Curiously, these tall cabinets were also helpful in reducing homeowners’ utility bills. Because of their status as a status symbol, houses with more spacious closets were subject to a higher tax rate throughout certain historical times. Homeowners may avoid paying these extra taxes on storage space while still getting the space they needed by constructing tall cabinets that did not constitute closets. This ingenious layout served its purpose without attracting the scrutiny of tax collectors.

Another example of a functionalist style in cabinet placement is placing them high above doorways or in otherwise unassuming spots. An practical option for houses with limited space, they were put in areas that would otherwise go unused. Although it may have been necessary to use a step stool or ladder to reach these cabinets, the drawback was more than compensated for by their practicality.

These cabinets are now beautiful artifacts from an earlier time, and they make people think of the ingenuity of people who lived long ago. Homeowners today may find them charming but ill-suited to modern living, yet they serve as a poignant reminder of the meticulous attention to detail that went into building houses in the past. Those fortunate enough to own such elements may transform them into contemporary storage solutions, whether it’s for storing seldom used objects, making a one-of-a-kind display, or concealing a tiny safe.