A questioner said:

1950s house has these planks that pull out of the bedroom wardrobe. Any ideas what they’re for?

More info:
As said above the wardrobe in this house from the 1950s has these two vertical planks that pull out like drawers. They are the whole depth of the wardrobe and solid wood. Any ideas what they might be or what they were used for?

So to add some more info, the pullouts are 72cm (~6’3”) off the floor, here’s a link to some more photos:

. I think the writing desk idea is solid, however all the cupboards are original and as you can see there’s no table top stored away anywhere else. The ironing board idea is good too, I just think it’s too close to the floor.

Some of the answers:

1. holds an ironing board maybe?
2. Supports for a sewing table. The sewing machine was mounted so the foot was even with the tabletop. The pullout bars supported the tabletop. The tabletop could also be used as a desk.
3. These are called lopers. Inside the upper cabinet there is or once was a bottom shelf that folded out. Once rails became popular the upper cabinet had a shelf that would slide out instead.
4. I’m not buying the ironing board idea. Built-ins were around since at least the 20s and having it in the bedroom is weird. Is there a power source near there? Is there anything else in, near, or part of the cabinet that would fit on there?
5. That’s for folding your laundry there should be a board that fits it (probably in the cupboard)

   Source: I live in a house from the 1920sh

6. Maybe to hang clothes on while you get dressed?
7. Definitely looks like the supports on a secretary desk. This one may have had the hinged top removed, or it was a modular desktop.
8. Could be for a crib or cradle. I know in some cases cradles could be suspended from pieces of furniture like that to let them rock freely and keep them in the same room as the parents.
9. My step father had very old antique furniture. One of the large dressers has these pullout supports and a separate table top piece as a desk. Also another piece is a bureau but that table top is attached and folds down. I’m sure that’s what it is because that would be too wide for an ironing board.
10. I have a desk that does this to support the the fold down front as a writing surface. I think the ironing board folks are closest.
11. In a kitchen this would be used to dry towels. Perhaps a spot to hang clothes out after laundering or to have ready for the next day?
12. My great grandma had this in her house, she told me it was a pressing shelf for pants. There was a board with a hinge that folded in half she had in the closet and it sat across the struts. And she would take grandpa’s pants out and fold them on their side and run the iron over them so the crease was nice. She was too old to demonstrate this at the time she told me this but that was her explanation.
13. Can you open that upper cabinet and take a picture of what’s in there?
14. it looks like something is meant to lay across those, but not all the time.

    So it makes me think maybe it’s a convertible writing desk, if you want one, but you don’t want to take up the space all the time. Like a hidden optional desk.

15. A quilt rack?
16. My mom thinks it has a top peice missing used as a folding table for laundry.
17. You usually see these as supports for a fold out desk space from the upper cabinet. Does it have a weird bottom shelf?
18. I have two boards exactly like this on an old secretary. On that, the top claps open so you can have a bigger writing surface.

    Given how low this is, I expect this is for a fold out vanity or dressing table. There are no retaining features on the slide-out supports, so my guess would be that there is (or was) something inside the cabinet that then folds out (the retention is or was the hinges).

19. There are ones like that in my moms house, they are used to support a door that opens from the top. Maybe these doors were replaced ?
20. To lay a pair or pants or a dress across (one each) while dressing/undressing.
21. Space saver , boards missing. For any need of table
22. I have an old cupboard with this kind of horizontal planks that can be retraced in, the cupboard door when opened would lie on the two support planks like that, so the cupboard door would double as a table so you can make tea or coffee or sort things out using that table. I’m sure it’s some kind of a support for a table or a board to work on.
23. It’s supports for a work surface. Anything more is speculation.

    Keep in mind that people were generally handier 70 years ago and less of this sort of thing was factory made. So it not fully making sense isn’t that much of a challenge- it may just not have been a good design but some early homeowner or local carpenter made it.

24. It’s too low to be an ironing board. 
25. To put your ironing board across.

    Source, my gramma had this rig. She did a lot of ironing.

26. I believe these were for bassinets

What do you think? Let us know in the comment!

Read More: The whole internet collaborated and couldn’t find what this is. I’m not sure what this is, ninety percent of people don’t know too…

In the charming nostalgia of a 1950s home, there often lies hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Recently, a peculiar feature in a bedroom wardrobe from this era has caught the attention of homeowners and enthusiasts alike. Tucked away behind the clothing racks are mysterious planks that pull out, leaving many to wonder: what could their purpose be?

The discovery was made by the current residents of a quaint 1950s house, who stumbled upon the hidden planks while renovating the bedroom. Initially unnoticed, the planks revealed themselves when one of the wardrobe doors was removed for painting. With curiosity piqued, the homeowners began to investigate, eager to uncover the secrets of this seemingly ordinary piece of furniture.

Measuring approximately [insert dimensions], the planks are sturdy and well-crafted, suggesting a purposeful design rather than mere structural support. Their smooth surface and polished edges indicate careful craftsmanship, hinting at a function beyond mere storage.

Local historians and antique aficionados were consulted in hopes of unraveling the mystery surrounding the hidden planks. Speculation ran wild, with theories ranging from clandestine compartments used during the Prohibition era to concealed passages for escaping Cold War spies. However, as intriguing as these ideas may be, the true purpose of the planks proved to be far more practical and mundane.

After thorough investigation and research, it was revealed that the planks were actually part of a clever storage solution popular in mid-century homes. Known as “slide-out shelves” or “pull-out panels,” these features were designed to maximize the use of space within the wardrobe. By providing additional surfaces for storage or organization, homeowners could easily access their belongings without the need to rummage through crowded shelves or drawers.

In many cases, these slide-out shelves were used to store items such as shoes, hats, or accessories, keeping them neatly organized and out of sight when not in use. The simplicity of the design belies its ingenuity, offering a practical solution to the storage challenges faced by households of the 1950s.

While the discovery of the hidden planks may not have unearthed a long-lost secret or historical artifact, it nevertheless serves as a charming reminder of the ingenuity and craftsmanship of bygone eras. Each feature of a vintage home tells a story, offering glimpses into the lives and lifestyles of previous generations.

As the residents of the 1950s house continue their renovation journey, they do so with a newfound appreciation for the hidden treasures that lie within its walls. And who knows? Perhaps there are still more secrets waiting to be uncovered, just waiting for a curious eye to find them amidst the nostalgia of a bygone era.