Turning a Dream into Reality: Our Secret Library Project

Creating a hidden library for my kids was a dream come true and by far one of my favorite renovations ever.

Even though we had pro contractors handle the heavy lifting (definitely not a DIY), I thought it would be fun to share the full journey of designing and building this magical space.

Projects like this take tons of planning and problem-solving, but every bit is worth it to create something so special.

The Starting Point

When we bought our home, it had a grand two-story entryway often called a “lawyer foyer”—totally ’90s McMansion vibes.

First photo: The entry from the front door.
Second photo: The view towards the front door.
Third photo: Looking down from the second floor.

If you’re wondering why we changed it, trust me, I get it. I initially loved these features too. But after living here for about six months and planning out the main living spaces, I realized the entryway felt a bit off and was tricky to decorate.

Luckily, our ground floor has high ceilings, so closing off the two-story entry didn’t make it feel cramped. Plus, we get loads of natural light from our many sliding doors, so losing a bit wasn’t a big deal.

Construction Day

On the day we started construction, I was a bundle of nerves—it felt so surreal walking on the new floor for the first time.

Once we had the floor in place, we drywalled the ceiling, added the electrical work, and installed wood floors in the new upstairs room. This new space didn’t connect directly to other rooms but rather to a foyer at the top of the stairs.

Planning what to do with this hidden room was a blast. Even though it’s the size of a walk-in closet, I knew I had to make it something special.

The Narnia-Inspired Door

I couldn’t resist the idea of hiding the room behind an armoire—just like Narnia. So, I spent months searching for the perfect vintage piece. It had to be big enough for the space and as simple inside as possible. I finally found the one on Etsy.

When it arrived, we built it into the wall to save space, even though it meant removing its legs (ouch). But, fitting it snugly into the nook with the tricky roofline was well worth it in the end.

The Big Reveal

I’m thrilled with how it turned out! We added a vibrant floral wallpaper for an integrated look and cut a functional door into the back of the armoire with an inside handle.

Visitors never guess the armoire is a doorway, and it’s my kids’ favorite party trick to reveal the hidden room.

Sources:

Similar Wallpaper
Augustine Evans Art Print
William Cleary Art Print (both by Janet Hill)
Arched Mirror
Rattan Lamp

Budget Sources:

Come on in!

Inside the Secret Library

Inside, we added built-in shelves on both sides and painted the room in “Silent Film” by Behr.

My older daughter is learning to read, and we’ve had the best time collecting books and making memories here. This space is a gem and filled with endless stories waiting to be read.

The rug and chandelier are vintage finds from Etsy.