The ideal gun safe is a sanctuary for your firearms and a fortress for your freedom sticks. But let’s be honest, some of these safes are as bare as a college dorm room before the posters go up.
And like a dorm room, the inside of your gun safe needs some serious customization. I’m not talking about slapping some LED lights and calling it a day; I mean a detailed, well-thought-out plan to maximize space, organization, and security.
Grab a drink and sit tight; you’re about to become acquainted with all of the gun safe interior ideas you need to know to take your organization to another level!
Why Customize Your Gun Safe?
Let’s get real: the “one size fits all” approach is great for shower caps but utterly useless for gun safes. Whether you’ve got a collection that rivals John Wick or you’re just starting out with a humble 9mm, a customized gun safe is the Fort Knox for your arsenal.
We’re talking about tailored solutions that not only ensure top-notch security but also make your gear easily accessible. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to spend half an hour juggling guns and ammo when you could be at the range already.
Gun Safe Interior Ideas Checklist
Customizing your gun safe isn’t just about functionality; it’s also about style. There’s a sense of satisfaction in opening your safe to reveal a neatly organized and visually appealing interior. It’s like a treasure chest for gun enthusiasts.
Planning is Everything
Before you bust out the toolkit, you’ve got to lay down a plan. List out what you’re going to store in the safe—guns, ammo, scopes, documents, zombie apocalypse survival kit, you name it.
Also, measure your safe’s internal dimensions to the dot. This is where you start laying down your grand vision.
Maximize Space
Some of these safes are like Manhattan apartments—ridiculously expensive and never enough space. Customizing helps you make the most out of every inch.
Every safe can benefit from some basic gun safe accessories, even some of the more expensive models, but the budget-friendly models typically lack features for organizing the empty space inside and many don’t have pocketed door panel storage built in.
Security
Customization also includes making sure your firearms are more secure. Adding additional layers of security can prevent accidents or unauthorized access. Alarm systems can alert you to tampering in real time with the use of motion sensors and bump detection.
Installing a motion-activated wireless camera inside the safe adds an additional layer of security by recording anyone who happens to gain access to the contents of your safe and can be a useful source of evidence in the event of a security breach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We’re all guilty of trying to use every square inch of space inside our gun safes but good organization habits are greatly aided by the addition of the purpose-built safe accessories.
With that said, it’s important to avoid:
- Overstuffing: Your safe isn’t Mary Poppins’ bag (as cool as that would be!).
- Ignoring Security: Make sure you add some kind of secret compartment for your most valuable items (lockbox).
- Neglecting Maintenance: Customized or not, your safe needs regular TLC.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, here’s a quick rundown of things you’ll need:
- Shelf Dividers: These are small partitions or separators that can be placed on the shelves inside the gun safe to create different compartments and keep items organized. They can help separate ammunition, accessories, or different types of firearms.
- Foam Inserts: These are soft foam pads or inserts that can be placed inside the gun safe, providing a protective layer to prevent scuffs, scratches, or other damage to your firearms. They are especially useful if your guns accidentally fall or bump into each other while in the safe.
- LED Lighting: LED strip lights or battery-operated puck lights can be installed inside the gun safe to provide bright and efficient illumination. This ensures that you can easily see and access your firearms or other items inside the safe without fumbling in the dark.
- Door Organizers: These are specially designed storage systems that attach to the interior side of the gun safe door. They typically feature storage pockets, Velcro straps, or holsters for handguns, spare magazines, documents, or other small items. Door organizers help maximize storage space and keep items easily accessible.
- Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier is an accessory that helps control and reduce the moisture levels inside the gun safe. Excessive moisture can cause rust, corrosion, or damage to firearms and other valuables. Dehumidifiers can be electric, rechargeable, or desiccant-based, depending on the model.
- Hooks and Racks: These accessories can be mounted inside the gun safe to hang or store handguns, long guns, or other items. Hooks can securely hold handguns or accessories like ear protection or flashlights, while racks are designed to safely store rifles, shotguns, or other long firearms. Hooks and racks help make efficient use of space and keep your firearms organized.
The Customization Process
Customizing your gun safe’s interior is not just a practical endeavor; it’s an opportunity to tailor your safe to your unique needs and preferences. A customized interior can elevate your gun safe from a utilitarian box to a functional work of art.
With the right customization, you can make your safe more organized, accessible, and visually pleasing.
Dividing the Space
Start with dividers. For the love of John Browning, you don’t want your $2,000 precision rifle rubbing against your granddad’s antique revolver. Use foam inserts or adjustable shelves to compartmentalize.
Some built-in dividers can detract from the layout and prevent you from achieving the best fit. In these cases, removing dividers that get in the way can be your best course of action to free up space.
Light it Up!
A well-lit interior not only showcases your firearm collection but also makes it easier to find what you need. Consider LED lighting solutions designed for gun safes.
They’re energy-efficient, long-lasting, and most are motion-activated but can still be switched on to bypass the timeout feature.
Tech Upgrades
Looking to take it up a notch? Add a biometric lock or fingerprint scanner. Why settle for the manufacturer’s built-in lock when you can go full James Bond?
This may not be an option for every safe, especially more budget-friendly gun safes, so make sure to check with the owner’s manual to determine if your safe’s lock can be upgraded before proceeding.
Tackle Humidity
Guns hate moisture more than a cat hates water. Get a dehumidifier to prevent rust. You can either go for a reusable silica gel or an electric dehumidifier, based on your needs and the size of your safe.
Consider these pros and cons of each technology and pick the one that’s convenient for you:
Electric Dehumidifiers:
Pros:
- Effective in removing moisture from the air inside the safe.
- Typically features a built-in hygrometer for humidity control.
- Long-lasting and low-maintenance.
Cons:
- Requires electricity to operate, which may not be available in some situations.
- Can add to the overall energy consumption.
- More expensive than other types of dehumidifiers.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers:
Pros:
- No electricity needed, making them useful in locations without power supply.
- Often reusable by drying out the desiccant packets.
- Less expensive compared to electric dehumidifiers.
Cons:
- Need periodic regeneration or replacement of desiccant material.
- May not be as effective in extremely humid conditions.
- Limited capacity and may need multiple units for larger gun safes.
Silica Gel Dehumidifiers:
Pros:
- Affordable and readily available.
- Effective in keeping the humidity levels low.
- Can be regenerated by heating in an oven.
Cons:
- Limited lifespan, as the silica gel eventually becomes saturated and needs replacement.
- Small capacity and may require multiple units.
- Requires regular monitoring and regeneration to ensure effectiveness.
Wireless Dehumidifiers:
Pros:
- No electricity is required, making them suitable for remote locations.
- Many wireless dehumidifiers can connect to a mobile app for monitoring.
- Easy to install and relocate.
Cons:
- May require regular battery replacement.
- Limited capacity compared to larger electric dehumidifiers.
- Higher initial cost compared to some other options.
When choosing a gun safe dehumidifier, it is essential to consider factors such as the size of your gun safe, local humidity levels, and access to electricity. Additionally, it’s important to regularly monitor and maintain the dehumidifier to ensure proper functioning.
Hang ‘Em High
Use hooks and racks for your handguns and accessories. Make sure these are installed sturdily; the last thing you want is your favorite Glock hitting the floor.
Gun safes with built-in or removable shelves are often the best candidates to take advantage of the empty shelf space below them with the addition of some rubber-coated pistol hangers or handgun racks placed on top.
Choosing Materials
You’ve got a variety of options here. Do you go with high-density foam or maybe some military-grade metal racks? Each has its pros and cons.
High-Density Foam:
- Pros: Affordable and easy to customize. You can make perfect cutouts for each firearm.
- Cons: It absorbs moisture like a sponge, and let me tell you, moisture and guns go together like oil and water.
Metal Racks
- Pros: Sturdy and long-lasting.
- Cons: Can be a bit of a squeeze if you’re looking to fit a large collection. They also don’t budge, so you better be happy with your initial layout.
Handgun Holsters & Storage Pouches
For handgun aficionados, a collection of handgun holsters or storage pouches can transform your safe’s interior. These accessories keep your pistols organized, preventing scratches and dings.
Plus, they add a touch of James Bond sophistication to your safe.
Shelves & Drawers
Shelves and drawers are the Swiss Army knives of gun safe customization. You can use them to store ammo, accessories, documents, and more.
Opt for adjustable shelves to accommodate different-sized items. Just remember, a tidy safe is a happy safe.
Cost & Value Proposition
Customizing your gun safe to suit your preferences and needs can span across a wide spectrum of options, with choices ranging from a modest $50 do-it-yourself project all the way up to a comprehensive $500 safe makeover.
When you consider the significant investment you’ve made in acquiring and maintaining your firearms, opting for a customized safe becomes an obvious and practical decision. Whether you find yourself on a tighter budget or are fortunate enough to have resources to spare, there are suitable customization options for both scenarios.
If you’re mindful of your budget, starting off with essential additions such as dividers and lighting can significantly enhance functionality.
However, for those willing to allocate some extra funds for top-tier security enhancements, indulging in high-end upgrades is a worthwhile route to consider.
Final Thoughts
Common sense dictates that your firearms will not be as useful if they are simply thrown into a dark, chaotic box. Customizing your gun safe can be an enjoyable way to personalize and enhance the appearance of these black boxes, allowing you to express your unique taste in style.
Just like firearms enthusiasts enjoy customizing and upgrading their guns to achieve a desired look and feel, gun safes also deserve- and can benefit from- the same attention, without a doubt.
By implementing these simple yet effective upgrades we discuss in this article, you can greatly improve the functionality of your gun safe without spending a fortune!
If you really want to maximize the organization of your firearms and take advantage of the empty space inside of your newly acquired gun safe, then it is surely worth investing the time, money, and effort to properly outfit a storage solution that is worthy of housing an arsenal.
