The plebians or the working class Romans, lived in flats on the lower floors above their shops. The flats were usually quite spacious and clean.There might be no running water or toilets so the occupants had to draw water from the public well. They also went to public baths and toilets. Poor people or slaves lived in small rooms on the upper floors above the shops they worked for. Fire was a common problem because the flats were mostly made of wood and they were densely packed.
The rich people lived in beautiful villas. Different types of local stones were used to build houses in Pompeii. The houses had concrete floors and windows with wodden shutters. Upon entry, there was a short corridor leading into the atrium. The atrium was a large central room which opened into other rooms. The atrium usually had lavish embellishments and some houses even had two atria, a grand one and another more private one. The atrium was characterized by having an impluvium, a small pool in the centre used to collect rainwater falling through an opening in the roof. The tablinum then led into the peristyle, which was a large outdoor garden terrace. In the peristyle, there were often garden furniture and tables set up for meals. The atrium and the peristyle were surrounded by smaller rooms including one or more triclinum which were the dining rooms and where banquets were held. The cubiculum or bedroom were located further inside the house to reduce noise. The culina or kitchen and bath area for wealthy families were usually close together. There may also be an oeci located off the atrium, this was used as a spare room for banquets or storage. Since most of the rooms in the houses were very cramped and dark, they were decorated with bright coloured mural paintings to improve the illumination and space.
The atrium also had a Lararium, which was an altar to the household gods and the family ancestors. Their pictures were painted in the Lararium and food and drink as sacrifices would be put there for the gods and ancestors. The atrium first opened into a tablinum, the main living room, the home office as well as the reception area for guests. To have some privacy, the tablinum was partitioned by curtains or folding wood screen from the atrium.
The tablinum then led into the peristyle, which was a large outdoor garden terrace. In the peristyle, there were often garden furniture and tables set up for meals. The atrium and the peristyle were surrounded by smaller rooms including one or more triclinum which were the dining rooms and where banquets were held. The cubiculum or bedroom were located further inside the house to reduce noise. The culina or kitchen and bath area for wealthy families were usually close together. There may also be an oeci located off the atrium, this was used as a spare room for banquets or storage. Since most of the rooms in the houses were very cramped and dark, they were decorated with bright coloured mural paintings to improve the illumination and space.