What is this window under stairs?

[Bathman]

I've always wondered why there is a window in the door of my understairs cupboard. The only reason I can see someone putting a window in is to let light in, but would that imply someone was spending time under the stairs and needed light?? The only other thing I can think of is that a hole was cut in the door for some other reason (don't think it would be coal as there was a separate coal store in the scullery) and the window was put in after to fill the hole in.

Has anyone seen this before or can think of any reason for doing this? The house was built c1905. Couple of pics below of the window.

 

[RedGables]

Well, all I can think is that the door's been 'repurposed' from somewhere that a window made more sense, or they kept the rabbit cage in there

 

[Flyfisher]

So that children didn't get too frightened when locked in there for being naughty? :lol:

 

[Alex O]

Maybe someone was growing something in there at some point? Starting off seedlings or similar.

 

[JBean]

Harry Potter comes to mind!

We also have a 1905 house, with a door under the stairs leading to the cellar, but ours is just a door. I have never seen anything like that.

If you hold on, someone on here will be able to offer a view on the age of the window, from the style of glass.

 

[malcolm]

The window does look like a later addition as the door wasn't designed to accommodate a window and there isn't as much wood at the sides as you might expect. Opening the door would allow light into the cupboard and would also allow access, so the window must be intended to allow light in when the door is closed. I would guess 1960s or 1970s for the date.

It is odd. Do you have any secret passages in there?

 

[Bathman]

Unfortunately no secret passages, I was hoping to find a cellar or something but nothing at all. There is also nothing inside to give any clues on what may have been going on in there. I know the same family lived here from 1960 through to recently when I moved in, I know they only had a small family (and the house is 3 bed) so can't see them needing to use the space as an extra 'bedroom'

 

[Damon]

They didn't have a dog did they?

 

[Feltwell]

Unfortunately no secret passages, I was hoping to find a cellar or something but nothing at all. There is also nothing inside to give any clues on what may have been going on in there. I know the same family lived here from 1960 through to recently when I moved in, I know they only had a small family (and the house is 3 bed) so can't see them needing to use the space as an extra 'bedroom'

Maybe an extra "bedroom" for their dog? Somewhere to shut it in at night? People do some strange things!

Our previous house had an open-fronted triangular space under the bottom 8 or so steps of the stairs, perfect size for a dog bed - our old mutt was very happy under there, it's where he always slept, nice and secluded and warm but he could see everyone coming & going through the hallway. I wouldn't have wanted to have a door on it though

 

[JBean]

I was just thinking the same - given the height of the window, it must be aimed at animals - a dog, or maybe rabbits / guinea pigs in a hutch. Rather cruel for a dog though, if the latch was kept down and it couldn't get out.

 

[Bathman]

Thanks for all the ideas, although I think I may have slightly solved the mystery (or added to it) after having a bit of a brainwave in the shower. I remembered there is a small set of cupboards in the dining room next to the fireplace in the same T&G boards. I measured up and one of the small cupboards doors is exactly the same size as the window cut-out (almost to the mm) and the T&G proportion lines up. So either it is just a big coincidence, or someone cut out a section for a cupboard door and replaced it with the glass. Photo below is of the little cupboard:

Seems a bit extreme to massacre an existing door rather than just go and buy another bit of wood but maybe there was a bit more to it than that; maybe they couldn't find the right wood to match the existing doors.

 

[88v8]

I think spot on all round.
A pet, something parent(s) didn't really want in the house - rodents in a cage maybe - and yes to taking the wood for matching purposes In the hall, more conspicuous there. Good to know that the house has been owned by someone with architectural sensitivity. Details such as this add up.

Ivor

 

[Penners]

Seems a bit extreme to massacre an existing door rather than just go and buy another bit of wood

I agree. And I think the reason for the glass panel in the understairs door is quite simple: they wanted some light in there. How often have you plowtered about in a dark cupboard, trying to hold a torch in one hand and shift the junk around with the other? A bit of light in there seems a sensible idea to me!

 

[Bathman]

they wanted some light in there. How often have you plowtered about in a dark cupboard, trying to hold a torch in one hand and shift the junk around with the other?

Pretty certain it isn't too let light in - not sure why someone would go in that cupboard and then close the door behind them, they would barely be able to turn round in there (or stand up)! Plus the door is so low down not sure it would let much light in anyway, they would get more light just leaving the door open. I'm still going with the theory that they robbed the wood out to replace a cupboard door :wink:

Thanks for all the input!