There are many reasons why someone may want to hide a safe in their house. Perhaps you have valuable items like jewelry, cash, or important documents that you want to keep secure but not easily found. Or maybe you are concerned about theft and want to make sure your valuables are well hidden. Whatever your motivation, hiding a safe in your home can be done discretely if you follow some key tips. In this article, we will explore the best practices for concealing a safe, the pros and cons of various hiding spots, what to look for in a hidden safe, and other considerations when choosing where and how to hide your safe. With the right approach, you can keep your valuables secure and hidden from prying eyes.
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Quick Tips for Hiding a Safe
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind when hiding a safe:
- Choose an inconspicuous location like a closet, basement, or attic.
- Conceal the safe behind furniture, artwork, mirrors, or other decor.
- Disguise the safe as a household object like an ottoman or bookcase.
- Make sure the location is accessible to you but not guests.
- Avoid hiding places that require moving heavy objects or demolition.
- Mount the safe securely to the floor or wall.
- Use a high-quality safe with sturdy construction.
Following these basic principles will allow you to hide your safe securely without it being easily discovered. Now let’s go over some of the best spots to conceal a safe in more detail.
Best Places to Hide a Safe
When choosing where to hide your safe, you want a location that is discreet but also easily accessible to you. Here are some of the top locations in a house to conceal a safe:
Basement
The basement offers lots of potential hiding spots. You can conceal a floor safe under a rug or coffee table. Or mount the safe on the ceiling or hidden behind basement storage shelves. Basements tend to be private, yet you can access them easily from inside the home. Just be sure your safe is waterproof if hiding it in a basement prone to flooding.
Closets
Closets provide discreet, private spaces to hide a safe behind clothes or shoes. Walk-in closets are ideal. Make sure the safe is bolted to the floor or wall so it can’t be removed. The back of a closet behind storage boxes is a great spot.
Attic
Like basements, attics provide secluded spaces to hide a safe. Conceal it under insulation or mount the safe between rafters or floorboards. Just be sure the safe is rustproof if hiding in a humid, leaky attic. Also, consider if you can conveniently access the attic to open the safe.
Behind Furniture
You can hide a small wall safe or floor safe behind furniture like a bookcase, wardrobe, armoire, or even large artwork or mirror. This disguise allows quick access while keeping the safe out of sight. Anchor furniture to the wall so it can’t be moved.
False Walls & Hidden Rooms
For the most covert concealment, build a false wall or hidden room or closet to stash your safe. While complicated to construct, this hides the safe’s existence entirely. Make sure the hidden space blends in seamlessly with your home’s layout.
Buried Underground
For the ultimate hidden safe, consider burying it underground in your yard or under a garden shed. Make sure to buy an airtight, watertight safe designed to be buried. Also, carefully map the location so you can access it when needed.
Considerations When Hiding a Safe
Here are some important factors to consider when concealing a safe:
- Accessibility: Pick a spot that is easy for you to access quickly but out of sight from guests or intruders.
- Security: The safe should be firmly anchored in place and have sturdy locks. A hidden location provides an extra level of security.
- Size: Choose a safe size appropriate for the hiding spot and valuables you want to store.
- Weight: Heavier safes offer more security but may require professional installation if mounted overhead or underground.
- Fire rating: Look for a fireproof safe to protect contents from heat and flames in a fire.
- Waterproofing: If hiding in the basement or outdoors, choose a water-resistant safe.
- Power supply: Safes with electronic locks require wiring for electricity.
Taking these factors into account will help select the right safe and optimal hiding place for your needs and home layout.
Installing a Hidden Safe
Once you choose the perfect location, take care in installing your hidden safe securely:
- Use included hardware like bolts to anchor a floor or wall safe in place.
- Hire a professional if needed for complex built-in or buried installations.
- Securely attach disguise elements like false walls or hidden doors.
- Test opening the safe to ensure easy accessibility.
- Maintain the disguise and surroundings to avoid revealing the safe.
Proper installation keeps your hidden safe secure as long as you own your home. Take measures to avoid tipping off house guests or service people to the safe’s existence.
Maintaining and Accessing Your Hidden Safe
Once your hidden safe is installed, be diligent about maintenance and access:
- Test the locks periodically to ensure smooth opening.
- Update passcodes or combinations if anyone else learns them.
- Check for water damage or rust if in a wet location.
- Have a backup plan to access valuables in an emergency.
- Inspect disguise elements to check nothing looks disturbed.
- Update maps or instructions if you move furniture or alter home layout.
With regular care, your hidden safe will remain secure. Limit knowledge of the safe’s location to trustworthy individuals only.
Types of Hidden Safes
Many styles of safes can be concealed around your home. Consider these popular types of hidden safes:
Diversion Safes
These are disguised to look like everyday objects like books, soda cans, candles, or household cleaners. They have a secret compartment to store small valuables.
Floor Safes
As the name implies, these safes are designed to be installed level with your floor. They can be topped with a rug, tile, or other flooring to conceal the safe discreetly.
Wall Safes
Wall safes can mount between studs or in custom compartments built into your home’s walls. Some have compartments hidden behind paintings or mirrors.
Furniture Safes
Hidden compartments can be built into furniture like desks, cabinets, nightstands, benches, or headboards to stash a safe.
Underground Safes
For the most covert option, outdoor safes allow discreet burial underground while still offering fire and water resistance.
Choosing the right style helps the safe blend seamlessly into your home’s decor.
Home Security Alternatives to Hidden Safes
While hidden safes are very discreet, they aren’t your only option for protecting valuables. Consider these other home security measures:
- A locked file cabinet, gun safe, or valuables locker in a closet or private room.
- A locked mailbox near your home to receive deliveries securely.
- A monitored home alarm system connected to an alarm company.
- Motion activated security cameras around your property.
- Reinforced entryways like metal doors and deadbolt locks.
- A high-quality electronic safe in a basement, closet, or bedroom.
- A bank safety deposit box to store critical documents offsite.
A layered approach using multiple techniques enhances home security. A hidden safe adds an extra level of protection for your most critical or valuable items.
Summary
Hiding a safe in your home keeps your valuables discretely secured and easily accessible to you. Carefully choose a concealed spot like the basement, closet, attic, or under furniture. Look for an inconspicuous location that blends into your home’s layout. Consider the size, security features, and fire/water proofing you need when selecting a hidden safe. Properly install the safe and maintain its disguise. Limit knowledge of the safe’s existence to trusted individuals only. With careful planning, a hidden safe allows peace of mind knowing your valuables are secretly stashed close at hand yet secure from theft or damage.