Once we determined so as to add a ceiling to our two-story entryway, we ended up with an oddly positioned additional room the dimensions of a walk-in closet.
The room didn’t connect to some other rooms, and we spent a while pondering of what we may use this small area for. Someday it dawned on me—we may construct a hidden youngsters’s library with a Narnia closet entrance!
Clearly, this room is a showstopper and probably the most distinctive room in our residence, however the greatest profit has been an enormous enhance in studying curiosity for each my youngsters (ages 7 and 4).
Right now, I’ll offer you a tour of our secret library and clarify how we created it. By the best way, should you’d wish to see how our two-story entry appeared earlier than changing it, you’ll be able to see a photograph right here.

Once we added the ceiling above the entryway (changing it from two tales to at least one), we have been left with this area that connects to a touchdown on the high of our stairs. We determined to show it right into a Narnia closet with a hidden library for our youngsters.
First, I sourced an vintage armoire from Etsy. Subsequent, we had it built-in into the wall and the drywall patched. After that, we reduce a door into the again a part of the armoire to create an entry level.
You’ll be able to see within the photographs beneath the way it appears closed and opened. The brand new door is 5 ft tall, so adults need to duck to enter, however it’s accessible for youngsters and adults.

Anytime we will’t discover our children they are often discovered on this room studying and taking part in. It makes us so completely happy!
Let’s discuss just a little in regards to the lobby. It is a small touchdown area on the high of our stairs. It has wall and ceiling wallpaper that creates a giant look. From this area, there are doorways to the stairway, our most important bed room, the hallway the place extra bedrooms are and this armoire.
Many occasions I’ve proven visitors the armoire and nobody ever notices something particular about it till we push open the hidden door inside. It’s true magic!
Talking of true magic, right here’s a video tour of our hidden library:

Sources: Wallpaper / Augustine Evans Artwork Print / William Cleary Artwork Print (each artwork prints are by Janet Hill).
The darkish inexperienced paint coloration is a customized match. We took a swatch of the wallpaper into the paint retailer and so they matched the deepest coloration for us to color the doorways and trim.


Wallpapering a ceiling is an effective solution to make a room really feel smaller, cozier and extra dramatic. This area had little to do vibe earlier than we added the wallpaper, and now it is likely one of the most designed areas in our residence.

Artwork sources: Star Chart Artwork / Harry Potter Customized Artwork / Handful of Stars Print, Moon and Stars Print, Shadow Puppets Print. The rose portray and the mirror are classic finds.

I discovered an Etsy store that makes these custom-made wizard prints and my children assume they’re hilarious.

When it got here to amassing books for my youngsters’s library, this was the enjoyable half! Let me know should you’d be occupied with an expanded put up on this topic. I collected lots of of used books regionally.
For brand spanking new books, I centered totally on sequence for early readers since our 7-year-old is at the moment studying to learn. I collected all of the sequence I beloved most as a younger little one in addition to new sequence that buddies beneficial.
Thus far, my 7-year-old is loving the Elephant and Piggie sequence (which she will learn on her personal), The Magic Treehouse and The Ramona sequence. It’s been so inspiring watching each my women take a bigger curiosity in studying this 12 months.



Being the classic lover that I’m, I’ve additionally been amassing Nancy Drew and I’m at the moment engaged on the total set of Goosebumps books.

Wish to see extra room excursions?