Having a gun safe is one thing, but having a gun safe hidden from unwanted eyes, just adds that extra layer of security.
The reasons for hiding a gun safe, are plenty. A full-length 52-inch gun safe standing in a corner of the living room, prancing with its 14-gauge steel and 15,600 cubic inches of volume, might be very secure and a good idea to store all your hunting rifles, but it might not portray the correct level of discreetness required for other types of guns.
Luckily for us, there are numerous alternative options available.
What are my options?
Depending on your needs you might opt for Hidden Gun Safe Furniture like a coffee table or cabinet. You might even choose to go for a Hidden Wall Safe or a Floor Safe. Another type of concealed gun safe to consider is a Hidden Mirror Gun Safe. All these, except for the floor safe, are usually big enough to store a rifle or shotgun and some ammo.
Diversion Safes work great for Handguns. These type of safes are smaller and as a result, you can easily hide it in plain sight. Imagination is the only limit. Examples include Book Safe, Clock Safe, Photo Frame Safe and even a Pillow Safe.
Access to your hidden gun safe.
Ideally, you would like to have the safe easily accessible. In case of a home invasion, you don’t want to be running from one room to the other for your gun. Moving heavy furniture around to get to the safe is also not advisable. It’s no use having it in the attic or basement when a conventional safe will then offer better security in those circumstances.
Hidden Gun Safes generally don’t offer space for more than one gun, but you will most likely be able to stash a mag, ammo and maybe a torch in it as well.
If you have more that one gun, it makes perfect sense to also have more than one hidden gun safe. Due to the limited capacity of these safes, you can easily spread your arsenal around the house. This way, you will be ready and able to defend yourself, no matter where the intruders surprise you.
Important to remember!
Besides from being hidden, Furniture Safes and Diversion Safes, typically don’t offer much more security and burglar-proof features.
Once perpetrators know the location of your hiding spot, access to your safe’s contents is easy. Therefore, the fewer people know about the features of your newly purchased coffee table, the better.
Depending on your state and jurisdiction you reside in, firearm storage laws may apply. You may need to especially consider these laws and also who have regular access to your safe.
Most of these safes are also not fire and waterproof. If it doesn’t specifically meat the appropriate requirements set, it will offer little to no protection against these elements. Think about it, a wooden cabinet or plastic wall clock has never been known for there fire retardant capabilities.
Diversion safes can easily be carried away due to their small size. Since it’s not locked away, one of the pros, hiding in plain sight, can be a con as well. If it’s discovered, it’s gone.
I have hidden my safe perfectly…..or did I?
Just because you have a hidden gun safe, doesn’t mean that no one will ever find it. Let’s look at the following:
- My new gun safe is branded with “Best in the West Gun Safe Makers”. – It would be really counterproductive to go through all the trouble of getting a hidden safe and then it advertises itself as a gun safe. Remove all stickers and branding of this kind.
- My new book safe fits in nicely with my current library. – Make sure that your new Gun Safe fits it with your current decor. Don’t make it too obvious that something is out of place.
- I’m so excited about my new purchase, I have shown it to all my friends already. – You don’t know how many other people your “friends” have told about how good you hide your guns. Someone might be up for the challenge to try and find them. Unless you trust someone with your life, DON’T tell anybody!
- My house has plenty of empty ammo boxes lying around. – This is a sure way to let intruders know that there is at least one gun in the house. Even if you throw it in the trash outside, someone could go through it. Dispose of all the empty boxes properly or even better, dispose of them off-site.
- I have all the issues of Guns and Ammo and Recoil on display. – Now I know, not much can beat the excitement of getting the latest issue of your favourite magazine and reading all about what is happing and all the new “toys” out there. But by having these types of clues lying around could also indicate to intruders that there might be a gun somewhere in the house. Consider maybe getting the online version.
My list of best hidden gun safe ideas:
In my search for clever ideas for hiding a gun, I have spent a considerable amount of time reading countless articles and scanning webpages to compile the list below.
Most ideas listed can be purchased either directly from the manufacturers website or through well known e-commerce platforms.
Furniture safes
Sliding Top Concealment Coffee Table
For quick access, this uniquely designed, US-made coffee table has a sliding tabletop. in addition, the heavy-duty, full extension drawer slides contribute to the superior quality of workmanship.
The 48″x24″x5.5″ deep foam-lined interior offers enough room for a shotgun or rifle and a handgun with some ammo and magazines.
One can upgrade the standard lock to a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Lock. RFID Locks utilize a transponder and receiver to restrict access to unwanted people but still ensure quick access when needed.
This hidden gun coffee table comes in an array of customized finishes to blend in with your current furniture and style. The manufacturer, Liberty Home Concealment also offers curbside delivery depending on your location
The coffee table comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
End Table/Night Stand Concealment Furniture
Manufactured in the US by one of the leading tactical furniture manufacturers, Tactical Walls, these tables offer the perfect place to hide a handgun some ammo and a magazine or two in plain sight.
The Magnetic locking system keeps your valuables safe until needed. Once unlocked the tray drops from the bottom while two dampers assist with the sliding of the tray to perfectly present the tray’s contents. The table comes with two magnetic keys and both are needed to open the safe. Placing them on two specific places on top of the table and then tapping the bottom of the tray to unlock.
The storage compartment is 14″ x 11 3/4″ x 2″ and comes with a medium density foam insert which you can cut yourself to fit any item you wish.
It’s advisable to check, before purchasing, the dimensions against the intended usage and location. While both the Night Stand and End Table has a table surface of 23″L x 23″W the Night Stand has a hight of 31″ and the End Table 25″. This might make the end table better suited as a bedside table.
Diversion safes
Hidden Gun Concealment Lamp
The internal space of 8″ x 6.5″ features an internal shelf and enough room to fit most modern pistols. This is the perfect hidden gun lamp for either the sitting room or bedroom.
The hinged door with magnetic lock ensures quick access when needed. For extra security, an RFID lock upgrade is also available.
The lamp is available in 10 different colors to suit your current decor style and can be purchased directly from Liberty Home Concealment.
The manufacturer offers a limited lifetime warranty on the concealment lamp and will deliver to your curbside, depending on your location.
Wall Art
Wall art is another fine product range from one of the top hidden gun furniture manufacturers in the country. Liberty Home Concealment proudly make this from US-sourced materials when available.
The Kaizen closed cell foam insert is strong, resilient and durable. It can easily be customized to fit any of your weapons, ammo, mags and whatever you want to keep snugly stashed away and neatly organized.
If you require a little bit more security than what the standard magnetic lock for this wall-mounted hidden gun safe offers, you can always upgrade it to a digital RFID lock.
Various sizes and designs are available and for custom stencil designs, it would, therefore, be best to contact the manufacturer directly. Customer reviews indicate that their excellent service and high-quality work will ensure customer satisfaction.
Tissue Box Gun Concealment
Who would think that you hide a gun in a fully functional tissue box? Perfectly hiding your gun in plain sight.
The box is made out of plastic with a wooden finish and with a 9″ x 4.75″ x 1.5″ foam insert. You can custom cut the foam to consequently fit most handguns. Further, if you wish, you can even fit an extra mag as well.
The small portable size makes it easy to carry with you from room to room, in other words, making it available wherever you might think you need it. The downside, if anyone else knows about this, they can easily carry it away.
To gain access to your gun is as easy as picking up the top. The box has no lock so if you have kids in the house this might not be a suitable option for you.
You can buy this tissue box directly from the manufacturer, Tactical walls and from gunsafes.com
Floating shelf gun safe
Floating shelves are another inconspicuous hiding place to keep your rifle, handgun and other accessories secure and discreet. It fits in perfectly with other non-tactical shelves.
Tactical Walls achieve the superior craftsmanship these shelves offer by only using furniture grade 9-ply birch plywood and other solid hardwoods.
Access to the secret compartment can be obtained by placing the magnetic keys at specific places on or below the shelf, depending on your model. It might take some getting use to, but once you have practised it a bit, you will have no problem to open your safe quickly. Once unlocked, a light press at the bottom of the shelf will then lower the hidden compartment to reveal the contents. The tray is supported by pneumatic struts ensuring the smooth operation of the tray.
The shelf comes fully assembled which makes installation a breeze. Even if you don’t consider yourself the DIY type. The shelves are designed to fit a standard 2″ x 4″ stud frame. For a steel stud structure, however, you might need additional steel stud fasteners which are not included.
To assist with sturdiness and added support, the large and medium-size shelves come with 2 brackets. The brackets should be installed on top of the shelf, also acting as bookends.
Inside the tray, you can insert the medium density foam which comes blank with your purchase. You can custom cut the foam to fit the desired contents.
Additional Info
The small 8″ x 12″ and medium 8″ x 25″ shelves have a weight limit of 10lb inside and on the shelf. The Large 12″ x 24″ shelf, however, can carry 20lb inside and 20lb on the shelf.
The small 812 shelf has more than enough space to fit 1 handgun and an extra mag while the 825 model can comfortably fit 2 handguns and some additional mags or a flashlight. The large 1242 model, on the other hand, can hold a rifle like an AR-15 and a pistol with an extra mag for each. You’ll also be able to easily fit some additional accessories in this one.
There are 9 different color options to choose from. Then depending on the amount of details you need, the two trim options available are, standard and rope. You also have the option to fit L.E.D. lights which use a motion sensor to illuminate the inside.
All available from Tactical walls and from gunsafes.com
Book safe
These clever book safes are so inconspicuous that no one will even notice that it’s not a real book until they try and read it.
I’m sure we all have seen a movie or TV show where this type of diversion safe has been used. I’m thinking, for instance, Scofield using a hollowed-out book to hide his custom made tool he used to break out of his cell in Prison Break.
Book safes come in various shapes and sizes to blend in with any library. You can store basically anything that will fit in it, from your gun to medicine, cash, jewellery, spare keys and maybe even your favourite chocolate you don’t want anyone to know of.
Some book safes are actual books that are hollowed out. You can even do this yourself. Others are specially made and can be locked with either a key or combination lock.
Book Safes are great for any household or office and most are relatively cheap and readily available from online stores.
Check out Secret Storage Books for some great book safes.
Photo Frame Gun Safe
This stylish piece of art with its magnetic lock will keep your handgun safely hidden and out of sight but still readily available.
Whether you want to display your photos on a tabletop or in your wall unit or hang it on the wall, this product has you covered. It can stand on its own or it can be cut into a wall for a flush-mounted look.
It comes in 3 common sizes to ensure that your photos of your cherished memories will be able to fit.
Another great feature that contributes to the quality workmanship, is the ball-bearing slides. The slides give the frame a smooth open and closing action.
A satisfied customer who bought the 8×10 model used it to store a smaller Glock and two mags but claims that they could easily fit the Glock plus a revolver.
Liberty Home Concealment manufacture these photo frame safes in various finishes and its best to check out their site for all their latest offerings on this.
Pillow gun safe
What a great idea, a personal pillow with a secret compartment to protect your valuables.
Although you can’t actually lock the compartment it does snap shut to keep the contents inside while still easily accessible.
The hidden compartment works well to store anything you might need to protect yourself while in bed like a handgun, pepper spray or stun gun. You can even use it for other valuables like cash, cellphone, tablet, jewellery or anything else that fit in the space.
Built with comfort and convenience in mind this pillow can actually be used as an everyday pillow. The custom rolled polyfill allows you to sleep on the pillow without feeling the contents inside.
The pillow fits standard size pillowcases which are not included. Although the pillow itself is washable, it’s advisable to use your own pillowcase or pillow sham as the opening to the hidden compartment is rather visible without one.
Mirror gun safe
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Traditional gun safes
With traditional gun safes, I mean, safes that comply with a certain set of criteria. These safes must have a degree of being burglar and tamper-resistant. They should also have a locking system. The lock may either be Key, Combination, electronic or Bio-metric. It can even have a combination of two or more of these systems.
Firstly, these safes are typically manufactured with walls and a door of thick reinforced steel. Secondly, it has a minimum of three steel locking bolts. And finally, the bolts are operated by a separate handle and secured by the lock.
Vehicle Gun Safes
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Thanks for the post. I have a gun safe but I am finding ideas about where to place it. I read your post and I think these Ideas will help me. Thanks again.