Why Every Old House Has That Tall Narrow Closet?
March 29, 2025
Source: FB / Betsy Morel
I’ll be honest: when we first moved into our 1930s Georgian-style house, I was completely charmed by all its little quirks. The crown molding? Swoon. The creaky hardwood floors? Absolutely yes. But then I noticed this weirdly tall, narrow closet tucked just off the entryway.
You know the type. It’s not wide enough to hang a coat, not deep enough for much else. It’s like a storage space built for broomsticks—or broomstick people. At first, I thought it was just some strange architectural leftover. Maybe a mistake? A secret passage for very slim burglars? I had questions about this oddly tall and narrow closet.
Turns out, that tall narrow closet in old homes had a purpose—and a surprisingly practical one.
The OG Cleaning Closet
Back in the day—think 1920s to 1940s—people didn’t have sprawling mudrooms or full-on utility rooms. What they did have was the good old-fashioned broom closet. And that’s exactly what this tall narrow closet was built for.
I did a bit of digging (read: fell down a three-hour rabbit hole of vintage home forums), and sure enough, these closets were meant for all the cleaning gear—brooms, mops, maybe even one of those early, clunky vacuum cleaners that weighed more than a toddler.
If you peek inside, you’ll probably see a little shelf near the top. That was for dustpans, brushes, or maybe a bottle or two of linseed oil. If your grandparents were serious about their cleaning game, you might even spot an old hook for hanging an apron or cleaning rag.
I found a random nail and a weird dark spot on the floor of mine. Probably where a metal mop bucket lived out its glory days in that tall narrow closet.
But Why By the Front Door?
At first, the location threw me off. Why on earth would you put your cleaning supplies near the entryway? Shouldn’t that stuff be back in the kitchen or somewhere out of sight?
But actually, it makes sense. Think about it—people tracked in mud, dirt, and heaven knows what else through the front door. Having a broom close by meant you could do a quick sweep before guests showed up. Kind of genius, really.
I can just imagine some 1930s homeowner, dressed to the nines, giving the hallway a quick once-over before hosting bridge night. Because yes, appearances mattered. And no one wanted to be known as the person with dusty baseboards.
Not for Coats. Not for Magic Portals.
If you’re wondering whether it could’ve been a coat closet, I get it. But most of these spaces are too narrow for that. I tried jamming a hanger in that tall narrow closet once. Nope. It just spun around helplessly like it was in a closet of shame.
And yes, for a hot second I did think it might be hiding some cool secret. (Don’t judge me—I watched a lot of Nancy Drew as a kid.) Sadly, no mystery staircase or secret tunnels. Just cobwebs and about 80 years of dust.
A Tiny Relic That Still Works
The wild thing is, this little closet still works. I use mine for the Swiffer, a broom, and some cleaning spray. It’s not fancy, but it’s surprisingly efficient. No need to haul stuff in from the garage every time the dog tracks in dirt.
Honestly, I kind of love that these old houses had a spot for everything. Even the cleaning supplies got their own dignified space. These builders thought things through for this tall narrow closet.
And that’s what gets me—these small, thoughtful details that give old homes their soul. That tall narrow closet in old homes wasn’t just an afterthought. It was part of a bigger plan. A plan where even mops had their moment.
So If You’ve Got One…
Don’t ignore it. Give it a little clean, maybe a fresh coat of paint, and put it to use. Or just admire it for what it is: a slice of the past, still standing, still useful, still quietly awesome.
And if your house is full of other strange little features, trust me—you’re not alone. Sometimes the best parts of an old home are the ones that make you go, Wait, what is this?