10 Cheap Ways to Make Your Apartment Safer
I couldn’t afford fancy security systems when I moved in alone—so I found 10 cheap, smart ways to make my apartment safer. Here’s exactly what I used (and what I’d do if I had no budget at all).
You don’t need a security system to feel safe — sometimes, it’s the tiny, cheap things that make all the difference.
I still remember my first night alone in my apartment.
Every little creak felt like a threat.
I slept with the lights on, the TV on mute, and my keys in hand — as if I was ready to sprint out at any moment.
And the worst part… I didn’t even know what I could do to feel safer.
But here’s the thing no one tells you:
You don’t need to spend hundreds or drill holes in your wall to feel more protected.
Sometimes, a $12 door stopper or a sticky motion light is all it takes to go from “I hope nothing happens” to “Try me.”
So if you’re living alone, or even just sleeping alone tonight, and feeling that little knot of unease in your chest… this one’s for you.
These are the exact little changes I made (or wish I had sooner) that made me breathe easier at night.
Let’s make your apartment feel like your space — safe, smart, and fully yours.
1. Add a Portable Door Lock
This is the one I have – Amazon
You know that weird feeling when you lock the door, but your brain still whispers, what if someone has a spare key?
That’s why a portable door lock changed the game for me.
It’s this tiny, under-$20 gadget that slips into your door frame after you’ve locked it — and once it’s in, even if someone has a key, they physically can’t open the door.
No tools, no installation, and no landlord drama.
I started using it after a friend told me about her old roommate still having a copy of the key.
That night, I ordered mine on Amazon and slept like a baby for the first time in weeks.
If you ever feel like a deadbolt isn’t enough — or you’re staying somewhere new — this little thing gives you real peace of mind.
I even throw it in my bag when I travel.
Also read: 15 Creepy Signs Someone’s Been Inside Your Apartment
2. Use a Door Stop Alarm
I bought mine here – Amazon
Okay, this one looks like a regular door stopper… but the second someone tries to open your door? It lets out a scream.
Like, 120 decibels kind of scream — loud enough to scare the soul out of whoever’s on the other side.
I found this gem after scrolling through TikTok late one night (the algorithm knew I lived alone).
It wedges right under your door, and if any pressure hits it? BOOM — instant alarm. No setup, no tools, no WiFi needed.
And here’s the thing I love most: it buys you time.
Even if someone did try something, that sound gives you a few precious seconds to act, call for help, or scare them off completely.
Plus, it’s under $10.
I keep one at my front door and another by my bedroom — just in case.
Also read: Signs Someone Might Be Watching Your Apartment
3. Use Window Security Film
Let’s talk windows — because even if you’re high up, there’s something about uncovered glass that just feels vulnerable, right?
Window security film is basically a clear, sticky layer you press onto the glass. It’s not fancy. It doesn’t look like anything’s there.
But if someone tries to break it… The glass won’t shatter easily.
It holds together, kind of like a car windshield.
I first heard about it from a Reddit post where a girl said she used it after a break-in scare.
The best part? It’s renter-friendly. No drills, no mess. Just a spray bottle and a bit of patience while smoothing it on.
If you’ve got ground-level windows, a fire escape, or just want that extra shield between you and the world, this one’s a no-brainer.
And a single roll can cover multiple windows for under $30.
Also read: Apartment Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know
4. Stick-On Motion Sensor Lights
I use this – Amazon
You ever walk past that one dark hallway corner and feel your heartbeat speed up for no reason? Yep. Been there.
That’s when I found these battery-powered motion sensor lights — the kind that stick anywhere.
Closet corners, entryways, under the kitchen counter… anywhere that feels a little too shadowy.
I first saw them in a late-night Amazon rabbit hole after I almost tripped on my own slipper heading to the bathroom (true story).
They light up the second they sense movement — no need to fumble for a switch.
And here’s the low-key bonus: if you ever hear something and walk into a room that lights up automatically? It makes you feel like the house is listening. Like it’s on your side.
An 8-pack is usually around $20, and they run on AAA batteries.
I even use one inside my coat closet because, yes, that’s how paranoid I am — and yes, it helps.
Also read: Can Landlords Enter Without Notice? Here’s What You Need to Know
5. Peephole Camera (No Drilling Needed)
I bought mine here – Amazon
You know that weird moment when someone knocks and you have no idea who it is?
And you’re too nervous to peek through the peephole because what if they see your shadow? Yeah. That.
So I found a fix: peephole cameras that don’t need tools or WiFi.
Some clip right over your existing peephole.
Others are cheap little doorbell cameras with adhesive backs — no screws, no drilling, and no angry landlord.
I actually bought one after a delivery guy knocked at 11 PM. I froze.
Didn’t order anything.
Turns out it was a neighbor’s food — but I didn’t open the door for a solid hour.
After that, I knew I needed eyes.
Now… I can check who’s out there without a sound.
And it’s honestly such a relief — especially when I’m home alone, in my robe, eating cereal out of a mug at 10 PM (don’t judge me).
Most of these start around $40 and last for months on a single charge.
Worth every cent.
Also read: Apartment Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know
6. Secure Your Sliding Windows or Balcony Door
If you’ve got a balcony or sliding window, here’s the harsh truth:
They’re easy to pop open. Even when they’re “locked.”
A girl on TikTok showed how she opened her own locked sliding door in like 2 seconds using a butter knife.
After that… I grabbed a cheap wooden dowel and shoved it in the track. Instant lock.
You don’t need anything fancy. A broomstick, a curtain rod, or even a cut piece of PVC pipe works.
Just place it in the sliding track so even if someone unlocks the door, it won’t budge.
It’s the kind of fix that takes 10 seconds, costs maybe $2, and could literally stop someone from getting in.
And if you live on a low floor or near a fire escape? Don’t skip this one.
It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about giving yourself that hell no level of protection, even when you’re asleep.
7. Fake a Security System
Here’s the thing: half the battle is making your place look protected.
Because most creeps aren’t looking for a fight — they’re looking for easy.
So what do you do when you don’t have a $200 security setup?
You fake it.
I’m talking:
- “24/7 Surveillance” stickers on your windows
- A red blinking fake security cam above your door (they sell for under $15!)
- Even a little sign that says “Guard Dog on Duty” — even if your only roommate is a houseplant named Fern
I actually saw this trick on a Reddit thread where a woman shared how just adding a sticker stopped a guy who had been creeping around the complex.
She caught him on a real camera, avoiding her unit and going to the next one.
That was all the proof I needed.
It’s low-effort, high-impact, and no one has to know it’s not real.
The goal isn’t to win a fight — it’s to make sure you’re never chosen in the first place.
8. Smart Plugs for Light Timers
This is the one I have – Amazon
Ever walk into your dark apartment and think, “if I were someone else… I’d totally assume no one’s home”?
Yeah — same. That’s why I started faking it.
With a $10 smart plug, I can schedule my lights to turn on automatically every night around 7 PM — even if I’m out, at work late, or spending the night at a friend’s.
The first time I did this, I came back to my living room glowing softly like I’d never left.
Felt like someone was home — and guess what? That “someone” was me… just smarter.
You can set them on timers, control them from your phone, or just keep it simple and plug in a lamp you love. No wiring. No tech degree. Just light where it matters.
It’s not just about tricking people — it’s about feeling safe when you walk in the door.
9. Reinforce the Door Hinges (No Tools Needed)
Okay, real talk — a lot of apartment doors look sturdy, but the hinges?
Wobbly. Loose. Basically holding on for dear life.
I didn’t know this either… until I saw a security expert on YouTube casually open a door just by slamming it at the hinge side.
That video haunted me.
So here’s the fix: there are hinge reinforcement kits that cost under $20 and don’t require any drilling.
Some are adhesive, some just screw into existing holes with longer screws (and if your landlord’s chill, you’re golden).
Another sneaky option… Door frame reinforcement plates — they look small, but they redistribute the force if someone tries to break in.
I grabbed one of these kits after realizing my “locked” door could probably be kicked open by a determined raccoon.
Now… It shuts with a solid clunk, and I actually trust it.
Feels good knowing your front door would put up a real fight, y’know?
10. Create a Noise Plan (Sound Machine + Phone Alerts)
Sometimes, it’s not about stopping someone from getting in — it’s about making sure you notice if they try.
That’s where a “noise plan” comes in.
For me, it started with a sound machine.
I use it to drown out weird city noises so I can sleep, but I set it just low enough that I can still hear my apartment.
Like if the front door creaked, or a floorboard shifted — I’d know.
Then I layered in phone alerts.
I set my iPhone to notify me only if my security app picks up motion (even just from that fake cam — wink wink). No random pings, just important ones.
And I turned on a little trick where if my phone rings at night, the flashlight flashes too.
So, if anything ever happens… I’m awake and aware in two seconds flat.
This isn’t about living in fear.
It’s about making the space work for you.
So your rest feels earned, not anxious.
What If I Can’t Afford Any of This?
Look, not everyone has the budget for gear, and that’s okay.
Feeling safe isn’t about what you buy.
It’s about how smart you get with what you already have.
Here are a few zero-cost safety tricks that can still make a big difference:
i. Rearrange Your Furniture Like a Shield
Push a chair in front of your door at night.
Stack a basket in front of the balcony.
These aren’t foolproof, but they make noise if moved — and that buys you time.
ii. Shoes by the Door (Even If They’re Not Yours)
Leave out a pair of big men’s boots, or even some scuffed sneakers.
It gives off “someone else lives here too” energy, and that can be enough to make someone think twice.
iii. Fake Phone Calls or Loud Conversations
Ordering food or expecting a delivery?
Talk loudly as if someone else is home.
“Babe, can you grab the door?” works like a charm — even if “babe” is your pillow.
iv. Sleep Close to What You’d Need
Keys, phone, flashlight — keep them by your bed.
Even better… Put your keys on a metal ring and jingle them loud if you ever get scared.
That sharp sound? Instant alert.
v. Know Your Exits (and Have a Plan)
This one’s underrated.
Just knowing exactly how you’d get out — and where you’d go — gives you mental power.
Fear shrinks when you’ve got a plan.
vi. Trust Your Weird Gut Feelings
If something feels off, it probably is.
Text a friend, double-check your locks, or just leave the lights on.
Safety isn’t overreacting — it’s responding before something happens.
You don’t need fancy tech to protect your peace.
Just your instincts, your creativity, and a little bit of that “not today” energy.
One Last Thing Before You Go
If you’re here reading this, I know you’re not just trying to secure a door.
You’re trying to find a little peace. A little control. A little “I got this” in a world that sometimes makes women feel like they don’t.
And hey, you’re not paranoid for wanting to feel safer.
You’re smart. You’re allowed to take up space and protect it.
Whether you grab a $10 gadget or just move your shoes by the door, what matters is that you feel like this apartment belongs to you.
Your safe place. Your rules.
And if you’ve got a trick I didn’t mention? I’d love to hear it.
Drop it in the comments or just message me quietly — we’re all just trying to look out for each other here.
Stay safe out there.