If I’m locked out after all that, maybe I deserve it...
That’s a pretty solid backup plan, honestly. I always tell clients to think in layers—like, don’t just rely on one thing, but also don’t go overboard and make your entryway look like Fort Knox. Have you ever tried those little decorative key holders disguised as rocks or garden gnomes? I’ve seen some clever ones that blend right in with landscaping, but I wonder if they’re actually secure or just asking for trouble...
I’ve actually used one of those fake rocks before—picked it up at a yard sale, thought I was being clever. Turns out, my neighbor’s kid found it within a week and handed me my own spare key. Guess they’re not as sneaky as they look. These days, I just leave a key with a trusted neighbor. Less chance of someone poking around the flowerbeds and getting lucky. The trick is finding that balance between convenience and not making it too obvious you’ve got a backup stashed outside.
I hear you on the fake rocks—mine lasted about two weeks before my dog dug it up and paraded the key around the yard. I agree, handing a spare to a neighbor you trust is usually safer, and honestly, it’s free. I’ve been tempted by those lockboxes with codes, but I’m not sure if they’re any less obvious. Has anyone tried those or found a budget-friendly way to keep a backup key handy without making it too easy for someone snooping around?
I’ve been tempted by those lockboxes with codes, but I’m not sure if they’re any less obvious. Has anyone tried those or found a budget-friendly way to keep a backup key handy without making ...
Honestly, I had the same worry about those code lockboxes—seems like they’d stick out even more than a fake rock. Once, I tucked a key inside an old outdoor thermometer (the kind nobody checks). Not exactly high-tech, but it blended in. Still, giving a spare to someone you trust feels safest... at least until smart locks get smarter.
I’ve tried those combo lockboxes, and honestly, they’re not exactly subtle. The first time I installed one, my neighbor asked if I was running an Airbnb. Not the low-profile look I was going for. Plus, if someone’s looking for a spare key, those boxes are basically a neon sign.
I’ve hidden keys in all sorts of places over the years—fake rocks, garden gnomes, even taped behind a loose fence board. The thermometer idea is clever, though. Never thought of that one. My only issue with hiding keys is that I always end up forgetting where I put them. Spent half an hour once digging through mulch because I was sure I’d buried it near the hydrangeas... turns out it was in the grill.
Honestly, giving a spare to a neighbor or friend is probably the safest bet, unless you’re worried about them snooping around your snack drawer. As for smart locks, I’ve had mixed luck. One time the battery died and I was locked out in my pajamas—had to climb through a window. Not my finest moment.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly and not-too-obvious, maybe try hiding a key inside something nobody would want to touch—like an old paint can or a busted garden tool. Just don’t forget where you put it... or you’ll be out there searching with a flashlight like me.
