How to Hide a Camera in Plain Sight

It’s understandable if you have a security camera for your home. In most states, it’s legal to have security cameras indoors and the outdoors as long as you respect privacy in areas such as bathrooms.

You may argue that the main aim of having security cameras is deterrence. The petty thieves will most likely not tamper with a property that has security cameras in the open.

However, if they spot the cameras’ location, some serious thieves will find ways to shut them off so that they gain access to your property.

In this article, we’ll explore the different ways you can hide a camera in plain sight.

But first, let’s understand some of the reasons that may prompt you to hide the security cameras.

Why would you need to Hide Security Cameras?

1.       Hidden security cameras cannot interfere with your home décor.

2.       When cameras are out of sight, your guests will have a more comfortable stay.

3.       With hidden cameras, you can watch your pet and kids from anywhere.

4.       Home security cameras allow you to monitor your babysitter, especially if you suspect how they treat the kids.

5.       Hidden cameras help you understand the motive of everyone within your home, including the delivery guy.

6.       Hiding cameras protects them from intruders who may want to destroy them.

Now that we know why we may need to hide cameras let’s look at factors to consider before you hide the cameras.

Factors to Consider Before Hiding a House Camera in Plain Sight

Before you think of disguising a camera, consider these factors.

Location

Which part of your home do you want to monitor? With this knowledge, you can come up with creative ways of hiding the camera.

For example, if you’re going to watch the baby, you can place the camera in the baby’s bedroom. Luckily, most bedrooms have a lot of stuff that it’s effortless to conceal the cameras.

Power

If you have a wired camera, you need to consider the location of the power outlet.

Besides, you also have to think of how to lay the wires such that they aren’t easily noticeable.

Connection Signals

We all know those parts of our homes with low WIFI signals. It would be best if you didn’t place your cameras in the said areas.

Otherwise, you won’t achieve your goal of getting quality videos.

Size of camera

The size of the camera also determines how easy it is to hide it from plain sight.

The bulky and large-sized cameras are difficult to hide, while the smaller and wireless ones are the best to experiment with the tricks discussed here.

Creative Ways to Hide your Cameras Indoors

The battery-powered cameras without wires are the best if you’re looking to conceal them fully. Here are some of the ideas you can incorporate.

Plush Toys

Do you fancy stuffed toys? Then, you can use them to hide your camera without anyone noticing. For this tactic, you need to find an old toy that isn’t eye-catching.

Next, cut its back using a pair of scissors and remove some stuffing to leave space for the camera.

Place the camera lens in such a way that it views from one of the eyes. Also, remember to leave some space for the USB port while sewing the toy back. Place the toy on a shelf or a location where it cannot get knocked over.

Boxes

Do you have some cute little boxes lying around your house? You can use these boxes to hide your camera from suspicious eyes. For example, you can convert your tissue box into an incredible hiding place for your camera.

All you have to do is drill a small hole where the lens will peep from. Then, place the camera well inside the box. To avoid any suspicion, you can pack some items above the camera, such as books or paper towels.

Planting pots

If you love decorating your home with potted plants, you can incorporate the camera with the plants.

For this trick to work correctly, you need to dig into the soil in the pot. After that, place the camera inside the soil and cover it, only leaving the lens exposed.

Finally, cover the lens slightly with the leaves of the plants so that it’s not noticeable.

Bookshelf

If you love reading books, you definitely have a collection. Now, in the event of a break-in by burglars, they most likely won’t touch your books but will target the more valuable products.

Placing the camera on the topmost shelf is the best way to hide it while still monitoring your home in real-time.

Lights

Using a strong adhesive, you can fix the camera on the ceiling near the lights.

However, it would be best to make sure that the bright light doesn’t affect the quality of the videos taken.

If you have chandeliers, you can also stick the camera on them. A camera placed above can pick every movement. You can also think of other creative ways on how to hide a ceiling camera in plain sight. 

Now that we’ve explored ways of concealing security cameras indoors, let’s look at ideas you can use for your outdoor security cameras.

Smoke Detectors

This is one of the most creative ways to hide a camera in plain sight. It is difficult for someone to tell that a hidden smoke detector camera is a fake smoke alarm.

How to Hide Cameras in Plain Sight Outdoors

Just like indoors, it’s also advisable to hide cameras even in the outdoors. In this section, we’ll explore different ways you can do this creatively.

Build a birdhouse

Birdhouses are often fully enclosed, only leaving tiny breathing spaces.

You can place a wireless camera inside the birdhouse because you also want to make sure there aren’t any wires dangling on the birdhouse.

Near bushes/leaves/trees

If you have some growing plants, bushes, or leaves in your compound, then you can hide your camera in plain sight.

You have to get your wiring right for this method because it would be suspicious to have wires passing through a tree. PVC wiring can help you hide your camera’s wires, or you can opt for battery-powered cameras instead.

The good thing about this tactic is that you can place the lens so that it peeks from the branches or leaves without being noticed.

Alternatively, you could paint the camera the color of the plants to create camouflage. However, if you paint your camera, it means that you interfere with the warranty policies.

On the roof

You can also place your camera on the rooftop. Most people won’t be quick to suspect the presence of a camera on your roofing.

Besides, the destructive burglars always aim at disconnecting the cameras before they can go about their business.

With a camera on the roof, the intruder would shy from climbing on the roof if they realize there is a security camera.

Our Final Thoughts

Whatever your reason to hide your camera, being in a position to monitor your home in real-time is the most satisfying feeling.

This guide gives you some tips on how to hide a camera in your home, whether you want to monitor inside the house or outside.