Where is the best place to install a CCTV camera at home: a checklist of locations that are important not to overlook

Private house: how to choose camera installation locations

A private house is the largest object to protect. It has a façade, courtyards, and outbuildings. Imagine that your house is a fortress: every impenetrable wall must «see» everything that happens near it.

● Entrance doors (main entrance)

It seems obvious, but this is where most people place the camera too high or at the wrong angle. The camera should capture the face of the person standing in the doorway, not just the top of their head. The optimal height is 2.5-3 metres with a downward tilt. The camera's viewing angle should cover not only the porch, but also the driveway leading to it.

● Rear and side entrances

Intruders know that people usually place cameras on the street, i.e. at the front. Backyards, side gates, and service entrances are their favourite routes. It's like locking the front door with three locks but leaving the window open. Therefore, every external entrance must be monitored.

● Garage and entrance gate

A garage is not just a place to park your car: it is also where you store tools, bicycles and sometimes valuable property. What's more, it is a potential point of entry into the house. Therefore, installing a CCTV camera above the garage door and inside (if there are valuable items there) is a minimum requirement.

● Corners of the house («blind spots»)

Even if there are cameras on each wall separately, the corners between them may remain invisible. Solution: either surveillance cameras with a wide viewing angle (90-120°) or additional cameras specifically for the corners to cover two directions at once. Imagine a grid with square cells: the corner is the intersection point, and it is no less important than the centre.

On the grounds of a private house: where there are the most gaps

If a house is a fortress, then the plot is its outer boundary. Most crimes begin right here. And this is where blind spots are most often left.

● Perimeter fencing and gates

The fence can be considered the first line of defence. But if it has no cameras, an intruder can easily approach the house unnoticed. Particular attention should be paid to gates, wickets and places where the fence is lower or has gaps. When positioned correctly, cameras in the yard are even more effective at deterring intruders than lattice gates.

● Driveway and parking

Cars are often the number one target for thieves. A camera at the entrance records the license plates and faces of people entering the property. The ideal option would be to install a camera so that it covers the entire parking area: both the car and the approach to it.

● Outbuildings

Structures such as sheds, greenhouses and swimming pools are located away from the main perimeter of surveillance. They may be used to store equipment, crops and garden tools. Therefore, a camera on a farm building protects property and monitors who enters the site.

● Dark corners of the yard

Trees, bushes, farm buildings — all of these create natural hiding places. Especially at night. This is where you should install cameras with night vision (infrared illumination or full-colour night vision). If there is lighting there, even better, as the combination of «camera + light» is most effective.

Apartment: not just front doors

In an apartment, there seems to be less room for manoeuvre. But even indoors, there are places where a camera can be really useful — not just for security, but also for convenience.

● Entrance doors from the inside

A camera inside the flat, aimed at the entrance doors, allows you to see the chronology of who entered and left while you were away. It is also suitable for parents who want to know when their children have returned from school. Outside — an intercom, inside — your «third eye».

● Windows facing the fire escape or balcony

On the lower floors or in flats with accessible balconies, this is a real point of entry. It is not necessary to install a full-fledged outdoor camera: a compact indoor camera pointed at the window or balcony doors will do. The principle is simple: if someone can get inside through this point, it must be monitored.

● Children's room or nanny area

For parents of young children or those who hire a nanny, a camera in the nursery is not paranoia, but care. An important nuance: it should not be hidden. Modern IP cameras allow you to watch the broadcast from your smartphone in real time. As a result, you always know what is happening at home.

Entrance hall: shared safety — shared responsibility

The entrance hall is a common «hallway» for all residents. And if there are no cameras there, a thief or hooligan can act unnoticed. A few correctly placed cameras completely change the situation.

● Entrance to the building

A camera above the entrance doors is a basic but critical point. It records everyone who enters and exits. An important detail: the camera should be positioned at face level (or slightly above, at an angle), rather than pointing at the ceiling. The image should be useful for identification, not just to confirm that someone has entered.

● Elevator

Most residents think about installing a video camera near the elevator on their floor, but forget to place a camera inside the elevator. This is a confined space where unpleasant situations often occur. A compact dome camera inside the elevator is standard for any modern home.

● Floor landing

The stairwell between floors and the landing in front of flats is an area where door mats, parcels or even shoes are most often stolen. A camera here records both those who knock on doors and suspicious behaviour. For residents of several flats on the same floor, this is a justified shared expense.

General tips for installing CCTV cameras

Wherever you decide to install a surveillance camera, there are a few principles that apply everywhere:

1. The optimal height for installing cameras is 2.5-3.5 metres. The camera should not be within reach, but not so high that facial details are lost.
2. Weather protection. Outdoor cameras should have an IP65 rating or higher. It's like a jacket for the camera: it can withstand rain, dust and frost.
3. Night vision. Most thefts happen at night. A camera without IR illumination is almost useless at night.
4. Stable Internet. Online cameras and cloud storage require a high-quality connection. That is why many Maxnet customers choose a video surveillance service together with home Internet.
5. Visibility. Do not think that hidden cameras are the best option. A visible camera on the facade already makes an intruder think twice.
6. No blind spots. Before the final installation of the video surveillance system, check the recording to make sure there are no corners that are not covered by the camera. The most common mistake is a tree or canopy that blocks the view.

And remember: protection begins when every vulnerable point is covered. So that none of the points considered becomes that ‘weak spot’ that an intruder can exploit.

Turnkey video surveillance from Maxnet

Maxnet offers comprehensive video surveillance solutions not only for flats, private houses and apartment buildings, but also for offices, shops and warehouses. Our specialists will help you choose the right equipment, determine the correct installation points, connect to the network and set up remote viewing from your smartphone.

• reliable high-speed Internet for IP video surveillance cameras;
• high-quality equipment from trusted manufacturers;
• professional installation taking into account all the nuances of the facility;
• access to round-the-clock technical support.

You can learn more and order video surveillance services on our website.

Take care of yourself and your family. We will take care of the technical side.