15 Clever Hidden Door Ideas for the Ultimate Secret Hideaway
Is there anything more magical and mysterious than a hidden doorway? It's the epitome of luxury to install one at home and will completely dazzle your guests—even if it hides nothing more than a spare closet. Since it's your space, you can personalize it the way you want, and if that includes adding a doorway behind a bookshelf, we have some amazing hidden door ideas to spark your inspiration.
For a classic approach, consider using a built-in bookcase as the entryway to one of your rooms. However, if that's too on the nose for your tastes, there are beautiful hidden door ideas involving molding or wallpaper that blend seamlessly into the wall. You could even opt for specially made jib doors, where even the hardware is virtually invisible when closed. Whether you want a hidden door for privacy or to tap into your inner child's imagination, these 15 clever hidden door ideas from designer spaces will give you all the inspiration you need.
For more home design inspiration:
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Try a Mirrored Effect
Take some hidden door idea inspiration from the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Designer Andrew Brown added a mirrored jib door with an antique effect in this hallway that conceals a staircase leading up to the guest room. It makes the entire space feel larger and brighter.
Copy the Crown Molding
An elegant way to disguise your hidden door is by covering the outside with molding. The beautiful architectural detail of this door by Andrew Howard in collaboration with Cronk Duch Architecture elevates the space in such a subtle way. We love the touch of blue on the inside of this powder room that peeks out when the door is open.
Related Story: 16 Crown Molding Ideas That Add Architectural Character
Paint It Dark
Even with a hidden door that sits flush against the wall, you're likely going to have a slightly visible seam. Even if it isn't obvious to your guests—you'll know it's there. Follow in designer Andrea Monath Schumacher's footsteps and paint the wall and door a dark color, like black. It'll help hide away the seam, and it'll add to the mysterious feel.
Related Story: 23 Sophisticated Black Bedrooms That Prove Why Dark Colors Work Wonders
Make It Playful
A hidden door idea is a magical addition to any child's bedroom or playroom. Designer Barry Dixon opted for a jib door instead of a regular bedroom door in this Washington, D.C. home for a whimsical effect.
Use Wallpaper
This garden-inspired wallcovering that designer Clary Bosbyshell installed effectively hides away the door that leads to the next section of the house. As opposed to plain paint, the wallpaper's print can help distract from the seam.
Related Story: The Best Removable Wallpaper, Tested and Reviewed
Find Strategic Panelling
In this WeShed by High Street Homes for our Whole Home 2020, the designers installed a hidden door on a wall covered with painted wood panels. This clever hidden door idea fools the eye, as the vertical lines of the wood panels help conceal the edges of the doorway.
Install a Murphy Door
The easiest way to make your hidden-room-behind-the-bookcase dreams come true is to get a Murphy Door. For this home, designer Lynn Kloythanomsup installed one that swings open to a bathroom.
Related Story: Murphy Doors Are the Coolest Way to "Hide" a Room
Swap in a Skinny Handle
Your hidden door idea won't stay hidden for long if there's an obvious knob in the middle of the wall. Opt for a long, skinny handle instead to better camouflage it. Designer Mark Cunningham did this to hide away a butler's pantry within this cabinet space. By using the narrow handle that he did, it signifies the handle opens a door rather than another cabinet.
Stay Unassuming
Alexander Doherty chose a simple white paint color for the walls and the hidden doorway in this room. The basic tone effectively masks the entrance. When the door is closed, it seamlessly blends into the wall, making it an unassuming spot without any artwork or noticeable differences, allowing it to be easily overlooked at a glance.
Clever Cutout
Pattern is the easiest way to disguise a hidden doorway. Designer Nick Olsen chose a heavily patterned wallpaper for this dining room, successfully concealing the way into the kitchen. You can create the same effect with a mural on the wall as well.
Add Life to Underused Spaces
A hidden door idea doesn't have to lead anywhere exciting—it can simply turn an odd corner or unused space into a fun room feature. For example, rather than leaving the space under the stairs bare, do what designer Regan Baker did and install a bookshelf Murphy Door in that area.
Related Story: Here's What to Do With Those Awkward Spaces in Your House, According to Designers
Sneaky Storage
At a quick glance, you'll probably miss the hidden door in this guest room. Located across from the bed is a small doorway that's flush with the wall, concealing what's likely to be a storage area. The team at Morgan Madison Design almost completely hid the entrance, using dark colors, a slightly textured paint, and a jib door to do so.
Keep Colors Consistent
Another way to blend your hidden doorway into its surroundings is to coordinate it with surrounding accent colors. In this beach house by Marshall Watson and Kate Reid, the powder room is concealed with a turquoise-and-white bookshelf that matches the painted map mural on the wall. This helps the secret entrance look more natural in the space.
Crafty Cabinetry
If having a fridge that blends in with your cabinetry isn't enough, consider making the cabinet itself an entrance. One chic hidden door idea from designer Mindy Laven involves a secret door in the kitchen cabinetry. When open, it provides a literal and visual flow into the house's entryway, and when closed, it blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Sometimes, hidden doorways are added solely to make a space more cohesive, not necessarily for privacy.
Easy Hideaway
Your hidden door doesn't have to open into another room or a hallway—it can simply open up to a work area, like in this space designed by Sarah Tract. Use the look of tall cabinets to hide away a part of your house you want to keep separate.
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