Royal Complexes

• Pharaonic homes were commonly in the center of vast capital complexes, surrounded by needed resources, servants and temples. These complexes were often self-sufficient entities, relying little on outside materials, such as food and water. Different rooms and buildings in the complex served different functions, from audience halls to gardens and kitchens. Royal apartments were another part of these complexes, with the pharaoh, queen and harem housed separately.
  
  

Building Materials

• Mud bricks are a mixture of mud and straw baked in the sun.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Due to the scarcity of wood, many homes utilized stone and mud brick. Stone, such as limestone and sandstone, was common only in the homes of the royal and noble Egyptians because of the expense involved in procuring it. And although mud bricks were primarily for the construction of houses for the lower classes, there is evidence of mud brick used in palaces and royal apartments. Those found at the ruins of Malakata bear the cartouche of both Amenhotep III and his chief queen, Tiye.
  
  

Flat Roofs

• Flat roofs were a common part of all ancient Egyptian homes, due to the fact that accumulated rainfall was not a concern in the region. The use of the flat roof not only provided shade from the sun, but was an easier method of construction. Many noble or royal homes used these roofs as patios, with staircases leading up from the ground floor. Ancient Egyptians used these roof patios for lounging, eating or even sleeping on the hottest summer nights.
  
  

Decoration

• A key distinction between royal and common homes was decoration and furnishing. The floors of royal apartments consisted of ceramic tiles while the walls featured painted murals. Much like royal tombs, painted scenes depicted the accomplishments of the pharaoh as well as his devotion to the gods. Fine furniture, woven mats for covering windows and oil lamps were also common in noble homes. Cot-like benches used by nobles were generally wood stamped with gold leaf, with a woven, thatched center.