Ended up going with a disguised lockbox tucked behind a planter, like you mentioned. It’s not high-tech, but at least it doesn’t mess with the vibe of the porch.
- Totally get the struggle with modern keypads on older homes. That “still felt off” feeling is real—sometimes tech just clashes with the character.
- Lockboxes are simple but effective. I’ve hidden them in fake rocks, behind hose reels, you name it.
- Battery failures are the worst. Had a flip where the keypad died during a showing—awkward doesn’t even cover it.
- Ever thought about those mechanical pushbutton locks? No batteries, still keyless, and some look pretty classic. Wonder if that’d blend better with your porch?
Mechanical pushbutton locks are actually on my “maybe” list, but I keep picturing myself forgetting the code and just standing there, snacks in hand, locked out like a sitcom character. The fake rock trick is classic—my grandma had one and swore nobody would ever find it (except every single grandkid did). I do like the idea of something that doesn’t need batteries or WiFi, though. Tech is cool until it decides to take a nap right when you need it most…
I totally get the sitcom image—been there, minus the snacks, but I did have an armful of groceries once. Ended up sitting on my porch for an hour until my wife got home, feeling like the punchline to a bad joke. Mechanical pushbutton locks are actually pretty forgiving, though. Most let you set codes that are easy to remember, and you can change them if you start feeling paranoid about forgetting. I’ve installed a few for friends who are, let’s say, “memory challenged,” and they’ve had good luck.
The fake rock thing cracks me up. My dad had one, too, and every kid in the neighborhood knew where it was. I guess the trick is hiding it somewhere even you might forget, which sort of defeats the purpose. Honestly, I like the low-tech vibe of mechanical locks. No batteries dying at the worst time, no app updates, just good old-fashioned buttons. If you’re worried about forgetting the code, maybe tie it to something you won’t forget—like your favorite snack’s calorie count or your childhood street number. Worked for my neighbor, anyway...
The fake rock thing cracks me up. My dad had one, too, and every kid in the neighborhood knew where it was.
That’s hilarious—my uncle used to swear by his fake sprinkler head key hider, but honestly, it stuck out like a sore thumb. Ever tried those combo locks that fit over the doorknob? I’ve wondered if they’re actually secure or just another “fake rock” situation waiting to happen. And yeah, mechanical pushbutton locks are solid, but I always worry I’ll end up mixing up the code with my garage keypad. Anyone else ever do that?
Ever tried those combo locks that fit over the doorknob? I’ve wondered if they’re actually secure or just another “fake rock” situation waiting to happen.
Funny you mention those—I've installed a few for friends, and honestly, they’re only as good as the door they’re on. If the frame’s flimsy, it doesn’t matter how fancy the lock is. I do like the mechanical pushbutton ones, but yeah, I’ve definitely mixed up codes before. Has anyone tried those smart locks you can open with your phone? I’m curious if they’re more reliable or just another tech headache.
