Back in the day, homes were designed with many features that simply don’t exist anymore. If you happen to be looking at a very old house to buy, you might notice things that you wouldn’t see in a brand new house built today and wonder what these features were used for.
Here are 15 things older houses had that don’t exist in newly built modern homes.
Coal or wood-burning fireplaces: These were commonly found in homes as a primary source of heat before the widespread use of natural gas and electricity. While wood burning stoves and pellet stoves are still a thing, coal is definitely out of style.
Outdoor privies: These were outdoor toilets that were commonly found in homes before indoor plumbing became widespread. Indoor toilets are standard now of course, and I think we’re all thankful for that.
Root cellars: These were underground storage areas used to keep vegetables and fruits fresh before the invention of refrigeration. You might not even see a cold room in the basement in newer homes let alone a root cellar.
Spittoons: These were receptacles for spitting, which were commonly found in homes and other buildings before the widespread use of anti-tobacco campaigns. No need for this kind of feature in homes now.
Pull-cord light switches: These were the original way to turn lights on and off in homes before the invention of toggle or rocker switches.
Bell-pulls: These were cords or chains that were used to summon servants, which were commonly found in homes before the invention of the telephone.
Pocket doors: These were sliding doors that fit into a pocket in the wall, which were commonly used as a space-saving solution in older homes.
Transoms: These are small windows above doors that were used to increase natural light and ventilation in older homes. Some door designs do have another glass section above front doors so you might still run into a version of this.
Clawfoot tubs: These were freestanding bathtubs that were commonly found in older homes and are now considered more of a decorative feature.
Sleeping porches: These were screened-in porches that were used as sleeping areas during warm weather, which were commonly found in older homes.
Built-in cabinetry: Many older homes had built-in cabinetry, such as china cabinets or bookcases, which are less common in newer homes.
Plaster walls: Many older homes had walls made of plaster, which is now often replaced with drywall.
High ceilings: many older homes had high ceilings which were used to cool homes in the summer by trapping hot air and allowing it to rise.
Window seats: These were built-in seats that were located in the window alcoves, which were commonly found in older homes.
Servant’s quarters: Many older homes, particularly those built for wealthy families, had separate living quarters for servants, which is not common in modern homes.
Next we’ll discuss 10 Features That Modern Homes Have.