Creating a faux book secret door or bookcase

Video Demonstration

This short video demonstrates the key steps for creating a secret bookcase door using our Faux Book panels. Much of the process is the same for our static faux bookcase panels.

Ordering and Installing Faux Book Panels

We need to know:

  • The overall dimensions (mm or inches) of the area to be covered. A plan or sketch is often useful
  • The number of doors
  • The height of the beading/strips of wood you’re using for false shelves (so that we can provide an
    accurate layout)
  • Whether false shelves are already installed and if so, the height between them
  • The style of layout you’d like (Formal or Informal)
  • The colourway you’d like to use (Traditional, Pascale, Architectural, Candide, Sage Green or Vellum)
  • Whether any personalisation is required

We will then supply:

  • Faux book panels to fit each shelf space precisely
  • Our faux book panels can be between 15mm and 25mm thick (front to back) but a minimum of 20mm is preferred.
    Faux book spine thickness

When you receive your panels:

  • If you’re securing your faux book panels to a background or door, this will need to be painted in matt black to give the impression that it’s in shadow
  • You’ll need to supply strips of wood for your false shelves. We recommend 25mm square however, the height can vary depending on the style you’re looking to create
  • Before installing, lay out each shelf on a horizontal surface and confirm the dimensions are correct
  • When you’re ready to install, use a builder’s mastic (similar to ‘Gripfill’) if you’d like a permanent fixing. If sticking directly to a vertical surface, an application of hotmelt glue may be required to hold the panel in place whilst the mastic cures
  • If you’d prefer your panels to be free standing on open shelves, we can supply L brackets to hold them upright. We would advise filling an entire length of your open shelf in order to create a realistic look

4 steps to a faux bookcase