Beyond Ordinary Walls

By Srihita Madiraju. December 10, 2025

Imagine a book being pulled from an ordinary-looking bookshelf in a suburban home—only for the entire bookshelf to swing open like a door into an unknown world. Behind it lies a cozy nook bathed in warm, inviting light and meticulously furnished. While the magical experience seems straight out of a fantasy novel, it is an increasingly common concept in architecture today: a secret room.  

Secret rooms are deliberately concealed spaces that can be found hidden behind sliding bookcases, mirrored doors, wall panels or trapdoors. Luxury estates seamlessly integrate these rooms into the home, offering homeowners a reprieve from the lack of privacy in the open-plan layouts of modern homes and a chance to express their individuality and imagination through design.  

“The idea of having a space that is entirely mine but hidden away makes it feel like an escape from reality in the comfort of my own home. I wish the concept was more common in houses today because they are also a great way to save space, making the rooms both creative and practical.” Sophomore Diana Mistry said. 

Hidden rooms must be designed with care, as their appeal relies on precise integration of the room into its surroundings. Sliding bookcases must be perfectly aligned and need heavy-duty hardware and sufficient clearance to operate smoothly. Wall panels can be disguised with wallpaper, molding or paint to make the entrance undistinguishable. Mirrored doors conceal spaces while maintaining light and unobstructed visibility, and under-staircase nooks utilize existing architectural spaces to create functional yet hidden areas.  

Historically, secret rooms often existed for more practical purposes. When the threat of a nuclear attack loomed over the U.S. in the 1960s, residential homes began to incorporate fallout shelters. Medieval castles included hidden chambers for protection, and during the Prohibition Era, wealthy households had homes with contained spaces where alcohol was hidden or private gatherings were held. Underground brothels and speakeasies could be found in buildings ranging from laundromats to hotels. Such spaces required substantial craftsmanship to construct and often went undiscovered for years. For example, the Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago contained a secret door in one of the ballrooms that was not found until the 1980s, nearly sixty years after being used.  

Art by Juliana Shin

In contemporary homes, hidden spaces are built for a variety of reasons. They can act as secure storage or as a panic room ensuring safety. However, they are also increasingly gaining traction as spaces for leisure and entertainment personalized to the taste and interests of the homeowner. Steven Humble, founder and president of Creative Home Engineering has taken advantage of the trend.

Though originally, he ran the business by himself, starting in 2003, the operation grew to a full-blown company that has now built over 5,000 hidden doors, according to CBS News. He has noticed that the hidden doors that he builds pay off for

homeowners too—it helps homeowners sell their homes for a higher asking price, as many buyers are intrigued by the feature. In one home, he installed a stone fireplace that could slide over to reveal a hidden room.

“My grandmother’s house has a secret room which she used for storage, but recently I helped her transform it into a library-like space where she can display all her books with comfortable seating combined with a wine cellar. I love pushing past the bookcase in her study and suddenly forgetting where I was to begin with—it feels like a dreamy escape from reality and she even calls it her comfort place,” Senior Marlene Rotzow said.   

Despite their appeal, these rooms come with their own set of challenges, such as structural, legal and financial considerations. Builders and designers must ensure compliance with building codes regarding ventilation, fire safety and structural load requirements. Concealed doors and panels require precise construction to avoid mechanical failure or misalignment. The cost of the rooms can also be substantial due to the amount of custom materials, design and mechanisms involved; building a mid-range hidden room could cost more than fifty thousand dollars and an elaborate one for up to five hundred thousand dollars, but their demand continues to increase.  

Whether built for safety, entertainment, storage or leisure, secret rooms display architectural trends involving the desire for customized private spaces that cater to one’s needs. They shape the functionality of a home and offer a unique reprieve from the rest of the house, reminding people that creativity can be incorporated into architecture. 

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About the Contributor

Srihita Madiraju

Staff Writer

Srihita Madiraju is a senior at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. When she isn't busy lifeguarding, she loves going to the beach with her friends, going on long walks, and reading.

Juliana Shin

Artist

Juliana Shin is a sophomore at Leland High School and an Artist for The Charger Account. In her free time, she admits to doom scrolling on Pinterest for drawing references or playing with dog, Simba. During other times, she prefers to sleep in and watch horror movies with her mom.

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