Total cost for the project was less than $500 (CAN). I built this with pocket screws and Miller dowels I like both of these construction techniques because they allow you to build things with wood glue (which is amazingly strong) but without lots of specialist tools and clamps (which I don't have). You will also need parts for whatever assembly method you use. I was really impressed with it - it all feels really solid and well thought out. You need the Murphy Door kit, which contains a neat collection of ruggedly built hardware. You need 2 sheets of 1/4' sanded plywood (~$25 each), and 6 panels of 3/4 x 15 1/4 x 96 laminated pine project board (~$20 each), and a few lengths of 2x4 construction lumber (or similar). I've attached the Sketchup file I used to design the bookcase. Fortunately, there was an elegant solution to this, that in some ways makes the bookcase stronger (the load bearing side is now directly above the pivot hardware). The trickiest thing about the new design was creating the illusion of depth on the sides that our existing furniture has, since the hardware needs to be mounted right against the outside edges of the boxes that make up the bifold door.

The plans that come with the kit call for edge-banded plywood, but I made mine out of solid wood edge-glued panels instead: such shelving material is inexpensive, dimensionally stable and of the necessary thickness.

The plan was simple: I would mimic the design and finish of our existing solid wood bookshelves as best I could, while adopting the hardware kit sold by the Murphy Door company, which is designed to support a door weighing up to 300 lbs. For maximum stealthiness, I was keen to make the bookcase blend in with the rest of our furniture.

Ana white hidden bookcase door