All the news about the fifth Harry Potter book gave me the inspiration to try a new project. A "junk" closet under the stairs needed cleaning and as I stood there looking at it, I decided to do more than clean it. Why not empty the whole thing and decorate it! But not just any decoration, the shape was perfect to turn it into a Harry Potter secret room for my Potter-loving grandson.

Some paint, a small lamp, bedding and a tension rod were the only things purchased. Everything else was rounded up from around the house. Luckily I had purchased several goodies when the Warner Bros. stores closed a few years ago and that stash helped out a lot! And what better way to display Harry Potter collectibles than in a cupboard under the stairs.

An unassuming closet door -- wonder what lurks behind it? Open the door to see a Potter afghan hanging from a tension rod and "hiding" 10" x 55" shelves on the opposite wall. The afghan is attached with cafe curtain clips, which makes it easy to slide. I still needed some storage space, so this helps decorate the room and keep the office supplies hidden. The bottom three shelves are reserved for toys, puzzles and books, everything a little boy would need in his secret room. The area is large enough not to be claustrophobic at almost four feet deep and twelve and a half feet long.
The walls in the entrance were painted a medium blue, shelves were wallpapered in a darker blue marbled paper and silver stars were stamped randomly. These pictures show the shelving behind the afghan. The open edition print "Pig Snout" is on the wall on the left side when entering, next to where the shelves start.
A close up of the collectibles displayed on the top shelf. The Gund Hagrid, a snowglobe and picture frame from the Warner Bros. store. Next is a vinyl bank, also from the store, an Enesco Hagrid cookie jar, the Born a Star Celebrity Bear and Fluffy, the three-headed dog from Gund.
The view of the sloped area. It's the size of a twin bed, with an air mattress that fits perfectly and lots of pillows for relaxing or even sleeping. The second picture shows Hedwig floating above the bed area. On the right side is a Potter Wreath that I made last Christmas, full of Harry Potter Christmas ornaments.
	Scabbers hides down behind a radio, meanwhile the messenger owl just sits around waiting for the next message to go out.
The view from the other end gives a better perspective of the size. It also shows mirror on left wall, also stamped with silver stars.
And this is the best part of the room, a place to relax and call his own when visiting the grandparents!

More Harry Potter:
All About Harry
The start to everything Potter on the Collectibles site,
including free printables, collectibles, puzzles and more.

Photographs (c)2003 Barbara Crews, licensed to About, Inc.