Keeping your home safe starts with smart outdoor security camera placement. It’s not just about putting up cameras—where you place them makes all the difference. A well-placed camera catches suspicious activity before anything happens, while a poorly placed one might miss everything.

If you’re setting up a security system or upgrading your current setup, this guide breaks down exactly where and how to install cameras for full coverage. Let’s get started.

1. Prioritizing Entry Points

Front Door

The front door is a no-brainer when it comes to security. About 34% of burglars walk right through it. A camera here makes sure you always have an eye on who’s coming and going.

Best Placement Tips

  • Mount the camera 8-10 feet high. This keeps it out of reach while still capturing clear details.
  • Angle it slightly downward to get a full view of the doorway and anyone approaching.
  • Use a doorbell camera for an up-close view. This also gives you two-way audio, so you can talk to visitors (or tell unwanted guests to leave).
  • Avoid placing it too high—a camera mounted too high might miss faces, leaving you with a useless top-down view.

Back Door & Side Doors

About 22% of break-ins happen through back or side doors. Since these areas are often out of sight, burglars know they’re less risky entry points.

Best Placement Tips

  • Install the camera at the same height as the front door (8-10 feet).
  • Choose a weather-resistant camera since it’ll be exposed to the elements.
  • If possible, use a motion-activated floodlight to light up the area when someone approaches.
  • Check for blind spots—trees, fences, and patio furniture can block your camera’s view.

2. Monitoring Windows

Windows are one of the easiest entry points for intruders, especially ones hidden by landscaping, fences, or walls. If someone wants to break in without being seen, a side or back window is usually their first choice.

Ground-Floor Windows

Since ground-level windows are the most vulnerable, they should be part of your outdoor security camera placement plan as well as indoor strategy.

Best Placement Tips

  • Outdoor cameras should be angled to monitor ground-floor windows, especially those hidden from street view.
  • Indoor cameras can be set up to face windows from the inside, but be mindful of glare from sunlight.
  • Adjust the angle slightly downward to avoid glare or reflections.
  • If privacy is a concern, use window sensors along with cameras to detect any movement or breakage.

Second-Story Windows

While less common, second-story windows can still be a target—especially if there’s a nearby tree, balcony, or ladder-accessible structure.

Best Placement Tips

  • If your home has a balcony or fire escape, position a camera to cover that area.
  • Cameras with wide-angle lenses (90°-110°) can capture a larger area, covering multiple windows at once.
  • Consider window locks and glass break sensors for extra security.

3. Overseeing Driveways and Garages

A garage isn’t just for cars—it often holds expensive tools, bikes, and outdoor equipment. And don’t forget the driveway; thieves know a quick grab-and-go is easier than breaking into the house itself.

Driveway Security

If you park outside or have frequent deliveries, a driveway camera can catch any suspicious activity before someone even reaches your house.

Best Placement Tips

  • Mount the camera high enough to cover the entire driveway.
  • Angle it to capture license plates of any cars pulling in.
  • Use motion-activated recording to save storage space and battery life.
  • Consider a floodlight camera for visibility at night.

Garage Security

Garages can be weak spots if they’re left open or have easy-to-force side doors.

Best Placement Tips

  • Place a camera inside the garage, pointed at the entrance.
  • Mount an outdoor camera above the garage door to capture movement.
  • If your garage has a side door or back window, position a camera to monitor these areas.
  • Smart garage door sensors can alert you if the door is left open.

4. Securing Outdoor Spaces

Backyards, patios, and sheds might not seem like high-risk areas, but they often contain expensive outdoor furniture, tools, and equipment. If an intruder can move around unseen, they have more time to break in.

Backyard Security

Since backyards are more private, intruders feel less pressure to rush. A outdoor security camera placement strategy should focus on eliminating hiding spots.

Best Placement Tips

Outdoor Security Camera Placement
  • Angle cameras toward entry points like back gates and fences.
  • Install motion-activated lights to keep the area well-lit at night.
  • Use weatherproof, night-vision cameras that work in all conditions.
  • Check for obstacles like trees, sheds, or overhangs that might block the view.

Side Pathways

Narrow pathways along the side of a house are ideal for sneaky intruders.

Best Placement Tips

  • Mount a camera high on a side wall, aimed down the length of the path.
  • Use motion detection to save battery life and alert you to unexpected movement.
  • If possible, trim back overgrown bushes so there’s nowhere to hide.

5. Indoor Surveillance Considerations

Indoor security cameras help track movement inside the house, whether it’s an intruder, a pet, or even a package being delivered inside. But placement matters—nobody wants a camera where it invades privacy. The key is covering high-traffic areas without making family members feel watched.

Common Areas

Placing cameras in living rooms, hallways, and entryways can help monitor movement without invading private spaces.

Best Placement Tips

  • Point cameras toward entry points like the front door, back door, or garage entry.
  • Avoid direct placement in bedrooms or bathrooms for privacy reasons.
  • Use wide-angle cameras to capture a full room view.
  • Consider smart indoor cameras with AI detection to differentiate between people, pets, and general motion.

Stairways

If an intruder enters, they’ll likely use a staircase at some point. A well-placed camera can track movement between floors.

Best Placement Tips

  • Install cameras at the top or bottom of the stairs for full coverage.
  • Angle the camera downward to capture clear images of anyone using the stairs.
  • Pair with motion sensors to detect movement between floors.

6. General Best Practices

No matter where you place cameras, a few key strategies help ensure better coverage and clearer footage.

1. Mount Cameras at the Right Height

  • 8-10 feet is the sweet spot—high enough to prevent tampering but not so high that details get lost.
  • For doorbell cameras, keep them at chest level (about 4-5 feet).

2. Adjust the Camera Angle

  • Tilt outdoor cameras slightly downward to avoid sky glare.
  • For indoor cameras, aim for an angle that covers the room’s main activity areas without pointing directly at seating areas.

3. Keep Lighting in Mind

  • Avoid placing cameras directly facing bright light sources like windows or lamps.
  • Use night-vision cameras for areas with poor lighting.
  • Pair cameras with motion-activated lights for better nighttime footage.

4. Use Wide-Angle Lenses for Large Areas

  • For backyards, driveways, and open spaces, a 90°-110° field of view is best.
  • Indoors, a 120°+ field of view helps cover more space with fewer cameras.

5. Regularly Check and Maintain Cameras

  • Wipe lenses clean to prevent dirt and dust from blurring footage.
  • Trim back plants and trees that might obstruct the view.
  • Test motion detection settings to make sure cameras trigger at the right time.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best cameras won’t help if they’re placed incorrectly. Here are some common mistakes people make with home security camera placement—and how to fix them.

1. Mounting Cameras Too High

  • If cameras are too high, they might miss facial details.
  • Keep them at 8-10 feet for the best balance between coverage and detail.

2. Ignoring Blind Spots

  • Every home has areas that cameras miss—corners, behind large objects, or shaded entry points.
  • Walk around your home and look for any gaps in coverage.

3. Forgetting Secondary Entry Points

  • Side doors, back gates, basement windows—burglars know most people forget these spots.
  • Make sure every potential entry point has coverage.

4. Overlooking Privacy Laws

  • If your camera captures your neighbor’s property, a public street, or a shared apartment hallway, you might run into legal issues.
  • Adjust angles to keep recordings within your property.

5. Placing Cameras in Private Spaces

  • Avoid bedrooms, bathrooms, and changing areas to respect privacy.
  • Instead, focus on entry points and common areas.

Final Thoughts

Getting outdoor security camera placement right isn’t just about installing cameras—it’s about strategic positioning. The goal is to cover all entry points, eliminate blind spots, and capture useful footage in case of a break-in.

Quick Recap:

Front door, back door, and side doors should always have cameras.
Windows, driveways, and garages are common entry points and need coverage.
Backyards, pathways, and stairways shouldn’t be overlooked.
Mount cameras at the right height and angle for the best clarity.
Regular maintenance keeps your security system working properly.

A well-placed camera system isn’t just about catching intruders—it’s about peace of mind. Whether you’re home or away, knowing your house is covered means one less thing to worry about.