How to Use Hidden Spaces of House to Make Your Home More Fun and Unique
When you’re building a new home or remodeling your current space, consider adding some hidden spaces to the mix. These camouflaged nooks are becoming more popular as people look for ways to make their homes more fun and unique.
From bookshelves that swing open to a home office, these secret rooms give you somewhere to escape.
1. Under the Staircase
The space underneath your staircase may seem awkward and unused, but with the right design ideas, this area can become a useful part of your home. From storage solutions to a full-fledged powder room, there are countless ways to maximize this space.
One way to hide a storage nook under your stairs is to simply cover it with a fabric that matches the rest of your décor. However, this can look cheap if the fabric gets dirty or worn, so it is best used on a temporary basis.
Another option is to spruce up the area with wallpaper, which can add both visual interest and conceal a cluttered storage area. This option is especially effective if your stairs are open and not enclosed by cabinets or drawers.
2. Closets
A lot of people build secret spaces into their homes in the form of broom closets, pantries and extra bathrooms. Other homeowners incorporate more elaborate and sophisticated hidden rooms into their abodes such as library-style game nooks or reading areas ensconced in bookcases and a seemingly seamless wall.
For a simpler project, transform a closet into a hideout by building an armoire-style door over the existing opening. Then paint the armoire to match its surroundings.
Kids love having a quiet place to escape when their parents are around. Give your child’s closet a makeover to turn it into the ultimate hideaway. Just be careful you don’t create a path that is too obvious to anyone who might wander in unexpectedly. That could lead to unwanted visitors or nosy neighbors.
3. Panic Room
A panic room is like a hidden bunker, but designed to hold people in the event of an attack. They are often stocked with supplies that can last for a few days, such as food and medical kits.
Many clients ask for this feature to help protect themselves from intruders or other threats. Some builders build them in, while others add a door or hidden passageway to an existing room, such as the master bedroom or basement.
In the 2002 film Panic Room, newly divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) locks herself and her daughter in her New York City brownstone’s panic room as three armed intruders—Burnham, Raoul, and Junior—try to steal bearer bonds locked in the floor safe there by the previous owner. A filmgoer who knows where to look, however, can spot the concealed entrance behind wood paneling, a fireplace, bookcases, and a grandfather clock.
4. Laundry Room
Laundry areas are no longer relegated to the basement or a small nook. With thoughtful layout and storage and the right decor, these utilitarian spaces can be made to feel as polished and finished as any other room in your home.
Here, a clever laundry room idea from Sydney, Australia incorporates a stacked washer and dryer into a built-in nook with slatted door panels that open up to reveal shelving for baskets, detergent bottles, and other essentials. The doors match the cabinets and are almost opaque, so they disappear into the wall when closed.
For a polished look, consider using nonporous materials like linoleum or cork in your laundry area. These surfaces withstand moisture and spills and can be spruced up with a splash of color through wallpaper or paint.
5. Storage
Adding extra storage throughout the house can keep clutter at bay. From multifunctional furniture to vertical hanging storage systems, there are a variety of creative solutions that can fit into small spaces.
A cluttered living space is not only unsightly, but it also creates a stressful environment for you and your family. Personal decorators can help you make the most of the hidden spaces in your home with simple organizational solutions that are invisible to guests.
For example, you can transform a knee wall by building a hidden storage compartment or install custom shelves that double as shelving for books. You can even add hinges to a picture frame to store extra memories that aren’t on display. A floor-length mirror can also serve as a doorway to a secret storage space.