How to Design a Secret Door
Hidden passageways are most often associated with murder mysteries and children's stories, but this does not mean that they don't have a place in the real world. There are many reasons people decide to create a hidden door in their home, from the fanciful to the practical. Whether you're trying to hide your family's panic room or you're just looking to add a bit of whimsy to your home, designing a secret door is not nearly as difficult as it may seem at first. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pick the doorway you'd like to hide. If you're not using an existing door frame, decide where to place the new doorway and how big you'd like it to be.
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Decide how secret you'd like this door to be. If you're making a secret passageway for fun, or as a conversation piece, you can stand to be a bit more decorative. However, if you're designing a secret door for home security purposes, you'll want to design something much less noticeable.
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Measure the door frame. This will help you determine how big the secret panel should be. A door that opens outward can be designed with a few extra inches on the top and sides to help hide the door frame. However, a door that opens inward will have to fit snugly into the frame so that it fits flush with the rest of the wall.
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Pick a design for the door. The traditional choice for a hidden passage is a bookcase, but there are many alternatives. Remember that a good secret door will blend in with its surroundings. For example, a bookcase may blend in well in a study, but a large dresser may be more appropriate for a bedroom. Using a less bulky covering, such as a tapestry or large painting, is also an option.
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Determine what kind of hardware you'll need to install. A false bookcase will be much heavier than a normal door and will require sturdier hinges. It is also possible to fit a hidden door on a sliding frame instead of door hinges.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're designing a secret door for security purposes, remember that this is just one element of a thorough security system and should not be relied on as your only line of defense.
