Secret passageways aren’t just for spooky mansions

Most people only dream about having a hidden door somewhere in their house, perhaps after seeing one in an episode of Scooby Doo or The Munsters, but installing your own may be easier than you think. The Murphy Door Company builds kits in a variety of styles, so you’re bound to find one that will work in your home. Choose from a flush-mount door that looks like a built in bookcase or a surface mount model that appears to be a freestanding piece of furniture. There’s even a hardware-only kit, so you can custom build a cabinet to perfectly match your style and budget.

Product breakdown

• Complete hidden-door/cabinet kits available in flush mount, surface mount, and double door versions can be custom built to fit your project
• Ready-to-ship cabinet kits and hardware-only kits are affordable alternatives
• Oak, maple, cherry, alder, hickory, and paint-grade finishes available
• Hardware kits start at $139.95; Complete door/cabinet kits start at $599 and can go up to several thousand dollars depending on size, finish, and custom details

www.themurphydoor.com

Hidden doors shouldn’t scuff your floors

Over the years I’ve seen quite a few examples of homemade cabinets built as hidden doors. Many DIYers add a wheel of some sort that rolls along the floor at the outer corner of the door because it’s tough to find hinges that can handle the extreme amount of weight that has to swing freely in order for a cabinet to work as a door. Over time, the wheel makes a mark on the floor, revealing the secret of the hidden door.

One crafty friend of mine avoided this problem by building a sturdy hinge out of angle iron and car-axle bearings bolted directly to the framing of his house. My friend’s hinge required some serious backyard engineering and welding skills, and, though I admire the creativity that went into it, I think the Murphy Door kits offer a more elegant solution.

In the most basic kit, two adjustable pivot pins fasten securely into a pretty basic jamb that only looks a little more complicated than a standard door frame. Murphy Door even has a well organized help page on their website with downloadable installation manuals and a video covering a complete install. They make it look easy enough, and the basic kits are affordable enough, that I’m determined to find a good place to add a secret door in my house.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Now in it’s 5th edition, Rob Thallon’s book for builders has been a go-to resource for decades. This book features clear graphics that will help you understand how nearly all American houses are — or should be — built.

Buy at Amazon

Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave

Joanna Gaines may have started as a celebrity designer on HGTV, but she’s proven to be the real deal. This book help you understand how and why good design works so that you can recreate it on your own.

Buy at Amazon

Code Check 10th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to Building a Safe House

It would be great if this book didn’t need to exist, but it's definitely a must-have. It's a one-size-fits-all code book that's easy to understand and will help you sail through your inspections.

Buy at Amazon