Camouflaging or hiding a security camera can be a super effective way to both protect the security camera itself and provide a layer of covert security to your home.
But how do you hide a security camera? What camouflage works best?And where are the best places to hide them?
Camouflaged security cameras are less vulnerable to being tampered with or destroyed by possible intruders. For home security, hidden cameras don’t ruin the aesthetics of your home and also provide you with a glimpse of a potential perpetrators genuine intentions.
In this article, let’s delve deep into how you can smartly hide your cameras in plain sight; talk about the pros and cons of doing so.
I’ll also recommend a few products that in my opinion are highly effective for a number of different use cases when camouflaging a security camera in surprisingly inventive ways…
Security Cameras – Hidden in Plain Sight
For most people, it’s quite understandable why they prefer to camouflage a security camera instead of it putting it visibly.
A disguised camera is undetectable and hard to tamper with or destroyed by potential intruders or those with ill-intent.
With regards to home aesthetics, installing one doesn’t have to disturb your design.
All you need is to figure out where you’ll install your camera and use the elements in its surroundings to blend it well.
Hiding a camera in plain sight can also be advantageous when you have guests in your house, or for your employees in the workplace. They can be at ease and will act more naturally.
Just remember that your goal is to provide security and not spy on people.
Thus, you need to be extremely careful in planning where to install and how to conceal your security cameras indoors and outdoors.
How To Hiding Outdoor Cameras
There are various reasons why people install hidden security cameras outdoors.
Whether for possible human or animal intruder footage or to protect your unattended packages or property, you need to think about installing your camera correctly.
There are outdoor security cameras that are easy to camouflage, but make sure you also think about where you’ll place them.
Consider how the surroundings and natural and artificial lighting might affect your footage.
You also need to consider the vantage point you want your camera to capture. For those on a budget, you may pick a location that’s more beneficial to you, like below your door or on your porch.
If you can install more than one camera in front of your house, installing it in an area that shows the street could also be a good location.
A camera showing your yard or walkway is also a popular location because of its good vantage point.
Some ideal ways to hide a security camera are placing it in a birdhouse or placing it beside plants or bushes.
It’s simple enough, but you have to check once in a while to make sure that leaves aren’t blocking your view or the birds haven’t touched your lens. You can also place it on post lights or wall lights.
This way, it’s not as noticeable and can even disguise itself as a part of the lighting.
One important thing to remember is to make sure that you don’t point your security cameras on questionable locations, like directly at a neighbor’s property.
While it may be unavoidable at times, as long as it’s not intentional, then there’s nothing to worry about. This way, you can avoid facing legal problems in case an incident happens.
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Indoor Camera
There is undoubtedly an unmatched feeling of comfort when you’re in your home. However, this does not guarantee safety for your family or your property at all times.
For this reason alone, most households choose to install hidden indoor cameras to monitor different activities within their territory.
It’s also proven useful for parents who are keeping an eye on their children while allowing them to play on their own.
Installing a hidden indoor camera is generally legal, but it becomes a problem when you install it in places where privacy is expected, like in a bathroom.
Vantage point matters as well because where you put one may reveal your intent of doing so. Your goal is to keep an ‘eye’ on the room and not on specific parts of the room.
The camera is either placed at an eye-level or higher, depending on how much of the room the camera can capture.
Most indoor cameras tend to point at the entry and exit points of the house. Having cameras in common rooms, such as the living room and kitchen, are also useful.
Hallways are also popular camera viewpoints because it tends to get busy at times. It’s also ideal to place cameras in your basement and attic to spy on critters that intruded your home.
Usually, an indoor camera is placed on bookshelves, on a corner table, or beside the window, depending on what you want to monitor.
For those who want to keep an eye on the babysitter, a camera on the living room bookshelf and in the kitchen ceiling are good spots.
Some also place them at the corner of the room beside a window because they find it useful to see who peeks through their windows.
On bookshelves, it’ll be great if you can camouflage it using a book or other ornamental shelf figurines. You can also hide it along with your table decoration, say a basket of plushies or flowers.
This type of hidden camera may give you a good view of your living room. It is also ideal for those with toddlers running around the house.
Baby monitors are commonly used in almost every household. However, you can also add a hidden security camera in your baby’s room if you want to check on your babysitter.
You can either place it on the ceiling camouflaged as a pin light. Another option is to put it on your baby’s chest drawers, installed in an alphabet block design.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Hidden Security Cameras
Most, if not all, establishments also take advantage of the benefits a hidden security camera can offer.
It’s mostly for security, but there are other different reasons why these establishments choose to hide their security cameras.
Say, a museum does so as not to disturb the atmosphere for the museum-goers. A 24/7 store installs one for additional security purposes.
For other business establishments, installing a hidden security camera is an excellent way to keep an eye on the premises and the employees.
However, there is a catch because, from a legal standpoint, you may want to steer clear from using a hidden camera to spy on or illegally film someone.
Thus, it’s also important to take caution on how and where you’ll install your hidden camera.
Another thing to remember when using a hidden camera is that it can’t deter a possible break-in to your premises. Some establishments put up a warning that the place is under surveillance.
On another note, the security camera may capture the crime on film as it happens because the intruders won’t know about the surveillance going on.
This may also be useful in monitoring suspicious behavior and possibly preventing a crime before it happens.
Let’s Talk About Visible Security Cameras
As for installing visible security cameras, this also has its benefits. The top reason why most people prefer this is because it’s highly effective in crime deterrence.
Usually, a person with ill-intent will either back out or think twice in executing their plans when they see a security camera. The goal is not only to record them, but also to intimidate them.
A visible camera also has an advantage when it comes to providing a better viewpoint of a location.
Typically, bigger security cameras are used for this purpose to ensure that they are noticeable. In public places, these types of security cameras provide a sense of security within the premises.
These are also extremely useful in monitoring and reviewing road accidents or incidents.
However, the downside of a visible camera is it’s vulnerable to vandalism or being tampered with.
An intruder can quickly destroy your camera and trespass your property. Of course, a damaged security camera will be very costly for you, apart from the loss you may suffer from the break-in.
You also need to carefully consider the quality of the camera you will install to make the most of it. It may be tempting to get the cheaper ones, but it will be useless if you end up with poor quality footages.
Conclusion
Installing a security camera is not merely for matters of security. It also entails the owner to be responsible when it comes to doing surveillance or recording footage.
This is especially true when installing a camouflaged camera within your property.
Educating yourself when it comes to these matters beforehand will surely benefit you and keep you safe from having a brush with the law.
If you’re enjoying this article then why not check out these related articles after finishing this one:
5 Affordable Motion Sensors With Inbuilt Cameras
Do I Really Need Thermal Imaging Security Cameras?
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera Vs Ring Floodlight camera – I have both – which did I pick
Wyze Lock vs August? I Bought Both – Which Did I Pick?
FAQ On Camouflage Security Cameras
How can I hide my security cameras?
By buying a security camera with camouflage built into its design is the best way to hide your camera. Often the best tactic is to hide the camera in plain sight. Security cameras that look like smoke alarms or motion detectors can be a good option.
What are the disadvantages of security cameras?
Security cameras have two obvious disadvantages. The first is video footage data storage, which can take up a lot of hard drive space and become expensive over time. The second is the installation costs including running power and data cables to the security cameras.
Do dummy security cameras really work?
There is evidence to suggest that adding dummy security cameras to your building or home can act as a visual deterrent for would be trespassers. Who make think twice about breaking into a building with what they perceive to be a security system installed in it.
How can you detect a hidden camera?
A well hidden camera is almost impossible to detect unless you do a thoroughly extensive searched of a room or building. Cameras are miniaturized to the point they now they can be hidden in the most unsuspecting of places. However using devices that detect electronic surveillance equipment can help to detect hidden cameras.
How do you hide a camera in plain sight?
The best options that come to mind are using the surrounds of the camera to hide it in plain sight. For example if you are hiding a camera in the woods or forest then paint it colors that match the environment. Or if its an urban environment then use building architecture to your advantage.
Where can I hide my outdoor security cameras?
The best place is high up on your building, ideally where the roof overhangs the walls. That way they have the greatest field of view whilst simultaneously being hidden from anyone who would be looking for them.
How can I hide my trail camera for home security?
If you have a garden or yard then this would be an ideal place to position your trail cameras. Position them so that they have a good view of the house or home and also in a way that they are not triggered by expected motion in the house. For instance, pointing the trail camera on the homes patio.
Can a cell phone detect a hidden camera?
The short answer is no. Cell phones by themselves can not detect hidden security cameras. However you could use surveillance bug detection tools to find hidden cameras far more effectively. Such as a RF Detector Bug Detector Anti-spy Signal Detector Hidden Camera.
Can trail cameras be used for home security?
Yes they can. Ideally trail cameras could be a useful addition to home security provided that they are used in yards or gardens. Pointing them towards your home which add a low maintenance layer of extra security. However you should include regular security cameras as well for better coverage.
What trail cameras send pic to phone?
Modern trail cameras can come with a 4g lte connection meaning that they could send their captures directly to your phone via a cloud provider. These models of trail cameras typically cost slightly more than regular trail cameras and you will also have to buy a 4g sim card.
