Years ago I lived in a studio apartment in New York City on a super-quaint West Village street. I loved the location — the actual apartment not so much — and imagined, due to my love of the immediate neighborhood, I might live there, for maybe the rest of my life. A major drawback to my fantasy was the apartment, which boasted wonderful exposed brick walls (I was the one who exposed them) and attractively battered hardwood floors (they came to me pre-battered) was just too small, no matter how many times I arranged and rearranged the furniture. I spent an irrational amount of time daydreaming how the apartment could become larger, to the point where my daydreams infiltrated my sleeping dream life and I began dreaming about a secret room I hadn’t noticed before that could be accessed through the apartment’s only closet.
It took a couple of years, but I finally did move to a larger apartment, although I never lost my lust to have a secret room. That’s because secret rooms are magical spaces that inspire imaginative thoughts. I love it when bookcases, mirrors, even floorboards aren’t what they appear to be. Got a whim for a secret room of your own? Check out these clever ideas and then discuss with your favorite HomeSquare Pro how to make it happen.
Under the Stairs
So, I borrowed this idea from a Pinterest site where it appears a darling child’s playroom is secretly tucked away under a massive staircase. If you’re lucky enough to live in such a baronial style, you might already have a dedicated child’s playroom or even home-schooling space. Even so, what child wouldn’t love to have their own magical mystery room to slip away from the rest of the family or engage in an extended game of hide and seek? A big plus for the child, the low ceiling means adults wishing to enter, must come on their hands and knees. It also looks to me like a great place to stash the dog bed and crate when you have a lot of company coming and Fido would undoubtedly be happier tucked away where no one can see him or hear him.
Who doesn’t love a secret hiding space?
Bogus Bookcase
I “borrowed” this image also off Pinterest, but who hasn’t seen a movie where suddenly one character leans on what appears to be a bookcase and voila! The whole wall shifts to reveal a secret alcove or passageway. It turns out you can buy specially designed bookcases on hinges that open to another room or closet or hallway. These pre-manufactured cases are easily installed by your HomeSquare handyman. What kind of delicious secret room might be hidden behind your bogus bookcase? That’s up to you. If you’re thinking about a new closet, consider these clever ideas for reimaging your space.
What lies behind this secret door?
Bedroom in a Nook
Sometimes you don’t need an entire secret room. All you need is a twin-bed sized secret space for a bed. I would personally love a nook with a dreamy bed and bookcase secreted away. The trick to making a secret space not seem stifling or claustrophobic is a window or a pretty light fixture. I’d love escaping to this kind of secret space not just for a nap, but maybe with my laptop.
This bedroom nook is very Dutch in spirit.
A bedroom nook is also a great way to add extra space for spillover guests who wind up sleeping over.
Secret Speakeasy/ Man Cave
Now what do you suppose lies behind this secret door? I’m guessing man cave or hidden bar. This could be the place where a guy can go to be himself, maybe indulge his taste for a little taxidermy or house his old school turntable and spectacular jazz collection.
Anything at all could happen behind this secret door cleverly disguised as shelving.
Smoking Parlor
Admittedly this room is full-on elaborate, but why not be indulgent about your secret room? This one looks like a smoking parlor or cigar bar. Be forewarned that if you create a secret room this luxurious, it won’t be a secret anymore and there will be gate, er, door crashers. You’ll want to consider a smoke eater to minimize the smoke smell. Schedule an appointment with your HomeSquare professional to talk about creating a truly personal area in your home that can keep everyone in the house happy.
Pull up a chair and sit awhile.
Panic Room
Home security takes on new meaning when you have your own arsenal. A safe, secure place to house your jewelry is essential if you’ve got ‘em. This secret room is literally a vault, but something more domestic looking can easily be achieved if you make your gems and valuables room a bit more comfortable. Think of it as a place for the whole family to safely hide out while protecting them and your property from intruders.
Your secret room can be very purposeful. For instance, check out this jewelry vault.
It’s been decades since I lived in that studio apartment, dreaming of a room I hadn’t yet discovered. The funny thing is, I always woke up before I saw what was in it; I dreamed the room into existence, but never got as far as imagining its function or its purpose. These days, to amuse myself, I lie in bed and gaze at the pocket door of our walk-in closet. I like imagining sliding open that pocket door to discover the closet is merely a vestibule to an amazing hidden room I haven’t seen yet. I know it could happen if I only hired the perfect contractor.
Schedule your appointment with your HomeSquare professional to create your own secret room. The only limit is your budget to make your dreams come true!
-Eve Marx.
Eve Marx is a national journalist and book author. Follow her reflections on home design and interior style on Instagram at the hashtag #funkybeachhouseseasideror.