Witch stairs, also known as spiral or winder stairs, are a type of staircase that curve or wind around a central axis. They are characterized by their unique, tapering design that resembles the shape of a cone or a snail's shell. These stairs have been popular for centuries and can be seen in various architectural styles and designs. The name "witch stairs" is derived from the belief that witches were unable to climb spiral stairs due to their narrow and winding nature. This superstition arose during the witch trials of the 17th century when spiral staircases were commonly found in castles, fortresses, and grand homes. It was believed that witches would become confused and disoriented while trying to navigate these stairs, making them unable to reach their intended destination.
What Are Witch Stairs?
Have you ever heard of witch stairs? These stairs have been mentioned and alluded to in literature and by scare mongers and stairs design to keep witches away and or locked up. The belief being a witch is unable to use them. However, they actually have a useful purpose and are also called alternate step staircases or alternate tread stair cases. Some utilize them as space savers, others opt for it because of their innovative and quirky look. No matter what the reason may be, having witch stairs at home can be a good idea because who wouldn’t want a trending staircase which saves a lot of space as well?
It was believed that witches would become confused and disoriented while trying to navigate these stairs, making them unable to reach their intended destination. Witch stairs have several advantages and unique features. Firstly, they save space and are ideal for tight or limited areas as they occupy less floor space compared to traditional straight stairs.
Witch Stairs – What The Hype is All About?
The mythical tales of witches and other paranormal creatures do mention witch stairs. It is believed that they are designed to ensure no witch can climb them and move up. Its not clear where this legend started and a little research shows that there isn’t much to it. But the name does make one take notice. Their recent fame found its way from a Tik-Tok video where an artist found it accidentally. Fans quickly referenced literature, where they had read about the existence of such stairs.
The staircase design is meant to add a refreshing look to the overall living place, and make the heads of the visitors turn for a second look every time they spot these unique stairs.
If you want to choose a beautiful chandelier for your stairs, you can visit Seus Lighting Staircase Chandelier Collection
How are alternate traded stairs or “witch stairs” different from a regular staircase?
What sets these witch stairs apart from the regular ones is essentially their structure. Essentially there is an alternating stair for each step. Instead of every step being the full length of the space, its only large enough for one foot. This also reduces the number of stairs that are a part of this staircase in total. The amount of material the builder will have to put into it would be a lot less than the one used in the formation of a normal staircase. The distance between the treads increases, while the area used in the making of these stairs decreases.
Why are these stairs great for houses with less space?
One of the major reasons why this particular kind of staircase could be desirable despite its dubious supernatural background is that; it saves a lot of space. With fewer steps houses with smaller room size can more easily fit in a stair case. This amount of space they take up is is much smaller than a traditional stair case and they are stylish in appearance.
Why witch stairs attractive?
If you are also one of those people who tends to look for innovative items for living space; this kind of ascent and descent is what you need. Anyone visiting your home will do a double take for sure and probably want to try them out. Not only do you have a smart user of your space you have a conversation piece as well. Although these stairs don’t need any specific decoration because they look unique and attractive as it is. Still when it comes to styling alternate tread stairs; your choices are unlimited. You can either opt for a rustic look to give your living place a distinctive look, or you can add a contemporary charm to it.
They can be installed in small corners, under staircases, or in narrow hallways. Additionally, their visually appealing design adds elegance and style to any interior space. These spiral stairs are versatile and can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or glass, allowing for endless customization options to suit different styles and preferences. They can be designed in a single continuous curve or with multiple landings and turns depending on the available space and the overall design of the building. While witch stairs may have originated from superstitions, they are now appreciated for their aesthetic appeal and practicality. Whether in historical buildings or modern homes, these spiral staircases continue to captivate and contribute to the overall charm of the architecture..
Reviews for "Witch Stairs: Uncovering the Origins of a Supernatural Phenomenon"
- Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "What are witch stairs". The story felt incredibly disjointed and confusing, with no clear plot or resolution. The characters were also very one-dimensional and lackluster, making it hard to care about what happened to them. Overall, I found the writing style to be unengaging and the story itself to be a letdown. I wouldn't recommend it.
- Michael - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "What are witch stairs". The writing was incredibly dull and uninspired, and the pacing was just all over the place. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be quirky and different, but it just came across as annoying and pretentious. The concept of witch stairs was interesting, but it was poorly executed and left me frustrated and bored. Save your time and skip this one.
- Emily - 2 stars - "What are witch stairs" had such potential, but it fell flat for me. The writing was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and it felt like the story was dragging on longer than necessary. I found it hard to stay engaged and had to push myself to finish it. Some people may enjoy the atmospheric nature of the book, but I personally didn't connect with it. It was a disappointment for me.