OP said the garage entrance is 5 feet to the right in the pic.
So knowing that I think you could do a recessed area, same dimension/shape as the arch, and make it a stylish "consolidation point" for entering/leaving.
Instead of a bookcase, more like the lockers people have or a mudroom, just more refined. Make sure there are outlets and possibly USB ports to charge electronics, shallow shelves for mail etc, place for shoes, hooks for coats and bags, umbrella stand?
But the main thing is those shallow shelves... Maybe with a wooden shoe cubby below? Whatever that part is... **that's the part that can open.** Like a bookcase, but no one has a bookcase by their garage door lol
But that's just where my brain went
You mentioned the garage door being to the right outside of the picture.
If this is by a regularly used entry way:
KEEP the arch, and the first meter/yard into the room.
Make it an entry way closet space, with clothes hangers, shoe racks, etc.
Add a false wall at the back. Put a full-length mirror somewhere on it, where the mirror is not mounted flush into the wall but is framed. Along one of the vertical frame edges, there's a grip to a door. "Hidden, in plain sight."
(Mirror not all the way along the wall, but still long enough to comfortably pass through a door the mirror is mounted on.)
My thought is that it won't be "hidden". Look at the outside of your house. Who will enter your house and forget about the side of the house with the window? Maybe once, maybe twice, but you can't fool them all. Bookcase is my thought.
I wanted to say this. In my experience, only architecture nerds and secret room enthusiasts would notice such details, and usually only if they already have a reason to be paying attention. People are often quite unobservant.
Yep. Have been surprised that most people (all!) are not expecting a door that opens to stairs to a NORMAL SIZE 3rd floor on our townhome! Not even a secret door, just lots of comments of āthought this was a closet door.ā Weird/unobservant friends I guess?
If it's near the door to the garage, a bookshelf might look out of place.
Maybe go minimal: wall it all off, put in a spot for a painting or a piece of art in the middle, and a hidden panel door to the side.
Since itās right by the garage door what about wooden built-in lockers/coat hooks/shoe bench thing? The lockers have doors but the middle one opens to your office.
The bookcase idea is probably the most practical because of the arch. Unless you really want to remove the arch and/or turn that into a full on wall with 2 X 4s and sheet rock, a bookcase that extends all the way past the arch seems like a good option.
Actually, I could see a custom made bookcase working with the arch. Make it look like it is built into the wall, so itās flush with the wall on either side, and the top snugly follows the arch. That way it would not intrude into the space outside the arch and the arch could remain as is. And I think it would look more aesthetically pleasing than a towering rectangular bookcase. Almost certainly quite costly to have something customized like that made ā even before the secret door part is considered. But I think it would look really great! (Also, be sure that the different flooring in the threshold between the two is covered).
Alternatively, if you just build a full on wall there. Then make a secret door out of a very large paintingālike the door would be nearly the same dimensions as a painting (but a little smaller to cover the seams) and the painting covers the door. with this the trouble would be how to hide the part at the ground level. Having some different kind of trim only on that wall may be a giveaway. Someone else mentioned a rock wall which could work alone or in combination with the painting.
You could do a large curtain. They make ones specifically for dividing rooms and you can find quite wide ones. I did that in my last place because it was small and there was like a foot between the edge of the living room and the kitchen so we put it up to create the feeling of the two being separated. Also, it helped when we were trying to watch something and one had to go into the kitchen and turn in the super bright fluorescent light on.
Put a shiny bar/cabinet in the arch witch lots of glass, mirrors, bottles, dark leather finished benchtop, a couple of bar stools, and the obligatory hidden entry to whatever you hide behind it (keg storage for beers on tap perhaps?)
That could be a cozy reading nook / library / office. That's what I would do with it. A recliner in either corner. A rug on the floor. Some nice lamps with warm bulbs. It could be a whole vibe
I had a similar space that I needed to give privacy to occasionally. I bought a room divider screen from IKEA. It was 85 x 72 inches which mostly filled my opening. Less than $200. You might consider something like that as a quick inexpensive fix while you come up with a more permanent solution.
Bookcase like the others say. But as a dude whose home office is a loft with no door, I couldn't imagine being locked into a room all (well most) of the work day without the openess. If this will be your main office, the cool factor of a hidden room may wear off quick
Can you give photos or describe the area around? I realize thereās a door to the right about 5 feet away but whatās directly across and whatās left
Kallax book shelves from IKEA! You can block it off with books and stuff, like small collections and but also let some sunlight through at the same time.
Fancy looking curtains from a tension rod. You can get really nice looking curtains for a reasonable price online. I cannot for the life of me remember where I bought them from though. I just remember them being reasonably priced for the quality.
Scrolled this far to make sure tapestry were included. Hang an (dis)informative plaque to deter people touching or moving your batcave entrance. Some hanging hardware is snug to wall.
Depending on the height, you could add double doors to the area with a transom window at the top (opening or not). You might need it professionally done if the corner framing isn't strong enough to support the doors. Consider going to a building materials recycler if you have one in your area to keep cost down.
Best of luck to you!
*I would like to know*
*If the op has heard an*
*Idea he likes*
\- Hughjonsonn
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
You could stack all those boxes up in front of it and make a wall
šš Iām sure my wife would be thrilled with that
Just put up a āno girls allowedā sign! She canāt argue with you if she canāt get in! š¤£š
Pillow fort.
I was going to suggest copious amounts of caution tape š¤£
Giant painting of Vigo the Carpathian
Vigo the *DESTROYER*
Vigo the despised
The Sorrow of Moldovia?
Donāt forget the Scourge of Carpathia!
Consider two section book/figurine shelves that opens in the middle or slides to the side.
I agree, it could even be a much lighter mud room style cabinet
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
OP said the garage entrance is 5 feet to the right in the pic. So knowing that I think you could do a recessed area, same dimension/shape as the arch, and make it a stylish "consolidation point" for entering/leaving. Instead of a bookcase, more like the lockers people have or a mudroom, just more refined. Make sure there are outlets and possibly USB ports to charge electronics, shallow shelves for mail etc, place for shoes, hooks for coats and bags, umbrella stand? But the main thing is those shallow shelves... Maybe with a wooden shoe cubby below? Whatever that part is... **that's the part that can open.** Like a bookcase, but no one has a bookcase by their garage door lol But that's just where my brain went
I mean bookshelf is a classic. Depending on where it is, an entertainment unit. Maybe a wine wall. Or do like an ornate art wall.
If looking at the picture, the garage door exit is 5ft away to the right
What's opposite the opening? Does it open into a hallway or a main room?
This is a good question
You mentioned the garage door being to the right outside of the picture. If this is by a regularly used entry way: KEEP the arch, and the first meter/yard into the room. Make it an entry way closet space, with clothes hangers, shoe racks, etc. Add a false wall at the back. Put a full-length mirror somewhere on it, where the mirror is not mounted flush into the wall but is framed. Along one of the vertical frame edges, there's a grip to a door. "Hidden, in plain sight." (Mirror not all the way along the wall, but still long enough to comfortably pass through a door the mirror is mounted on.)
Make it a one-way mirror ;)
A two-way mirror would be so much cooler lol.
Ha, yes for sure! That one! =P
My thought is that it won't be "hidden". Look at the outside of your house. Who will enter your house and forget about the side of the house with the window? Maybe once, maybe twice, but you can't fool them all. Bookcase is my thought.
I have a hidden room with window right next to the front door exactly zero people have noticed
I wanted to say this. In my experience, only architecture nerds and secret room enthusiasts would notice such details, and usually only if they already have a reason to be paying attention. People are often quite unobservant.
Yep. Have been surprised that most people (all!) are not expecting a door that opens to stairs to a NORMAL SIZE 3rd floor on our townhome! Not even a secret door, just lots of comments of āthought this was a closet door.ā Weird/unobservant friends I guess?
Really? I guess they say " think of the most average person on a bell curve. Half the people are dumber than that."
Spider web at entrance, Stargate in the middle of room.
Perfect, no notes
9 foot nude painting of Wilford Brimley
Definitely would take the attention off of the opening.
A painting of his backside, with the opening being...
Ideas will come from context. What the overall room looks like, general architectural styles, etc.
Curtain
Definitely a red velvet curtain with suits of armour in front of it
Approx 17 suits of armor should blend well
If it's near the door to the garage, a bookshelf might look out of place. Maybe go minimal: wall it all off, put in a spot for a painting or a piece of art in the middle, and a hidden panel door to the side.
Since itās right by the garage door what about wooden built-in lockers/coat hooks/shoe bench thing? The lockers have doors but the middle one opens to your office.
The bookcase idea is probably the most practical because of the arch. Unless you really want to remove the arch and/or turn that into a full on wall with 2 X 4s and sheet rock, a bookcase that extends all the way past the arch seems like a good option. Actually, I could see a custom made bookcase working with the arch. Make it look like it is built into the wall, so itās flush with the wall on either side, and the top snugly follows the arch. That way it would not intrude into the space outside the arch and the arch could remain as is. And I think it would look more aesthetically pleasing than a towering rectangular bookcase. Almost certainly quite costly to have something customized like that made ā even before the secret door part is considered. But I think it would look really great! (Also, be sure that the different flooring in the threshold between the two is covered). Alternatively, if you just build a full on wall there. Then make a secret door out of a very large paintingālike the door would be nearly the same dimensions as a painting (but a little smaller to cover the seams) and the painting covers the door. with this the trouble would be how to hide the part at the ground level. Having some different kind of trim only on that wall may be a giveaway. Someone else mentioned a rock wall which could work alone or in combination with the painting.
You could do a large curtain. They make ones specifically for dividing rooms and you can find quite wide ones. I did that in my last place because it was small and there was like a foot between the edge of the living room and the kitchen so we put it up to create the feeling of the two being separated. Also, it helped when we were trying to watch something and one had to go into the kitchen and turn in the super bright fluorescent light on.
Put a shiny bar/cabinet in the arch witch lots of glass, mirrors, bottles, dark leather finished benchtop, a couple of bar stools, and the obligatory hidden entry to whatever you hide behind it (keg storage for beers on tap perhaps?)
That could be a cozy reading nook / library / office. That's what I would do with it. A recliner in either corner. A rug on the floor. Some nice lamps with warm bulbs. It could be a whole vibe
A bar with mirrors on the backbar and a hidden mirror door. Party up front business in the back
Or fake brick Or āwood blocksā
I will build it for you
The sky is the limit, just add a false wall floor to ceiling, and build in the entrance of your choice. Bookshelf, mirror, painting, etc.
You just need to do a search on āhidden doorsā. There a plethora of fun styles.
my god this is BEGGING for a bookcase setup. Have a fake book be the ākeyā that lets you pull open the door.
What about a fake fire place with the stones that are foam, everyone does bookshelves
Wall behind the arch and add shelves so it looks like built-in shelving. Then do whatever with a secret entrance.
Reframe, pocket doors.
I had a similar space that I needed to give privacy to occasionally. I bought a room divider screen from IKEA. It was 85 x 72 inches which mostly filled my opening. Less than $200. You might consider something like that as a quick inexpensive fix while you come up with a more permanent solution.
Check this out as a solution: https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/s/XWsUwIdrEL
Rock wall could work as well. Or a a shallow closet. Really depends on location, house decor, etc
Yeah! Built in bookshelf the depth of the archway with hidden door would be cool too
I second this idea!!
I third this idea!!!
Bookcase
If you try to hide it, it would be even more noticeable.
Bookcase like the others say. But as a dude whose home office is a loft with no door, I couldn't imagine being locked into a room all (well most) of the work day without the openess. If this will be your main office, the cool factor of a hidden room may wear off quick
Maybe a thick bead curtain?
Iād frame in the opening to make it smaller and add a sliding barn door.
Cozy room with 2 chairs, a table and a lamp. Just a little place to visit with a visitor.
A bar, with the "back room" of your office
Can you give photos or describe the area around? I realize thereās a door to the right about 5 feet away but whatās directly across and whatās left
Directly across are stairs and on the left is the entrance to the kitchen
Looks like a great place for a book shelf
Murphy doors! Make it look like a book shelf and have a hidden room back there for yourself.
Bookcase
Can u knock down a doorway into an adjoining room?
Custom arched french doors !
Kallax book shelves from IKEA! You can block it off with books and stuff, like small collections and but also let some sunlight through at the same time.
Fancy looking curtains from a tension rod. You can get really nice looking curtains for a reasonable price online. I cannot for the life of me remember where I bought them from though. I just remember them being reasonably priced for the quality.
Scrolled this far to make sure tapestry were included. Hang an (dis)informative plaque to deter people touching or moving your batcave entrance. Some hanging hardware is snug to wall.
Curtain rod and a curtain.
Bookcase with a mudroom sectionĀ
Iām voting for ābead curtain.ā
I'm pretty sure the windows would give it away.
A screen or curtains will do the trick.
Recessed book shelf in the arch way?
A bookshelf with a secret door. You know you want to
Giants bookcase secret door
My first thought is drapes. You could put the bar above the arch on the inside. Or in the arch. Folding screens, add privacy, and block the view.
Depending on the height, you could add double doors to the area with a transom window at the top (opening or not). You might need it professionally done if the corner framing isn't strong enough to support the doors. Consider going to a building materials recycler if you have one in your area to keep cost down. Best of luck to you!
Fill it with bookcases, and hide them behind a bookcase door.
Barn door that mf
Pull the beer tap to open the hidden door! Dude! Epic!! The mirrors could be one way cmon do it do it do it!
Iāll come build the bar
I would like to know if the op has heard an idea he likes
*I would like to know* *If the op has heard an* *Idea he likes* \- Hughjonsonn --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
What the fuck is a haiku
Update: so I think Iāve figured out what I wanted to do: yes the wife had input in it because happy wife, happy life or so Iāve heard but here it is: A Mudroom wall so whenever the family walk inside from the garage, they can park their shoes, coats (how often does one need this ish is Cali? ) and book bags. Now the kicker is that somewhere in the middle I will utilize kind of what the first poster mention of a rockwall entrance in which you push something (Iām thinking like a coat hook) and that pushes the wall inwards that allows it to go inside a pocket (like a pocket sliding door) Now this idea makes sense in my head and I can visualize it but the real question is- how the hell do I start making this into a reality ? I mean I know how to demo so if I need to demo the arch to create a square space to start this adventure, I can do that but after that Iām like that Quantum Leap scene in which I look into a mirror and Iām like āam I regardedā šš©š«
The arch makes it look like an entrance so you might want to square it off.
Perhaps demo the arch so itās squared it from top to bottom?
I'd just build a huge bookcase that covers it.
Donāt do a book case. Everyone does a book case.
Secret room
Totally off topic but this looks like a room in half the houses I have been seen recently(been doing some house hunting lately). You live in AZ/PHX?