When we decided to add a ceiling to our two-story entryway, it left us with a quirky little room about the size of a walk-in closet.
This new space wasn’t attached to any other rooms, and we spent a while brainstorming what to do with it. Then it hit me—we could create a hidden children’s library with a secret Narnia-style closet entrance!
This room has become the standout feature in our home, and the best part? It’s sparked a major reading spree for my kids (ages 7 and 4).
Today, I’m excited to give you a tour of our secret library and share how we brought it to life. If you want to see how our entryway looked before the transformation, click here for a photo.
When we added the ceiling above the entryway (changing it from two stories to one), we were left with this space that connects to a landing at the top of our stairs. We decided to turn it into a Narnia closet with a hidden library for our kids.
First, I found an antique armoire on Etsy. We had it integrated into the wall and the drywall patched around it. Then, we cut a doorway into the back of the armoire to serve as an entrance.
Check out the photos below to see how it looks closed and opened. The new door is 5 feet tall, so adults need to duck to get in, but it’s perfectly accessible for both kids and grown-ups.
Whenever we can’t find our kids, we know they’re probably in this room reading and playing. It’s such a joy!
Now, let’s chat a bit about the foyer. This small landing at the top of our stairs has a bold look thanks to some wall and ceiling wallpaper. From here, you can access the stairway, our main bedroom, the hallway leading to more bedrooms, and the armoire.
I love showing guests the armoire and watching their faces light up when we reveal the hidden door inside. It’s pure magic!
Speaking of magic, here’s a video tour of our hidden library:
Sources: Wallpaper / Augustine Evans Art Print / William Cleary Art Print (both art prints by Janet Hill).
The dark green paint color was custom-matched. We brought a wallpaper swatch to the paint store and had them match the deepest color for us to paint the doors and trim.
Wallpapering a ceiling can make a room feel cozier and more dramatic. Before the wallpaper, this space didn’t have much personality. Now, it’s one of the most thoughtfully designed spots in our home.
Art sources: Star Chart Art / Harry Potter Custom Art / Handful of Stars Print / Moon and Stars Print / Shadow Puppets Print. The rose painting and the mirror are vintage finds.
I found an Etsy shop that makes custom wizard prints, and my kids find them hilarious.
Collecting books for the children’s library was the fun part! If you’re interested, I can write a detailed post on this topic. I gathered hundreds of used books locally.
For new books, I focused mainly on early reader series since our 7-year-old is currently learning to read. I picked out series I loved as a kid along with new recommendations from friends.
Right now, my 7-year-old really enjoys the Elephant and Piggie series (which she can read on her own), The Magic Treehouse, and The Ramona series. It’s been amazing to see both my girls become more interested in reading this year.
Being a vintage lover, I’ve also been collecting Nancy Drew books and I’m currently working on a full set of Goosebumps books.
