Old House Owners: Do You Know The Hidden Use Of This Staircase Feature?
November 14, 2024
source: Reddit
In older homes, it’s not uncommon to come across quirky architectural features that make us pause and wonder, “What was that for?” One such intriguing feature is the retractable staircase platform – a wooden structure that folds out over the stairs, creating a bridge-like space at the top of the landing. For those fortunate enough to find one of these in a historic house, this odd platform might seem puzzling at first. But its purpose reveals a clever, practical design choice that was likely ahead of its time.
If you’ve ever tried to move a bed frame, mattress, or other bulky piece of furniture up a narrow, winding staircase, you know the struggle. Tight corners, low ceilings, and narrow spaces are the hallmarks of vintage homes. Without the expansive, open-plan spaces of modern homes, moving large items upstairs could feel like solving a puzzle – trying to turn, lift, and angle furniture just right to get it past railings and around bends.
In homes built before the late 19th century, this issue was especially pronounced. Many houses were constructed with tight, practical staircases that were easy to heat and insulated well but were challenging when moving large furniture. For homeowners, this posed an ongoing challenge, especially in households that frequently moved beds or bulky items between floors.
That’s where the retractable staircase platform comes in. Unlike a gate or a safety railing, this platform doesn’t block or guard the staircase – it serves as a bridge over the handrail, allowing large items to be passed through an opening without needing to lift them over the railing. When carrying a heavy mattress or a cumbersome bed frame, you could walk straight up the stairs, lift the item slightly onto the platform, and then pass it over the gap without awkward maneuvering.
In homes with servants’ quarters, like those built in the Victorian era, this type of platform could also serve a practical role in simplifying tasks for household staff. Often located near or in the servants’ staircases, these platforms would help reduce the physical strain of lifting and carrying items up and down the narrow staircases common in servant areas.
Additionally, these platforms may have provided a solution for bringing up firewood, bedding, linens, or other supplies that needed to be rotated between floors. In larger homes with multiple floors, such as those belonging to wealthier families, efficiency was paramount, and the platform likely became an invaluable asset.
Today, retractable staircase platforms are mostly an architectural curiosity, a piece of history that reminds us of a time when homes were designed with very specific functions in mind. In a world of elevators, spacious stairwells, and open-plan living, the platform may seem quaint or even unnecessary. However, it’s a testament to the ingenuity of past builders who carefully considered the needs of daily life.