 Shown: Elm Burl Step |
Step chestsFollowing the original centuries-old Japanese design, we've combined sliding doors and drawers for varying storage needs. A Step Chest is a great addition to the living room. The extra storage is quite clearly indispensable, but steps have so much more to offer then that. The steps create a perfect place for the display of curios, and the modular design of the large steps lets them be switched around for a change of pace. All our Step Tansu are two-sided, so that when used as a room divider you can access the drawers and doors from either side. This means that these are ideal for partitioning a loft space, visually creating distinct zones. The TV Step is a great piece for the living room if you are not one to have your set on display. Unlike standard TV cabinets, where despite having the TV not being visible, everyone knows what is in there, the TV Step provides a hiding spot that doesn't so obviously contain a television. |
Click an image below for a closer look at each of our living room steps
Truly Unique Furniture
Room Divider — With varied storage capacity on both sides and distinctive layouts with endless display possibilities, our Step Chests are perfect room dividers.
Adaptable — Each Step Chest is really three pieces, so you can play around with different configurations as the need or mood takes you.
Varied Storage — The combination of sliding doors and drawers in different configurations makes these Steps at home in almost any room.
History of the Step Chest
The most recognizable piece of Japanese furniture is the Kaidan Dansu or Step Chest. It first appeared in the late 1700s in stores and homes with loft spaces.
The idea was simple -- why not have a staircase that could actually act as storage space as well?
These giant pieces (usually about 7 ft. high) would be constructed by the local carpenter who would build it to the owner’s specifications.
The chests would usually consist of a combination of sliding doors and drawers and different-sized storage spaces.
Then the next clever idea was spawned. Since the government at that time taxed owners on their livable floor space, someone thought of making the step chest in pieces.
The idea was be that when the tax inspector came around, you would simply disassemble your staircase and claim that your loft was only storage and had no permanent access. This worked for a while until, predictably, that loophole was closed.
These antique step chests remain one of the most unique and collectible pieces of Japanese furniture. Because of this, prices remain very high and availability is limited.
- related products
- dining room steps
- bedroom steps
- home office steps
- TV stands
- TV cabinets
- coffee tables
- bookcases
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