Fun & full of potential: Weird features of old houses

by Ann Hayward 09/18/2023

While trends and necessities change, some so-called weird features of old houses can still delight the modern homeowner. What some might consider useless and old-fashioned might be the perfect opportunity for timeless style and vintage charm. But which of these unusual features are the most-loved?

From strange to whimsical, here are some of the best outdated and odd features you can find in an old house:

Laundry chutes

While modern technology has vastly improved many aspects of laundry day, laundry chutes are a feature only found in very old buildings. Laundry chutes allow the easy gathering of dirty laundry throughout all floors of a multi-story house by routing it through a tube to the basement or laundry room.

While very uncommon in modern construction, many homeowners would likely argue for the usefulness of this particular peculiar feature.

Sleeping porches

Sleeping porches became popular in the 20th century after health professionals began to advocate for the benefits of fresh air while sleeping. Homes in the South and warmer regions of the West frequently had large porches with bedroom setups for sleeping outdoors on warm nights.

Boot scrapers

Boot scrapers are useful for scraping the mud and dirt from your boots before entering your home. In the times before paved roads and sidewalks, dirty shoes were a much more serious problem, necessitating a more specialized tool than a simple welcome mat.

Boot scrapers were typically made from cast iron bars attached to the wall near the ground and sometimes had brushes attached for additional cleaning power.

Dumbwaiters

Imagine having direct access to the kitchen and dining room from your bedroom - this is one convenient aspect of the dumbwaiter. These days you’re only likely to find dumbwaiters in old hotel buildings, but they were a must-have feature of multi-story homes in the 19th century.

These special moving platforms were made to carry heavy loads of laundry and food through multiple floors.

Ceiling medallions

A purely decorative feature, ceiling medallions were popular in upper-class homes during the 19th century. These round decorative pieces add architectural beauty and detail to a room with intricate carvings and inlays.

Depending on the artisan and style of the time, ceiling medallions have been crafted with everything from paper mâché to iron and marble. You can still find them in older houses where they’ve been maintained for artistic appeal and historical elegance.

There are plenty of house features designers and architects are glad to be rid of, but some of them still have their charms and uses in the modern era.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]