People Who Discovered Unexpected Things In Their Own Homes
Unless no family has lived in a home before, there's a chance that whoever moves in will stumble upon something. Maybe the previous owners forgot it, or maybe they left it there for a reason. Whatever the case, finding anything you had no clue was there is always a surprise.
Most of the time, it's just random junk that was left behind for a reason. However, some bizarre leftovers are much more incredible. That's either because they would seem to be severely missed or because they don't seem to belong in this world at all.
"I Should Never Have Opened The Attic"
What would you do if this is what you discovered the first time you looked into the attic of your new home? Would you be frightened?
This is straight out of a horror film. It might be best if this person got rid of that thing right away. At least, before a phantom baby starts crying late into the night. Good luck selling a house after that.
A Find From The Past
Finding old pictures of loved ones is always a good feeling, especially if they're no longer with us. This was probably a beautiful moment.
It was once a lost memory, but the day they took these pictures now lives forever in Zelda's head. It's so bittersweet because it's a perfect encapsulation of what she would miss about him.
This Small Audio Device Is A Recorder
The new family in this home found this audio recording device under where they put the dresser. Was the old family trying to listen in on the new folks, or was this a spy mission from a former spouse?
There's a lot to unwrap with this discovery, but at least they finally discovered it. Hopefully, they haven't already shared too much with someone.
"I Found This Painting Tucked Away Behind The Washer/Dryer"
What kind of art was the previous family into? This is a bit creepy, but it isn't a bad painting. They should consider selling it at a yard sale.
Since it isn't a bad piece of art, it could probably fetch some decent money. Just don't keep that in the house. And think of something for when the next owner complains about doors slamming on their own and strange voices at night.
"Found This Creepy Doll In The Furnace Room. I Have A Friend Now"
The person who found this considers it a friend. That's a little strange, but finding this is even weirder. Maybe someone was a kids' fashion designer.
If not that, there's no telling what was going on with that doll. It could've been a giant voodoo doll, I guess. Honestly, staying on that thing's good side is probably the best approach.
This... Device
It's actually just a kitchen tool used to remove the top of the shell from a soft-boiled egg.
Perhaps it wasn't from the previous family who lived in the home, but from decades back. That thing looks pretty dated. On the plus side, that may mean it's an antique by now.
No One In The Family That Found This Wanted It "Due To Assumed Curses"
Would you not want this because you thought it was cursed? It seems like a pretty cool artifact, but I would for sure take it to get appraised.
It could either be really valuable or worth nothing. It doesn't look possessed or anything like that. It seems to be of African origin or at least takes inspiration from the region's traditional art.
"Found This Under A Layer Of Wallpaper"
Why on Earth would anyone put wallpaper over this marvelous art? It's like you're living in Italy! Did the person who put the wallpaper not have a sense of taste?
This is more beautiful and creative than a plain design will ever be. Some people don't appreciate the finer things. A mural like this is something to be treasured, not hidden away.
"Found These 110(?)-Year-Old Crayolas In The Back Of A Family Secretary Desk"
Wow, these crayons are still ready for use. The old box design wasn't too bad, but they've brought it a long way since this.
I wonder they'd snap immediately if you tried to use one now. They should try to sell this on eBay and see how much they get. It never hurts to find these things out, right?
"Cleaning Out My Great Grandmother's Mobile Home And Just Found This"
Here's something you won't find just anywhere. The person who discovered it said they were speechless. Well, anyone would be at a loss for words if this was in their granny's mobile home!
This thing almost looks mint condition, for crying out loud. You can pass this on to your kids. Assuming they would care about something that isn't an iPad, anyway.
That's A Tiny Bruce Willis
Well, this is pretty cool. It's a bit odd, but that doesn't take away from how neat it is. Why would someone collect a tiny Bruce Willis head?
Maybe it was attached to his whole body, and it was a promotion for one of his old movies. Your guess is as good as mine. Nobody else had this trademark squint and scowl, though.
An Old Wooden Frog
This wooden frog does a special trick. If you take out the wooden stick and rub it on the frog's back, you get a special croaking sound.
Whoever left this behind must have done so on purpose. They wanted to share the good vibes for the next homeowner. That sounds like a nice tradition to carry on.
"I Discovered A Bunker In The Basement Of The House I Live In"
The best thing to do with this is to call the cops and have them open it while you're home. Don't go into there alone because you never know what could be in there.
There could be an alligator in there for all you know. Maybe even a whole family of them by now. Leave that bunker alone for now!
Woman And Her Boyfriend Found This Engraved "It Never Stops"
Well, is it time to move out? Why would someone carve this on a doorframe? It's either a great warning or someone playing a game.
If it's a cautionary message, the new couple should consider getting a priest to exorcise the home. The last thing anyone wants is to move into a place that reminds them this much of The Shining.
"Lost Hippie Mural Found Under My Flooded House"
People who like to have fun under the influence usually have a high artistic drive. It looks a masterpiece was under this floor.
They should consider leaving it if it doesn't interrupt the plans they had for their design. The Hippie movement must have become passé by the time this house was renovated but what was old can sometimes become new again.
"Renovating A Bathroom In The House We Just Bought, Found A Peephole"
Some people will go to extremes to be creeps. Why would you drill a peephole in your own bathroom? You have that many guests coming over?
It looks like it was discovered closed up already, but how much damage did it do when it was open? How many people came to this house without ever noticing it? It's unnerving to think about.
"Found Some Nice Drawings Under The Wallpaper I'm Removing"
Here are some more modest drawings behind a wall. It's not as elaborate as the Italian painting under the wallpaper, but these aren't that bad.
Maybe a child drew these when they were home alone and the parents chose to cover it. Judging by how far above the average childhood doodles these are, it wouldn't be surprising to learn that the kid is in art school by now.
"So I Found This Monkey In The Attic..."
Finding a monkey like this is something that should concern you if you're worried about curses. This thing looks devilish like it will come alive at night.
You'll be sleeping and out of nowhere, you hear the thing clapping and making monkey noises. There may have been a time when these things legitimately sparked joy, but that time has long passed.
"Found This In The Pantry In My New House"
The title of this book is Handbook for the Recently Deceased. Now, that doesn't mean it's a novel for dead people, but it does sound like that.
It's likely a prank, since I'm 50% sure it's from Beetlejuice, but would you take that chance? It would be hard to resist finding out if the advice in this book has any effect, though.
"Just Bought My First House And Found A Hidden Safe"
What do you think was in here after this person finally opened it? Some thought it was filled with dust, others had no clue.
When they finally cracked it, there was nothing in there but water. It didn't make any sense since there wasn't any water damage elsewhere. Even Al Capone's disappointing lost vault made more sense than this oddity.
A Creepy Pic From A Basement Bunker
If this is what you look at when you see the picture, going down there for real would be terrifying. Those spiders look like they're waiting for prey.
This person might need to go in there for the device at the end of the hall, so they had better call backup. They better hope that water heater doesn't need fixing for a while.
"So I Just Moved Into A New Apartment, And Made A Big Discovery"
Apartments don't usually have trap doors like this, but this is in a European country. When this guy went deeper, he found a large empty room.
It's a perfect hiding place if a murderer comes into your home. He can also make it a nice basement. It looks like the previous owner might have left some useful stuff behind, to boot.
A Genie Lamp??
If you found this, would you rub it to see if a genie came out of it? I think you would have to just to test it.
You never know what could happen, but Will Smith probably isn't coming out of that thing. That's assuming it's even a lamp and not some sort of serving cup. It's hard to tell what certain things were once used for.
"Found While Cleaning, Seems Extra Relevant These Days"
This homeowner found this at a time where this couldn't be more perfect. The year 2020 was crazy and the effects of it still linger.
This pin was meant for everyone who was already an introvert. The others had to catch up to them during the quarantine. No wonder there's such a divide between those who want to return to the office and those who don't.
"Found The Newspaper That Announced Elizabeth As Queen"
This is probably one of the most iconic front pages you could ever find. The newspaper that announced the new queen is special.
The headline "Long Live the Queen" also does a good job of predicting the future, because Queen Elizabeth II has definitely had a long and full life. They may always say that when a new monarch reigns but it definitely came true in this case.
"There's A Random Chain Embedded In The Wall Of My 1930s-Era Home"
What in the world is this? Why would there be a chain hanging in the wall? Also, why haven't any of the previous owners taken this thing out?
That's a pretty interesting thing to find in your walls, but it shouldn't discourage the new homeowners. It is amazing what people just sort of build around when they do their renovations.
"These Elaborate Wooden Tools"
These look like they're ready for use in the kitchen. The one on top could roll dough and you place the hot food on the thing in the middle.
This is an incredible find! They should keep it preserved for as long as they can. Those look like classic designs that can really help brighten up a room, if nothing else.
"Pulled Up The Carpet At The House, And Guess What I Found!"
Would you look at that! You're telling me people were playing a life-size version of Monopoly at this home before? Well, that's one way to make sure that nobody can flip the board when they get mad.
That's pretty wild to imagine, but did they use regular size dice or not? This seems like fun. Well, at least until everyone buys up all the properties and refuses to trade with one another.
"They Found The Old Bath Under Their Living Room"
If you found this bath in the living room, would you end up using it or not? It wouldn't really be a living room if there were a bathtub in the middle.
Maybe they can convert it into a hot tub and have people sit in there while watching television. At the same time, most people don't like worrying about their living room flooding.
Finders Keepers?
Newlyweds moved into their dream home but knew it would need some more renovations. Without having much money, they tried to make it work.
That's when they found a metal tin inside the ceiling. It contained a total of $20,000, but the cops later took it since it was evidence of a bank robbery from the '60s. Easy come, easy go, as they say.
Knowing what this is doesn't reveal what it was used for
Although this strange panel's discoverer knew that it was found in a home built during the 1950s, they were nonetheless at a loss as to its purpose. And while others had some educated guesses, the truth is that the answer to that question remains a little shrouded in mystery.
It's true that panels like these were commonly used as the on/off switches for burglar alarms and similar home security systems. However, one person recalled one that raised and lowered a giant chandelier, so it really could have been used for anything.
It's pretty Bond-villainy for something so normal
After six months of living in their new place, Reddit user erikaatheistsen182 found a secret doorway behind this bookshelf in their room. Apparently, the door was secured by a conspicuous nail on the bottom shelf that they had to remove with scissors.
Unfortunately for anyone waiting with baited breath to learn about the wonders and horrors that were hidden behind this secret passage all along, it's not that exciting. All the neew owner discovered was that this is where the previous owner keeps the water heater. That's good to know, at least.
Well, good luck sleeping in that house ever again
When Reddit user AceFloresX found this photo in the attic of their vacation home, they were understandably freaked out. Not only is that the appropriate reaction to the appearance of an unexplained Polaroid but it seems like it was made to be as creepy as possible.
Of course, a big part of the unease here comes from that ominous question. That's especially true when it's too dark to see anything in this photo and doubly true when the photo is as scratched up as this one is. Do we want to see him?
It's certainly ornate, if a little mysterious
When Reddit user Rockfyst went through their uncle's things that had been stored in their shed, they found this piece of furniture. Although it has the potential to be an antique, they were more confused about what its actual purpose is supposed to be.
Considering that there seems to be a hatch in the middle, the most common guess suggested that this was once a particularly fancy antique toilet. However, it seems more likely that the middle part is supposed to accommodate a raised platform, rather than a hatch. That makes this a meditation chair.
"Nope" is the only word that comes to mind here
Although this person can at least say that this incredibly creepy doll wasn't found in their house, that doesn't make its presence any more comforting. After their trash was hauled away one day, someone left it in the empty bin.
They don't know why and they don't know why the doll's face is covered in red ink but the whole thing made them understandably uncomfortable. Was someone just intoxicated or were they trying to pass their curse onto somebody else?
If this is a prank, it's a good one
When Reddit user PabloPataco found this in their attic's insulation, they were understandably confused and uncomfortable. It's not exactly the friendliest face and it's hard not to see it as a sign of an evil presence in the house.
At first, people reassured that it was a protective voodoo doll to keep those presences at bay. However, a few others burst that group's bubble with a simple fact: It's just a mass produced souvenir from New Orleans. Either the previous owner thought it would be a funny prank or they credited this with way more power than it deserves.
This must have been startling to see at first
When Reddit user utopianfiat went down into their basement one day, they discovered a little face smiling manically at them. It's hard to imagine them doing anything besides jumping and yelping at the sight of this surprise presence.
However, the truth is that the previous owner didn't actually give them anything to worry about. It's just a singing plastic figure of soul legend James Brown. If it works at all after all these years, however, the sounds it makes probably aren't any less creepy.
It's hard not to take this as some kind of ominous threat.
One day, Reddit user Risin247 was concerned to find a bullet placed neatly on this shelf in their kitchen. That's especially true because it doesn't have any business here. They don't have a gun that uses .45 caliber rounds and their parents (who recently visited) don't have any guns at all.
But while they likely spent hours wondering who was trying to kill them, the answer was frustratingly mundane: Nobody. As they explained, "Apparently my mom found it in the park, brought it home, put it there, didn't tell me, and went to bed."
If he wasn't scared to use it before, he will be
When this person found this in his basement, he was understandably stumped as to what it was. It looks like a bell but that wouldn't explain why the handle is placed where it is or what the series of tubes and valves is supposed to do.
However, they all become a lot easier to explain when it's revealed that this is an antique gasoline blowtorch. That sounds like an incredibly risky thing to use nowadays, but those who once did probably found it more cumbersome than anything. After all, they had to keep pumping it.
There are much worse things to find than this
When Reddit user South_Animal_1951 went into their garage, they discovered an adorable little stowaway! It's unclear how this kitty got inside, but it seems like it found a pretty comfortable position and doesn't want to leave.
Indeed, this is probably how the term "cat burglar" originated. Cats can cram themselves into all sort of little spaces, which can lead them into areas they're not supposed to be in. At least this one just wants somewhere cozy to stay rather than any valuables.
This may have been a little easier to identify in years past
When Reddit user hollywoodmelty found this clock-like device in their home, they weren't sure what to make of it. It doesn't tell time, but it has a very heavy dial that moves horizontally. Naturally, they wanted to know what it was.
It wasn't long before they got their answer. This is a galvanometer, which means that it's used to detect electric currents. That doesn't necessarily make it clear what the previous owner used it for, but it's the best explanation they're getting.
The last thing anyone wants to see in the morning
Reddit user Iamahuman1138 explained that they live in an apartment building but that they're the only one living on the top floor and that the stairwell leading up to it only goes to their door. This is important to know when the implications of this photo are considered.
That's because they heard noises in that stairwell one night. The next morning, the found bloody fingerprints on their door and the floor in front of it. While it's possible that some intoxicated neighbor tried to enter the wrong apartment, the only clue to this mystery is a creepy one.
It's hard to know what to make of this photo
Reddit user Pariah_ was sparse on details but he said that he found this old photograph in his house. Granted, it's hard not to be sparse on details when the only clue you have is this mysterious photo of somebody.
Judging by the modern refrigerator in the back, the photo's creepy sepia tone is probably the result of prolonged sunlight exposure. It probably started as a fairly normal, if kind of wacky picture of somebody before time made it look weirdly sinister. It still would be nice to know the context.
Not the most pleasant discovery
When Reddit user EinyourP heard a scratching noise in their ceiling and saw pieces of insulation on their floor the following morning, they figured it couldn't be a good sign. Something was crawling up there.
Not long after, they saw what it was and it was a rude introduction. The thing so creepy while shrouded in darkness that it compelled them to temporarily flee their home. However, hearing that it was either a Hercules or triceratops beetle probably helped them carefully step back in.
You never know what's going to fall between the cushions
When someone takes one of the cushions off their couch, they can typically expect to find a few odds and ends that feel between the cracks. Some loose change, a stray button, maybe a wayward TV remote. Well, it seems that couple was so lost in their own afterglow that they left something much bigger down there.
After all, when Reddit user aLLcAPSiNVERSED bought it off of them, they discovered a pair of handcuffs lying in it. Not only will this give them concerns about how sanitary that couch is, but now they have to face the possibility that not all of that hair may be from a pet.
This person almost answered his own question
As far as Reddit user LoganSlendy was concerned, this red, plastic object that looked like a key mysteriously appeared in their apartment. However, they did have one important clue. There was recently a fire in the unit that required the intervention of firefighters.
Indeed, it turns out that those were precisely who left it behind. That's because it's actually the pull pin on a fire extinguisher. That's one mystery solved, and it came with a neat little souvenir to boot.
Believe it or not, this isn't as concerning as it looks
When Reddit user ladymoonshyne was digging in her back yard, she came across this rusted, metal pistol that was buried under two feet of dirt. However, the surprising truth was that she hadn't uncovered someone's 100-year-old murder weapon. And it's size is a bit of a tip-off.
Although this is a cast iron revolver, that doesn't mean it was the real thing. This was actually a toy cap gun that was made by either Kilgore, Oh Boy!, or Bulldog some time between the 1920s and the 1950s. That doesn't explain how it was buried but at least the cops shouldn't be involved now.
Somebody was all worried for nothing
Reddit user AlphaMetroid was unsure what to think of this red, waxy substance in their front door's keyhole. There was nothing like that on their key before they used it, so they wondered how it got there. Sadly, the first answer they received suggested that it was a sign that people were casing their house.
In other words, they would be using indicators like this to see which homeowners regularly uses their keys and which ones might be away. Fortunately for them, they eventually discovered that a family member had accidentally got lipstick on her own key. False alarm.
Previous owners can leave all sorts of things in the walls
When people renovate a house, it's not unusual for them to find friendly messages, wacky jokes, or creepy statements left by the previous owners on the original walls. However, Reddit user KillaMcFlow didn't expect to find children's drawings when they had a look in the walls.
Considering that they were surrounded by numbers, these may have been some kid's doodles while they were figuring out their math homework. As for why it's here, anybody with kids knows they love jamming random objects in the strangest places.
Good luck convincing anyone to walk through here again
Although this wasn't technically found in someone's house, it's close enough because the uploader discovered it in the mile-long tunnel that runs under their apartment building. From the looks of it, this probably wasn't the landlord's idea of a fun new decoration theme.
The only question left to answer is why this mural's creator put it here. Were they just messing with people as they walk through an already creepy tunnel or does some secret society meet here to do who knows what?
This looks like a homemade chemistry experiment
A Redditor found this in their attic: Two beer bottles with a copper tube running between them, with both bottlenecks sealed off. The liquid inside each one is thick — thicker than water.
While it isn't completely, unequivocally clear what this is, it appears to be a homemade barometer of some kind. This is a relief, as there was speculation that it was an explosive.
That looks pointy
Imagine unscrewing your showerhead and finding what appears to be some kind of shrapnel inside the pipe!
It's likely that this is the byproduct of a sloppy soldering job. If pipes are overheated while soldering, strands of metal like this can be a result.
This appeared on their front porch
It's weird not only that this appeared out of the blue, but also that it's set so firmly in the deck that it can't be removed.
Things move from weird to alarming when it becomes evident that this is a bullet. You can see the rifling marks along the sides.
Just hope it isn't organic
This...stuff...started seeping out of someone's walls, seemingly at random.
It looks like it could be some kind of terrible mold or fungus problem — and it could be — but it's more than likely just expanding foam that expanded a little too much.
Should they open these up?
These ancient glass vials are delicate and full of some sort of greenish-yellow liquid.
Some people might fear that these are radioactive, but fear not — they're simply antique perfume samples (also called ampules or nips). It would be worth carefully breaking one open to see how it smells.
Airbnbs can be weird
It seems that every Airbnb has at least one mystery appliance within its walls, something that may or may not be spying on you.
As it turns out, this thing...may or may not be spying on you. It's likely a motion detector.
This seems cryptic
These cute little leather things with whimsical messages on them are just about impossible to place.
But when you take a closer look and see how they're designed, it becomes clear that they're bookmarks. They simply slide over the corner of a page.
Are walls supposed to do this?
A Redditor was understandably concerned when they saw these weird indentations appear in their wall.
This is probably the result of the wall flexing, as these are clearly sheetrock (drywall) nails that are working their way out.
A mystery gift
A newcomer to a neighborhood received this in a welcome gift basket, and hadn't the foggiest idea what it was.
It's probably a cocktail tray, for what it's worth. It's also definitely something that someone wanted to get rid of.
I C a really weird sink
We see all sorts of interesting stylistic choices in home decor, but this impractical sink has to take the cake.
This is known as a bar sink or food prep sink, and is designed to be used with a cutting board.
