What Closets and Taxes Have in Common

  

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Did you know that, during European history, people were taxed according to the number of rooms in their homes? Closets counted as rooms, so people used large pieces of furniture to store their clothes as a way of reducing their tax bills. Called “armoires,” in part because they originally contained weapons (arms) and armor, these large cupboards were often built by local craftsmen out of wood from the family property. Armoires became widely used throughout the world, including in the United States.

At the turn of the 20^th century, closets began to regain their place as a standard feature in houses. After World War I, new homes were constructed with lower ceilings, gradually rendering the tall armoire obsolete.

Once separate storage concepts, armoires and closets are now combined for optimal storage configurations. Modern day closets often contain tall units similar to armoires of the past. In addition, armoire-like entertainment cabinets offer beautiful storage for a myriad of electronic equipment never dreamed of by those who stored their arms more than a century ago. Today, the bottom line is convenience and usability, rather than tax reduction.

-Lydia