hidden depths
YOU’VE GOT TO LOVE A CONCEALED DOOR – IT INCREASES A SENSE OF SPACE AFTER ALL
1 Modern slats
Slatted walls are popular contemporary finishes, but they can also perfectly conceal a door; a discreet horizontal cut is the only giveaway that a doorway even exists. ‘In this Sydney home, the doors conceal the pantry and powder room, and have been installed to flow up to form the staircase balustrade.’ Victoria D’alisa, director, Porebski Architects 2 Secret en suite
Another prime candidate for a hidden door is an en suite leading from a small bedroom. For one of her projects, interior designer Alison Lewis created an en-suite door in a built-in cupboard. ‘Given the small footprint of the home, maximising storage was paramount. Rather than breaking up the rectilinear cabinetry with a hinged door, I carried the cabinetry through to maximise above-door storage and show that practical can also be playful.’ Alison Lewis, founder, Alison
Lewis Interiors 3 Classic tricks
Concealed doors aren’t just for modern spaces – they can also be adapted to more traditional styles, especially through classic panelling. ‘If space is tight in a little corridor, but you don’t want to waste the opportunity to create some pretty storage, it is such a great idea to get your joiner to make a door that mimics the tongue-andgroove walls. Paint everything the same colour and you have a secret storage space or even a WC.’
Helen Parker, creative director, DEVOL 4 Paper dreams
While hidden doors are often painted the same colour as the wall, a wallpapered door takes it up a notch. ‘Flush jib doors look wonderful incorporated into a design scheme to almost camouflage them, creating a hidden door clad in wallpaper. To ensure that the door feels integrated, use wallpaper across the door, as you would a continuous expanse of wall.’
Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene
5 Fit f lush
Jib, or frameless, doors create a seamless space with uninterrupted flow. They announce themselves far less than framed doors and fade into the background when finished in the same colour as the walls. ‘Our orange corridor needed a homogenous feel to work as one to highlight the bold colour. Traditional architraves or projecting handles would have interrupted the flat planes so the frameless design is an effective way to reduce architectural details to their minimum.’
6 Best seller
Reminiscent of murder mystery novels and haunted castles, the library shelf door is a design classic with some practical considerations – notably the weight of books. Modern innovations, like The Library Ladder Company’s strong and invisible hinge, allow you to pack your library door with real books. ‘What’s more exciting is opening your secret bookcase door using an actual book to open it . The Book Pull has a lever that releases the door when you pull it, which means the door remains safely fixed into place until you pull the book towards you, releasing the catch.’ Jessica Sawyer, founder,
The Library Ladder Company
7 Hide the TV
Panelling is a brilliant way to create and conceal storage while also adding character to your space. This works rather well for techy items like TVS and cabling – seamless joinery can form a hidden door to open and close whenever you wish (perfect for reducing your screen time). ‘For a traditional finish, opt for the more classical square wall formation, while choosing a deconstructed layout with varying textural details will create a contemporary feel. Adding a splash of white will give a nod to a modernist style, keeping the overall look sleek.’ Rebecca Northmore, design manager, HUX London
8 Base concerns
Standard internal doors are designed to withstand daily life, so it’s important that a hidden door can roll with the punches, too. Luckily, there’s one trick that can help concealed doors boost their durability above and beyond everyday design. ‘As doors need to withstand a few knocks and bumps, particularly at floor level, take your skirting across the bottom of the door, too; not only will this disguise the door further, it will help to protect your wallpaper or paint, ensuring it looks beautiful for longer.’
Andy Greenall, head of design,
Paint & Paper Library
9 Wonder wardrobe
A hidden door doesn’t have to lead anywhere at all. It can also be a way to minimise the impact of built-in cupboard or wardrobe doors, making them appear like a stylish panelled wall. ‘The intent with this wardrobe was to conceal its presence while providing ample storage. The randomly spaced vertical battens create a play of light and shadow on what otherwise would be a featureless wall.’ Greg Howe, founding partner, Searl Lamaster Howe Architects
10
Path to the pantry If you have a pantry or utility room adjacent to your kitchen, designing the door like its part of the cabinetry is a clever idea that can help with your layout while also maximising storage space. ‘This door is designed to blend in with the rest of the cabinetry to achieve a clean, sleek kitchen run.’ Sofia Bune, founder, Sola Kitchens