A closet is an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage, particularly that of clothes. Fitted closets are built into the walls of the house so that they take up no apparent space in the room. Clo
An open built-in closet
A typical modern wall-mounted closet
Janitor's closet in a New York State middle school, 1990s
A pail closet or pail privy or dirt closet was a room used for the disposal of human excreta, under the "pail system" of waste removal. The "closet" was a small outhouse which contained a seat, undern
Closet
…used for prayer, reading, or study. The use of "closet" for "toilet" dates back to 1662. In Indian English, this use continues. Related forms include earth closet and water closet (flush toilet). "Privy" meaning an outhouse derives from "private", making the connection with the Middle English use of "closet…
A Rochdale Corporation pail closet. The seated area is on the right. The chamber on the left was for the disposal of common household waste.
Diagram of a midden closet in Nottingham
A full pail, complete with lid (left), and an empty pail, ready to be returned. These are Rochdale pails, made from wood. Manchester's pails were made from galvanised iron, with India-rubber beading around the lids to seal them.
Cutaway section of a Goux pail, with mould