Installing a BlumSafe in a Rental Apartment

Not long ago BlumSafe presented at the Windup Watch Fair in New York City to show people our range of built-in watch safes. It was a great time, and gave me the opportunity to speak to many, many watch collectors, most of whom never knew a solution like the BlumSafe existed.

One question that came up again and again among a younger, mostly urban audience, was “how and where do I install a built-in wall safe like the BlumSafe  in my rental apartment?”, with the knowledge that you might be leaving that apartment sooner or later. Also, “what happens to that hole in the wall when you do leave? And can you take the safe with you?”

The short answer is that the BlumSafe works perfectly for all apartment settings with merely a couple of hundred dollars of installation work and patch-up work when you leave the apartment.

First, A Primer on Apartment Construction. Most internal apartment walls are standard 2”X4” construction, with the studs 16” on center (meaning there is a space of approximately 14 ½” between the studs where the BlumSafe mounts). To install a BlumSafe, you need 7 3/8” of wall depth, making most walls about 3 ½” too shallow for a flush installation. However, if the back of the wall is inside a closet, you can cut a hole in the back wall to extend the safe into the closet space for the additional 3 ½” depth. In this case, your safe will be flush with the front wall and all will be good, and you just have to use four of the included lag screws to attach the safe to the studs.

What if I Don’t Have a Closet Behind the Hole Where I want to Mount The BlumSafe? Fortunately, we have an easy solution for you – the BlumSafe Frame.

If you’re looking to add an extra layer of security to your apartment without compromising on style, the BlumSafe Frame is an excellent choice. Designed to fit seamlessly onto 2×4 stud walls, this product facilitates:

1. Enhanced Security: The BlumSafe Frame provides a robust and secure housing for your BlumSafe to hold your valuables. Whether it’s watches, jewelry, important documents,  or other precious items, the BlumSafe ensures they are protected from theft and damage.
2. Aesthetic Appeal: Unlike traditional free-standing safes that can be bulky and unsightly, the BlumSafe Frame is designed to help your wall-mounted BlumSafe blend in with your home decor. Its finely carpentered angled sides allow it to project off the wall surface in a gradual and non-obtrusive manner.
3. Space Efficiency: Apartments often have limited space, and the BlumSafe Frame is perfect for such environments, simply mounting on the wall so your BlumSafe can mount inside a standard 2”x4” wall.
4. Versatility: The BlumSafe Frame allows you to install a BlumSafe almost anywhere within your apartment!  Many users prefer to mount it in a closet for added concealment, but it can really be mounted anywhere with the Frame.

Installing the BlumSafe Frame requires some basic carpentry skills, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, you can do it yourself or hire your superintendent or handyman.

So I can take my Safe with Me to My New Home When I Move? Yes. When you are ready to move, you just open the safe, take everything out of it, and remove the 4-8 lag screws holding the safe to your wall and to the Frame (if you use it). The safe and frame will come right out for you to take to your next home. Save money on a mover’s box by keeping the original box the BlumSafe came in!

But What Happens to the Hole in the Wall When I Leave the Apartment. Apartments almost always use sheetrock construction, making repair of that hole very simple, quick and inexpensive. Bring in a guy with a piece of sheetrock to roughly match the size of the hole and some paint to match the current color on the walls, and for several hundred dollars the wall will look like the safe never existed. If you have the presence of mind when you install the safe, try to save the piece of sheetrock removed to make the hole, so it can be used to patch it when you move!

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With this guide, you can confidently install your BlumSafe in your apartment, with or without our Frame accessory, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your valuables are well-protected. Its easy installation process and aesthetic design make it a popular choice for apartment dwellers looking to enhance their home security.

As always, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Rob