Aubrey Nelson
Secret doors aren’t just the stuff of royals and spies; the modern man is just as deserving of a little privacy, albeit with a dash of mischief. Hidden doors have been used for centuries, serving as private passageways otherwise unknown to the wider household and prying eyes. These secret entryways were capable of guarding riches, as well as simply providing a bit of security for the room’s occupant, and continue to promise the same today.
Clever bookshelves with a “trick” latch, wall paneling, and even built-in household implements can conceal a sacred chamber or secret passageway, providing endless entertainment and intrigue for guests and owners alike. Many hidden door designs are deceptively easy to install, featuring a number of additional components to suit your space and needs. From Batman’s lair to the tombs of the ancient Egyptians, there are a number of inspirations behind a secret door.
This makes it easier to attach the concealed hinges on the backside so that the door opens inward to the safe room. This type of secret entrance is a bit easier since you can use a standard door that you’ll cover with panels. To make your door a success, you’ll need to buy a spring-loaded latch that’s more powerful than the standard.
Traditionally, wainscoting is used on the lower half of walls to hide evidence of rising dampness.
If you want to easily apply wainscoting to your wall and hidden door, you can buy pre-fabricated panels and other trim pieces. It requires close attention to detail as each piece of trim is cut, routered, and beveled to exact measurements.
It features a variety of raised trim and panels to create a pattern of squares and rectangles. There’s a flat panel as the base and then trim pieces are places over it called stiles.
This style looks best in Mission-style homes that embrace simple lines, exposed rafters, and an emphasis on craftsmanship. A hidden cabinet door can blend beautifully into your kitchen or dining room.
You already have cabinetry in these rooms, so creating a false cabinet that’s actually a door will be relatively easy. If your door is a part of a wall of cabinetry, you can make it blend in by repeating a pattern found elsewhere.
You could have a fireplace or bookshelf in the center of the wall, and then cabinets or bookshelves framing the central feature. One side is actual cabinets or shelving, the other matches in appearance but hides the door. This symmetry appeals to the eye and will trick people into not noticing that one side is a door.
Instead of building out a set of stairs going down to your basement, why not create a secret hatch on your floor? For increased safety, consider installing a handrail on the underside of your hatch door. Depending on the construction of your stairs, you could turn this space into a child’s playroom, storage room, guest bathroom, or mini home office.
Hiding the door allows you to utilize the space while not compromising the architectural design of your stairs. To create this look in your home, skip the door handle, and opt for a spring-loaded hinge. There may not be enough room under your stairs to have the door swing inward and still leave enough space for you to comfortably walk through the doorway.
One bold idea is to remove the door and instead mount a floor-to-ceiling piece of artwork on hinges.
Guests will walk by and admire your impressive and large display of artwork, but you’ll know that it hides the entrance to a hidden room. For the most effective camouflage, choose wallpaper or a painted mural with a lot of detail and design.
Try using this method in a hallway where space is limited, but a bold wallpaper will make a beautiful interior design statement. No, depending on the hinge system you choose, you may be able to skip the door handle completely. This style of door lets you create a secret place where you can hide your most valuable belongings. Hidden doorways and secret passageways can also add a level of whimsy and fun to your home.
Instead of using your secret door to guard your prized possessions, use it to create a special entrance to your game room or children’s playroom.
