The Best Places to Install CCTV Cameras Around Your Home

Choosing the right CCTV system is important — but choosing the right camera locations is just as crucial. Even the best camera in the world won’t help if it’s pointed at the wrong angle, mounted too high, or missing the areas where activity actually happens.

In this friendly guide, we’ll walk through the best places to install CCTV cameras around Irish homes, along with practical tips, common mistakes to avoid and real‑world examples. Whether you’re installing CCTV for the first time or upgrading an older setup, these recommendations will help you get the most out of your system.

If you want to explore camera options after reading, you can also visit our CCTV Systems page.

Why Camera Placement Matters

Many homeowners assume that simply installing a few cameras will automatically give them full coverage. In reality, placement is everything. A poorly positioned camera can:

  • Miss key access points
  • Fail to capture faces clearly
  • Struggle with lighting or glare
  • Leave blind spots intruders can exploit

Good placement ensures your cameras capture the right angles, the right distances and the right details.

The Best Places to Install CCTV Cameras Around Your Home

While every home is different, most Irish houses share similar layouts — front entrance, side passage, rear garden and sometimes outbuildings. Here are the most effective locations for CCTV coverage.

1. Front Door

The front door is the number one location for a CCTV camera. It captures:

  • Visitors and callers
  • Deliveries and couriers
  • Anyone approaching your home
  • Suspicious behaviour near your entrance

A front‑door camera also acts as a strong visual deterrent. Most opportunistic intruders avoid homes with visible cameras at the entrance.

Everyday example

You’re at work and a delivery arrives. Your camera notifies you instantly, and you can check whether the parcel was left safely.

2. Driveway

A driveway camera helps you monitor:

  • Vehicles entering or leaving
  • Parking areas
  • Movement around your property
  • Potential intruders approaching from the front

This is especially useful for homes with multiple cars, shared driveways or frequent visitors.

Everyday example

You hear a noise outside at night. Instead of going to the window, you check your driveway camera on your phone.

3. Side Access or Alleyway

Many break‑ins occur through side entrances, especially in semi‑detached and detached homes. These areas are often hidden from the street and neighbours, making them a common target.

A camera here provides crucial coverage of:

  • Side gates
  • Bins and storage areas
  • Pathways leading to the rear garden
  • Any movement along the side of your home

Everyday example

Someone opens your side gate. Your camera sends a motion alert, allowing you to check instantly.

4. Rear Garden and Patio Doors

Rear access points are among the most common entry routes for intruders because they are less visible from the street. A rear garden camera helps protect:

  • Patio doors
  • French doors
  • Rear windows
  • Garden furniture and equipment

This is one of the most important locations for CCTV in Irish homes.

Everyday example

You’re away on holiday and want to check the back garden after a storm. A quick look at your camera gives you peace of mind.

5. Outbuildings and Sheds

Tools, bikes, lawnmowers and garden equipment stored in sheds are common targets for theft. A camera facing your outbuilding or shed adds valuable protection.

  • Monitor garden rooms or home offices
  • Protect expensive tools and equipment
  • Keep an eye on detached garages

Everyday example

You store bikes in your shed. A camera helps you keep an eye on the area, especially at night.

General CCTV Placement Tips

No matter where you install your cameras, these tips will help you get the best results.

  • Mount cameras high enough to avoid tampering: Typically 2.6–3 metres.
  • Avoid pointing directly into bright lights: Sunlight or floodlights can wash out images.
  • Use wide‑angle lenses for large areas: Ideal for driveways and gardens.
  • Ensure night vision covers key zones: Test after dark to confirm visibility.
  • Angle cameras for faces, not just movement: Identification is key.
  • Check Wi‑Fi or cable routes: Ensure stable connectivity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Mounting cameras too high: This reduces facial detail.
  • Pointing cameras at the sky: Causes glare and poor exposure.
  • Using only one camera: Most homes need at least two or three.
  • Ignoring lighting conditions: Night vision needs proper placement.
  • DIY installation without planning: Leads to blind spots and poor angles.

Real‑World Examples from Irish Homes

Example 1: Semi‑detached home in Dublin

Cameras installed at the front door, side passage and rear patio doors. Result: Full coverage of all access points.

Example 2: Detached home in Meath

Driveway camera + rear garden camera + shed camera. Result: Clear visibility of vehicles, garden and outbuildings.

Example 3: Terraced home in Kildare

Front door camera + smart doorbell. Result: Simple, effective coverage for a compact home.

FAQs: Best Places to Install CCTV Cameras

1. How many CCTV cameras does a typical Irish home need?

Most homes need 2–3 cameras: front, side and rear. Detached homes may need more.

2. Should I install a camera at the front door?

Yes — it’s the most important location for visibility and deterrence.

3. Do I need a driveway camera?

If you have a driveway, parking area or frequent visitors, it’s highly recommended.

4. What height should cameras be mounted?

Typically 2.6–3 metres to balance detail and tamper resistance.

5. Can I install CCTV myself?

DIY is possible, but professional installation ensures correct angles and reliable performance.

6. Do I need night vision?

Yes — most activity happens in low light, so night vision is essential.

7. Should I use wide‑angle cameras?

Wide‑angle lenses are great for large areas like driveways and gardens.

8. Can CCTV cover my shed or garden room?

Absolutely — it’s one of the most common use cases.

9. What if my home has no side access?

Focus on the front and rear — these are still key areas.

10. Does CCTV replace an alarm?

No — CCTV provides visibility, while an alarm provides instant alerts. The best setup uses both.

Final Thoughts

Proper camera placement is one of the most important parts of designing a reliable CCTV system. By focusing on entrances, driveways, side access points, rear gardens and outbuildings, you’ll cover the areas that matter most.

If you’d like personalised advice or want to explore modern CCTV options, visit our CCTV Systems page or book a home security survey.