Creative Hiding Spaces: Clever Hidey-Hole Ideas For Your Bedroom

how to make a hidey hole in your bedroom

Whether it's for fun or to keep your valuables safe, creating a secret hidey-hole in your bedroom can be a great project. From simple DIY solutions to more complex carpentry, there are many ways to create a secret space. For example, you could disguise a cupboard or drawer with a poster, create a false bottom in a box using tissue paper, or utilise a little-known compartment in your wallet or purse. If you're feeling more ambitious, you could follow in the footsteps of some homeowners who have built secret in-wall safes, hidden compartments in closets, or even entire secret rooms!

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Using a cupboard or drawer

A great hidey-hole idea is to use a cupboard or drawer in your bedroom that is unused and out of sight. This could be a freestanding cupboard or wardrobe, or built-in storage. The benefit of this method is that you don't need to make any permanent changes to your room, and you can easily adapt and customise the space to your needs.

Firstly, you'll need to remove the handle from the door of the cupboard or drawer. This is a simple step that can be done with a screwdriver. By removing the handle, you're creating a less obvious entrance to your hidey-hole, and it will be less likely that someone will accidentally stumble upon it.

Next, you'll want to cover the area where the handle was with a poster. Choose a poster that you like and that fits the theme of your room. You can use Blu-tac or similar adhesive putty to attach the poster securely. Make sure the poster covers the entire area where the handle was, so that it's not visible.

Now you have a discreet and clever hidey-hole! You can use this space to store your secrets and stashes, and it will be well-hidden from view. This method is simple and effective, and you can easily adapt it to fit your needs.

If you don't have a suitable cupboard or drawer, you could consider adding a freestanding unit to your room. Look for second-hand furniture that you can customise and adapt. Alternatively, you could create a false-fronted cupboard or drawer by attaching a poster or painting to a piece of wood and hinging it to create a door. This way, you can create the illusion of a cupboard, even if it doesn't have any actual storage space behind it.

Get creative and have fun with your hidey-hole project!

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Disguising with a poster

For those wanting to create a secret space in their bedroom, a hidey-hole can be a fun and imaginative project. One simple and effective way to disguise the entrance is by using a poster. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a hidden space disguised with a poster:

First, choose a poster that is eye-catching and the right size for your door. The poster should be large enough to completely cover the entrance, with a little extra room to allow for easy opening and closing. Consider a poster with a bold image or a busy design; this will help to distract the eye and draw attention away from the door's outline. A poster with a landscape or cityscape image, for example, will have plenty of detail to distract from the straight lines of the door.

Now, you need to prepare the poster. Lay it face down and apply a thin, even coat of adhesive to the back, making sure to get complete coverage but not so much that it will squeeze out and cause unsightly lumps. Carefully position the poster over the door, smoothing it out from the center to remove any air bubbles. Pay particular attention to the edges, ensuring they are firmly adhered and won't peel or lift over time.

You can add a few extra touches to ensure the poster blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Consider adding a border around the poster, especially if the wall has existing picture rails or moldings. This will frame the poster and make it look more like a permanent feature of the room. You could also strategically place other, smaller posters or pictures nearby so that the door is not the only feature on the wall.

Finally, to ensure the door remains inconspicuous, think about the hardware. Replace any standard doorknobs with something flat and unobtrusive, such as a recessed pull handle. This will ensure the door remains flush with the poster and won't create any unwanted bumps or outlines. With these simple steps, you can effectively disguise your hidey-hole entrance and create a fun and secret space in your bedroom.

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Hiding in plain sight

The Cupboard Compartment

This is a clever way to utilise that unused cupboard in your room. All you need is a screwdriver and some Blu-tac. Simply remove the handle from the cupboard door and cover the area with a poster. No one will suspect a thing! You can also apply this idea to drawers.

All Boxed Up

This hidey-hole idea is perfect for stashing small items. Find a box and some tissue paper. Fit the tissue paper nicely inside the box, pulling it out so that the top is level with the edge. Now, fill the top with lightweight items like rubber bands to give the illusion of a full box. But when you pull out the tissue paper, there's a secret compartment revealed!

Money Mayhem

Do you have a purse or wallet with a divider? If so, you've got a ready-made hidey-hole! Simply split the divider with your fingers to reveal a hidden compartment. It's the perfect place to hide keys, money, photos, or other thin items.

Bookcase Secret Door

For those wanting a more ambitious project, consider creating a secret door within a bookcase. This requires more planning and carpentry skills, but the results can be stunning. You can even add a creative latch mechanism to secure the door.

False Wall

Another ambitious project is to create a false wall in your room. This involves partitioning off part of the room with a fake wall, creating a hidden space behind it. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you like, even adding a staircase or ladder to access the space.

Remember, the key to hiding in plain sight is to utilise everyday items and blend your hidey-hole into your existing space. With a bit of creativity and ingenuity, you can create the perfect secret compartment in your bedroom.

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Creating a false wall

Planning and Preparation:

Firstly, decide on the length and location of your wall. Keep in mind that larger walls will reduce floor space and require more labour to dismantle. Take two separate height measurements from floor to ceiling at both ends of your chosen location.

Constructing the Frame:

Apply sill sealer to the floor and ceiling where they will connect with the wall. Cut and position the bottom plate (a 2x4 board) along the floor. Cut two vertical stud boards to fit between the top and bottom plates, reducing their length by 3 inches to account for the thickness of the plates. Stand up your end studs and wedge them between the plates, ensuring the broad faces are flush with the ends of the plates.

Securing the Frame:

Toe-nail the studs to the plates with framing nails or wood screws. For added stability, nail the top plate to the nearest ceiling joint, especially if you plan to add a door. For longer walls, add additional internal support by spacing individual boards 16-24 inches apart down the length of the frame.

Finishing Touches:

Insulate your wall with fibreglass batts if soundproofing is desired. Hang drywall on your completed frame, marking and cutting the sheets to fit around the vertical studs. Apply drywall tape and joint compound to strengthen the sections where panels meet (optional for temporary walls). Paint your wall to match the surrounding walls, and add decorative trim for a more authentic look.

Hiding the Entrance:

If you wish to conceal the entrance to your hidey-hole, you could create a false wall to hide a door. Measure the door you wish to conceal and obtain supplies such as drywall, drywall corners or tape, drywall mud, paint, and a drill and screws. Cut the drywall to size, attach perimeter support, and apply mud, allowing it to dry before sanding and painting. You can then attach the drywall panel to the door frame, creating a hidden entrance to your hidey-hole.

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Building a secret room

Choose Your Hidey-Hole Type:

First, decide what type of secret space you want to create. You could convert an entire closet into a hidden room, build a false wall to create a hidden compartment, or simply disguise a safe within an existing wall. Consider the level of secrecy and functionality you desire.

Select Your Location:

Choose a strategic location for your hidey-hole. Unused spaces like attics, basements, and closets are ideal as they offer more privacy and are less likely to be disturbed. Additionally, consider the room's layout and whether you can manipulate it to create your secret space.

Gather Your Materials:

The materials you need will depend on your project's scope. For simple conversions, you might only require a screwdriver and some Blu-tac. More complex projects that involve cutting into walls or building false structures will require power tools and carpentry skills. Ensure you have the necessary tools and knowledge before beginning.

Start Building:

If you're creating a simple hideaway, you might just need to remove a handle and cover the space with a poster. For more complex projects, carefully plan the structure, taking into account the room's framework and any necessary reinforcements. Ensure you follow safety guidelines when using power tools and always wear protective gear.

Disguise Your Hidey-Hole:

Once your secret room is structurally complete, it's time to disguise it. You can use posters, bookshelves, or other decorative items to conceal the entrance. Be creative and think about what would blend seamlessly into your bedroom. For example, a bookshelf with a secret latch could be the perfect disguise for a bookworm.

Frequently asked questions

You can turn a cupboard or drawer in your bedroom into a hidey-hole by removing the handle and covering the space with a poster.

You can use a box, tissue paper, and light items like rubber bands to make a hidey-hole. Fit the tissue paper in the box, pull it out, and fill the top with light items so it looks full. When you pull out the tissue paper, you'll have space to stash your items.

You can create in-wall safes, build a closet organization system with hidden compartments, or renovate your house to include secret rooms and cubbies.

You can disguise the entrance to your hidey-hole as a bookcase with a secret door or a sliding barn door.

You can hide valuables in an oven, under furniture, on top of a bookshelf, or behind books.

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