Creative DIY Hidden Bookcase Door

Hidden Bookcase Door Main
DIY Hidden Bookcase Door

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own little hidden private space? Whether it be for studying, working, taking naps, reading, or just spending some time alone.

The good news is that you don’t need to add an extra room to your home to create a secret space. You can turn any room into a private space by using a hidden bookcase door.

Hidden Bookcase Door

This project in particular shows a 2-door sliding bookcase that opens and closes smoothly. The perfect combination, books, storage, and a secret room đŸ˜€

Would you like your own secret room that has a hidden bookcase door?

Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox. 8-)

You’ll need these materials:

  • 2 pcs 3/4″ 4’x 8′ Maple Plywood – for door back
  • 4 pcs 3/4″ 4’x 8′ Maple Board – for sides
  • 16 pcs 1/2″ 6″ x 4′ Maple Boards – for shelves
  • 2 sets 3 Global Bearing Hinges
  • 2 pairs K&V Extra Heavy Duty Slides
  • 48 pcs 5mm Shelf Brackets
  • 5mm Drill Bits
  • Primer
  • Paint
  • Wood Glue
  • Sponge

And these tools:

  • Power Drill
  • Sander
  • Table Saw
  • Measuring Tape

Steps:

Reinforce walls for the hidden bookshelf door. When I pulled off the existing moulding, there were weak shims holding the frame. I had to remove these and fill them with solid wood on the top and sides since they will support a lot of weight for the hidden bookshelf door.

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Surface prep for the hidden bookcase door. After securing the frame of the hidden bookcase door to the studs with 3″ deck screws, I needed to finish the wallboard to be smooth.

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Since I wanted the doors to look like bookcases flush against the wall, I needed to fill the broken wallboard with joint compound, wet sand with a sponge until smooth and coat it with primer and matching the wall paint.

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Using these heavy-duty hinges I found, I shimmed them for easier placement. I bought 3″ screws for added strength.

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The 500lb full extension bearing slides were attached to the top and bottom of the hinged door. I determined that the 14″ slide movement was optimal.

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I test-fitted and pre-drilled the back of the hidden bookcase door, this allowed precise alignment of both sides before the hidden bookcase door was built.

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This was the first bookcase I built. I drilled 5″ holes to allow shelves to be adjustable. The sides were glued to the back using #10 biscuits (5 per side). The top and bottom were permanently glued in dado slots.

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After 1 day to let the glue dry, one door was attached to its slides.

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The 2nd door was attached to its slides. Some shelves were added. I allowed about 1/4″ clearance between the back of the bookcase and the wall and on the top and bottom. This helps reduce the amount of light that could leak out and ruin the illusion. I may staple in black felt to further insulate them.

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The doors hinge inward and slide outward very easily on the bearings. I estimate each door is less than 100 lbs. Even when loaded with books, CDs, DVDs, etc. they should be less than the ratings.

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To hold the doors closed I added two powerful magnets to brackets. I salvaged them from an old hard drive. Below them are a couple rubber end stops.

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Two small handles were added to allow closing from the inside. I could have spent more time choosing better wood but I didn’t consider how the inside would look until completed.

So far, there is no sagging or rubbing on the carpet. The doors are very easy to open and close.

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Do you have other ideas on how to create a secret room? Why not share it with us in the comments section (we promise to keep it a secret  đŸ˜‰ )

Thanks to SPECTREcat for this great tutorial!

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