Did you know that nearly 34% of burglars enter a home through the front door? With statistics like that, it’s no wonder more people are looking for clever ways to hide their valuables. But where do you even hide your valuables? Here are some DIY hacks to help you out.

Are Hidden Safes Better Than Regular Safes?

 

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The main advantage of a hidden safe is that it doesn’t look like a safe at all. Burglars are typically in a hurry, grabbing what they can see and moving on quickly. If your valuables are tucked away in a spot that doesn’t really look like a "safe," there’s a good chance they’ll go unnoticed.

Regular safes, on the other hand, if they're sturdy and locked tight can draw attention and are obviously the target for most thieves. They can see it, and they might try to crack it or even take the whole thing with them.

Hidden Safe Ideas and How to Make Them

 

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Here's how to make a hidden safe:

Step 1: Choose Your Spot

First, decide where you want to hide your safe. Think about places that are less obvious but still easily accessible to you. Everyday items or among more hidden places like under floorboards, basements, attics, inside furniture, or other hidden compartments that are not super obvious are great hiding spots. This will all depend on the type of safe you choose to make. 

Make sure it blends in with the surroundings. For instance, if you're making a hidden book safe, you can hide it in the library or with your other books. If it's just a simple electrical outlet safe, you can install it anywhere in the house where you won't typically use an outlet but make sure it does not look out of place. The key is to make it look as natural as possible, so avoid places that seem too “staged” or suspicious.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

For a simple DIY hidden safe, you can try making a book safe. For this, you'll need:

• A thick, hardcover book (preferably one you’re not planning to read)
• A box cutter or utility knife
• A ruler and pencil
• Mod Podge or hot glue
• A brush

If you’re going for a more advanced option, like a fake electrical outlet, you might need:

• An unused electrical outlet cover
• A small storage box that fits inside the wall
• A screwdriver and drywall saw

Step 3: Prepare the Hiding Spot

Hollow Book Safe:

• For the hollow book safe, open the book and leave about 10 pages uncut at the beginning to create a natural look. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a rectangle on the first page you want to cut. This will be the outline of your secret compartment.
• Carefully use the box cutter to cut along the lines you’ve drawn. Cut through several pages at a time, making sure to stay within the lines. Pro tip: Use a weight to keep the pages from shifting as you cut, which will help keep your lines straight.
• Once you’ve cut deep enough to create a good hiding spot, it’s time to glue the pages together. Brush a layer of Mod Podge or white glue along the inside edges of the cut-out section, being careful not to glue the outside pages. Close the book and place a heavy object on top until the glue dries completely. Now keep your valuables hidden in the book safe.

Fake Electrical Outlet Safe:

• For the fake electrical outlet safe, pick a wall where a fake outlet wouldn’t look out of place, like near other outlets or in a less obvious location like a closet or pantry.
• Use the outlet cover as a guide to mark the size of the hole you’ll need to cut. Make sure to check for any electrical wiring behind the wall using a stud finder with electrical detection. Carefully cut the drywall using a drywall saw along the marked lines. Make sure the hole is just big enough for the storage box to fit snugly inside.
• Insert the small storage box into the wall. This box will act as your hidden compartment. Secure it in place with screws or adhesive, ensuring it’s firmly attached and won’t shift around.
• Place the unused electrical outlet cover over the hole, securing it with screws. Make sure it looks like a regular outlet to anyone who glances at it. Pro tip: Add a fake plug or a small amount of dust to make it look even more convincing!

Step 4: Conceal Your Safe

Now that your hidden safe is ready, all that’s left is to place it in its hiding spot. If you’re using a hollow book, place it among other books on a shelf. For a fake outlet, secure the box inside the wall and attach the outlet cover on top.

Step 5: Test It Out

Finally, test your hidden safe. Place something small inside, close it up, and make sure it blends in perfectly with its surroundings.

More Alternate Hidden Safe Ideas and How to Make Them

 

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If you’re looking for other creative ways to hide your valuables, there are plenty of options beyond books and outlets. Here are a few more ideas for hidden safes you can make at home: 

Hidden Wall Clock Safe

A hidden wall safe with a clock with a built-in compartment is a clever way to hide small valuables like emergency cash, a spare key, jewelry, or other precious items. Here’s how to make one:

Materials Needed:

• A large wall clock with a removable back
• Small storage container that fits inside the clock
• Screwdriver
• Strong adhesive or Velcro strips

Steps:

• Find a wall clock with a deep enough back to fit a small storage container. The back (hidden door) should be removable for easy access.
• Use strong adhesive, Velcro strips, or even rare earth magnets to attach the small storage container to the inside back of the clock. Make sure it’s securely fastened, but also easy to remove when you need access.
• Place the back of the clock over the storage container and secure it with screws. Hang the clock back on the wall, and it’s ready to go!

Hidden Safe in a Fake Air Vent

Air vents are common in most homes, making them a great spot for a hidden safe. Here’s how to make a fake air vent safe:

Materials Needed:

• Fake air vent cover (available at hardware stores)
• Small storage box
• Screwdriver
• Drywall saw
• Adhesive or screws

Steps:

• Choose a spot on a wall that would naturally have an air vent. Make sure it’s not near actual air ducts to avoid confusion or accidental interference.
• Use the vent cover as a template to mark where you’ll cut the hole in the drywall. Use a drywall saw to cut out the marked area. Make sure the hole is just big enough to fit the storage box snugly.
• Place the storage box into the hole. Secure it with adhesive or screws to ensure it stays in place.
• Place the fake vent cover over the hole, securing it with screws. The vent should look like a standard air vent.

Hidden Safe Inside a Large Candle

Candles are common decorative items, and hiding valuables inside a hollowed-out candle is an unexpected yet effective idea. Here's how to make one:

Materials Needed:

• Large pillar candle
• Candle warmer or oven
• Small metal or heatproof container
• Knife or candle drill

Steps:

• Place the candle on a warmer or in an oven set to a low temperature. Let it soften from the bottom up without melting completely.
• Once the wax is soft, carefully use a knife or candle drill to hollow out the inside of the candle. The cavity should be big enough for the small container.
• Place the heatproof container inside the hollowed-out space.
• Melt some leftover wax and pour it over the opening to seal the container inside. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely. To make it look untouched, use a hairdryer to soften the outer layer and smooth it over with your fingers.

Potted Plant Safe

Houseplants are everywhere in homes, which makes them a perfect place to hide a safe. Here’s how to make a hidden safe inside a fake houseplant pot:

Materials Needed:

• Fake plant
• Large pot with a false bottom
• Small storage box
• Potting soil or decorative stones (optional)

Steps:

• Find a pot with enough space to accommodate a false bottom and a small storage box. The pot should look natural and fit with your home’s décor.
• Measure the inside of the pot and cut a piece of sturdy cardboard or wood to create a false bottom. The false bottom should sit high enough to leave space underneath for the storage box.
• Put the storage box in the bottom of the pot. Cover it with the false bottom.
• Place the fake plant and fill the pot with potting soil or decorative stones.
• This is a great hiding spot for your kid's room or other bedrooms. Make sure only you know the hiding spot.

Hidden Safe in a Sofa or Chair

Furniture safes are a great way to hide larger valuables or even cash and documents. Here’s how to turn a sofa or chair into a hidden safe:

Materials Needed:

• Sofa or chair with a removable cushion or base
• Storage box or safe that fits underneath
• Upholstery staple remover (optional)
• Screwdriver or drill

Steps:

• Start by removing the seat cushion or fabric cover. Some sofas have removable bases or a false bottom drawer; if yours does, that’s even better.
• Once you have access to the hollow space inside, place the storage box or safe inside. Make sure it fits snugly and doesn’t move around when you sit on the sofa or chair.
• Put the seat cushion or base back in place. If you had to remove any staples or screws, put them back carefully.
• Sit down and make sure everything feels normal.

Summary

Hidden safes are a smart and affordable way to keep your valuables secure. With just a few common items and simple tools, you can create safe and hidden storage spots that protect your belongings from thieves. Whether you go for a book safe, a fake wall outlet, or hide something in furniture, the trick is to make your safe blend in with its surroundings.

Looking for a ready-made option? Check out Travah's diversion safes! They look like everyday items but have secret storage space to hide valuables in plain sight. They're perfect for keeping your belongings safe and out of sight. Shop with us today.