Many homes constructed between the early to mid-1900s feature a compact shelf integrated into the kitchen or hallway walls. If you reside in an older dwelling, you’re likely familiar with this feature. However, if you’ve never given it much thought, you might wonder about its purpose. Well, there’s a specific reason behind its placement!
This small shelf is commonly referred to as a “phone niche.” In the era before cellphones, landlines were the primary means of communication. It’s almost nostalgic to recall those times now. Many households were designed with a designated spot for the telephone, often accompanied by a small shelf or drawer above or below it, intended for storing address or phone books. The notion of an address book feels decidedly antiquated in today’s digital age!
Most people don’t use landlines anymore, only cellphones. But if your home has a phone niche, you can still make good use of it! You could decorate it by putting an old phone there, or even use it. It’s big enough to hold books or other decorations. You could also fill it with small potted plants. There are plenty of options, so it’s really up to you!
While I personally love how convenient new homes are, I also adore the charming details that make old homes unique. Our own house is quite old, so much so that the concept of a phone niche was still a distant idea. Does your house happen to have a spot for the phone? If it does, I’m very envious!