14 Strange House Designs Around The World That Really Exist For A Reason

We just can't comprehend why did these people had their house and furniture designed this way. The 21st-century house design is no more about being shiny and grand, but also about being functional and sustainable for many. But some houses had what used to be beautiful windows that let light in to be blocked solid with bricks or cement.

However, these houses exist and people back then lived in these houses and they are seen as normal. Yeah, you normally reheat your food inside your shoe box and people had phoenix medallion as a symbol of having fire insurance and the company today doesn't use them anymore. And yes, the company is still running today. These are some of the funniest and weirdest house and furniture design ever invented with real (illogical?) explanations behind them!

#1 Reheat both your shoes and food in this "over", Europe, 20th Century

Radiators were famous during the 20th century in Europe and people use them to reheat shoes and food. These days people swap them with electrical heaters because water and steam consume a lot of energy.

#2 Khrushchev’s Fridge, 20th Century, USSR

Some Russians brag their Khrushchev’s because these storage spaces are build against the thick wall that allows homeowners to prolong shelve life of food during wintertime.

#3 Bricks as windows to avoid tax, 17th Century, Great Britain

Glass used to be a luxurious item due to the harsh process in producing it. The government thus release a regulation to pay tax for having windows, so people had to block them to avoid hefty tax. This caused poor people to live in houses without windows for decades.

#4 Phoenix medallion as insurance, 18th Century, Sweden

These golden medallions with a phoenix engraved on them are like insurance for homeowners that their house will be prioritized when a fire break out. And what's even funnier is that the company that produces these medallions are still running as an insurance company.

#5 Manhole, 19th Century, Germany

Manholes are commonly constructed to install cables or act as a canal or excursion. This manhole in Germany was a canal and is now used for excursion.

#6 Saloon doors, 19th Century, West America

Has it ever occurred to you how loose are the doors to a saloon that are commonly seen in cowboy movies? These doors move freely both way and only cover half of the space, but they are designed like that for a reason. The light that shines tell people that the bar is open and is a good way to keep the room ventilated.

#7 Garbage chute, 20th Century, USSR

It's a dumb way to be lazy and garbage chute was probably one of those awesome ideas and quickly went wrong. These chutes serve for easy access to dispose thrash but they soon create unsanitary condition around apartment complex.

#8 Windowsills are nonexistence, Montenegro & Bulgaria

There is no word that falls close to windowsills mainly because people don't normally have one. The houses built here usually have thin walls and windowsills cannot be installed.

#9 Khrushchev window for bathroom and kitchen, 20th Century, USSR

Khrushchev houses come with a window that connects the bathroom to the kitchen, although it is recommended to open it. It's just to make the space a little less narrow and to let light in.

#10 Switches with pull strings in bathrooms, Great Britain

Until today, people still use pull strings because people fear of the contact of wet and steamy environment with a switch. While you can just actually install a switch outside of the bathroom, a lot of people still prefer this for their English houses.

#11 Doors for milk, 20th Century, USA & Great Britain

Milkman would deliver milk to houses and drop them in these narrow storage places with two metal doors.

#12 Witch windows, 19th Century, Vermont

It's a famous way to prevent witches from entering your house because legend says that witches can't ride on their broom and go through diagonal windows. On the other hand, this weird design is common due to the fact that the attic is not exactly a suitable place to install a horizontal window normally.

#13 Multi-story courtyards, 17th Century, Russia

These well-yards are constructed with multiple buildings arranged in a square, facing each other. The story goes that Peter the Great wanted these building to look nice from all side while more logical explanations say that it's not easy to find a land and so, it has to be used efficiently.

#14 Clogged toilet, USA

People who have never lived in America will this toilet to be clogged when it's actually not. There is more water because it's easier to brush and clean and some of the urinals in America don't even have bowls!