Please post some inspiration photos that show what kind of speakeasy you have in mind. Speakeasies were fitted into all kinds of hidden locations. Look at set designs in "The Sting" for a Hollywood version.

The home was built in 1920 and we have worked really hard at maintaining the look of that time period so 1920 pool hall or speakeasy is what we are aiming towards.

Do any of these have the look you're interested in?

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Black, white, gray, with wood tones and red brick is a nice color scheme and use Black and White photos for art.

Looking at your inspo photos, it would be nice to paint the overhead black and the brick white --except for the red brick you mentioned.

Some of the wood going into the room would be nice to stain rather than paint.

I like the wood stairs-the walls could be black in the staiwell. A velvet rope instead of a handrail?

Did you see this discussion from a while ago here in Houzz? Maybe within the last 18 months there was an update for the finished pictures. Or maybe it was when I looked at the thread. Could be a help to you for visualization purposes.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/3910940/secret-60x5-ft-room-discovered-what-to-do

First, your house is not a museum or movie set: unless that is your ultimate goal, you are not restricted to 1920s. For example, you inherited grandparent and parent furniture and art from 1860s to 1920, Or you inherited family home and live in 2023. Second, who is this space for: kid’s playroom? Teen hangout? Grownup lounge? Multi-generation? Guest BR? Third, what will you do in this space: Play pool? Poker? Board games? Video games? Watch TV? Dance parties? Stand around cocktail parties? Relax and quiet conversation? Sleep? Cook/eat/snack? Read? Fourth, what furnishings will you need for the intended uses? Lighting plan? Kitchenette? Bathroom? Fifth, do you want to gently suggest a bygone era or go full out THEME ROOM (Gatsby glam elegance? G-men v bootleggers danger? Whiskey barrel/bathtub gin storage room? seedy pool hall?)

We are leaning towards black Charleston green on the bottom portion of the walls and Palmer green on the upper portion. Yes I know I don’t have to stay in the 1920s, but we have attempted to keep the bones of the 1920 home. The space will be a hangout for all . There will be TV on the red brick wall.

When I think of an old speak easy, I think of reds, golds, rich wood, leather seats with the button backs, velvet sofas, moody and beautiful light fixtures - no recessed lights. The beadboard panels don't quite work in that type of design. A wainscot panel would have been better. But since it's installed - keep it but do a thicker trim on it and stain it a darker color.

What a fun project!!

What kind of style are you going for? The 20's has a few good ones. Art deco, bauhaus, early modernism... you could push it a bit earlier for art nouveau, FLW/prarie, late Edwardian.... depending on where you are might lend flavor. A speakeasy in New York or Chicago, rural vs urban south or booming northwest, modern San Fran with it's decade of rebuild after the big quake.

Try to incorporate Sugatsune Lateral opening hinges into the design. I think the X1000 is the biggest. They work great for hidden doors.

Will do Paul. There is a hidden bookcase being built now.

Dark greens, blacks, very dark brown stain on the wood. It is easy to get too glam with this kind of space and I'd fight that. For example, I'd leave the ceiling as is and paint it. I'd certainly paint the white and make the space feel dark and confined. A few vintage statement lights would be great.

Instead of looking at inspiration from actual speakeasy pics (historic ones are black and white), or from movie sets, I'd look at pics of actual basement speak easies that people have created in their homes. Most are going to lean cheesy, but you can pick and choose the elements that work for you and align with the interpretation of 1920s throughout the rest of your home. (Please post pics of the rest of your house, I'd love to see.)

Here are a few:

https://www.neilkelly.com/blog/1920s-speakeasy-inspired-basement/

https://www.heirloomsathome.com/how-to-create-a-home-speakeasy-bar-in-your-basement/

https://www.finishedbasementsplus.com/about-us/blogs/secret-room-speakeasy/

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/asheville-speakeasy-house-for-sale-36899515