14 Strange Home Features That Have Faded Away
Home designs evolve with time, but some past features leave us wondering: “What were they thinking?” Decades ago, houses came with quirky, unusual, and sometimes downright baffling design choices that once made perfect sense but are now relics of the past.
Whether they were meant to solve a specific problem, add a touch of luxury, or just keep up with the latest trend, these once-common home additions have vanished from modern houses.
Let’s take a look at 14 forgotten home features that will either make you nostalgic—or grateful they’re gone.
1. Built-In Phone Nooks
Before everyone had a cell phone glued to their hands, homes often had small built-in phone nooks in hallways or kitchens. These recessed spaces neatly housed the family landline, sometimes with a tiny seat or shelf for a notepad.
As landlines disappeared, so did the nooks, leaving behind oddly placed indentations in walls.
2. Sunken Living Rooms
The sunken living room, or conversation pit, was all the rage in the ’60s and ’70s, giving homes a groovy, lounge-like vibe. It was designed to create a cozy social space, but in reality, it was a tripping hazard waiting to happen.
By the ’90s, most homeowners preferred flat floors over unexpected ankle twists.
3. Colorful Bathroom Fixtures
Back in the mid-20th century, bathrooms weren’t just functional—they were a statement. Sinks, bathtubs, and toilets came in bold colors like pink, mint green, and mustard yellow.
While they once oozed retro charm, today’s homeowners prefer neutral tones that don’t make showers feel like time travel.
4. Milk Door
Once upon a time, milk was delivered straight to your house. Instead of leaving it outside, many homes had a small insulated door built into the exterior wall, allowing the milkman to drop off fresh bottles without stepping inside.
The invention of refrigerators and supermarkets made daily milk deliveries unnecessary.
5. Intercom Systems
Before texting and wireless home assistants, built-in intercoms were the futuristic way to communicate across the house. Parents could summon kids to dinner with the push of a button—no screaming required.
But as wireless tech improved, these systems became outdated, often ending up as wall-mounted relics.
6. Laundry Chutes
In multi-story homes, a small hatch in the hallway or bathroom was once a luxury—just toss dirty laundry down the chute, and it magically arrived in the laundry room.
The only problem? Things other than clothes sometimes took the plunge too, leading to their gradual disappearance.
7. Bathroom Ashtrays
In the mid-20th century, it wasn’t unusual to light up a cigarette while soaking in the tub. Many bathrooms featured built-in ceramic ashtrays, usually near the toilet or vanity.
As smoking indoors fell out of fashion, so did these odd little fixtures—though some vintage homes still have them.
8. Formal Dining Rooms
Once a staple of every family home, formal dining rooms were reserved for special occasions and holiday meals.
Today, they’ve been replaced by open-concept layouts and casual kitchen seating, leaving many dining rooms either abandoned or transformed into home offices.
9. Wood Paneling
In its heyday, dark wood paneling made homes feel warm and cozy. Fast forward to today, and it mostly makes them feel like a retro time warp.
As lighter, airier interiors became popular, wood paneling was often painted over, removed, or hidden behind drywall.
10. Carpeted Bathrooms
Carpet in the bathroom once seemed like the height of luxury, offering a soft, warm surface underfoot. The downside? Moisture, mold, and all kinds of hygiene horrors.
It’s safe to say that once people realized how unhygienic it was, carpeted bathrooms were swiftly ripped out.
11. Rotary Dial Light Switches
Long before modern light switches, some homes featured rotary dial dimmers that required twisting instead of flipping.
While they allowed for mood lighting, they were also a slow, clunky way to illuminate a room—making today’s simple switches a welcome improvement.
12. Ceiling Heat Panels
In the mid-20th century, some homes relied on radiant ceiling heat panels instead of traditional heating. The concept? Warmth would radiate down from above.
The reality? They weren’t very efficient, and repairs were a nightmare, leading to their eventual disappearance.
13. Household Dumbwaiters
Found in older multi-story homes, dumbwaiters were tiny elevators used to transport food, laundry, or other items between floors.
While convenient, they eventually fell out of favor, replaced by modern appliances and better home layouts.
14. Kitchen Trash Compactors
In the ’70s and ’80s, having a built-in trash compactor felt like a luxury—after all, it crushed garbage into smaller pieces. The issue? They smelled, broke down often, and didn’t really save much space.
As recycling became more common, trash compactors became just another weird relic of the past.