Home Garden

How to Hide a Door for a Panic Room

A panic room provides a safe haven for you and your family to enter in case of an emergency, such as a home invasion. Panic rooms typically have no windows and a sturdy door that is often steel. Hiding your panic room door lets you conceal your family's secret location while you call police. Custom doors offer several options to hide the door so strangers unfamiliar with your home will never know of the panic room's existence. Less expensive DIY options offer other solutions to hide your panic room door.

Things You'll Need

  • Wallpaper
  • Paint
  • Paint brush
  • Curtain rod
  • Curtains
  • Furniture
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Instructions

  1. Custom Options

    • 1

      Contact a company that makes panic rooms or secret rooms. Door manufacturers, security companies and architects are a few potential options.

    • 2

      Discuss the location and specifics for your panic room with the architect. You may need to install multiple doors if you have multiple routes that lead to the panic room.

    • 3

      Inquire about installing a hidden door. Options that may be available are a bookcase that slides out to allow for family members to enter the room, a stairway that lifts to reveal the panic room, or a large piece of furniture or a fixture that conceals the door, such as a wardrobe or fireplace.

    • 4

      Ensure that you know how to operate the door. Some options may require you to swing the door out in a certain manner, and others may be activated by a remote or special button.

    DIY Methods

    • 5

      Cover the wall that features the panic room door with wallpaper. Try to avoid making any noticeable seams around the door so that the door remains effectively hidden.

    • 6

      Paint a mural on the wall that features the panic room door. Ensure that your design naturally flows onto the door. Avoid adding a door knob on the door, which would make it stand out.

    • 7

      Hang curtains over the door area. Hang a curtain rod over the door, simulating the effect of a covered window. Let the fabric puddle at the floor to make the look more convincing.

    • 8

      Use a large accessory to cover the door. A large wall tapestry, full-length mirror or poster are a few options.

    • 9

      Place a large piece of furniture in front of the door. Some options are a bookshelf, entertainment unit or wardrobe. Place the furniture piece on wheels to make the item easier to move in case of an emergency.