Choosing where to hide a spare key can feel like a small detail, but it plays a big role in home security. Many homeowners rely on quick, convenient hiding spots around patios, planters, storage cabinets, or outdoor living areas—yet most of these locations are already familiar to burglars.
This guide breaks down 10 places people actually hide spare keys, explains which spots intruders check first, and offers smarter alternatives to reduce risk. If you want easy access without making your home an easy target, understanding the difference between convenience and security is essential.
Top 10 Places People Actually Hide Spare Keys (And Which Ones Thieves Already Know About)
Popular Places People Hide Spare Keys
Many people choose convenient places to hide spare keys, but these locations are often well known to intruders. The examples below outline common risks and small adjustments that can slightly improve security.
Under the Doormat
Putting a key under the doormat is the most common option because it sits by the entrance and is easy for others to access. However, thieves routinely check this spot, making it low security. Placing the key in a sealed, weatherproof container and taping it to the underside of the mat can help hide the metal glint and protect it from moisture.
Safer alternatives include using a lockbox or leaving a key with a trusted neighbor. If the doormat method is still used, rotating the hiding spot and avoiding obvious mats can slightly reduce the risk.
Inside a Fake Rock
Fake rocks designed to hide keys blend into flower beds or walkways and usually include a hollow cavity with a screw-top lid. Choosing a realistic design and placing it among natural stones helps keep it from standing out.
Check that the lid seals tightly to prevent moisture damage, and avoid thin plastic models that crack easily. Since burglars expect fake rocks, place them in less obvious areas, such as behind larger stones or near utility boxes, instead of by the doorstep. Fake rocks are among the clever places to hide spare keys, if positioned thoughtfully.
Beneath Flower Pots
Hiding a key under or inside a flower pot uses everyday yard items for concealment, with small front-door pots and decorative planters being common choices. These containers attract little attention, making them a popular option.
Place the key in a waterproof bag and tuck it under the saucer or deep in the soil, then cover it with mulch or stones. Avoid lightweight or highly visible pots, and consider a locked planter or camouflaged container for added security.
Over the Door Frame
Tucking a key on top of the door frame or behind an overhang keeps it above eye level and partially hidden, especially when the frame has a narrow ledge. Securing it with a weatherproof wrap or magnetic holder helps prevent movement from wind or rain.
Since experienced burglars often check higher spots, this method carries risk, particularly on homes with easy roof access. Adding a disguised cover, such as a thin strip of trim, can help reduce visibility.
Hideouts Thieves Already Expect
These places to hide spare keys are common and easy to check quickly. Thieves know to look in obvious outdoor hiding places and inside common garden or storage items.
In the Mailbox
A mailbox sits at the curb and often hides a key right behind junk mail. Thieves check mailboxes because they are visible and easy to open. If the mailbox is unsecured or has a removable plate, a key placed there is at high risk.
Avoid leaving anything valuable in a mailbox. If one must use it, choose a locked mailbox with a key-only access slot. Another safer option is to leave a key with a trusted neighbor or use a smart lock with temporary codes.
Inside Garden Gnomes
Garden gnomes and lawn ornaments are classic hiding spots. Thieves know to lift or knock over statues to find hollow compartments or remove bases. Many ornaments have removable bottoms that make access fast.
If someone uses an ornament, they should make it blend in with other décor and not look newly placed. Better: use a disguised lockbox that looks like a rock and is heavy or bolted down, or keep spare keys indoors.
Under Outdoor Furniture
People tuck keys under patio chairs, planters, and cushions for quick access. These spots sit near doors and receive little attention from homeowners, making them easy for burglars to spot during a quick sweep.
Avoid placing keys under furniture that can be easily moved. Place a hidden outdoor key in a weatherproof lockbox. Attach the box with screws to a solid surface. Keep it out of sight and secure it with a combination lock.
Inside Car Wheel Wells
Hiding a spare key in a wheel well or under a car is common because it keeps the key near the vehicle. Thieves check under vehicles and behind wheel trims because access is fast and discreet.
This method exposes the key to weather and the risk of loss from driving. Consider a magnetic lockbox designed for cars and attach it to the frame in a hard-to-reach place, not the visible wheel well.
Taped Beneath a Grill or BBQ
People tape keys to the underside of grills or BBQs because they stay outdoors and out of direct sight. Thieves routinely check grills and outdoor appliances when searching a yard, since these items are stationary and easy to inspect.
Tape fails with heat, weather, and rust, so the key can fall off or become damaged. Use a secured, weatherproof container fastened to the grill frame, or avoid outdoor storage by using a coded lockbox.
In the Shed or Storage Box
Sheds and boxes storing tools, outdoor kitchen appliances, or cleaning supplies are common targets.
If storing a key here, place it inside a bolted safe within the shed. This approach pairs well with organized outdoor storage solutions and keeps valuables protected.
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