How to Install a Hidden Door/Bookshelf | Ask This Old House

[@sakkiemaree4955]

Fits well into my space, I painted the back green. It's very easy to customize just the back if that's something you want to do. I would suggest sanding it first before painting, I got a little impatient. The shelves kzbin.infoUgkxM8H4CjCb79vzeyvgaFMdzmLm88oVFPMkare pretty small so keep that in mind if you're going to have it horizontal that some books won't fit. I like the snug look that it has. Good small shelf if you don't have much space, but not too small. Simple to put together, though you'll need your own tools, a screwdriver and a mallet/hammer, it's easiest to do with another person.

[@rebelwithoutacause5853]

So many of you leaving negative comments. It's a normal home owner. Not like she's going to be leaving her Van Gogh's in there. Another great video gives me the ideas and knowledge to do it myself.

[@patrickparr3331]

I like that it was pointed out that the material was meant to be painted rather than stained. That is a solid bit of info.

[@l1wolf]

good install video, but I would've used a better trim around the door for sure

[@taylorwest6986]

I think the trick is to have matching recessed bookcases next to the hidden door bookcase.

[@PippiOnePointOh]

Yeah the one door-sized bookcase by itself is a bit conspicuous.

[@julissadc6303]

I really like the personality of the man helping here.

[@melissaferraro8258]

This guy does some phenomenal work.

[@robbie6625]

I hope the MDF "casing" was a temporary fix, because it honestly looks horrible, especially since I know Tom can do much better.

[@thefixmdude22512]

I’m just here to read all the comments,from so called know it alls. Gotta love all the KZbin experts.

[@asml]

The framing around that bookcase looks terrible

[@dr.swiffelswaffel8445]

makes it look like a door as well

[@cindyhollenbeck2201]

Devon Napierski y

[@zstick]

I'm pretty sure they aren't done, unless you watched the whole episode and they left it like that.

[@SuperWoodyboy]

They were done!

[@MrLukeChandler]

Completely agree. Yuck

[@gregpaul6480]

Just love the way that lady was trying to hold the board with her fingers while you were cutting it with that saw. You and her were lucky to have NOT had kick back at that exact moment.

[@cindylong624]

use scrap wood...

[@hobbyhermit66]

Actually kickback would have pushed the wood, along with her hand away from the blade. Might cause a bruise at the most.

[@clambroth1923]

The bwox is made of MDF and the face is made of pwopler

[@Stevenowski]

Bill from PA, hysterical! 😂

[@kenkw5515]

The space under the door pretty much gives away the “secret” door!

[@liesejunh]

It's a secret door that looks like a door. I don't get what the point of that is. Lol. How about not having the door recessed into the wall and have it pivot outwards so that it'll look like an actual book case.

[@istovall2624]

so true

[@JoshBabin]

Lee C. many houses (80s build comes to mind) have built-in bookshelves like this, so it looks natural

[@alec4672]

I completely agree, you'd need to have at least two more cases next to it for it to look natural.

[@phtevenmolz5030]

If it's going to be used as a panic room, you always make the door swing inwards so it cannot be jammed shut by debris from the outside of the room in the event of a tornado or hurricane. If it's just moderately-well hidden storage, I guess it wouldn't matter too much, but it likely only looks like a door because you're predisposed to seeing it as one by watching them change it. The average passer-by wouldn't know.

[@Yophillips3272]

Well if you do that you could just put a regular bookshelf infront of it.

[@Natedoc808]

anybody else wonder why on earth she put her hand in front of his skilsaw?! I'd pull back so fast if someone put their hand in the path of any power tool I was running

[@dennisdownes9319]

EXACTLY!!

[@knottreel]

That made my backside pucker.

[@timhanby5662]

William Hutchinson I………… I think it’s time for me to get off the internet. Lol

[@markdavis4379]

do thay make it 4 in deap and swing out or a mirror on the wall

[@ghanatekton8459]

It was not in the path it was to the side

[@humblewarrior6585]

A recessed Bookshelf/ Door ...Room. I Love it, great Idea. Now thats how to hide a room !!!...Bravo, Well Done !!!

[@mikemunns7443]

Awesome build and you jacked the finish! That casing is hurting my eyes

[@liamdillon2478]

Can’t believe she’s going to paint that beautiful trim and door.

[@jesikmilkaritas9155]

Such a gorgeous book - each shed is unique and inspiring, and I love all the tiny details Kotite features to help readers imagine how to create their own She Sheds kzbin.infoUgkxe9yi0sulKgsp0VJJCIrLWWkvVqcU7LFR . The feature on Dinah's Rustic Retreat is like something from a fairy tale. It's really inspiring to see how creative all these ordinary people are in making beautiful and useful spaces on a modest scale.

[@DaveWhiting]

"Hey, this bookshelf has a light switch!"

[@TechThisOutYT]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelmcbride4310]

The light switch the was for the closet is right by the new book case, which also give it away

[@ryancoulter4797]

I love this! I’ve always wanted a writing room with a hidden door bookcase (preferably leading to the stairs to an attic office). But lately I’ve wanted the hidden door to be the front of the Tardis from Doctor Who with the double doors like in the show.

[@kronk358]

So you want the hidden door to look like a double doors? Sounds more like a door than a hidden door.

[@giannismarkidis9546]

Nice video. I like it so much !!! John from Greece!!!

[@MechInvent]

Love this old house!! You guys truly teach all the cool stuff. Ignore the haters.

[@baloo1522]

What haters lol. Everyone loves this show

[@RedRebel8]

Got that sinking feeling that as soon as the weight of the books are put on it, it won't open and close smoothly.

[@rossl2544]

not that it did without all that extra weight. if you wait for the end they show you a close up of the latch at the bottom of door, when it closes it pushes the door up and then drops down when the door latches shut but that could be poor fitting on the installers part i guess

[@robertbutler8004]

The huge gap under the door/bookshelf is a dead give away.

[@meg-k-waldren]

ROBERT BUTLER yeeup

[@flexiblestrategist9922]

So what. It's still need and reminds me of the old movies that had hidden bookshelf/doors that baffled Police.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

ROBERT BUTLER you could fix that with trim and paint

[@phatdonkey78]

It should swing out and the trim should go to the floor. That would hide it much better.

[@percyperanamus7432]

i dont think they really care about being stealthy . it's mainly decorative and functional

[@sergeantc4073]

Good idea 💡. I'm looking into hiding my door to my master bedroom. The have two bedroom entry doors on the right of the upstairs hallway and one bedroom door on the left of the hallway This has has me thinking of my possible options

[@sanity1977]

Not Tommy's best work if i may say.

[@rexcherry33]

hahah Truth!

[@still34u]

4:47 .. yeah.. I'm glad you used that square ..

[@kevinm8865]

LMAO!!! I didn't even see that the first time around. Wow, he was way off of that guide.

[@Dragonbornn]

LOL

[@justpix4581]

Probably because of the floor wasn't leveled had to compensate

[@TheReviewPigeon]

Cool concept, relatively easy install when the murphy style door is already assembled....the purpose of it being a hidden door is basically defeated by the relatively poor finish quality and exposed gaps though.

[@justinfowler2857]

That was kinda my thought too. Looks good from a distance, but probably won't last. The friction latch will be the first failure point.

[@donaldcampbell5277]

$1800. For just the door. Hinges add another $40.

[@benholmes320]

Mr Pennyworth & Mr Wayne approve of your work!

[@mariahchill9601]

Love this idea! We have a 1 bedroom house and use a sliding barn door for the bathroom but unfortunately it doesn't give as much privacy as I'd like, so we are gunna use a bookcase door instead!

[@Rumeel12708]

This is awesome, I want one as my room door but I want the shelves inside the room and have the outside looking like a dead end!

[@philipkenakin7804]

Wouldn't it be odd that there was just this one bookshelf inside your wall?

[@jasonjuneau]

*After Joey builds the huge entertainment center* Joey: "You turn and slide. Turn and slide." Chandler: "No, you throw it out!"

[@davidgraham2673]

"I'll bet you five bucks you can't fit in there". "Cha- Ching!"

[@90proofwisdompodcastwithje26]

Murphy Door is the bomb!

[@yeltsin6817]

I would also trim out that bottom so it looks complete. Also the trim needed to be 1/2” wider. Huge gaps on that right side.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Rushed for time? Maybe she had a tire delivery that afternoon?

[@Pistonhedz]

This is something I've always wanted to do for gaming room mix uth

[@seanvella5313]

Sup uth Owahhhhhhhh

[@Pistonhedz]

@@seanvella5313 mix uth

[@_elverbo_]

Excellent solution, nice book did you used

[@SuperToughnut]

I want to get one of these doors so I can hide all of my tires!

[@unclefreddieDied]

hahaha I thought that's what he said. wtf is she using it for?

[@mcauliffephotography253]

@@unclefreddieDied nowah nobodah knowsah youah tireahs are back theah! What?? Is she a tire smuggler? Like tires full of drugs? I have questions

[@PatHaskell]

Can’t believe that lady is going to paint all the wood!!

[@jbenz1990]

Me inside with the book door closed “Honey can you push the case in I’m stuck here again”

[@mcinkyt]

I like this but it needs a secure latch too make it a true secret entry

[@renaissancemen1]

You can do that by using a gate latch and the book unlocking mechanism.

[@zstick]

A lot of people install magnetic child safety locks from Home Depot. The idea is it'll lock a door or cupboard until a magnet is put in the right place. Then you just build a magnet into a trinket or picture frame and use that as the "key."

[@shaunmiller9369]

Its also much too loud, what if you were trying to hide

[@keithmiller6277]

I agree on the hidden part. If it is to serve as a panic room put steel brackets on the back of the door, and on the inside wall on each side of the door. Use a 2" x 4" piece of rectangular steel tubing bar that can be dropped in place across the door when your inside the room.

[@benholmes320]

Bat family is that you guys?

[@texasruss]

Welcome to another episode of "This Old Meth Lab".

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Russell Anderson 😂😂

[@davidgraham2673]

Russel Anderson, That was hilarious.

[@marshahartley6852]

The light switch next to the "shelf" is another giveaway.

[@rndmukn]

I need to find some of these popluh trees.

[@eliseoaguilar6337]

Es verdad no conosco alguien como tom silva es un sabio para la carpinteria felicidades tom silva eres el mejor

[@JoJo-oo7zt]

I would love to see how it looked after everything was completed. Cool idea if you have the real estate.

[@marcstoogood]

If you have a door lol

[@its_bob_from_accounting801]

the way it's flush is a straight giveaway. should be bumped out more

[@marlinbundo2409]

there are problems with this design, but I don't think this is one of them. I've seen a lot of recessed bookshelves in my day.

[@absy7384]

Loved the video. I want to do the same for my home. Can you tell me where you got the door from?

[@anton1949]

Seems like there should be a 'hidden' lock of some sort.

[@AStanton1966]

Locks only keep honest people out.

[@annconklin6354]

Since I am a novice at rehab, I thought his tips were great, I learned how the door functions and once painted up and some nice trim, it will be nice. Would like see a hidden door that is not a bookcase or cabinet, just wall. Overall, I liked it.

[@marlinbundo2409]

Hidden doors in plain drywall are virtually impossible. However if you don't mind adding some decorative trim then it can be fairly easy to disguise a door as a wall. Check this out for example kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGK9hGdpi9lrfZo

[@tiffanylusch6609]

Always start with hinge side jamb being plumb

[@SteelHorseRiders]

Murphy Door makes a real nice unit . . . .

[@robertwatkins8220]

Good job Tommy!

[@Melodyloveshorses1]

He makes it look so easy ❤👍

[@REVerbtalk]

The only thing I would add on to this is adding some sort of trim to fill the lower gap

[@lobitome]

What about the sides where there was a HUGE gap?

[@clydebalcom8252]

That's severely cool! Thanks Tom!

[@DigitalSwagg]

Sweet! I need several of these!

[@JeremyBarker482]

Www.themurphydoor.com

[@todd5082]

The reason men don’t like doing house improvements for wives? It just makes it nicer for the next husband.

[@weareparkerful]

That is sum funny stuff dude😂😂😂

[@John5.24]

Todd Rey maybe if you did some of those improvements your wife asked for, there wouldn’t be a next husband.

[@frescoservice5124]

Michael K problem is it’s never enough you’ll keep on doing it till you become her slave

[@lothean2099]

That will come in handy for a 30 days and 30 nights situation

[@kaminakawena]

Great video, hardware and timber in the US so much better and accessible than the UK, this gentleman is fantastic with his explanation.

[@Data4664]

Very good job!

[@erickoch3507]

Great video, you forgot to show how many times I have to go back to the store because I forgot something…

[@michaelmcnew744]

Hidden door a great idea.

[@isabelamontgomery9182]

Really cool tutorial! You inspired me to do this in my own home! Thanks so much!

[@garyc2677]

How did you get on? Did you do it?

[@chosenkin_]

so did you do it

[@chosenkin_]

?

[@chosenkin_]

TODAY Junior

[@Dominion-1]

I would like an option for it to be automatic. I want to press a button turn a switch or half way pull out three books in sequence and it opens.

[@johnglielmi6428]

I wonder why MDF was used for the casing instead of using the old molded casing?

[@Jonacarpenter]

Hello there. Great job!!!👍. Where would I buy the hinges?

[@brianelsner4175]

1. The trim doesn’t hide the original door cut out. 2. The I would never let anyone have their fingers near a saw that I was working. 3. When that door gets heavy and she has to slam it to close it all her stuff is going to go flying off. 4. Why use 1x4 trim when the rest of the house has traditional molding.... that’s right, because that working be nearly wide enough to cover the door opening.

[@gsp8489]

"This looks awful" they say as they sit on the couch and don't even own any tools...It looks okay if you were just passing through the house quickly. Although, one improvement to make it more hidden would be instead of having the book case and trim be separate parts with two different types of wood, have the "trim" be the face of the bookshelf that overlaps and covers the rough opening in the wall, All one piece of wood on the face, and then the whole bookcase swings out as one piece. If you wanted to go crazy with it, mount two decorative little lights to either side of the case and wire them to that switch so the switch doesn't seem out of place.

[@becbell74]

I'm in Sydney Australia, can you purchase these bookcases already built? I'd love to hide my laundry door.

[@kboog3343]

Ok... as nice as this video is, the most important part, which is the installation of the hardware and distance required to account for the swing of the shelf is not on here. I just purchased the Murphy Door Hinge kit and it comes with very little instructions on how much clearance you need for the size shelf you're looking to make into a door. If anyone has ANY insight on this please reply. I've watched countless videos and have come up with very little for an IN-SWING Murphy hinge installation.

[@JineshVaria]

This is awesome!!

[@tommynorthwood]

This old Growroom

[@alexhernanez3475]

😂🤣

[@AlexRochette]

Nice pro tips! Thanks a ton!

[@TranTheClever]

Umm so this is way too badass for me to attempt but I'm in love with it and will stream of the day that I can make this!!😍 1:25

[@bradleym.2008]

I’ve been wearing my tool belt backwards my entire life... thanks a lot dad

[@IdolEyes84]

1:52 please move your hand!

[@mrsrex]

My parents home burned years ago, it had a similar setup. Instead of being recessed though, it just appeared to sit against the wall. It had small caster wheels on the bottom to help it open smoothly

[@stephenirwin2761]

So cool!

[@kevincarbajaldbz7724]

I like how they did show the finish product

[@DavidMN-]

Maybe the home owner had already bought the kit... but I was pretty let down by this. Tommy, you uses a KIT?! Really? Cmon man! I'd love to see an episode making something like this from scratch.

[@Brackers64]

I don't think Tommy's the guy for that, I think that would be a project for Norm. No offence. Bob...

[@BIgGuidojoe]

i agree, tom is a great carpenter. but he is definitely a framer at deep down, not so much finish and custom millwork guy.

[@nothere7198]

And fully realizing this is 3 years late and probably pointless at this point ;-) ... These little "homeowner" segments are just that. Basic. Stuff the average homeowner who knows which end of the nail to hit and what a hammer is can tackle on the weekend on a budget. Hence the very obvious, all parts included, preassembled kit. For the custom built from scratch version of this you're looking for, there's hundreds if not thousands on KZbin.

[@makanot8880]

Think about all of the books that would fall every time you had to get into your closet.

[@livewireOrourke]

Glue 'em down, lol.

[@josebro352]

I want one of these in my house so bad. The only difference is that I want mine to lead to another dimension or alternate reality.

[@danielalisi8224]

This is awesome! This may be a dumb thought but I'm wondering if this kid of doorway can be achieved with it opening out instead of having to push it in?

[@danielalisi8224]

*kind of

[@marcelgaddis9319]

trun it around and have the book case on the other side

[@daddylogan]

This old house: where everything is perfectly ready for the project at hand.

[@D.E94]

Now it's a great idea, but that little push to open and pull to close can actually knocked something down.

[@BD-tn5um]

What does it mean when you say set the scribe to the over all filler. How do you determine that

[@iamdann783]

i love it!

[@jsrac]

suggestion to add a little handle bar on the back of the door just in case accidentally lock in the closet.

[@balakrishnang8969]

Nice job

[@miltonnegron65]

Great job !!!

[@-007-2]

Have fun working that friction latch when you’ve loaded up the shelving unit with books and crap. Poor design.

[@marlinbundo2409]

I agree, the latch is the biggest flaw although there are several other improvements that could be made. It is already denting the wood down there, sure to get much worse with more weight and more time

[@bobolowbob3456]

Stuff on those narrow shelves is going to fall off every time you have to shove the door open.

[@wakawaka1976]

That piece he cut to level the jamb... does it not need a piece on the other side as well?

[@johnparker7784]

Bad hidden door design. It looks like a hidden door.

[@metzger5850]

In their defense it looks more like a hidden room than a hidden door.

[@zedzed1046]

Looks more like a door, nothing hidden about it.

[@believe8263]

Stevie Wonder: " I see a door that is a bookshhelf."

[@JohnDoe-yf4io]

I think they're not done with it yet.

[@johnhein2539]

They haven't even painted it yet, chill. Lol

[@bushball333]

Why the hell was she holding the wood as he was cutting it?

[@oldskoolwayy]

Always wanted one of these

[@stevennihipali3607]

yeah if I was anywhere near a good as this, I'd buy festool myself too!

[@TonyMontana-li6rl]

What kind of pivot hinge, you use

[@colescornersb]

What’s the name of the company that sells these door please? Thank you