Hidden Door Ideas For Stylish, Secret Spaces

Homes are stylish, functional and peaceful; but they can also be fun. Whether you have a love of fairytales, or spy thrillers, we have all come across the magic of a hidden door. While many of us dreamed of using such an interesting architectural detail, few are aware of just how easy they are to enjoy. As a result, in today’s blog, we’ll be giving you some top tips for making hidden doors in your home.

As the name perfectly suggests, hidden doors are doors that integrate secretly into your space’s decor. A more fitting question might be, why make hidden doors?

Well, hidden doors essentially serve two purposes. The first is the aesthetic charm and surprise of hiding a room from sight and watching your friends’ and family’s reaction to opening a way into an erstwhile hidden space. 

The second reason is often for practicality. In many dormer conversions - and other home styles - cubbyholes are featured in bedrooms to accommodate large, awkward-to-store items such as suitcases. While you can make a cubbyhole door a standout decorative feature, you can also use a hidden door to keep your space on trend throughout. 

A hidden door is one of those design details that instantly elevates a space. It feels intentional, clever and quietly luxurious. Whether you’re concealing storage, creating a private room or simply adding a touch of intrigue, careful planning is what transforms a hidden door from a novelty into a seamless part of your interior.

Choosing the right finish and materials 

The most successful hidden doors blend effortlessly with their surroundings. Wall panelling is a popular choice, as it allows the door to sit flush with the rest of the surface, maintaining clean lines and visual balance. In more character-led spaces, a bookcase or feature wall can conceal the opening while adding depth and texture to the room. The key is consistency — matching finishes, colours and proportions so nothing draws attention to the door itself.

With that in mind, it’s important to plan your hidden door while preparing the room. This way you can build the door as you go instead of having to retro-fit it. 

Using SlatWall panelling to hide a door

One of the simplest ways to create a hidden door is to plan it as part of a panelled wall from the outset. By continuing the same SlatWall panels across the door and surrounding area, the opening naturally blends into the design. 

To make your hidden door project even easier, we’ve included an easy ten step guide:

1. Figure out which way you'd like your hidden door to open, and the hinge type you want to use. If you're using standard hinges, the door must always push to open and then swing away from you. In this case, you'll need to install the hinges so they're facing away from the SlatWall panels. If you're using concealed hinges, the door can push or pull to open. You may have to reverse the current direction of your door to achieve your desired look. Seek the skills and advice of a professional tradesperson where needed.
   
2. Remove any skirting boards and the architrave around your doorframe from the wall. If any areas are damaged during this process, use filler to repair them, then sand to create a level surface.
   
3. Close the door and check if it's flush with your wall. If needed, use timber batons on the face of the door to create a flat, level surface so that the front of your door aligns and is flush with the level of the wall. These can be attached with screws or grab adhesive – use the appropriate fixings for your wall or door structure.
   
4. Remove the door latch and handle. You may want to swap your door latch for an alternative fixing that can be pushed and pulled to open, or you may prefer to take it out completely. Seek the skills and advice of a professional tradesperson where needed.
   
5. Paint the edges of your door and the internal doorframe in a coordinating colour with your chosen felt backing.
   
6. If you're using standard hinges, you may want to swap them for a set in a coordinating colour with your felt backing, or you can paint them. Alternatively, you can install concealed hinges per the manufacturer's guidance. You may need specialist tools, like a router, to install them. Seek the skills and advice of a professional tradesperson where needed.
   
7. Measure the height and width of your door and cut your SlatWall panels to size using a fine-toothed saw. If you're installing a hidden door that pushes to open, we recommend installing the panels on your door at one slat width less than the total width. This will enable you to install the surrounding wall panels with an overlap that will act as a jamb and stop your door from swinging out of alignment. Take the time to plan and measure accurately to ensure the best fit for your space. 
   
8. Use screws or grab adhesive to attach your panels to your door. We recommend using colour-coordinating screws and fixings that suit your wall and door. View our fitting guide for more information. 
   
9. Install a small, discreet door handle in a coordinating colour with your felt backing.
   
10. Close the door, then measure, cut and apply your SlatWall panels to the surrounding wall with screws or grab adhesive. Make sure to align the slats with the door panels.

Regular readers of the blog will remember that we recently worked with interior design sensation Jack Kinsey to refresh two rooms in his beautiful home. 

In his remarkable garden office, Jack added character and excitement by creating his very own secret door, making excellent use of SlatWall Grand Acoustic Dark Oak Panels. Part of the panels’ appeal was their ease of installation - and that they’re very easy to cut. 

With some simple planning and measuring - and a good saw - SlatWall panels from Naturewall can be cut to any allowing you to create hidden doors around your home. You can see the amazing finish Jack created on his Instagram. 

Whether you're planning  innovative, secret double doors or small hidden doors for a cubbyhole, there are some many exciting finishes and styles to consider. Whether you choose beautifully stained panels - or paintable alternatives to seamlessly blend your door into your wall - you can achieve the perfect finish with minimal effort.