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What are these brackets for? Attached to the inside of the bedroom door in an early 1900s home.

A questioner said:
What are these brackets for? Attached to the inside of the bedroom door in an early 1900s home.

r/whatisthisthing - Historic early 1900s home came with these odd brackets on the back of the ground floor bedroom.

r/whatisthisthing - What are these brackets for? Attached to the inside of the bedroom door in an early 1900s home.

More info from the author:
Metal brackets attached to long wooden beam on the inside of the bedroom door. I’ve seen similar brackets on a larger scale to hold brooms or gardening tools. Comes complete with landlord paint special.

Here are some people opinions on it:

  1. Adjustable spacing for hanging stuff on the back, likely missing the adjustable pieces that would clip in.
  2. My first thought was that it was used to hold neckties vertically.
  3. Maybe it was her homemade display for teaspoon collection. Those brackets are made to hold something small and rigid vertically
  4. I’ve seen similar brackets spaced vertically in broom closets for hanging brooms and mops but I can’t imagine why there would be so many horizontally
  5. Thems ‘fer holdin’ onto stuff. In all seriousness, they are. They are utility clips for snapping some kind of slim items onto a wall or in this case, door, for storage, but deducing what the original homeowner used them for would take some serious sleuthing, as they are generally sold as multipurpose, I’m pretty sure.
  6. To hang necklace perhaps
  7. Is it a lake or vacation home? Maybe used to hang fishing rods?
  8. Is there a closet in this room? If not they’re likely meant to hold clothes hangers.
  9. My grandmother had something like this she hung her necklaces on.
  10. I have them in my shop, use them for hanging screw drivers and tools
  11. I would say probably for necklaces. You hang it over a set of prongs, and they’re curved outward so they don’t slide off when you close the door.
  12. ah the classic painted doorknob! Just casually painting over history
  13. Does the old house have closets?
  14. Are the top and bottom row clips lined up perfectly? I wonder if there used to be rods that they held to then drape something (such as ties) from…

    Another thought being a 1900’s home, clean cloth diapers or lighter clothing such as baby clothes

  15. To store the arrows of course
  16. My wife has a small collection of old rulers, which makes me wonder if these are for something like that, a set or collection of long thin items like rulers – but why would one keep a collection of rulers on the bedroom door?
  17. Maybe paint brushes.
  18. Looks like it’s for jewelry… or something in that space…
  19. A home made storage rack for something long and thin.
  20. Could be for pool cues or something similar?

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

Read More: Mysterious white under kitchen cabinet bracket in my 1980’s era home! Any idea?

In the quiet corridors of an early 1900s home, amidst the creaking floorboards and the whispered echoes of bygone days, there exists a curious enigma – brackets, discreetly affixed to the inside of bedroom doors. These seemingly mundane fixtures, often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life, evoke a sense of intrigue and curiosity. What purpose did they serve in the grand tapestry of domestic life from over a century ago?

A Window to the Past

To unravel the mystery of these enigmatic brackets, one must first step back in time to an era when craftsmanship and attention to detail were paramount in home design. In the early 1900s, homes were constructed with meticulous care, each element serving a specific function or purpose. From ornate crown moldings to intricately carved banisters, every aspect of the home was a reflection of the values and sensibilities of the time.

Functionality Meets Elegance

The brackets adorning the inside of bedroom doors were not mere decorative embellishments, but rather practical solutions to a common problem faced by homeowners of the era – the need for additional storage in limited space. In an age before walk-in closets and expansive wardrobes became commonplace, maximizing every available inch of storage space was essential.

Introducing: The Door Bracket

Enter the humble door bracket – a simple yet ingenious invention designed to make the most of vertical space within the confines of a bedroom. Mounted securely to the inside of the door, these brackets provided a convenient place to hang clothing, hats, or other personal items, keeping them neatly organized and easily accessible.

Preserving the Legacy

Though the passage of time may have dimmed the significance of these unassuming fixtures, their presence serves as a tangible link to the past, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of those who inhabited these historic homes. As modern conveniences have evolved and lifestyles have changed, the door brackets remain as silent witnesses to a bygone era, a testament to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of generations past.

Conclusion

In the quiet corners of early 1900s homes, the presence of brackets attached to bedroom doors hints at a time when functionality and elegance coexisted harmoniously in domestic design. Though often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world, these unassuming fixtures serve as a reminder of the simple pleasures and thoughtful innovations that shaped the homes of yesteryear. As we pause to appreciate their legacy, we honor the enduring spirit of creativity and ingenuity that continues to inspire us today.

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