If you’ve seen The Watcher on Netflix, you’d be suitably spooked by the true story of a family plagued by disturbing letters sent to their new house. But how alarmed would you be if you actually received an anonymous letter addressed simply to ‘Purchaser’, describing mysterious details about your new home? That’s what happened to this couple, who uploaded the unfurling of events to TikTok. Read on to discover this real life Watcher story…
New homeowners, Courtney and Matt received a mystery letter after moving into their 130-year old estate. Uploading details of the letter and its contents to their TikTok account, @living_in_history, the couple filmed their reactions to the message from the ‘last surviving member’ of the previous owner’s family—the Madisons.
Addressing simply the ‘Purchaser’, the letter holds instructions to discover secret rooms, chambers, and compartments throughout the house. In the second part of their trending TikTok series, Courtney reads out a part which speaks of the secret compartment above a fireplace within their Victorian-style home…
Sitting patiently behind a mirror in the front parlour, accessed by a sliding panel, this selection of unopened spirits, wines, and beer lay in wait. The dusty drinks bottles offered a delectable array of vintage bourbon, 1970 French rosé wine, 1989 Cabernet Sauvignon, and some cream sherry, which didn’t take Courtney’s fancy.
The second secret room was to be found upstairs, “directly opposite the door in the wall” inside the bathroom. Excitedly running upstairs with their daughter, Matt leads the way to “the scariest room in the house,” according to Courtney…
The bathroom, in need of renovations, hints at the hidden space to be uncovered behind wood panelling that has been removed. More of a crawl space than a secret room, Courtney describes it as "a creepy attic space". But a tiny secret door sitting directly opposite their toilet leads somewhere else...
The small, unassuming door leads into an expansive trunk room. Speaking to their followers, Courtney explains how they are figuring out what to do with the space, which for now is “just... a cool, cool room.” But the discoveries don’t end there.
More recently the TikTok stars have continued to find antique furniture and decorations throughout their treasure trove of a house, not least in their daughter’s wardrobe. The video shows Matt opening up an old chest to find a music box, which slowly plays the wedding march. Not creepy in the slightest!
There's nothing TikTok loves more than a trend, and the latest viral hashtag, has users showing off the most clandestine rooms in their houses. From secret bunkers to hidden cinema rooms and concealed private balconies these spaces are sure to take you by surprise. Click or scroll to see the best #secretroom picks from the ever-popular trend...
This bedroom looks no different from any other. Complete with family photos, a shelving unit and a double bed, you'd never know that there's a secret hidden within one of its walls! Can you spot it?
Tucked away in the corner of the room is this ordinary-looking bookshelf that wouldn't attract any unusual attention. However, at the push of a button, the TikTok user can open up the shelves to reveal the secret within its walls.
Behind the bookshelf sits a clandestine trap door that hides a secret room. Hidden away from prying eyes underground, the concrete bunker is the perfect prepper space with stocks of food, a working television, a comfortable sofa, and even camping supplies should you need to make a quick escape in an emergency.
TikTok user Mollie Trainor always wanted a secret room, so her dream came true when she saw what was hiding behind this ordinary-looking bookshelf. Filled with ornaments and books, it looks more like a handy storage space than the entrance to a secret room.
A closer inspection of the bookshelf and a light push on one of the panels opens a door that leads through to a secret cinema room complete with sleek hardwood floors, a projector, and comfy chairs. Could this be the best home office setup ever?
This real estate developer recently took to TikTok to show off this super-luxury home. However, this is more than just a mega-mansion full of jaw-dropping amenities. The swanky home office not only boasts a sleek desk and backlit bookshelves, but also a secret within its walls.
With a gentle push, the middle shelf reveals a whole new lavish world. The perfect place to escape disaster, or even just to get some respite from the working day, hidden in the home office is a secret luxury apartment, that boasts a marble entrance floor and much more.
Pass through the hallway and you are greeted by multiple storage areas that lead through to a plush living room with reinforced doors, that will keep you safe should disaster strike. There's also a fully-stocked ensuite bathroom that will rival any mega-mansion with double sinks and a sleek black bathtub.
When TikTok user bearder1 stumbled across a surprise room in their new house, they teased the big reveal with their followers. Hidden behind a door in a spooky room, just a piece of wood hid the secret from the world. On getting enough views on his first video, it was time to reveal what lay in the depths of the house.
Underneath the wooden panel, the concrete stairs that led down to a bunker were revealed. The floor was scattered with treasures including old coins that had been left on the floor. There were also old wine bottles and a metal flask from 1916. However, there were still more surprises to come...
Hidden away in the corner of the bunker was also a chest. Dusty and old the explorer managed to open it to discover what was inside. Deep in the depths sat a trap, some more money, and a wallet containing badges from the Yugoslav army. A home with a history, we can't help but wonder who used to live in the hideout.
A grand hallway with sweeping stairs, opulent marble floors, and a chandelier, this entrance could belong in any mega-mansion. While we are sure it's full of jaw-dropping amenities, TikTok user Giovanni Vasquez revealed a surprise that's hidden away upstairs.
Head up the staircase to one the of the many ensuite bathrooms and you'll find a wood-panelled wall that looks like it would belong in any luxurious spa room. However, pulling back the towel hook reveals a secret surprise. What could it be?
Upon opening the doors you're greeted with a hidden balcony that looks like something out of a movie. With a quaint bistro dining set, the wrought-iron barrier is wrapped in a stunning floral garland. Overlooking the huge back garden, it's the perfect secret spot.
This bedroom is dreamy in its own right, with a wood-panelled wall, romantic-style bed, and a small shelving unit in the corner. However, on closer inspection, is there something about the shelves that scream secret room to you?
Maggie Nickel revealed all in her TikTok post when she pulled back the shelf to reveal a whole new world. Complete with fairy lights, comfy soft furnishings, and fun paper decorations—it's the ultimate secret den.
By gently pulling on a book in her bookshelves, this TikTok user discovered a brand new space in her home. The tiny door leads through to an empty space that was in desperate need of a makeover...
Opening the door revealed a corridor that opens up to a huge space with a window at the end. However, working on a student budget, some fairy lights and a fun Harry Potter sign turned the once drab space into a perfect secret den.
Giving a quick tour of this small space in her family home, Angel Heffner decided to share a secret with her TikTok followers. The small book-keeping area, which boasts a mural of a picture-perfect house isn't all it seems...
By sliding the windowsill to the right, Angel unlocks every child's dream, which she also loved when she was a kid. Can you guess what's hiding behind the wood-panelled wall?
Opening the small door reveals a fun playroom. Hidden away, the huge attic now appears to be used as a storage space. We hope one day it gets returned to its original use!
As we've seen, bookcases can hide secret rooms, but what else can they conceal? This heavy-duty cabinet with dark wood and carved spindles was pulled open by Chad Sanchez to reveal a brick wall, but where does it lead?
The shelves open to reveal an enticing spiral staircase that's dotted with small openings, reminiscent of a fairytale castle. The stairs lead down to a brick corridor with an arched design—it's like something out of a magical film set!
Leading round the corner the secret space opens out into a spacious room. Still under construction, we can't wait to see what it becomes! Maybe a home theatre? A den? Or even a secret bunker.
Most kitchens contain all the usual white goods, and this one is no different. The fridge looks like it belongs in any normal family home with magnets and family photos stuck to the front. However, on further inspections, it's clear to see that the fridge is not all it seems...
TikTok user Ray, slowly opens the fridge door only to step inside! It is in fact a secret door that leads to an all-white tunnel and what looks like a hidden room. The perfect hideaway, no one would ever know you are there!
When real estate manager and antiques hunter Jennifer Little moved some furniture around in the master bedroom of a recently visited home, little did she know that she would find a manhole hidden under the carpet. Concealed under a strip of carpet, what she discovered next was a huge surprise.
The manhole had been hidden by this 400lb (181kg) mid-century sideboard, which was shifted by Jennifer's husband. Once the manhole cover was lifted away, it revealed a damp and dark space. It was time to delve down into the depths to take a look at what was sitting under the house.
Once down there, it was revealed that a whole 1950s bunker was hidden under the home. Long left abandoned, the bunker was falling apart and filled with dust and rubble, and no longer weather-proof. It had two bunk beds and even an old urinal with hooks sticking out from one of the walls.
Jennifer and her husband also found a dry storage space for food but built separately to the secure part of the bunker, which means that anyone hiding inside would have to leave the shelter to get their food.
26-year-old Samantha Hartsoe got more than she bargained for when she unearthed a secret behind the mirror in her bathroom. After noticing an unexplained stream of cold air in the bathroom of her three-bedroom apartment on New York’s Roosevelt Island, she realised the icy draft was coming from behind her mirror. So she went on to investigate...
After lifting the mirror away from the wall, it revealed a gaping hole in the studwork. After a closer look, Samantha realised not was all what it seemed, when she spotted an empty room...
After venturing into the room, Samantha discovered that it was in fact an entire three-bedroom apartment. With a discarded porcelain toilet, along with rubbish bags full of belongings, she even found a half-empty bottle of water abandoned on the staircase. Spread over two floors, Samantha came to the conclusion that nobody lived in the apartment, and left feeling rather perplexed!
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