature of homes across the American South and West, where the summer heat could make sleeping indoors miserable. They were found in a range of home styles, from Victorian homes to Craftsman bungalows and farmhouses. Even hotels would provide outdoor sleeping accommodations for guests, such as the Sinton Hotel in Cincinnati, which allowed actress Margaret Wycherly to sleep in a tent on the roof for health reasons.
Today, sleeping porches have mostly been enclosed to add square footage to homes, but they remain a charming feature of historical homes. Homeowners can still enjoy the benefits of sleeping porches by transforming existing porches into lounging spaces with soft throw blankets, task lighting, and potted plants.
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Health benefits
A sleeping porch is a deck or balcony, sometimes screened or enclosed with screened windows, and furnished for sleeping in warmer months. They are usually located on the second floor of a house to catch cool breezes and offer a level of privacy.
- Improved air quality: Sleeping outdoors, even within the screened protection of a porch, can offer better air quality compared to the stale indoor air conditioned by artificial means.
- Improved respiratory health: Sleeping porches can help reduce indoor air pollutants, promoting better respiratory health.
- Reduced stress: Spending time in nature and breathing fresh air can help lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.
- Improved sleep quality: Exposure to fresh air and the gentle sounds of nature can improve sleep quality.
- Energy efficiency: Utilizing a sleeping porch can reduce the need for air conditioning, lowering energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint.
- Connection with nature: Sleeping porches allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, providing a tranquil and relaxing environment.
In the early 1900s, sleeping porches gained popularity, especially in the southern states of the United States. They were often used to prevent and treat diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, which were prevalent at the time.
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Design and features
The design of sleeping porches varied, but their core function was to provide a cool, comfortable sleeping environment. They were usually located on the second floor or higher of a house, often at the back or side of the house to maximize airflow. They could be on ground level or on a higher storey and on any side of a home.
Sleeping porches were typically screened-in or enclosed with screened windows to keep out insects and pests while allowing residents to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and privacy. They were often placed on the side of the house more likely to catch the evening breezes and could be open on two or more sides. The screens were made of a fine vented mesh that allowed privacy, with the windows and screens being interchangeable and dropping down behind a half wall.
The furniture in a sleeping porch was typically limited to just a bed and a few chairs, although some more elaborate porches featured built-in furniture and decorative elements. The colour scheme was usually calm and soothing, with multifunction accessories such as garden stools and ottomans.
Sleeping porches were often used by children, who would spend balmy summer nights on cots or mattresses. They were also used by those seeking to improve their health, as it was believed that fresh air was beneficial for health and could help prevent diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Today, sleeping porches are no longer a necessity due to the widespread use of air conditioning, but they remain a charming feature of historical homes and are even making a comeback in modern home design.
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Decline in popularity
The popularity of sleeping porches began to wane with the advent of modern air conditioning. In the mid-20th century, significant advancements in residential air conditioning occurred, which revolutionized how homes were cooled. As air conditioning became more affordable and widespread, the need for outdoor sleeping spaces diminished. The convenience and efficiency of climate-controlled indoor environments made sleeping porches less essential.
The design of homes also changed with the advent of air conditioning. Houses were no longer built to harness natural breezes; instead, they were designed to keep artificially cooled air inside, with windows remaining shut year-round. This shift in home design further reduced the appeal of sleeping porches, as they were no longer seen as a necessity.
The health benefits of sleeping outdoors, which had contributed to the initial popularity of sleeping porches, were now being provided by air conditioning. The belief that fresh air was beneficial for health, especially in preventing and treating diseases like tuberculosis, was a driving force behind the popularity of sleeping porches. However, with the advent of air conditioning, the perception of indoor air quality improved, and the need for outdoor sleeping spaces to improve health diminished.
Additionally, the modernization of homes with central air conditioning led to the enclosure of sleeping porches to create year-round sunrooms or to enlarge existing bedrooms or bathrooms. This further reduced the availability and visibility of sleeping porches, contributing to their decline in popularity.
While sleeping porches may no longer serve their original purpose, they remain a charming feature of historical homes. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in outdoor living spaces, and the covered porch, including the sleeping porch, appears to be making a comeback. This resurgence may be driven by a renewed interest in the health benefits of sleeping outdoors, such as exposure to natural light cycles and the regulation of melatonin production.
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Making a comeback
The sleeping porch, an architectural feature born out of the sanitary revolution of the early 1900s, is making a comeback. The porches were popular as they provided a healthy and comfortable escape from indoor air, which was believed to be "vitiated" or germ-infested. Tuberculosis was a leading cause of death at the time, and fresh air was considered the best treatment for this lung ailment.
The sleeping porch fell out of favour with the advent of affordable electric fans and air conditioning. However, in recent years, people have begun to rediscover the health benefits of sleeping outdoors. Exposure to natural light and getting away from artificial light is believed to help regulate the production of melatonin.
Sleeping porches are also a great way to reconnect with nature and enjoy the cool evening breeze. They can be screened in to keep insects out, or alternatively, curtains and tall potted plants can be used to create a tucked-away sanctuary. Soft lighting, such as table lamps or wall sconces, can be used to create a cosy atmosphere for solo activities like reading.
For those without a sleeping porch, there are still ways to enjoy the benefits of outdoor rest. It is inexpensive to screen in an existing porch or rig up a hammock and mosquito net system in the backyard.
So, as the cicadas sing you to sleep, you might just find yourself transported back to a simpler time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, people used to sleep on their porches, especially during the summer months.
Before the advent of affordable electric fans and air conditioning, sleeping porches provided a comfortable and well-aired sleeping environment. They were designed to catch the evening breeze, providing a cool escape from the "vitiated" indoor air.
Sleeping porches gained popularity in the early 1900s, especially in the southern states of the US, and remained common until the mid-20th century when residential air conditioning became widespread.
The whole family, especially children, would sleep on porches. In crowded tenements, sleeping porches were also used by those suffering from diseases like tuberculosis, as fresh air was considered beneficial for health.
