What To Do When Your Gun Safe is Too Small

Have you outgrown your safe? This isn’t an uncommon dilemma. While we take great pride in the fact that our customers rarely regret their purchase, the most common complaint we hear is, “I bought too small of a safe.”

This can happen for a variety of reasons, most commonly that you hadn’t planned on how big your collection would grow. Or maybe you started storing more valuables, like important papers, jewelry, or family photos. Either way, you’ve run out of room—and now you’re wondering what to do next.

Luckily, there are several good solutions. Let’s walk through your options.

1. Understand Why You Outgrew Your Safe

Before jumping to a solution, it helps to figure out how you ended up in this situation. That way, you can make a better decision going forward.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Did your gun collection grow faster than expected?

• Are you storing more than just guns—like ammo, documents, or keepsakes?

• Is your safe not organized well?

• Did you buy a “starter safe” just to get something quickly?

Answering these questions can help you choose the best next step and avoid repeating the same mistake.

2. Try Reorganizing the Safe

Sometimes your safe might feel too small just because it’s not well organized. Try taking everything out and starting fresh. Group similar items together, remove anything that doesn’t need to be there, and make better use of shelf space.

You can also look into safe accessories like:

• Door Panel Organizers: Most safes we sell at NW Safe come with these. If your safe doesn’t have one, a door panel organizer can be added after purchase and increase your storage capacity.

• Safe Shelves and Dividers: Shelves can help keep things neat and tidy by allowing you to store multiple items without just stacking them one on top of another.

• Magnetic Hooks or Pouches: Create space for keys, knives, or flashlights.

• Rifle Rods: Rifle rods are a gun rack system that can double your long gun storage.

If a little reorganization gives you the space you need, great! But if you’re still cramming things in or stacking gear, it’s time for a bigger fix.

3. Use NW Safe’s Buy Back or Trade-In Program

If your safe is in good shape, one of the best things you can do is use our Buy Back or Trade-In Program.

Here’s how it works:

• NW Safe will evaluate your current safe.

• If it qualifies, they’ll offer you a price for it.

• You can use that value toward a new, bigger safe that better fits your needs.

This is a great way to upgrade without starting from scratch. Plus, NW Safe handles the pickup and delivery, so you don’t have to worry about how to move the old safe out and the new one in.

Tip: Make a list of what you plan to store in your next safe before upgrading. That way, you won’t outgrow the new one too soon.

4. Consider Buying a Second Safe

Let’s say your current safe still works well—and you like having it. Another option is to simply buy a second safe.

Why would you do this? Here are a few reasons:

• You can use one safe for guns and the other for documents and valuables.

• You can keep one in a different part of the house (like upstairs vs. the garage).

• It spreads out your storage, which can help in emergencies. (Dividing your valuables between two safes allows you to have a diversion safe i.e. a more obvious safe with less value drawing attention to your second safe.)

This solution works especially well if your home has more than one level, or if you want quicker access to a firearm in more than one location.

5. Store Less-Important Items Somewhere Else

If you’re not ready to buy a new safe or add a second one, you could also remove less-important items from your current safe.

Common things people have stored in their safe that could be removed include:

• Owner’s manuals

• Outdated receipts or documents

• Empty gun boxes

• Non-sensitive paperwork

Documents such as this could be moved to a file cabinet or locked drawer to free up space in your safe for items that need more protection. If you're worried about these documents being exposed to fire, you might want to consider a FireKing filing Cabinet. We regularly have a selection in stock, like this pre-owned one.

6. Think Ahead Before Your Next Safe

Once you solve your current problem, you don’t want to end up in the same spot again.

Here are a few smart planning tips:

• Buy bigger than you need now. It might cost more upfront, but you’ll avoid needing another upgrade soon.

• Consider your future plans. If you plan to expand your collection, plan your safe size to match.

• Ask experts for help. NW Safe’s team has helped thousands of people pick the right safe. They can walk you through the right size and features for your needs.

Most people who regret their safe purchase say they wish they had gone bigger the first time.

7. Don’t Wait Too Long to Act

A cramped safe isn’t just annoying. It can also become a security problem.

• It’s harder to get to what you need.

• Things can get scratched or damaged.

• You might end up leaving valuables out of the safe entirely.

If you’ve outgrown your safe, don’t ignore the problem. The longer you wait, the more at risk your items could be, especially those that you don't end up securing.

8. Choosing a New Safe: What to Look For

If you’re planning to trade in or add a second safe, here are a few tips on choosing your next one:

• Size: Always go bigger than your current needs. A safe with 24 gun capacity, for example, is often best for someone who owns 10–12 firearms and plans to grow.

• Fire Rating: Choose a safe with at least a 60-minute fire rating, but consider going higher if you store important papers or family keepsakes.

• Lock Type: You can pick from mechanical dials, electronic keypads, or biometric locks. Each has pros and cons. NW Safe can help you choose what’s right for you.

• Interior Setup: Look for flexible interiors. Adjustable shelves, gun racks, and door organizers make a big difference.

Bonus Tip: Schedule Safe Moving With the Experts

If you’re trading in or adding a second safe, remember—these things are heavy. Trying to move one on your own can be dangerous.

NW Safe offers professional safe moving services, and their team has the tools and training to do it right. Whether you're upgrading, trading in, or just rearranging your home layout, they’ve got you covered.