How to Make a Built-In Bookcase Secret Door

Having secrets is one of the great joys in life. From the time you are a kid, hidden places seem somehow special. Building a secret door bookcase is a way to give yourself a secluded space that cannot be easily found by anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time in your home. A bookcase is one of the simplest pieces of furniture to build. The process of making it into a door is only a little harder.

Things You'll Need

• 2 sheets 3/4-inch cabinet-grade plywood
• 2 sheet 1/2-inch cabinet-grade plywood
• Circular saw
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's square
• Pneumatic brad nailer
• Compressor
• Wood glue
• Chalk line

Instructions

Prepping Your Parts

1. Measure your door opening from side to side. You will build your bookcase door 12 inches wider than the measurement. For this example, assume a door 36 inches wide and a standard height of 80 inches.

2. Cut two bookcase pieces from 3/4-inch cabinet-grade plywood. Cut four at 10 by 80 inches (side panels) and 10 at 10 by 22 1/2 inches (tops, bottoms and shelves). Use a circular saw.

3. Cut base pieces from the same material--four at 3 1/4 by 24 inches (front and back) four at 3 1/4 by 8 1/2 inches (sides) and four at 4 by 8 1/2 inches (installation cleats).

4. Cut two backs from 1/2-inch plywood, 80 by 24 inches.

Building the Case

1. Build a rectangle using two base front and back pieces and two base end pieces, 10 by 24 inches. Stand the pieces on edge and glue and nail the corners. Lay two base installation cleats flat in the bottom parallel with the ends, and nail and glue them tight against each end. Repeat with remaining base parts.

2. Set two side panels on a flat , sturdy surface. Mark across the face with a carpenter's square every 20 inches for shelf placement. Mark the back piece similarly.

3. Stand the bulkheads on edge, parallel, 22 1/2 inches apart. Glue and nail a 22 1/2- by 10-inch piece between these bulkheads at one end. Repeat at the opposite end. Glue and nail three of the remaining shelves between the bulkheads on the marks you made.

4. Glue and nail a back to this assembly, flush at all edges. Nail through the back into the shelves for added reinforcement.

5. Attach the base, with the cleats against the bottom of the bookcase, with 1 1/4-inch screws. Attach four 3 1/2-inch casters to the bottom of the base. Repeat for the other case.

Installing the Door

1. Stand cases side by side and attach them together along the seam with 80-inch piece of piano hinge. Use 1-inch, fine-thread drywall screws.

2. Remove the side door casing and replace with two 6- by 80-inch pieces of 3/4-inch plywood. Screw them to the frame of the door opening with 1 1/4-inch drywall screws. Attach the right side of the right bookcase to the edge of the right casing replacement with a second continuous hinge.

3. To open the door, pull gently on a shelf in the right bookcase until the hinge in the center begins to fold, the cases will then glide forward on the casters and fold open to the right.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a chalk line to lay out your plywood pieces. It is much easier than drawing all those lines.

• Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

References

• The Fun Times Guide.com: Hidden Bookcase Doors
• Woodweb.com: Hidden Pivot Bookcase Door