A Secret Bookcase Is Even More Impressive With This DIY Hidden Latch

Discovering secret doorways and hidden rooms is a surprisingly common dream and a trope that has appeared in literary novels, movies, and other media for generations from "The Phantom of the Opera" to "Scooby-Doo." The whole point of a secret bookcase is to look undetectable when it's closed, so having a big, visible door handle ruins the effect. If you've ever seen or read a classic mystery story, you know exactly what's missing; you need a hidden book latch! 

But, how can you design a latch that's invisible on the outside yet pulls a hidden lock on the inside? TikTok creator @makingitwithabby showed viewers exactly how she designed a one-of-a-kind hidden book latch for her child's secret playroom. To follow in her footsteps, you'll need an old hardcover book, wood, metal wire, wood glue, a gate latch, a small hinge, a drill, screws, and a nail gun.

The secret doorway, otherwise known as the Murphy door trend, is the perfect way to hide a room in your home. If you have recurring dreams about secret rooms, perhaps it's a sign that you should build one. When you're ready to add your latch, this hack is a must-have for delivering the most authentic, magical, and mystery-novel-esque results. 

Take an old hardcover book or pick one up at your local thrift store and carefully cut out the binding to remove all the pages from your book. Cut the stack of text about a third of the way from the top of the page. Reattach this chunk to the spine so it looks like an ordinary book when viewed from above. Trace the remaining two-thirds chunk of pages and cut out two wood pieces the same size. When stacked together, the wood pieces should be the same thickness as the book. Place a short screw in the center of one of the wood blocks, and tie the end of a long wire around it before sinking it all the way in. Drizzle wood glue on the screw side, then sandwich the other wood piece on top. 

To attach the wood block inside the book cover, use a nail gun to nail directly through the outside of the back cover and into the wood block. These nails shouldn't be visible once the book is in place. Drill a hole through the back of the secret bookshelf to run the end of the wire through. Use a small hinge to attach the corner of the book to the edge of the shelf, allowing it to tilt. On the inside of your secret doorway, pull the wire straight and attach it to the gate latch. When you tilt the book on the shelf, the latch should lift so you can open the secret door.

As long as you follow the basic mechanics of this hidden latch hack, there are endless ways to adapt the lever to suit your style. For a humorous touch, choose a book with a title like "The Doors: An Illustrated History" or the "Sherlock Holmes" collection. For more protection from prying eyes, choose a book with a plain cover or a painfully boring title that isn't likely to be plucked from the shelf by wandering guests. You can also try adapting this hack to work with a bookend, a candlestick, or a faux plant, although it may be a bit trickier to hide the wire. 

Depending on your purpose for the secret room, you may want to add extra security measures like an alarm or padlock behind the bookshelf. This can make it slower to unlock in the moment but adds a layer of security if you're disguising an emergency room or a hidden safe with valuables. If you're just using the room for a fun secret space or kids' reading nook, fill it with welcoming LED lights and cozy pillows and blankets. If you don't have a good doorway where you can put your secret bookshelf, consider trying the viral loft bed trick that comes with a secret room underneath — perfect for creating an imaginative kids' room!