The Servants Staircase

House Crazy Sarah doesn’t want servants… she does her own housework. But she’s always wanted an old house with a servant’s staircase.

servants staircase

Why? Just because they are so narrow and steep and unique. And House Crazy Sarah loves all things old and funky.

servants staircase

Servant staircases were typically located off the kitchen or back part of the house.

back servants staircase

Old Victorian mansions required a large household staff to keep them running, but servants were expected to stay out of sight when they were coming and going.

servants staircase

Often prohibited from using the large main staircase that was reserved for the home’s family and guests, the servants were relegated to steep, narrow passageways meant to be strictly utilitarian.

servants staircase

Still, there is a certain charm and mystique about these hidden steps.

servants staircase

House Crazy Sarah scutters up and down these staircases in her imagination, and it is like walking through a time machine….

servants staircase

servants staircase

servants staircase

servants staircase

servants staircase

back servants staircase

Often dark and spooky, these old back staircases are endlessly intriguing.

back servants staircase

Do you have a house with a servant staircase? If so, share a photo!

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5 thoughts on “The Servants Staircase

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  1. The 2nd and 4th photos here remind me of the stair cases at my high school best friend’s house, both small and circular, one went to the kitchen and the other into the living room–the kitchen stairs being for we presumed the servants of bygone years, the house is an old colonial, I think her folks are still there. Also in my town, one of my mum’s best friends/my auntie’s house has a (servant’s) stairway from the kitchen to the main landing off — her house a much larger colonial which she is itching to leave and downsize. She has the kitchen stairway blocked off with plants/now for many years!

  2. My home was built in 1896. It was originally only 2 bedrooms. However, it still has a butlers pantry with swinging galley doors and a butlers staircase leading up to the attic / dry storage. The attic also had a spall floored area for a bed to be placed.

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