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When it comes to security, you can never be too careful. Hiding your security camera in a window is an easy way to make sure that it can’t be stolen or noticed recording.
Security cameras are used all across the world as a way to protect property and personnel against unwanted intruders. But many people are reluctant (and rightly so) when placing security cameras in places where cameras can be seen as they can easily get stolen. Cameras that can easily be seen are also more likely to get vandalized, as burglars can damage them to get rid of the evidence.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to install a security camera in a secure place where it’s not visible such as a window.
Here are ideas for hiding a security camera in a window.
Some of the best ways you can hide a security camera in a window are:
- Placing a camera out of a person’s line of sight
- Placing a security camera in an enclosure
- Hiding it in a tissue box
- Using a decorative hanging case cover
- Using a window frame to hide the camera
- Camouflaging your security camera
- Using blinds or drapes
Out of A Person’s Line of Sight
One of the reasons security cameras are placed high up is because people usually focus on objects above a certain height. Since most of the objects that humans can interact with are at or below the average human height, we instinctively only pay attention to objects in this field of view. This means that if you simply place a camera at a height, intruders will not notice it unless they are expecting cameras around the house and are actively looking. (1)
For further security, you can note this as a general tip and use this with other camouflage ideas.
Place Your Security Camera in an Enclosure
Placing a camera in an enclosure is not only a really good way to hide a camera but it also improves the visibility of the camera. Light from light sources outside the coverage of the camera or light from the reflections off of the window glass can cause lens flare in the captured footage. An enclosure also keeps this unwanted light from reaching the lens. Since the enclosure keeps unwanted light from reaching the camera, even the uncovered part of the camera is hard to see.
Things You Need
- An enclosed box
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Place the camera inside a box (such as an alarm clock or a show box) and make holes as necessary for the wires and the camera lens. You may check here some hidden camera clock if you want one.
- Hide the camera so that no direct light reaches the camera.
Hide It In Objects Like A Tissue Box
A tissue box is really easy to cut holes in and it’s so ordinary that burglars won’t even notice it. This makes a tissue box perfect for hiding a camera.
Things You Need
- A security camera with minimal wiring that works properly at nighttime, reflection, and low light
- An empty tissue box
- A hole punch machine
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Start by taking a sturdy tissue box and punching holes in it using a hole punch. You can also use a pen, scissors, knife, or any other sharp object if you don’t have a hole punch. These holes should be placed appropriately for the lens and wire location on your camera.
- Place the camera inside the box and properly tape it so it stays in place. Make sure that the lens is in front of one of the holes. Also, make sure that the hole is big enough not to get in the way of the footage but big enough to hide the camera. Placing the lens hole in a dark patch of the box will hide the lens better. Tape the wires with black electrical tape or masking tape as well.
- Place some sheets of tissue paper on top of the camera so that it looks like a regular tissue box. Also, pull one from the top slit to make it look ordinary. Make sure that the sheets of tissue paper don’t block the lens.
- Place the tissue box on the window sill, and you are good to go.
Use a decorative hanging case cover
A decorative hanging cover can allow you to place a camera above the line of sight of passerby’s and camouflage it at the same time. This will make your camera really hard to detect. However, this may not hide the camera from all angles.
Things You Need
- A decorative cover of your choice
- A security camera
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Install the security camera in the top center of your window.
- Use your decorative cover to cover the camera. Decorative covers come in many shapes, sizes, and designs. Make sure to select one that fits perfectly over your camera. Don’t select a flashy cover as it draws attention to itself. Try getting one that matches the theme of your room and blends in.
- After covering up the camera, make sure that the lens is placed in front of a hole or cut. The hole should be through a dark patch on the case.
- Lo and behold! Now you have a pretty decoration hanging in front of the window with added protection!
Use a Window Frame to Hide the Camera
Hide the camera behind any top corner of the window frame and place a light source outside the window near the same corner so that no direct light reaches the camera. This will make the camera almost impossible to see at night while also providing perfect light for your footage. (2)
Camouflage Your Security Camera
You can also simply surround the body of the camera with uninteresting everyday objects. It may provide an added advantage to place objects that are the same color around them. The camera would also benefit from being in the shadow of these objects. Or you could buy a security camera with camouflage patterns and hide it inside a plant pot.
Use blinds or drapes
This is a really good way to hide a camera during the day and if there is a bright light source outside your window at night. If the drapes or blinds are made of bright colors, the camera will pretty much be invisible behind them.
Things You Need
- Blinds or drapes on your windows
- Security camera
Step-By-Step Instruction
- Shut the blinds or the drapes
- Place the camera in a way that it peaks through the drapes
- Place a light source outside and keep it on at night for better camouflage
FAQs
Turn Off IR Lights And Status Lights
You do not want IR lights to be on especially if they emit red light when they’re on. If your camera is hidden well, then the IR light will not reach the subject anyway and would just waste power. Instead, use a light source to light up the surveillance area at night.
Status lights may also give away the location of the camera especially at night. This can happen even if the camera is hidden. Use the manual and try to turn these lights off. If you can’t find a way, use electric tape to cover the lights such that they are not visible in the dark.
Make Sure Your Camera Is Close To The Glass
Install the security camera as near the glass as possible, and cover it up with any of the above methods. This process is important as the window’s reflection can affect the vision of the camera negatively. By placing the camera’s lens near the window, you can get minimal reflection and a better view.
Can I just use Privacy Film?
You can use a one-way film or a privacy film for extra protection. Install a security camera using any of the above methods. Cover up your window with a one-way window film or tint. A one-way window film will add privacy and security to your camera as a one-way window film prevents people from seeing inside your room and spotting the camera.
Note: Although one-way privacy films and tints are a good option, they slightly obscure the camera’s vision and cause blurring. You will still be able to view good enough footage in the daytime, but you might have to add a few light sources on the outside for good vision at night.
Can a security camera see through a window?
If you place the camera close enough to the window or if you block the reflection of inside light sources from reaching the camera, the camera will have no trouble seeing through the window.
We hope that this collection of security camera ideas was useful for you. No matter which method you are following, make sure the camouflage objects do not gather a lot of attention. With the rising crime rates and use of technology, security cameras are a necessary addition to any place. And hiding security cameras is also important to maximize offered protection and minimize possible losses.
References
(1) average human height – https://ourworldindata.org/human-height
(2) perfect light – https://www.techsmith.com/blog/get-perfect-lighting-video/
