The housekeeper had her own room, which acted as her workroom, office and withdrawing room as well as a place for the upper servants to eat. Nearby were the china closets, the storeroom and the stillroom, where cakes and preserves were made. She was also in charge of the linen closets and the housemaid's cupboards.

Fine linen signified high status but there would also be hundreds of lower quality tablecloths, napkins and bedclothes. Each member of the household would have their own towel, plus extra ones for guests. Specialised cloths included dusters, glass and china cloths, lamp cloths, pocket cloths, horn cloths, and rubbers. These all had to be counted, checked and mended, a task greatly helped by the invention of the sewing machine in the 1850s.

A good housekeeper could plan work, control servants and economise. She was the closest servant to the family and was valued accordingly.