If you find yourself purchasing, renting or otherwise living in an older home, you might’ve seen witches stairs. Because of their funky design, they create a unique optical illusion. They can also be quite difficult to climb.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Witches stairs have

alternating treads for

steep, space-saving design

Originally added to

older homes to conserve

space in tight areas

Unused witches stairs

can double as

creative shelving or display

Steep alternating design

can be tricky

and riskier to climb

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These stairs went viral on TikTok a few years ago. One viral video managed to reach over 15 million views and eventually, more videos of these odd stairs started popping up on TikTok’s “for you” page. Though it’s not a trending topic anymore, you can still Google them and find all of the crazy conspiracies about these wacky stairs.

What Are Witches Stairs?

So what are witches stairs? Essentially, they are stairs that are alternating with space in between. They almost look like a 3-D checkerboard climbing the wall. These staircases are designed to save space. While they can be beneficial for small homes, these stairs aren’t easy to climb because of how steep they are. It can take a few times to master them.

Before they got the name witches stairs, these stairs were called alternating stairs or Jefferson stairs.

Why are They in Some Homes?

The myth or conspiracy theory behind witches stairs is that they were built to ward off witches. As the myth goes, people built these stairs because they believed witches couldn’t walk up the alternating steps. This myth got so popular that Reuters actually issued a fact check about witches stairs!

While this theory is interesting, it has been debunked by religious historians.

You’re not likely to see witches stairs in newer homes. They were added in older homes to conserve space. However, witches stairs do make a modern appearance in some tiny homes, lofts and small apartments because they are safer to use than climbing a ladder.

You definitely won’t see witches stairs in public buildings. The alternating stairs makes them inaccessible and harder for people to climb up. So, they’re really impractical for public buildings, especially ones that receive a lot of foot traffic.

How To Utilize Witches Stairs

If you have witches stairs in your loft, apartment, home or tiny home, there are some clever options for incorporating them into your home’s overall design. Assuming you don’t actually need to use them as stairs, that is. Many people use them as bookshelves. You can also use them to display vases, artwork, collector items and decor.

If you need to install a staircase in your home, witches stairs are typically cheaper to install than a traditional staircase. They’re definitely not everyone’s aesthetic, but if you’re looking to save space and money, these stairs might be exactly what you’re looking for.

If you do decide to install these funky stairs, make sure you have a sturdy handrail. Walking up these  steps without slipping and falling can be quite a feat, so you’ll want to make sure you have something to hold onto.