How to Make a DIY Book Safe

By
Rita Shehan
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Rita Shehan
Rita Shehan is a crafting expert and writer focusing on paper crafts. She shares over a decade of paper crafts experience, including quilling, origami, scrapbooking, paper flower creations, and designing invitations. Rita is also the founder of the website EasyPaperCrafts.com.
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Updated on 08/07/20
Black Felt LIned Book Safe

Jeffrey Coolidge / The Image Bank / Getty Images

 

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 4 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Do you have some jewelry or cash in the house that you wish to hide? An excellent solution is a do it yourself book safe. It is a paper craft project that is fast and super easy to make.

A handmade book safe is thrifty too. Everyone has some books in their homes that are outdated, and if you don't, you can find one at a yard sale for pennies. Most of the supplies needed for a DIY book safe are items that you also probably already have on hand at home. Another plus to making this clever hiding space is that a DIY book safe is cheaper than having a wall safe installed in your home. It only takes a few hours of your time to build and gives you peace of mind knowing that your valuables are hidden and safe in your home.

A book safe is a project that is also perfect for older kids! They will love the "secrecy" involved with making a book safe and have a lot of fun at the same time. Older children also have little valuables that they wish to hide from prying eyes. It is a perfect project for boys and girls ages 10 and up.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Metal ruler
  • Pen or pencil
  • Masking or painters tape
  • Utility knife
  • Small paintbrush
  • Gym weights or other heavy objects
  • Electric drill (optional)
  • Garbage or grocery bags

Materials

  • Old book
  • Mod Podge or white craft glue
  • Wax paper
  • Black felt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut a Square Hole into Your Book Pages

    Open the book to somewhere between page 50 to 100. Cover the first 50 to 100 loose pages, front cover and back cover of the book with plastic garbage or grocery bags and tape them securely in place.

    Measure 1 inch from the edge of the top page not covered with plastic and draw a rectangle cutting template with a pen and ruler.

    Apply Mod Podge or white glue liberally with a paintbrush to the outside edges of the book. Allow the book to dry.

    Tip

    If you wish to have sharp inside corners, use a drill with a medium size bit and drill a hole on each of the four corners of the template.The holes will help when cutting corners with the utility knife. Be careful not to drill through the back cover.

    Use a metal ruler and utility knife to trim the inside of the book. Take your time when cutting out the inner portions of the book. The more your rush, the better the chances of having ragged edges.

    Remove the cut squares from the center of the book and discard.

    Continue cutting out the center of the book until you have a square hole as in the photo above.

    Warning

    Always remember to use common sense with cutting with a utility knife. Make sure to protect your fingers and hand to avoid injury.

    Book Safe
    Andrew Paterson/Photographers Choice/Getty Images

  2. Apply Mod Podge to the Edges of the Book

    Apply Mod Podge or glue liberally with a paintbrush to the inside pages and cut edges of the book. The bottom portion of the book will be glued together and form a box type structure.

    Place a sheet of wax paper over the glued portion of the book. Close the book shut and put something heavy on the book to weigh it down. Allow the book to dry for 24 hours

    Tip

    You may line the inside of the book with extra paper as in the photo above or if you wish to add a bit of elegance and line the center hole with black felt.

    A book safe lined with paper
    Michael Hiemstra/.flickr.com

  3. Hide Your Finished Book on a Shelf

    When the book is totally dry, you will be able to use it as a place to hide your valuables. Put the book on a bookshelf in between other books and no one will ever guess that you have hidden valuable objects on your shelf.

    book shelves filled with books
    Alfredo Lietor / EyeEm/Getty Images