How to create a secret storage in an electrical box

Here’s how I made a secret storage space in an electrical box.

This was pretty easy project to do, the hardest parts where figuring out where I wanted my secret storage and making an extra trip to the hardware store for a larger coaxial cover plate. This was an inexpensive project too, total cost for materials was less than $10.

Materials

Here’s the materials I used:

• Electrical Box – I got the deepest one I could find to optimize secret storage space. I also picked one up with fold-out ears; the ears swing out behind the drywall and keep the box in place.
• Coaxial Cover Plate – I used a coaxial cover plate, because you can use the coaxial knob as a little handle to grab onto to remove the plate. Also, be sure to get one that is large enough to fit over the electrical box, they make some that are smaller that won’t work as well. I made this mistake and I had to make an extra trip to the hardware store.
• Magnets – I found these at Michaels. I used these to hold the cover plate in place, that way I didn’t have to unscrew the screws every time I wanted to get into my secret storage.

Installation

First, I decided where I wanted it. (1) Then, I used a stud senor to make sure there was nothing behind the wall. (2) I traced around the outlet box and (3) used a drywall saw to cut the hole. (4) The outlet box fit nicely in the hole; so I tightened the screws with the fold-out ears; the ears grab the back of the drywall making a snug fit.

Cover Plate

After the electrical box is installed, you can put the cover plate on with the provided screws. This has it’s advantages because it’s a little more secure, but makes it more cumbersome to access, since you have to unscrew the screws every time you want to get into your secret storage. So, that’s why I decided to use magnets to hold the cover plate in place. To do this, I super glued the screws into the cover plate and used a dremel to cut off the excess screw. Then the magnets will stick to the end of the screw. I also used screws in the electrical box for the magnets to stick to. This works well because you can tighten or loosen the screws in the box to make the cover plate fit flush with the wall. Once you have the cover plate on, you’re done!