Hidden Chair Compartment: Cool Secret Storage

Last Updated on February 5, 2025 by teamobn

Hidden Chair Compartment
Hidden chair compartment – a cool way of sitting on your asset!

No, we don’t mean safe as in safety. We mean safe as in hidden away from the baddies! Sadly, burglaries are common. Some are opportunistic, and some are planned. But in all cases, the burglar is in and out in minutes.

They know where most of us keep our treasures. The empty drawers in seconds and are rummaging through your wardrobes seconds later. They’ll check under your bed and in your freezer. But we don’t think they’ll be checking under the seat of your dining chairs- in a hidden chair compartment.

Hidden Chair Compartment

OK… so you have to keep this DIY hidden chair compartment project a secret if you’re going to do it! Unless someone else knows that you have a hidden compartment in your dining chairs, we think this secret storage area will serve its purpose well.

Not comfortable with using it as a sort of security vault? You can use it for regular, extra storage instead! Do this to your work chair where you can store chargers or small tools — anything you can think of that you want near you but out of sight. 🙂

Building a Hidden Chair Compartment

Materials:

  • Chair with cushion
  • Small wood Beam Scrap
  • Hinges
  • Screws
  • Spray Paint (Optional)

Tools:

  • Screwdriver
  • Pencil
  • Measuring Tape
  • Bandsaw
  • File
  • Drill
  • Spirit Level

Steps to make a hidden chair compartment:

Hidden Chair Compartment

When selecting the chair to use for this DIY hidden chair compartment project, you need to ensure that the support beams around the bottom of the base are of sufficient depth to allow a decent amount of space inside the compartment.

Hidden Chair Compartment

The cushion on my chair was simply held in place with 3 ‘L’ brackets, which I simply unscrewed. I decided to use these brackets later, as you will see, as I liked the look of them. Plus, why would I let them go to waste?!

Hidden Chair Compartment

So after unscrewing the L brackets to make room for the hidden chair compartment, the cushion came right off.

Hidden Chair Compartment

In the spirit of reusing, I scavenged these hinges from an old set of French doors, but any hinges would work. If I was to buy the hinges, I would get a piano hinge.

Hidden Chair Compartment

I started my hidden chair compartment project by replacing the seat cushion and marking out on the base of it where the support beam that I was going to attach my hinges was. I should’ve done this before removing the cushion, but that was just poor planning.

Hidden Chair Compartment

After that, I lined up with hinges an equal distance from each edge, ensuring that they had enough space between their edges and the legs of the chair and screwed them in place.

Hidden Chair Compartment

Note: The hinges for the seat cushion are placed at the front of the chair, to avoid any accidental discovery of the compartment if somebody were to pick up the seat from the front.

Creating the hidden chair compartment base:

Hidden Chair Compartment

I decided to make my base offset from the back of the chair by about 50mm as there was a slight gap at the back of my chair. I created the base using a small piece of chipboard cut just slightly oversize on the inside edge of the chair.

Hidden Chair Compartment

Then, holding it on the base, I drew around the inside profile onto the chipboard.

Hidden Chair Compartmen

Off to the bandsaw! I then cut out around the shape on the bandsaw and filed the edges.

Hidden Chair Compartment

If you’ve used nicer wood than chipboard, it may look ok how it is, but I decided to add some black felt to by base, which is a good idea if you’re going to be putting valuable things in it. It also helps to reduce things sliding around if the chair were to be moved. I attached the felt using spray glue and cut it to size.

Hidden Chair Compartment

I wanted minimal space wasted in my hidden chair compartment, and this is where I ended up using those ‘L’ brackets I got earlier. I started by cutting a small piece of wood as the main support beam and cutting it to the width of the inside profile. I simply attached this piece to the base with screws through the back.

Hidden Chair Compartment

In this picture, I showed 3 brackets but only ended up using 2 of them on this site.

Hidden Chair Compartment
Hidden Chair Compartment

Since the chipboard wasn’t very thick, I drilled 2 holes and used M4 nuts and bolts to secure the brackets to the base.

Hidden Chair Compartment

The inside compartment didn’t look very nice with all the odd bits of wood and brackets there, so it’s off to the paint shop (my back garden) to do some blending in!

Hidden Chair Compartment

I sprayed the wooden support beam, as well as the 2 ‘L’ brackets, to make them as inconspicuous as possible.

Hidden Chair Compartment

I then sprayed the inside edges of the chair’s support beams where the compartment would be.

Hidden Chair Compartment

At first, this was as far as the painting would go, but I realized that the base of the cushion looked super ugly when it was lifted, so I painted that too.

Hidden Chair Compartment

Originally, I was going to screw the wooden support beam through the sides of the chairs with a countersunk hole, however, I realized that this could give away the fact that there have been modifications made to the chair, so I instead opted simply for 2 more ‘L’ brackets, which I also painted black.

Hidden Chair Compartment
Hidden Chair Compartment

This is all quite simple, really, and there isn’t much to say about this step. I screwed each of the brackets into the support beams on the chair, using a spirit level to ensure it was flat. Then I re-screwed the cushion onto the hinges.

Easy, right? Feeling inspired to modify your simple chairs to have secret storage? How can this project be further improved? 🙂

Thanks to Hiyadudez for this clever project!

DIY Hidden Furniture Storage Ideas

Finding creative ways to maximize space and keep belongings secure is more important than ever. Whether you live in a small apartment or just want to add some clever storage solutions, hidden furniture compartments are a smart way to keep valuables safe and out of sight. From hidden chair compartments to secret storage in coffee tables, there are plenty of DIY projects that can enhance both function and style in your home.

Hidden Chair Compartment

A chair can be more than just a place to sit. With a simple modification, it can double as a discreet storage unit. By removing the seat cushion and installing hinges, you can create a compartment inside the chair base to store small valuables, emergency cash, or even office supplies. This works especially well for dining chairs, office chairs, or accent chairs with enough depth under the seat. To keep it truly hidden, paint the interior black or line it with fabric that blends seamlessly.

Secret Storage Inside a Coffee Table

A coffee table is often the centerpiece of a living room, making it a great place for hidden storage. Some DIY modifications include a lift-top mechanism that reveals a deep compartment for books, remotes, or electronics. Another approach is creating a sliding top or drawer-style opening that blends into the table design. By choosing a wood finish or a design that matches your existing furniture, the hidden storage remains unnoticed while keeping your space organized.

Under-Bed Storage with a Secret Twist

Beds with built-in drawers are common, but adding a truly hidden compartment makes the storage even more secure. One way to achieve this is by lifting the mattress and creating a false bottom inside the bed frame. Another method is using a headboard with concealed shelves or a sliding panel to hide valuables or important documents. A clever approach is modifying the baseboard of the bed to create a hidden drawer that blends in seamlessly.

Bookshelf with a Hidden Compartment

A bookshelf offers more than just space for books and dĂ©cor—it can serve as a secret hiding place. Adding a false back to one or more shelves creates a concealed space for storing cash, passports, or sentimental items. Another option is designing a built-in bookshelf with a hidden drawer at the bottom, camouflaged by a standard trim piece. If you’re feeling more ambitious, a pivoting bookshelf that doubles as a hidden doorway can provide the ultimate hidden storage solution.

Secret Storage in a Couch or Ottoman

Sofas and ottomans already provide a lot of storage potential. Many ottomans come with built-in storage, but creating a hidden panel inside can make it even more discreet. A DIY couch modification can involve adding a hinged seat or removing the back cushions to reveal a hidden compartment. This is an ideal way to store blankets, board games, or seasonal decorations without cluttering the room.

Creative Nightstand Storage

A nightstand can serve as a secure storage spot for small valuables. A common trick is using a hidden drawer underneath an existing drawer, designed to slide open when pressed at a specific angle. Another approach is modifying the top to lift open, revealing a concealed compartment beneath. This is a great option for storing jewelry, emergency cash, or personal documents in a bedroom.

Adding hidden storage to furniture is an innovative way to maximize space while keeping valuable items secure. Whether it’s a hidden chair compartment or a secret storage area in a bookshelf, these DIY projects provide practical and stylish solutions for any home. With a little creativity and some basic tools, you can transform everyday furniture into clever hiding spots.

Hidden Chair Compartment

Secret Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Living in a small space comes with its challenges, but with a little creativity, you can maximize storage without adding clutter. Hidden storage solutions help keep your home organized while ensuring valuables and everyday essentials remain out of sight. From furniture modifications to clever DIY compartments, these ideas will help you make the most of your limited space.

Hidden Chair Compartment for Discreet Storage

A hidden chair compartment is a simple yet effective way to store small valuables or daily essentials. By modifying a dining chair or an office chair with a removable seat, you can create a storage space for cash, important documents, or even small electronics. Installing hinges allows the seat to lift open, making it easy to access the compartment while keeping it completely hidden from view. This works well in a dining area, workspace, or even a bedroom where extra storage is needed.

Fold-Out Wall Desks with Hidden Compartments

Wall-mounted desks save space and can double as a hidden storage solution. A DIY fold-out desk can be designed with secret compartments behind the panel, offering a place to store papers, charging cables, and office supplies. When the desk is folded up, it looks like a simple decorative panel, keeping your workspace clutter-free while adding functionality to small apartments or home offices.

Secret Storage in Floating Shelves

Floating shelves provide excellent storage without taking up floor space, but adding hidden compartments inside makes them even more useful. A hollow floating shelf with a concealed drawer can store keys, jewelry, or emergency cash. For a more advanced DIY project, create a sliding panel on the underside of the shelf to hide valuables without anyone noticing.

Bed Frames with Hidden Storage

A bed takes up a significant amount of space, so making it multifunctional is a smart move. Instead of standard storage drawers under the bed, a hidden compartment can be built within the frame. A lift-up mattress mechanism or a false bottom inside the bed frame provides a secret spot for seasonal clothing, shoes, or even personal belongings. If space is extremely limited, consider a headboard with built-in hidden storage for books, charging stations, or valuables.

Concealed Compartments in Coffee Tables

Coffee tables in small living rooms often serve multiple purposes, making them perfect for hidden storage. A lift-top coffee table provides easy access to storage for magazines, remote controls, and other living room essentials. For a more discreet approach, install a sliding panel on the underside of the tabletop to create a hidden compartment that blends seamlessly with the design.

Storage Steps for Multi-Level Spaces

For homes with lofted areas or small staircases, turning steps into hidden storage compartments is a great way to maximize space. Each step can be converted into a pull-out drawer, ideal for storing shoes, tools, or miscellaneous household items. This DIY project works well in tiny homes or apartments where every inch of space matters.

Hidden Storage in Ottomans and Benches

In tiny quarters, seating with built-in storage is a lifesaver. Ottomans with adjustable tops or storage benches along walls create secret spaces for blankets, board games, or additional home goods. To go one step further, create a fake bottom on the bottom of an ottoman to hide treasures that nobody would consider searching.

Magnetic Panels for Hidden Storage

One unusual approach to hide objects behind walls, mirrors, or even furniture is magnetic panels. A cabinet door or picture frame’s DIY magnetic panel might be a covert spot to keep keys, jewels, or sensitive documentation. In small bedrooms or entryways where conventional storage solutions are few, this approach performs particularly nicely.

Under-Floor Storage for Extra Space

Under-floor storage can be revolutionary for anyone ready for a more extensive do-it-yourself project. Making a secret compartment under floorboards or within a raised platform offers a great place to keep seasonal goods, jewels, or emergency supplies. Small flats where closet space is restricted will find this very helpful.

Maximizing storage in a limited area does not imply stuffing your house with large furnishings or mess. Secret storage options include a versatile bed frame, an ingeniously crafted coffee table, or a concealed chair compartment let you keep your stuff safe while keeping a neat and fashionable living area. Small areas may be just as useful as bigger ones—all it need is some imagination and clever design.

Conclusion

A hidden chair compartment is a clever and discreet way to add secret storage to your home. Whether you use it to stash valuables, store small essentials, or simply keep clutter out of sight, this DIY project is both functional and easy to customize. With a little creativity and the right materials, you can turn an ordinary chair into a secure and stylish storage solution.

We have more ways for you to hide your valuables. Check out our hidden compartment in a book project!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

|

Search All Projects:

Your details will never be shared with any third party. Unsubscribe at any time with a single click.

The posts on this site sometimes contain an affiliate link or links to Amazon or other marketplaces. An affiliate link means that this business may earn advertising or referral fees if you make a purchase through those links.