What Are Witches’ Stairs?

I’ve written in the past about a witch window, but did you also know there are witches’ stairs? They’re a fascinating piece of architectural history and ingenuity. These stairs, with alternating treads, create an optical illusion and save space, making them ideal for tight areas commonly found in older homes.

These unique stairs have treads arranged in a zigzag pattern, allowing for a steeper and narrower design than a normal staircase, but that gives them the ability to fit into small spaces where a traditional stairway would be impossible to fit. They take a bit of getting used to since no one typical traverses stairs with their legs so spread out, but with practice, they become easier to navigate.

The basic idea is that by building alternating treads you can have wide enough treads to fit your entire foot on a steep staircase that would otherwise leave you with extremely narrow treads and very little space for the average sized foot.

In these steep areas witches‘ stairs can actually be a safer option than a traditional staircase, but try telling that to your local building inspector.

The History (and Myths) of Witches’ Stairs

Historically witches’ stairs are most commonly found in the smaller and older housing stock of the New England area long before building codes were a thing.

There’s a legend that witches’ stairs were built to prevent witches from climbing them, particularly during the Salem witch trials. However, this myth has been debunked; there’s no historical evidence supporting it. Plus, if you’ve ever watched The Wizard of Oz you’ll see that witch easily ascending the stairs in her castle. So, myth busted.

It’s also rumored that Thomas Jefferson had a hand in the design of these stairs, earning them the nickname “Jefferson Stairs” or “Jeffersonian Stairs.” However, as much as I’d like to give credit to Thomas, there is little to go on here.

A more concrete documentation comes from an 1888 book on stair building called “Monckton’s One Plane Method Of Hand Railing and Stair Building.” A true page turner sure to be found atop the bestseller charts of the 1880s. The book is the first known printed layout for the design of witches stairs.

In the 1980s, metal versions were patented for commercial use, offering a safer alternative to ladders and spiral staircases in tight industrial spaces.

Are Witches’ Stairs Up to Code?

The short answer? No. Most municipalities don’t allow for witches’ stairs, though Vermont, which has no building code, is still a place where you can get away with them. You may get away with using them as loft access in certain areas as long as a railing is installed to prevent grandma from taking the plunge.

Also known as alternate-tread stairs, they are perfect for small spaces. They allow for steep, narrow staircases and can even incorporate storage underneath. These designs are often used in tiny homes, lofts, and mezzanine areas which are home types and sizes that often don’t have to follow building codes.

Personally, I think witches’ stairs should be allowed in certain cases because they are a clever way to put a stairway where no other stairway could fit. What do you think? Would you feel safe using a set of witches’ stairs if you encountered them?