11 Homes With Secret Rooms, Nooks and Crannies Hidden Inside

Secret rooms, nooks and crannies are having a moment on social media, with plenty of homeowners scrolling through their feeds in search of unique ways to either utilize existing hidden spots in their own abodes or crafting ones from scratch in renovation-ready spaces. Whether you’re looking for a way to add a clever kid’s play space or extra storage space behind a wardrobe – or you simply want to distract from an awkwardly placed door frame in your otherwise stylish kitchen – hidden places are the latest hot real estate trend.

A renovated basement with wood panelled walls with a secret door that opens into a separate room from the games space

HGTV Canada

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Peekaboo!

Blink and you might miss this top secret doorway built directly into the wood panelled wall of this renovated basement games room. It’s something straight out of a horror movie, as it offers ample opportunity to jump out and spook your friends.

A heavy wooden bookshelf that opens into a secret bedroom

Getty Images

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The Classic Secret Room

Speaking of horror films, this secret room is reachable only through a heavy wooden bookcase. Even though it’s giving us serious Dracula vibes, we wish we had our own off-the-radar room hidden behind a stack of books.

A door painted with chalkboard paint in a tiny kitchen space

Tracey Ayton

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Cover it Up

Chalkboard paint was all the rage a few years back, but we’ll bet you’d never considered using it to obscure an unwanted doorway. If your storage space door is ruining the vibe of your chic kitchen, try this clever tactic that can also double as way to keep track of your grocery list and favourite recipes. You can even add a little misdirection with a neon sign pointing in the opposite direction.

A kids' playroom next to the kitchen and beneath the stairs, as appeared on an episode of The Property Brothers

HGTV Canada

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Kids Corner

This spot is secret enough that the kids will contentedly play for hours in their own “private” hideaway, but not-so-secret enough that parents can’t keep an eye on them. This under-the-stairs gem from the Property Brothers makes great use of an oft-neglected spot. Find more genius ways to renovate the space under your stairs with these home reno ideas.

A small glass alcove in a unique, open-concept loft with all-glass walls and small furniture

Lauren Kolyn

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A Not-So-Secret Secret Office

Granted, the glass walls and the fact that it’s elevated above the rest of the room hardly makes this a “secret” room, but we love how these homeowners carved a unique office nook from an awkward spot right next to the stairs. For more inspiration, find out how to transform that awkward nook into a useful home office. See more of this eco-conscious Montreal home that isn’t afraid of colour.

A small attic bedroom with a sloping roof and Elvis-themed pillows

Lauren Miller

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Attic Space

Many homeowners opt not to make use of their tiny attic space – which is fine, except they could be missing out on prime space for a secret room. After all, how often to people walk right past attic doorways? We love this gorgeous guest bedroom, from its sloped ceiling to the fun Elvis-themed throw pillow. We’ve also got the lowdown on the top design tricks to make a small bedroom look much bigger.

Lauren Kolyn

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Take Me to Church

Talk about lofty aspirations! This hidden bedroom in a renovated converted church sits above the chapel that once housed the choir during services. It doesn’t get much more private than this! Take the entire tour of this 140-year-old church.

A chic white bedroom with a secret wooden bookshelf tucked away behind flowing white curtains

Lauren Kolyn

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Behind the Curtain

Is it a window? Nope! This secret bookshelf/closet space is hidden behind simple-yet-gorgeous curtains for optimal privacy when you have company over. Find more steal-worthy bedroom decorating ideas for your next redesign.

A small under-the-stairs storage nook with shoes and purses

Lauren Kolyn

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Step-by-Step

Keep clutter at a minimum with this tiny nook beneath the staircase that can easily store your extra pairs of shoes, jackets and bags. It’s so subtle and out of the way that guests will walk right past it without a second glance.

A basement bedroom with a subtle white doorway that leads into a separate room

Lauren Kolyn

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Two Rooms in One

This tiny basement bedroom has an incredibly cool bonus feature – a subtle white sliding door off to the side that leads into another room. We love a good secret doorway! Renovating your home? Try one of these clever ways to increase the value of your basement.

A stylish kitchen with exposed brick and a hidden staircase that leads down into the basement

Lauren Miller

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Hidden in Plain Sight

Sometimes it’s best just to let a space speak for itself, such as with this chic kitchen covered in gorgeous exposed brick. There’s nary a wall hanging or plant in sight – so why ruin it with a doorway or staircase leading into the basement? We’ll bet you can’t even see the tiny step that leads down into the basement. That’s what we call hidden in plain sight.