What Are Witches’ Stairs? A Simple Explanation of This Strange Home Design

Witches’ stairs are a strange but interesting design feature that became popular on TikTok a couple of years ago. Even though they have an unusual history, their name doesn’t really have to do with superstition. Instead, these stairs are a clever design choice. When made and installed correctly, they can be both useful and nice to look at!

Witches’ Stairs aren’t what they Appear.

While the stories about witches’ stairs might sound more interesting, they actually have a very practical purpose. They are really useful in homes with little space, like attics, lofts, and tiny houses. Witches’ stairs are designed to save space while still allowing you to go from one floor to another. Architects often call them “alternate tread stairs.”

How Witches’ Stairs Function


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

Witches’ stairs are designed to save space in two ways. First, each step is only half as wide as regular steps, and the steps are staggered. This makes the staircase narrower than a traditional one. These smaller stairs can also be used for extra storage, like for books or displaying items. According to Scott Schuttner, who wrote “Basic Stairbuilding,” the distance between the steps on one side of an alternating-tread stair is twice the height of the rise, which gives you more space on the steps and makes them safer.

Besides being practical, witches’ stairs meet building codes and safety standards in the U.S. A standard staircase is usually 3 feet wide, while a residential witches’ staircase is typically between 27 and 30 inches wide.

Real Origins


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

In 1985, a businessman named J.M. Lapeyre created a metal version of witches’ stairs. He thought these stairs could be a safe alternative to ladders in commercial and warehouse settings, especially in tight spaces where ladders might not be safe. This design is also used on commercial ships and oil rigs, and it can be called ship stairs or ship ladders, in addition to witches’ stairs and alternate tread stairs.


Misconception


Photo Credit: itsthatrealestatechick | TikTok

When videos of witches’ stairs first appeared on TikTok in 2021, they were linked to an urban legend. According to this legend, these staircases were built in 17th-century Massachusetts to keep witches away during the Salem witch trials because “witches can’t climb up them.” This idea has been proven false, but another rumor suggests that Thomas Jefferson came up with the design. Because of this, witches’ stairs are sometimes called Jeffersonian or Jefferson stairs. However, an original version of the design was also mentioned in a book called “Monckton’s One Plane Method Of Hand Railing and Stair Building,” published in 1888.

Debunking the Myth


Photo Credit: conspiracy___time | TikTok

The exact origins of witches’ stairs are a bit unclear, but one thing is clear: there’s no historical evidence that they were designed to keep witches away. Historian Robin Briggs has studied many historical sources and found no mention of stairs that could disable witches. Interestingly, some people with these unique staircases also buried “witch bottles” or included dead cats in their homes for protection against witchcraft, but Briggs calls this idea “pure disinformation.” He notes that the closest belief was that putting a broom over the door would trap a witch inside.

While it’s fun to think about myths and legends, it’s also interesting to know the real history of witches’ stairs. Regardless, they offer a unique and decorative alternative to regular staircases, adding a fun and quirky touch to home design.

15 Pics That Prove Genes Can Be Very Powerful

We all have about 22,000 genes and sometimes we share enough genes with our family to be an almost identical copy of them. Although there may be 50 years between the 2 photos, their faces look the same thanks to the magic of these genes. There are some people who are carbon copies of their relatives, confirmed by their photos that simply blow us away.

Bright Side would like to share with you just how cool our genes can be with some exceptional photos we found.

1. “My mom and sister, both at age 6”

2. “My mom (left) age 4 in 1971. Me (right) age 4 in 2001. I see why people say we look alike.”

3. Grandmother 1941 and granddaughter 1999, same genes

4. “Me, 1992. Mom, 1954.”

5. “Here’s me and my fraternal twin.”

6. “Me on the left (circa ’90s, Canada) and my grand-dad (circa ’40s, Ireland).”

7. “My old man and me at the same age, 35 years apart.”

8. “Me in 1971 and my son in 1994”

9. “My mother at age 21 (L) and me at age 27.”

10. “My father, age 24 in 1951. And 24-year-old me.”

11. “I always knew that my mom and sister looked alike, but seeing them side by side is uncanny.”

12. “My brother (2016) and my grandfather (1948)”

13. “I’ve been told a lot that I look like my Finnish grandma.”

14. “My dad 1958… Me 1988.”

15. “Side-by-side comparison of my identical twin and me.”

Who do you look most like in your family? Share a photo of someone you look like so that we can compare!

Preview photo credit mrobry / Pikabu

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