Have you ever dreamed of having a secret room in your home? Hidden rooms are a unique way to repurpose an unused space.
Whether you need the space for an out-of-sight office or a hideaway or want to treat your kids with a secret playroom, hidden rooms may be perfect for your needs. Secret rooms are a mysterious and fun way to add a splash of personality to your home.
Check out our favorite hidden room ideas and how to create them.
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What Is A Hidden Room?
Hidden rooms – often concealed behind hidden doors – are sometimes called secret rooms, panic rooms or safe rooms. From an interior design perspective, these rooms can provide a tucked-away spot for a room you may not want prominently featured in your home. Or it can be a jewel box of a hideaway space that you can’t wait to show houseguests!
Whether you want a room hidden for practical or fun reasons, a secret room can be a great way to use that space.
7 Creative Secret Room Ideas
No two hidden rooms are the same – that’s part of the excitement. Hidden rooms can be anywhere in your home and can serve many purposes. Here are some popular types of secret rooms:
1. Brilliant Bookcase Secret Room
If there is such a thing as a traditional secret room, the one that typically comes to mind is the one hidden behind a bookcase and uses a bookcase door to hide the entrance to the room. It’s a great idea if you have a closet or other room off the room that is suited to shelving. Tuck away a secret home library or cozy reading nook where you can curl up with a good book in private. Of course, you’ll want to secure the items on the bookshelf so they don’t fall as you swing the door open.
2. Unique Underground Bunker
Another cool idea is an underground secret room. Underground hidden rooms are popular as safe rooms or bunkers. If you need a room to keep you protected from outside elements, an underground bunker is perfect. However, creating one can be expensive if you don’t already have an underground space on your property.
3. Sneaky Stairs Hidden Room
Many homes have a hidden room under a staircase. It can be the perfect place to create a hidden room. If you’re currently using the space for storage, you can transform it into a small office, a playroom or a reading nook. Set up some lighting to help keep the space from feeling like a dark closet. Battery-powered fairy lights can work great if there is no overhead light fixture or an easy way to run electricity.
4. Captivating Children’s Playroom
Kids love secret spaces. If you have a spot for a secret room in your home, consider making it all about the kids! Think about turning a small hidden room into a children’s playroom with a reading nook and play kitchen area or a playhouse. A modular kids’ couch is a smart addition for older kids who want a cozy lounging spot.
5. Whimsical Wine Cellar
Love wine? A secret wine cellar will really impress your friends! If your hidden room is dark and climate-controlled, that’s the perfect environment for storing wine. Consider the size of your collection and get appropriate shelving or refrigeration. Add storage for glasses and other wine accessories. If you have enough space, consider adding a small bar and barstool seating.
6. Handy Home Office
A hidden home office may be the perfect way to work remotely at home and get some privacy. All you need is a desk, a comfortable chair and lighting to turn a closet or nook into a home office. Just make sure the space gets good Wi-Fi and cell reception!
7. Thrilling Home Theater
Bring the cinematic experience into your home with a secret home theater. With a hidden room, you can recreate the immersive experience you get watching a film in a movie theater, and silence is guaranteed. You can even add a custom snack bar for concessions.
How To Create A Secret Room In Your Home
You can create a secret room yourself or hire a contractor. Here are the steps you should keep in mind to create a hidden room:
Choose A Location
The first step to building a secret room is to choose a location. A popular spot is an existing walk-in closet. You can close off an unused space with drywall to create a room or finish your basement to create additional space. Converting a closet into a secret room is a relatively straightforward DIY project. All you need is a little vision, some elbow grease and a touch of creative home engineering.
Create A Plan
Make a plan that outlines what you’ll need to do to create your secret room. It may be as simple as setting up a closet as a room or as extensive as concealing or disguising a door. Once you have a plan, break the project down into steps. Breaking a plan into smaller steps can help make DIY projects more manageable.
Budget For Materials
Create a list of the tools and materials you’ll need for each step in the project. Costs can add up quickly, so it’s best to create a renovation budget to stay on track.
If you want to conceal a door, for example, you may need a costly heavy-duty door and hinges. If you’ve always dreamed of having a soundproof safe room, prepare to spend extra on additional upgrades. No matter what you want, building your secret room must be based on a budget, not your wish list, to control your spending.
Install The Door
If you want a hidden door, the most common way to add one is behind a bookshelf. You can DIY a bookshelf door or purchase a swinging interior bookcase door. If you DIY the door project, be sure the door and hinges are strong enough to support the additional weight and secured to the correct studs.
Hidden Room Door Ideas
Here are some additional concealed door options for a secret room:
- Bookcase
- Behind a fireplace
- Inside cabinets and dressers
- Behind a piece of artwork or mirror
- Within a paneled wall
- Interior floor trap door
The Bottom Line: Hidden Room Ideas Are A Fun Way To Customize Your Space
Secret rooms are a fun addition to any home. Whether you want to use a hidden room for practical reasons, like a safe room or a home office, or for fun reasons, like a playroom or a wine cellar, a secret room can be a unique way to use space in your home.
If you’re ready to start on your hidden hideaway, apply for a personal loan with Rocket Loans℠ to finance your stealthy space today.