There are multiple reasons for wanting to know how to lock a bedroom door from the outside. First and foremost, privacy and security. Your bedroom should be a sacred space, so no wonder you don’t want people snooping around your stuff.
Besides, preventing burglary should be a top priority for any house owner. A home burglary occurs every 30.5 seconds, according to the FBI. On the other hand, you may live with a disabled or elderly person that you may want to keep within a certain perimeter. Or maybe you just want kids outside your room during a party.
In any case, we bring good news. You can lock a bedroom door from the outside. How? To answer your questions, in this article, we will show you how to lock a bedroom door from the outside. We will start with quick, temporary, and zero-money solutions. Then we will advance to more elaborate ones for a more permanent fix. Let’s get started!
Easy DYI Locks For Short-Term Security
1. Angle Hexagon Keys
This is the best free way to lock a door from the outside. Take the angle hexagon keys, and cover them with paper. Attach the keys with the paper to the handle with elastic bands. This will protect the door handle from scratches. After this preparation, watch the video that follows. Trust me; it is much better than me trying to explain something you will understand much better visually.
2. Chair
This is an obvious one. If you have a chair (which I’m pretty sure you do), you can block the door to keep it from moving. Needless to say, this is a temporary solution, and anyone can surpass this Firewall. Not like it’s the Great Wall of China.
3. Doorstop
Although doorstops are usually used to prevent doors from closing, you can use them to block them from opening. Simply place your doorstop in front of the door, and voilá, it is done. Remember that anyone who applies a slightly elevated force will be able to enter the bedroom.
4. Belt or Rope
This one is especially useful if you have french doors (two doors that close together in the middle). If so, you must pull both doors together and attach the belt to both door handles. After this is done, secure the belt, and you can leave, knowing this is one of the worst ways to lock your door. Seriously, you can do better than this.
All in all, these are some cheap ways to lock your door from the outside without spending money. However, I would not advise going through with them. You should not mess with security. If there is anything money is worth spending is on security. So do yourself a favor and skip to the following paragraphs. You will not be disappointed.
How to Lock a Bedroom Door From the Outside: The Real Deal
1. Replace the door handle with a keyed one
The first obvious solution is to replace the door handle with a keyed one. Although it will require some time and effort, it is the best permanent solution to lock the bedroom door from the outside and add a layer of security to your bedroom. Here is a keyed door lock we like. Because we do not want to keep you reading a confusing description of how to pull this off, this video will guide you all the way through the process.
2. Installing a Keypad Lock
One of the best ways to lock a door from the outside is to install a keypad lock. However, I would advise you to choose one that also opens with a key. The keypad operates with a battery, so if the battery dies, it is better to be safe than sorry. You would be surprised how many people I have seen that cannot enter their dorm room due to a dead battery. We recommend this keypad lock, which has some great reviews and is cheap.
3. Installing an X-lock
X-lock is a security tool designed to lock doors from the outside. With this baby, your bedroom is safe from burglars. The major drawback is that it requires you to mount it every time you leave your room. You don’t want to do that when you are already twenty minutes late for your appointment, right?
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have provided you with both easy DYI short fixes for locking a bedroom door from the outside and more advanced and permanent ones. We strongly advise you to follow the second category, as these solutions are safer and will stay that way in the long run.
Most importantly, we recommend you evaluate your door lock and assess which solution is best for you. Always consult a professional if you are unsure about what you are doing. If you have further questions or solutions to this problem, comment below!
FAQs
Can you lock a bedroom door from the outside?
Yes, it is possible to lock a bedroom door from the outside with the right type of lock. Several types of locks can be installed on a bedroom door that allows you to lock the door from the outside, such as a keyed lock or a deadbolt.
How do you make a homemade bedroom door lock?
As discussed in the article, you can make a homemade bedroom door lock with angle hexagon keys, a chair, a doorstop, a belt, or a rope. Remember that these are only temporary solutions and won’t solve your long-term problem.
How do you lock a bedroom door from the outside with a deadbolt?
To lock a bedroom door from the outside using a deadbolt:
- Install a deadbolt on the bedroom door.
- Turn the thumbturn on the inside of the door or use a key on the outside to lock the deadbolt.
- To unlock the door, use the key or turn the thumbturn on the inside of the door.
Is it legal to lock a bedroom door from the outside in an apartment?
In most cases, it is not illegal to lock a bedroom door from the outside in an apartment. However, it is important to check with your local building codes and ordinances to ensure that you follow applicable regulations. Additionally, you should ensure that you are not preventing anyone from exiting the room in an emergency.
It’s also a good idea to check with your landlord or the apartment building owner to see if there are any specific rules or regulations regarding locking bedroom doors. Some landlords may have policies that prohibit tenants from installing certain types of locks or may require that all locks be approved by the landlord.
