How to 'hide' safe from view

[57vroom]

What are some thoughts on how to hide a burglar & fire safe so that it is not visible?

In my specific case I am going help a friend who is planningt to locate a 33" tall safe in the basement under the stairway that is already finished, so I will in essence be cutting a hole in the drywall and sliding the safe in. The safe company advised to leave 2" clearance on each side and 3" on the top to allow installation, but I would like to have the structure back in place to allow for whatever design we go with to cover/ conceal/ hide the safe.

I have thought of a picture frame on the wall with trim and then a panel over it on magnetic push-push devices, but not sure this is the best idea? I want to make sure he has the ability to open the safe door as wide as possible [approx 240 degrees] to allow full access.

Appreciate any help, links, thoughts!

 

[Gunnerboy]

In my old bedroom i had wood panels like 1x6 pine boards that panelled the walls and at a certain spot in the wall was a door that led to another room basically i used those kitchen cabinet magnet locks and put one on that door and when you press against it the door opens up and then you could close it behind you. so something like that might work that and the wood paneling adds a classy touch.

 

[SDC]

Out of sight is out of mind; why not park a short bookcase on rolling casters in front of the opening, and with a solid back to the bookcase, it's doubtful that anyone would even bother looking twice?

 

[Dnaltrop]

I like good hinges

http://www.soss.com/ Inset, invisible... cover the edges of your hidden wall with molding to disguise the seam.

Also, I don't know how well it will work, as no-one who has broken into my house has managed that extensive a search, but a cheap, small safe, half filled with concrete and thrift-store silverware is my "easy" bait safe in semi-plain view.

Everyone should build secret passages in their house, let the next owner make up their own stories about where they came from.

 

[rcmodel]

Put some fake sewer drain pipe & waste clean-out stickers on it.

No burglar in his right mind will mess with a sewer drain pipe I betcha!!

rc

 

[57vroom]

I will have to look more into those hinges, they do look interesting!

How do I figure out how close I have to leave his safe to the finish opening, and thus it helps determine the width, to allow the safe door itself to swing as required? This unit has external hinges that project forward approximately 1 3/4" from the face of the door.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

There was a thread on here about disguising it as a water heater or other utility. Very Clever!

I also like the rolling bookcase idea.

 

[Vgun]

http://hiddendoors.com/

This concept is what I am looking at.

 

[Dnaltrop]

If it swings out, you can have it nearly flush with the safe behind, even to nearly emulating a Safe-behind-the-painting with a false wall instead of art. Just have the fit snug and locked down so when the thief stumbles picking up the easy bait 'score" they don't discover the good stuff.

Oh yes, and if possible, insulate the other side, you don't want that hollow sound.