Hidden passages were once reserved to sprawling, labyrinthine abodes of barons and kings. Nowadays there are plenty of modern passageways discretely built into even the most modest of homes. From underground wine cellars to “Batcave”-like garages, homeowners are designing living spaces with plenty of concealed nooks and crannies to ensure a quick getaway — or perhaps to simply take their home to the next level. Below are some of the more innovative hidden spaces from around the globe.
Rainbow House — London
Architecture firm DA Studio and artist Richard Woods created the four-story Rainbow House in downtown London. With transforming furniture, rotatable rooms, and a vibrant spiral staircase that spans four floors and showcases the entire color spectrum, this home is a sight to behold. One of the true gems inside of the Rainbow House, however, is the secret passage built directly into the floor of the master suite. Using this hidden doorway and a connected slide, individuals can quickly transition from the bedroom to the recreational room below.
Transformer Apartment — Russia
Plain walls and doors are boring. Why not jazz up your living room and add a rotating wall? This wall, made of a black metal framework and plywood, transforms the living room into a kitchen and reveals the home’s TV set. The faceted panels can also be set apart and used to separate two individual rooms.
Spiral Cellars — United Kingdom
Love wine but can’t find a fresh spot in your home to store your collection? United Kingdom-based company Spiral Cellars can solve this problem for you. The company is well known for its dynamic wine cellars, like this underground beauty that be installed in your ground floor.
Secret Passage in the Kitchen — Jefferson, New York
Need to escape after dinner for some quiet time to think and reflect (and digest)? This stunning Jefferson, New York home has a secret doorway installed in the kitchen ground floor that leads to another section of the house.
Secret Bookcase Wine Cellar — Tacoma, Washington
Sometimes what’s behind a bookcase is even better than what it holds on its shelves. A spacious wine cellar rests behind a bookshelf in this beautiful home in Tacoma, Washington, for example. It definitely comes in handy while you’re submerged in a Danielle Steele novel.
Secret Bathroom — Maine
This country-style house is straight out of a fairy tale and rests on a hill in rural Maine. A hidden passageway lies behind a bookcase that’s located in the turquoise-painted common room, allowing quick entry into a secret bathroom. Talk about a great escape.
The Wayne Residence — Melbourne, Australia
We thought a house like this only existed in The Dark Knight films. Made to replicate the iconic superhero’s pad, this house was built with an underground parking garage that’s accessible from the house’s tennis court. With illuminated lights on the ceiling and grey tiles on the floor, this will make any average Joe instantly feel like Batman.
Creative Home Engineering — Various locations
The architecture firm Creative Home Engineering specializes in an array of custom hidden doorways for your home. The company features one of their electronic models at the nine-second mark in the video above. With the click of a button, a staircase lifts, allowing individuals to access a hidden recreational room.
This article was originally published on April 17 and updated on March 24 by Dallon Adams to include the Rainbow House and Create Home Engineering.