Smart Home
Where to Place Security Cameras Around Your Home
By the Wires of Life Editorial Team · Oct 8, 2026 · 8 min read
Coverage zones, in priority order
- 1
Zone 1: Front door
Doorbell camera at about 4 ft, or a camera at 8–10 ft aimed at the step. Goal: a clear face, not just the top of a head.
- 2
Zone 2: Back and side doors
Mount at a corner of the house so one camera sees the door and the path leading to it.
- 3
Zone 3: Driveway and garage
Aim along the driveway, not straight across it, so cars and people stay in frame longer.
- 4
Zone 4: Hidden ground-floor windows
Windows behind fences or shrubs are easy targets. One wide-angle camera can cover a whole side of the house.
- 5
Zone 5: Indoor main path
A camera in the hallway or living room that every entry route passes through. Skip bedrooms and bathrooms.
- 6
Zone 6: Yard and gates (optional)
Add only after zones 1–4. Useful for side gates and sheds.
Getting the angle right
Tilt cameras slightly down (roughly 15–30°) so the bottom of the frame reaches the ground a few feet in front of the door. Pointing straight out shows mostly sky and street.
Put the door near the middle of the frame, not the edge. Wide lenses stretch edges and blur faces there.
Under an eave or porch roof is ideal: shade cuts glare and the camera stays dry.
Check the live view at night before you finish. A porch light behind the visitor turns faces into silhouettes.
Outdoor priority spots
Front door: the most-used entry for both visitors and break-ins. A video doorbell plus one wider camera works well.
Back and side doors: less visible from the street, so they need coverage.
Driveway and garage: catches vehicles and package deliveries.
Hidden ground-floor windows: especially ones behind fences or shrubs.
Height and angle
Around 8–10 feet keeps cameras out of easy reach. Much higher, and you'll mostly see the tops of heads.
Avoid pointing straight into the sun or a bright porch light. Glare washes out faces.
Respect neighbors: don't aim into their windows or yards, and check local recording laws.
Indoor tips
Main hallway or living room covers the path from most entry points.
Skip private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms, especially with guests or sitters.
Look for a physical privacy shutter or a home/away mode that turns indoor cameras off when you're home.
Camera placement checklist
Common questions
Should security cameras be visible or hidden?
Visible cameras deter many casual thieves. A mix works well: visible cameras at entrances, plus one discreet camera covering the main path.
Which security system should I pair cameras with?
See our comparison of the best home security systems for monitoring options, fees and camera support.
Sources
Last verified: November 2, 2026. This is general guidance based on official documentation. We did not run hands-on lab tests for this guide.
Placement advice reflects common industry guidance. No brand-specific claims are made.