Hiding a safe: hidden safes and the best hiding spots

Need to keep valuables and important documents safe? A safe is perfect for this. The risk of unauthorized access is further reduced if the safe is hidden or securely installed. A hidden safe becomes virtually invisible to burglars.

Why hide a safe?

A safe already provides physical protection for your valuables. However, small, lightweight safes, in particular, can be easily stolen because they are less conspicuous to carry out of the house than larger models. Most safes can therefore be anchored, but even the best anchoring does not protect against being discovered.

Our many years of expertise as safe manufacturers allow us not only to offer high-quality safes but also to provide recommendations for effective hiding places. We have been supporting our customers with safe security since 1978. Our experts know the search patterns of thieves and can advise you on protecting your valuables, documents, and cash.

Camouflaged safes in walls, floors, and furniture

Built-in safes are installed directly into a structure, such as a wall, the floor, or furniture. Being nearly invisible, a camouflaged safe makes it much harder for a burglar to even discover the safe in the first place.

Hiding a safe in a wall

An effective method is installation in a wall. These so-called wall safes or masonry safes are specifically designed to be set in concrete within masonry. Wall safes are available in various security levels and sizes. Classically, a wall safe disappears behind a picture, although this exact hiding place is on the list of known locations further down for good reason.

Hiding a safe in furniture

A discreet solution is installation in furniture, such as cabinets or chests of drawers. Beforehand, it is checked how best to install the safe; it is usually also anchored to the floor or wall. A subcategory of the furniture safe is the drawer safe. It is suitable for smaller valuables like watches or jewelry. Most models are designed so that the handle lies flat and the hinges point inward, making the safe easy to install in a cabinet.

Hiding a safe in the floor

Those who have the space can have their safe installed in the floor. Special floor safes are designed for this purpose. They are permanently installed in the floor and opened upwards with a flap. To ensure the weight of the door does not make opening difficult, bolts are installed that push the door upwards. Especially practical: The safe can be covered with a carpet or pieces of furniture. Floor safes are available in various versions in terms of security level, size, and color.

Other camouflaged safes

A tubular safe offers a space-saving way to protect small items. These are small, round, and elongated safes that are also installed in the wall. Another option is a vault door. Behind this, valuables can be kept safely in an entire room.

Three ideal hiding places and four bad ones

Even if permanent installation is not possible, such as in rental properties, there are options to camouflage the safe. These general criteria apply to every location:

• The safe should not be visible directly through a window.
• Ideally, the safe should be anchored to the wall or floor.
• The safe should not be in a permanently damp environment; this prevents defects in the lock.

Hiding place 1: old fuse boxes or PC cases

A fuse box that is no longer in use or an old PC case offers a discreet possibility. These are particularly suitable for smaller models that can be hidden easily and unobtrusively.

Hiding place 2: setting up a fake safe

To distract from the actual hidden safe, you can set up a decoy safe. This can be a small, inexpensive model with a low security level that you place in an obvious location and fill with items of little value. A good place for this is the bedroom, as burglars generally search under the bed and in closets there. If this safe is stolen, the burglar leaves empty-handed.

Hiding place 3: using niches and the home's unique features

A loose floorboard, a niche behind the refrigerator: use the features of your home. A hiding place behind large electrical appliances pays off in multiple ways.

• The safe can be anchored in the floor or wall.
• Unused, dead space is used meaningfully.
• Burglars value speed: moving a heavy piece of furniture is loud and time-consuming.

The safe key also requires a suitable hiding place. A tubular safe with a combination lock, a safe of the same security rating for key storage, or special key safes are suitable for this purpose.

Where thieves search first

During our time in the security industry, we have gained extensive experience. These locations are unsuitable as hiding places:

• Wardrobe in the bedroom. This is where burglars expect to find valuables.
• Behind pictures. A well-known hiding place, especially for wall safes.
• Unanchored in cupboards. A furniture safe without anchoring is quickly taken away.
• Drawers. They are one of the first targets and are searched quickly.

The most recommended safes and locks

The most inconspicuous models are those that can be firmly anchored, have a higher weight, or are built into a wall, floor, or furniture. Wall safes are also recommended because they can be walled in. Even if they are discovered, it is very difficult to pry the safe out of the wall.

For locks, electronic combination locks like the Stellar basic or the Kaba Mauer B90 are recommended. They are also recommended by the police because there is no physical key that can be stolen. Guessing a numerical combination is more laborious than finding a key. Safe locks are subject to strict rules and high security standards.

Summary

• The better a safe is hidden, the harder it is to discover.
• Lightweight safes should be anchored in the wall or floor even when hidden.
• Choose locations that are not on the search list.
• Ensure an adequate rating; we recommend at least resistance grade 0.