What’s the best way to hide a panic room in your house?

Use a hidden door: Install a bookshelf, a painting, or a piece of furniture that serves as a hidden door to access the panic room. There are specialized companies (including Secure House!) that can create custom hidden doors to match your home’s décor.

Fake wall panels: Create false wall panels that blend in with the surrounding walls, disguising the entrance. These panels can be designed to look like any part of the room, such as a wall with artwork or a built-in cabinet.

• Use heavy furniture: Place heavy furniture in front of or near the entrance, making it difficult for intruders to discover the entrance easily. Large wardrobes, sideboards, cabinets, or bookshelves are ideal for this purpose.
• Mirrors: Install floor-to-ceiling mirrors that slide or swing to reveal the hidden entrance behind them. Mirrors not only disguise the door but also make the room appear larger.

Create a decoy room: Design a room that appears to be the primary target for intruders, such as a home office or a guest bedroom. This can divert the attention of a potential burglar away from the actual panic room itself.

Hidden within closets: Some panic rooms are concealed within large walk-in closets or wardrobes and are located behind the racks and shelves where clothes and shoes are hung and stored.

Biometric or keypad access: Incorporate a biometric (fingerprint or retinal scan) or keypad access system to open the hidden door. This adds an extra layer of security and minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.

Remote control: In some cases, you can use a remote control or smartphone app to activate the hidden door’s opening mechanism.

• If possible, consider disguising the entrance to the panic room from the outside, perhaps through clever landscaping or architectural features.
• Avoid any obvious signs like large ventilation pipes or unusual structural elements that could give away the room’s location from the exterior.

Remember that the effectiveness of concealing your panic room will always depend on the quality of its original concept and construction, the materials used, and the level of discretion in its design. It’s also essential to educate your family members or trusted individuals on how to access the panic room in case of an emergency while maintaining its secrecy. Consult with security professionals or contractors, such as ourselves, who are experienced in creating concealed safe spaces for the best results.

If you’d like to find out more about panic rooms, or to arrange a site consultation to discuss your specific requirements for a panic room, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Secure House team on 0207 859 4207 info@secure-house.co.uk