14 Types of Furniture Don’t Exist Anymore But Definitely Should
Remember those weird and wonderful furniture pieces from grandma’s house—the ones that made you wonder if people used to live in a Jane Austen novel or a haunted dollhouse?
As technology and modern lifestyles have marched forward (and IKEA took over), many of these charming, oddball designs have quietly vanished from our homes. But I, for one, have a soft spot for these forgotten treasures—ever since I stumbled upon my great-aunt’s fainting couch as a kid and genuinely thought someone had passed out in style.
These quirky relics weren’t just furniture—they were conversation starters, mood setters, and occasionally, foot hazards. From gossip benches to TV cabinets the size of small cars, these pieces once defined domestic life.
So, grab a cup of tea (preferably served from a tea trolley) and join me on a nostalgic journey through extinct furniture designs that, honestly, might just deserve a second chance in our minimalist, beige-loving homes.
1. Secretary Desk: The Original Workspace Transformer
My cramped apartment desperately needs one of these ingenious space-savers! Secretary desks brilliantly combine storage, workspace, and style in one compact footprint. When closed, they’re elegant cabinets; when open, they transform into functional writing surfaces with dozens of cubbyholes.
The hidden compartments were practically magical – perfect for stashing today’s tangle of chargers and cables. Some even featured secret drawers triggered by hidden mechanisms, adding a dash of mystery to everyday furniture.
Modern versions could incorporate built-in power strips, wireless charging pads, and laptop docking stations while maintaining that classic fold-down writing surface that disappeared when work was done. Talk about the ultimate work-from-home solution!
2. Fainting Couch: Dramatic Relaxation Station
Swooning dramatically onto my sofa just isn’t the same! Victorian-era fainting couches featured that iconic asymmetrical design with one raised end – supposedly for ladies overcome by tight corsets, though historians debate this origin story.
These chaises offered the perfect middle ground between sitting upright and fully reclining. Perfect for those Netflix binges when you’re not quite ready for bed but definitely past proper sitting posture.
Imagine a modern version with memory foam cushioning, built-in phone chargers, and maybe a swing-arm tablet holder for maximum lounging comfort. Who wouldn’t want furniture specifically designed for elegant horizontal relaxation? I’d buy one in every color!
3. Washstand: Bathroom Furniture With Character
Brushing my teeth at a characterless bathroom vanity feels like a missed opportunity! Antique washstands were charming bedroom necessities before indoor plumbing, designed to hold a pitcher and basin for morning washing rituals.
These practical pieces often showcased beautiful marble tops, towel bars, and decorative backsplashes. Some even included soap dishes, mirrors, and drawers for personal items – essentially a complete bathroom station in one elegant package.
Today’s bathrooms could benefit from their warm, furniture-like quality instead of built-in cabinets. A modern washstand with actual plumbing connections would bring personality to bathrooms while honoring this practical design tradition.
4. Pie Safe: The Original Food Preservation Cabinet
Last summer’s fruit flies convinced me every kitchen needs a pie safe comeback! These charming cabinets featured punched tin panels that allowed airflow while keeping pesky critters away from cooling pies and other baked goods.
Grandma showed me her mother’s pie safe once – those beautiful geometric patterns punched into the tin weren’t just decorative but actually functional. The ventilation kept food fresh longer in pre-refrigeration days, while the enclosed space protected from dust and insects.
Modern versions could make perfect pantry additions for bread, fruits, and vegetables that shouldn’t be refrigerated. Imagine a stylish kitchen piece that combines proper food storage with vintage charm! Those punched tin panels would add texture and visual interest to today’s sleek kitchens.
5. Priscilla Sewing Cabinet: Craft Organization Haven
Hunting for my scattered craft supplies makes me yearn for a dedicated sewing cabinet! The Priscilla design from the 1920s was a crafter’s dream – lightweight enough to move around but packed with specialized storage.
Unlike today’s generic storage bins, these cabinets had thoughtful compartments for everything: thread spools, pattern papers, scissors, and even fold-out work surfaces. When closed, they looked like elegant side tables – betraying nothing of their practical contents.
As someone who’s stepped on one too many rogue sewing pins, I’d love a modern version with adjustable compartments for various crafts. With today’s maker movement and DIY enthusiasm, we deserve beautiful furniture that celebrates our creative hobbies instead of hiding them in plastic tubs under the bed!
6. Smoking Stand: The Conversation Companion
Forget smoking – I want these clever little side tables for snack duty during game nights! Smoking stands were compact companions that kept everything within arm’s reach: a small tabletop, specialized compartments, and often a removable ashtray.
Standing about waist-high, these versatile pieces could be pulled right up to your armchair. The best designs included magazine racks, hidden storage, and sometimes even built-in lamps – true multitaskers in a tiny footprint.
Reimagined for modern use, they’d make perfect device stations with wireless charging surfaces, cable management, and small drawers for remotes and earbuds. Their mobility would suit our flexible living spaces perfectly – a little table that follows you from couch to chair, holding exactly what you need at that moment.
7. Dumbwaiter: Vertical Transport Solution
Carrying groceries up three flights of stairs last week convinced me dumbwaiters deserve a modern resurrection! These mini-elevators transported food and dishes between floors, sparing servants (and now us regular folks) countless trips up and down stairs.
Essentially small platforms running along tracks inside the walls, they operated with a simple pulley system. My friend’s historic home still has one – watching packages glide effortlessly between floors feels like practical magic.
Modern versions could use quiet electric motors instead of manual pulleys, with safety features for homes with children. They’d be perfect for multi-level homes, helping transport laundry, packages, or even that midnight snack without navigating stairs. Small-space living would become infinitely more convenient with this vertical helper!
8. Telephone Table: Communication Command Center
Remember frantically hunting for a pen while balancing the family landline phone? Telephone tables solved this problem with brilliant efficiency! These compact pieces combined a seat, small writing surface, and storage for phone books and message pads.
Usually found in hallways or near entrances, they created dedicated communication stations. My grandparents’ version had a little drawer filled with perfectly sharpened pencils and message pads – organization I can only dream about for my scattered charging cables.
Updated for today, these could become gorgeous charging stations with built-in USB ports, wireless pads, and storage for tablets and laptops. Instead of tossing devices anywhere, we could have stylish furniture specifically designed for our communication needs – preventing the “where’s my phone?” apartment-wide search party!
9. Armoire: Freestanding Clothing Cathedral
Clothes cascading from my overstuffed closet make me long for the grandeur of a proper armoire! Before built-in closets became standard, these imposing wardrobes dominated bedrooms with their dramatic presence and practical storage.
Unlike today’s particleboard solutions, traditional armoires were architectural statements crafted from solid woods with detailed carvings. The interior organization was often ingenious – specialized compartments for different garments, jewelry sections, and sometimes even hidden compartments.
Modern apartments with their pitiful closet space practically beg for these freestanding storage solutions. Updated versions could incorporate ventilated sections for gym clothes, integrated lighting, and even smart mirrors.
10. Grandfather Clock: Timekeeping Sculpture
Digital clocks lack the soul-stirring presence of a grandfather clock’s pendulum swing! Standing over six feet tall, these magnificent timepieces were more than functional objects – they were family heirlooms that marked generations with their steady ticking and resonant chimes. I still remember visiting my great-uncle’s home where the grandfather clock’s hourly Westminster chimes structured our entire day.
The ritual of winding the weights weekly created a connection between timekeeper and owner that no battery-operated clock can match. Contemporary versions could incorporate subtle tech upgrades like self-adjusting mechanisms while preserving their stately presence.
In our notification-saturated world, the gentle marking of time with melodic chimes offers a more mindful alternative to jarring phone alerts. These timekeeping sculptures deserve space in modern homes!
11. Waterbed: Fluid Comfort Revolution
After throwing my back out last month, I’ve been fantasizing about sleeping on a gentle wave! Waterbeds reached peak popularity in the 1970s-80s, offering customizable firmness through water volume adjustments – essentially personalized comfort before memory foam existed.
Beyond the novelty factor, they provided legitimate therapeutic benefits. The even weight distribution reduced pressure points, helped with back pain, and the heated water created cozy warmth on cold nights. My college roommate had one – falling asleep felt like being cradled by a warm, gentle ocean.
Modern technology could address the leaking fears and difficult setup that contributed to their decline. Improved internal stabilizers would reduce that seasick feeling while maintaining the pressure-relieving benefits. For anyone with chronic pain or who simply loves feeling weightless, waterbeds deserve another float!
12. Murphy Bed: Disappearing Sleep Solution
My studio apartment struggles would vanish with a proper Murphy bed! These ingenious space-savers fold vertically into cabinets or walls, instantly converting sleeping space into living space – pure magic for small-home dwellers. Invented by William Murphy in the early 1900s, they allowed people to hide their beds (considered private furniture) when entertaining guests in one-room homes.
The original designs used counterbalanced mechanisms allowing even children to safely operate them. Today’s tiny homes and micro-apartments desperately need this solution, but with modern upgrades.
Imagine systems that incorporate desks or dining tables on the exterior face, or versions with integrated storage alongside the bed. I’ve tried sofa beds that leave my back crying for mercy – Murphy beds offer real mattress comfort without sacrificing precious square footage!
13. Canopy Bed Telephone: Bedside Communication Cocoon
Ever dropped your phone on your face while scrolling in bed? The canopy bed telephone would have prevented this universal embarrassment! These ingenious devices mounted directly to bed frames – usually to canopy or four-poster beds – keeping communication within perfect reach.
Popular in wealthy homes during the early telephone era, these mounted phone setups eliminated the need to leave your cozy bed for calls. Some designs even included small drawers for address books and message pads – the original bedside command center!
Reimagined for today, these could become adjustable mounting systems for tablets and phones, with integrated charging and perfect positioning for video calls or movie watching. No more neck strain from awkward angles or hunting for lost devices in the blankets!
14. Gossip Bench: Social Connection Station
Scrolling through social media feels hollow compared to the intentional connection space of a gossip bench! These combination telephone table-chairs were compact communication stations that transformed phone calls into comfortable social rituals.
The design brilliantly solved multiple problems: a dedicated place for the phone, a comfortable seat for longer conversations, and usually a small drawer for directories and message pads. Last year at an estate sale, I spotted one and immediately understood its genius – everything needed for a proper phone call in one tidy package.
Modern versions could serve as dedicated video call stations with adjustable device holders, good lighting, and power connections. Working from home has taught us the value of designated communication spaces – these charming pieces would add character while solving practical problems in our constantly-connected world.