When most people think about a book safe, they picture stacks of cash, spare change, or maybe a few bits of jewellery tucked inside.

And yes – those are great options.

But, if you’ve got one sitting on your shelf (or you’re thinking about getting one), there’s a whole world of clever, practical, and sometimes surprisingly sentimental things you can store inside.

Whether you’re after hidden storage ideas or just wondering what to store in a book safe, here are some creative options you might not have thought of yet.

1. Important travel documents (that you don’t need every day)

Passports are the obvious one, but they’re not the only travel item worth hiding safely at home.

Think:

· Travel insurance documents

· Spare passport photos

· Printed itineraries

· Vaccination records

· Emergency contact lists

A book safe keeps these items out of sight but still easy to grab when you need them.

If you’ve already read my passport storage guide, you’ll know how handy this setup can be.

2. Spare house keys (for the people who need them)

A book safe isn’t ideal for your personal lockout key, because if you’re stuck outside, it’s not going to help much sitting on a bookshelf.

Where it does work beautifully is for keys you want stored safely indoors, but not floating around the house.

For example:

· A spare key for a cleaner or dog walker

· A backup key for a neighbour to borrow when they need

· A key you only hand to guests occasionally

· A copy of your garage or shed key

· The mysterious key you don’t use often, but don’t want to lose

It keeps these keys:

· Easy for you to find

· Not sitting in obvious bowls or drawers

· Out of sight if visitors are around

Hidden storage isn’t always about emergencies; sometimes it’s just about keeping everyday things organised and secure.

3. USB drives and digital backups

We store so much of our lives digitally now: family photos, tax records, business documents, creative work.

A small USB or external drive fits perfectly inside a book safe and keeps those backups:

· Dust-free

· Easy to find

· Not sitting in plain sight on your desk

If you run a small business or do freelance work, this one’s a no-brainer.

4. Sentimental letters and personal keepsakes

Not everything valuable has a price tag.

Book safes are ideal for storing:

· Old love letters

· Cards from loved ones

· Childhood drawings from your kids

· Notes from people you’ve lost

Unlike a big storage box in the wardrobe, a book safe keeps these things accessible without being on display.

It’s a quiet little memory box hiding in plain sight.

5. Emergency contact info and household documents

Most homes have that one messy drawer full of paperwork nobody can ever find when it matters.

A book safe can be the opposite of that drawer.

You might store:

· Printed emergency contacts

· Copies of ID

· Home insurance details

· Deeds to the house

· A small list of passwords (if you prefer a physical backup)

· Medical info for family members

It’s the kind of setup that feels unnecessary, until the day it really isn’t.

6. Medication you want out of reach (but not forgotten)

If you have medications that shouldn’t be easily accessible, for kids, visitors, or just everyday privacy, a book safe is a neat solution.

It keeps things:

· Out of sight

· Organised

· Still easy for you to access

This can be especially helpful for:

· Prescription meds

· Emergency medication

· Scripts

· Backup inhalers or EpiPens

7. Airbnb or guest house info pack

If you host guests, you probably have things you don’t want permanently on display but still need to keep organised.

A book safe can hold:

· Spare keys

· Wi-Fi backup cards

· Printed guest instructions

· Emergency numbers

· Replacement key fobs

It keeps everything in one place and looks far nicer than a labelled envelope shoved in a drawer.

8. A ‘just in case’ emergency fund

Not your main savings, but a small stash for unexpected moments.

Think:

· Taxi money if your phone dies

· Backup grocery cash

· Emergency pet expenses

· Storm or blackout supplies

Because it’s hidden in plain sight, it’s far less tempting to dip into than the cash in your wallet.

9. Small valuables you don’t wear every day

Jewellery might be the obvious one, but this goes beyond the fancy stuff.

You might store:

· Watches you rotate seasonally

· Spare glasses

· Heirloom pieces

· Items waiting to be repaired

A book safe works especially well if you don’t want a bulky jewellery box sitting out.

10. Your personal ‘calm kit’

This one’s a bit different, but surprisingly popular.

Some people use their book safe as a tiny personal retreat box filled with:

· A favourite photo

· A meaningful note

· Chocolate or treats

· A crystal or token

· A journal page

· A reminder of goals or plans

It’s not about hiding valuables, it’s about keeping something grounding nearby.

And there’s something fitting about keeping that inside a book.

Why book safes work so well for hidden storage

The beauty of a book safe isn’t just that it hides things. It’s that it does it quietly.

No bulky lockboxes. No obvious security gadgets. Just something that looks like it belongs on your shelf.

If you’re exploring hidden storage ideas, this is one of the few options that’s both practical and genuinely decorative.

You can browse the handmade book safes here if you’re thinking about adding on to your shelf.

A book safe isn’t just about protecting valuables, it’s about creating a small, organised space for the things that matter, whether they’re practical, personal, or somewhere in between.

Once you start using one, you’ll probably find yourself wondering how you managed without it.

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Clever things to hide in a book safe