The Quirky 400-Year-Old Feature I Wish Every Home Still Had
When I was 9, I stumbled upon a litter of stray kittens. One of those became my cat, but she never totally adapted to her new indoor life. She was a runner. Anytime the door would open, she would bolt, coming back only after we chased her all over the neighborhood shaking a can of treats. That is all to say, when I saw a TikTok of someone showing off their Dutch door, I instantly went down a rabbit hole of this 400-year-old design.
Dutch doors are one of the unsung heroes of home design, and I wish every single home for sale still had them. A Dutch door opens in two separate halves, meaning you can peek out the top, while the bottom is still closed.
According to Sun Mountain Custom Doors, they originated in the 17th century in Europe — making them a 400-year-old invention that has staying power. Apparently, they became popular again in the ’50s and are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence today.
It’s not hard to see why. This ability to open a door without putting a defensive leg in front of an eager animal seems almost too good to be true, but that’s the magic of these two halves opening independently. Whether it’s signing for a package or receiving a food delivery, the quirky functionality of a Dutch door is as practical as it is charming.
“Historically, Dutch doors were used on farms to allow breezes in, while also keeping dirt and animals out of the home. Today, we’re interpreting that same functionality in new ways,” says Bob Zuber, partner at Morgante Wilson Architects.
These doors are not necessarily commonplace in the housing market, but Zuber is seeing more use cases pop up for Dutch doors, particularly around situations where pets need to be kept in — or out.
“We have incorporated several interior Dutch doors for dog rooms so the dogs can be seen and heard, but can’t roam loose in the rest of the house, which is especially helpful when guests come over,” says Zuber.
Additionally, Dutch doors are frequently used in nurseries, offices, or kitchens. Any space where you might want some separation but you don’t want to lose the airiness between two rooms is a prime candidate for a Dutch door.
“Another really cool iteration we’ve incorporated is a pocket Dutch door, with the capability to slide either the top or bottom half separately or both together,” Zuber explains. “It’s a great solution anywhere you might want to be able to temporarily separate two spaces, while still having some openness between them.”
For homeowners and buyers, the charm of a Dutch door can add to the appeal of a home. Zuber was even asked to fully refurbish a Dutch door in a historic renovation of a David Adler-designed home outside Chicago.
“The door was most likely original to the service area of the home when it was built. The homeowner loved the door for its nostalgic charm,” says Zuber, who notes that the top half could be opened to let in lake breezes. “It’s a beautiful example of this feature, which many appreciate for the rural, pastoral vibe it can evoke.
And, while today I’m lucky that the cat I adopted when I moved out on my own has zero interest in going outside — she’ll look at an open door and walk the other way — I’m still wishing I had a Dutch door in my house, and they came with every house on the market.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
