17 Forgotten Home Features That Faded Away
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How long has it been since you thought about those old features in your home that used to be the staples but have now gradually faded away? Over the years, homes have evolved with modern conveniences and some classic elements that have fallen by the wayside. But many of these forgotten features could add charm, functionality, and value to your living space.
According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, 2023 saw a rise in modern and open floor plans. Many are starting to appreciate the charm and utility of more traditional, older home features.
Retro-inspired features, such as sunrooms and wainscoting, are again in demand as people seek to bring back character and nostalgia. Read on for the 17 forgotten treasures of home design!
Lath and Plaster
“Lath and plaster was a method of finishing off walls and ceilings used from early in the 18th century right up until the mid-20th century — when modern methods for plastering walls began to be used and sheet plasterboard became more commonplace,” explains Natasha Brinsmead, a home design expert at Home Building.
Lath and plaster provided far better insulation and soundproofing than drywall construction later on. However, it was a labor-intensive process and eventually gave way to drywall as a quicker, cheaper alternative. Lath and plaster also tended to crack and deteriorate over time, making them less durable in modern homes.
Coal Chutes
Coal chutes are common features in homes where coal is used for heating. These vertical openings would deliver coal directly to a basement or a coal bin to keep the furnace running. As heating systems evolved and coal fell out of favor, first to natural gas and then to oil, the coal chutes fell into disuse.
Nowadays, they are mostly obsolete, as homes have been designed with more modern heating solutions, such as forced air systems. Still, many old houses retain their coal chutes, serving as interesting relics for those interested in restoring historical homes.
Dumbwaiters
Dumbwaiters, small freight elevators designed to carry food or goods between floors, were once a staple in multi-story homes, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were used to transport meals from kitchens to dining rooms or carry laundry from bedrooms.
The arrival of modern elevators and more sophisticated ways of carrying goods, coupled with the dwindling numbers of domestic servants, gradually caused dumbwaiters to fade from use. Today, these are seldom, if ever, installed except in old historic houses or buildings in restoration.
Milk Doors
Milk doors were small, often inconspicuous, exterior doors that allowed milk deliveries to be placed inside the home. They were commonly found in houses built in the early 1900s, especially in areas where milk was delivered to homes regularly.
These small, often very minor doors allowed the milkman to deliver fresh milk without allowing access into the home. As refrigeration became common and most people began buying their milk at supermarkets, milk delivery services became less frequent, and these doors were no longer needed.
Witch Windows
Witch windows, sometimes called “coffin windows,” are steeply angled windows found in attics or basements. Originating during colonial times, particularly in New England, the design was intended to make removing a coffin from the home easier without turning it around or disturbing the body since the doors were generally too narrow.
Over time, however, the superstition associated with the practice faded, and these windows became less common. Today, they are mainly found in older homes, especially in rural or historic areas, as a visual reminder of the past.
Claw Foot Tubs
Clawfoot tubs symbolized luxury bathroom decadence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their elegant, free-standing design was often supported by raised feet that formed claw shapes, adding elegance to any bathroom.
As modern plumbing and mass production methods improved, the clawfoot style was replaced by more utilitarian bathroom fixtures and built-in tubs. Though these tubs fell out of favor, they remain popular in historic home renovations due to their vintage appeal.
Parlor Rooms
“A parlor is a classic term for formal living rooms, which are historically sitting rooms featuring fine furniture towards the front of the home,” says Audrey Scheck, principal designer and founder of Audrey Scheck Designs. These formal living rooms were used to receive guests, host social events, and display family heirlooms.
With the rise of more informal and multifunctional living spaces, the concept of a parlor room began to decline. Modern homes have abandoned the formalism of open floor plans, and what would have been the parlor has become the family room or home office.
Ice Boxes
Before the widespread use of refrigerators, food that required cold storage was kept in ice boxes. These wooden boxes were lined with metal and insulated with sawdust or straw to preserve ice, which was delivered regularly to households.
The invention of refrigeration technology in the mid-20th century made ice boxes obsolete. Modern refrigerators are efficient and convenient and can store food for extended periods without ice. Although seldom used, antique ice boxes remain popular among collectors and can be found in many restored historic homes.
Blade Bank Slots
Blade bank slots were small, narrow openings installed in kitchens for disposing of razor blades that had become used. They were a common feature in older homes, particularly those from the early to mid-20th century, at times when razor blades were made from metal and needed to be disposed of safely.
Since their development, these slots and safer razors with throwaway heads have become obsolete. Today, the slot for a blade bank is forgotten, but it has been immediately replaced with a more convenient system for waste disposal.
Sleeping Porches
In warmer climates, sleeping porches were common in the early 20th century. These outdoor spaces were screened-in to provide a calm, mosquito-free area for people to sleep during the hot summer. Before air conditioning became widespread, these porches were an effective way to stay comfortable without expensive cooling systems.
However, once air conditioning became more affordable, sleeping porches lost their appeal. Today, it is very rare to find a sleeping porch on a modern home, although some older homes still boast this feature as part of the original design.
Laundry Chutes
Laundry chutes were a common practicality in many homes built before the 1950s. These vertical openings allowed dirty laundry to be dropped directly from the upper floors to a bin or laundry room below. The convenience of a chute made it easier for the family to manage its laundry, especially in bigger homes.
The laundry chute disappeared as homes became more compact and technology improved. In new houses, laundry is generally carried up and down stairs in baskets, eliminating any need for chutes.
Phone Nooks
Phone nooks, or small alcoves or cubbyholes designed for a home’s telephone, were common in homes built before mobile phones.
“Most houses of the age of mine (1931) have phone nooks. A very modern convenience back in time. A little shelf in the wall to hold the phone and the phone book. (phone book…who uses those any more?)” says Nita Stacy.
With the rise of cordless and mobile phones, phone nooks became redundant. Today, they are often found only in vintage homes or as part of a home’s historical design.
Servants’ Quarters
Servants’ quarters were shared in large homes, more so in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These separate apartments, usually above the kitchen or attic, accommodate live-in domestic workers. As household dynamics began to change and the need for full-time domestic staff became less important, so did the servants’ quarters.
None of these is necessary in the modern house, and servants’ quarters have often been converted to guest rooms, home offices, or storage rooms. In that respect, their rare occurrence as a separate unit indicates larger social changes, such as egalitarianism and mechanization of household management.
California Coolers
California coolers were a form of early refrigeration in houses built in hotter climates, particularly in California. These simple passive cooling systems were designed to sit in a cool, shaded place, like a cupboard or a pantry, with openings in the walls for ventilation to allow cool air to circulate and keep food cool.
California coolers became obsolete with the advent of electric refrigerators. Today, they are seldom seen except in historical homes or as part of home preservation efforts. They offer a glimpse into how people adapted to their surroundings before modern refrigeration.
Boot Scrapers
Boot scrapers were installed outside homes, usually beside the entrance, to clean the mud and dirt off one’s shoes before entering. The practical tool was in most homes in rural or urban areas where the streets are unpaved or muddy.
As roads became increasingly paved and houses began to include indoor mudrooms or other entranceways, the purpose of boot scrapers was no longer needed. Today, they can still be found in many historic or well-preserved homes, though they remain a functional and decorative feature in some homes with a more traditional design.
Knob and Tube Wiring
Knob and tube wiring was one of the earliest forms of electrical wiring in homes, from the late 1800s through the 1930s. It was a system utilizing ceramic knobs and tubes to both support and insulate wires so that electrical current might safely distribute throughout a home.
As electrical systems progressed and safety measures were improved, knob and tube wiring became outdated and replaced by other, more modern methods of wiring. Homes with knob and tube wiring are now considered a fire hazard because it is not a grounded system, the Electrical Safety Foundation International explains.
Wash Basins and Pitchers
Before indoor plumbing became standard, many homes relied on wash basins and pitchers for daily hygiene. These simple, portable fixtures were used to wash hands and face, with water stored in a pitcher next to the basin.
These were ousted as plumbing systems became sophisticated enough to allow the convenience of sinks and bathrooms. Today, these items can be found in historic homes or as part of retro decor to showcase how basic hygiene was conducted in the absence of running water in each room.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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