In Greece the climate was hot, so the Greeks would spend a lot of time outside. All the Greek houses had a central yard where the children would play and the women would work, probably spinning wool. Bedrooms and servants' living quarters were located on upper floor. The roof was made out of clay tiles, and the walls were made out of mud bricks. The floors were made of beaten earth. The windows on the house were small and had wooden shutters. These shutters were closed in the winter.

The doors were also made out of wood. Wooden doors were very expensive because wood was scarce. There was usually a statue in front of the house called a herm, for the messenger god, Hermes. It was placed in front of the house to protect the family from evil spirits.

Most people went to bed when the sun went down, but on the nights that were planned for parties they put out special clay or bronze lamps. Furniture was usually made out of wood. Couches were used to recline while eating. The Greeks' couches were similar to the beds on which they slept. The tables were low enough to push under the couches. There were also small chests and boxes which held personal items, such as perfume, toys, and spindles.

The men and women occupied different areas of the house. The men had a room near the entrance of the house, called the andron. Here they had parties, and the men would entertain their friends and drink. A slave girl or boy would put wine and a lot of water, which was the way they liked their wine, in a big decorated bowl. This bowl was placed on a clay stand, so people could easily refill their cups. The room was located near the entrance so that if a man got drunk, he could leave the house quickly without offending a woman. This shows an ancient Greek woman waiting for her husband to come home from sea.

The women’s area of the house was called the gynaekonitis, where the women would work together, entertain their friends, and be with their children. In this room the women would make clothes for the family, curtains, and covers for the couches. The only items the women would buy were exotic silk and borders.

The life of a Greek woman was spent at home. Women could not have a voice in politics and rarely got jobs. Girls got married at around the age of thirteen. The girl's father would choose her husband and give her some money and possessions.