Clever Murphy Closet Door Might Be the Newest Rage in Home Design

Are you tired of staring at that boring old closet door that doesn't quite fit in with your chic home decor? What if we told you there's a way to transform that mundane entrance into a hidden storage marvel?

The craziest part? You don't need a professional to make this work. Take inspiration from TikTok creator Stephanie (@spetrichhome) , a DIY enthusiast who created a hidden door by herself and wants others to know that they can too.

Step one involves removing the existing door frame and patching it up. Stephanie wanted to save some cash by reusing the current frame, which required careful removal of the door and trim. She then filled in all the holes and imperfections with spackle (though she admits Bondo might have been better). After everything dried, she sanded it down until the surface was smooth. A few more coats and a bit more sanding ensured a flawless finish.

Related: Carpenter Builds Secret Murphy Bed in Guest Room Behind Sliding Bookcases

Next, it's time to determine the dimensions of your secret closet door. Stephanie used a piece of wood to measure how big the door should be, making sure that it cleared the frame on all sides. She then cut the top and bottom pieces to the same size. Filling the gap at the top of the door frame was important because the hinge (an integral part of this hidden door design) needed something solid to secure to. Scrap wood did the trick, secured with screws and checked for levelness.

How Does the Hidden Door Swivel Open?

The hinge installation was the trickiest part. Stephanie wanted the hinges to sit flush on the top of the door frame, so she used a multi-tool and chisel to carve out space. This step was complicated and time-consuming, but she stuck it out and got it done. With the hinge installed directly on the top and bottom boards, she was ready to assemble the door frame.

Cutting the sides to match the top and bottom pieces, Stephanie used pocket holes to create the door frame. Once attached to the hinges, she made sure the door opened and closed correctly. It took some adjustments and re-cuts, but persistence paid off.

Adding the back of the door involved using shiplap , which Stephanie had lying around her garage. She added trim to the top and bottom to secure the shiplap, attaching it to the door frame. For the shelves, she measured and cut them to size, installing them with pocket holes and ensuring they were level.

Reusing the existing trim, Stephanie moved it in a bit and attached it to the wall and the door. This not only camouflaged the seam but also provided a handle to open the door. The final steps involved all the tedious but essential finish work—putting the baseboard back on, caulking, wood filling, sanding, and prepping for primer.

Finally, it was time to prime and paint. Stephanie stressed the importance of using a proper primer on raw wood before painting. After priming and sanding, she applied the paint, leaving the trim white for contrast. The result? A stunning secret door that her boys absolutely adore.

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