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HIDDEN DOOR PLANNING
Inswing or
Outswing?
Which way should your hidden door open?
Choosing your swing direction is an important part of planning your hidden bookshelf door. Here's what inswing and outswing mean, how they differ and what to consider when deciding which option suits your space
THE BASICS
What do inswing and outswing mean?
INSWING
An inswing hidden bookshelf door opens into the space behind the bookshelf.
OUTSWING
An outswing hidden bookshelf door opens towards the room in front of the bookshelf.
WHY DOES SWING DIRECTION MATTER?
A few things to consider
Because the entire bookshelf moves when the door opens, your swing direction can affect the space around the opening, furniture placement and how you move through the doorway.
CLEARANCE
Our bookshelf is 203mm wide, so allow at least 203mm clearance in the swing direction.
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FURNITURE PLACEMENT
Consider furniture, cabinetry and other fixed elements on either side of the opening.​​
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WALKWAYS
For an outswing, consider whether the bookshelf will open into a hallway or a frequently used walkway.
ROOM LAYOUT
For an inswing, consider how the open bookshelf will affect the usable space inside the room.
A CLOSER LOOK AT
Inswing Hidden Doors
An inswing door opens into the room behind the bookshelf. As it opens the entire bookshelf moves through the doorway and into the concealed space.
A CLOSER LOOK AT
Outswing Hidden Doors
An outswing door opens towards the room you're standing in. The entire bookshelf swings outward toward you, rather than into the space behind.
You have clear space inside the room
The room behind is larger
You want to keep the space infront clear
There's no furniture in the doors swing path
You want to preserve space inside the room
The hidden room is smaller
You have clear space infront of the door
It wont open into a narrow hallway or walkway
HOW DO I CHOOSE?
Look at the space around your door
Before deciding, imagine your bookshelf fully open and ask:
01
Is there enough clear space for the entire bookshelf to move?
02
Is there furniture or cabinetry close to the opening?
03
Which direction makes entering and exiting the space feel most practical?
04
Would an inswing reduce the usable space inside the room?
05
Would an outswing open into a narrow hallway or walkway?
Left Hand or Right Hand Opening?
Once you've chosen inswing or outswing, you'll also need to decide which side your bookshelf will pivot from.
The handling determines which side of the opening the pivot sits on and the direction that the bookshelf moves from.
LEFT HAND
RIGHT HAND
What Could Affect Your Choice?
Nearby walls or corners
Furniture or cabinetry
Walkways and access
Light switches and power ports
Available Clearance
Layout of the room behind