Where to Hide Security Camera DVR (Ideas)

Installing a CCTV system might give you peace of mind, but what about the camera’s DVR? Thinking about where to hide it can be a challenge, but don’t worry; I’ve got your back!

Ideal locations range from the attic and basement to inside walls or cabinets. Factors like accessibility, temperature, security, connectivity, and noise level are important considerations when selecting the DVR’s location. Various home layouts and family lifestyles are also considered, and I’ll share tailored solutions for each case.

You might even discover a few locations you hadn’t considered before!

Overview of Clever Spots to Hide Your DVR

Location	Advantage	Consideration
Attic	Limited access and discreet location	Ensure that the temperature is not too high for the DVR
Ceiling	Stays inconspicuous	It might be difficult to access for maintenance or troubleshooting
Basement	Can offer extra security due to difficult access	Protect the DVR from possible moisture and flooding
Closet	Easily accessible and can be creatively hidden	Make sure to place it high or out of plain sight
Bookshelf	Looks natural and unsuspecting	The DVR should be carefully hidden behind books or within a specially designed book cover
Walls	It can be hidden in plain sight	Requires DIY skills for installation
Cabinet	It can be hidden along with other entertainment devices	Place it toward the back for added discretion

Ideal DVR Locations

Attic

Ah, the attic! It’s one of those places where you wouldn’t normally think to look for a hidden DVR.

I’ve found it a great spot because of its limited access and discreet location. Simply tuck your DVR or NVR somewhere under the insulation or behind stored items, and voilà, it’s out of sight!

Ceiling

Another great place for hiding your DVR is the ceiling. Placing your security system in the upper reaches is even easier if you have a drop ceiling.

This might be a bit more challenging to access later on, but it sure does a great job of staying inconspicuous.

Basement

If you have a basement, I’d say it’s a prime location for securing your DVR. You can find a hidden nook, a safe box, or even build a dedicated locked room.

What I love about this spot is that it usually takes time for someone to access it, giving you additional security.

Closet

Do you have a walk-in closet or a utility closet? Don’t be afraid to get creative with it! I like placing my DVR on a high shelf or inside an obscure box.

It keeps the equipment secure and easier for me to access when needed.

Bookshelf

Books, beautiful books! Who would have thought they could be of help in hiding DVRs?

I’ve found that placing my security system behind a row of books or even within a specially designed book cover does the trick.

Walls

Hidden in plain sight. installing a DVR inside a wall, perhaps behind a painting, makes finding it exceptionally difficult.

Remember that you’ll need some DIY skills, but the unperturbed security it provides is worth the effort.

Cabinet

Last, but not least, consider hiding your DVR or NVR in a TV cabinet. Just imagine something so valuable tucked away next to your Blu-ray collection.

Be sure to place it toward the back of the cabinet for more discretion.

Remember, the key is to think outside the box and never underestimate the power of creativity!

Ideal DVR Location

Based on Family Lifestyle

Family Lifestyle	Ideal DVR Location	Reason
Busy, Active Family	Utility room or garage	Less frequent interruptions, the potential for hidden spots among various equipment
Family with Young Children	Master bedroom or home office	Higher, out-of-reach spots reduce the risk of accidental discovery or tampering
Retirees	Living room or study	Easy access for regular monitoring and maintenance
Single Occupant	Bedroom or home office	Privacy allows for less hidden location, easy access for regular use
Work-from-Home Professionals	Home office, behind a bookshelf	Easy access during working hours, an opportunity to blend DVR with work equipment
Pet Owners	Living room, hidden in furniture	Avoid spots accessible to pets to prevent accidental damage
Frequent Travellers	Attic or basement	Less accessible locations provide added security during extended absences
Night Shift Workers	Bedroom, hidden in a closet	Less disruptive noise during sleeping hours, easy access during awake hours
Entertainment Enthusiasts	Home theater room, hidden with AV equipment	Opportunity to blend DVR with existing equipment, easy access during use
Fitness Conscious Family	Garage or home gym, hidden among exercise equipment	Less visited spots during non-workout hours provide added security

Based on the Home Layout

Home Layout	Ideal DVR Location	Reason
Open Plan	Hidden within the living room or kitchen furniture	Easy to access, can be camouflaged within the open space
Multiple Levels	Attic or basement	Provides a hidden and secure location away from main living areas
Compact Layout (small apartment, tiny house)	Hidden in a bookshelf or behind wall art	Space-saving options that blend with home decor
Long and Narrow	In a hallway closet or utility room	Central location helps manage cable lengths to different rooms
Large, Spacious Layout	In a dedicated home office or library	Offers ample space for secure and hidden setup
Bungalow	Hidden in bedroom or living room furniture	Single-floor setup allows for easy cable management
Studio Apartment	Under the bed or within kitchen cabinets	Space-saving options in a compact setting
Home with Basement	In the basement	Provides a hidden and secure location away from main living areas
Home with Attic	In the attic	Less accessible to potential intruders, providing added security
Loft-Style Home	On a high shelf or within a wall unit	Utilizes vertical space for hidden and secure setup

Based on Home Type

Home Type	Ideal DVR Location	Reason
Apartment	Hidden in bookshelf, Behind wall art	Limited space makes concealment within everyday items ideal
Detached House	Attic, Basement, Inside a wall	Larger space allows for more concealed and secure locations
Townhouse	Utility Closet, Inside a cabinet	Shared walls limit options, so interior hiding spots are ideal
Mobile Home	Under the bed, Inside a secured box	Space is limited, and mobility needs to be considered
Condo	Inside a fake wall vent, In a locked drawer	Since condos often have shared spaces, more creative concealment may be necessary
Farmhouse	Inside a barn or outbuilding, In the basement	Larger properties allow for more distant hiding places
Tiny Home	Behind wall panels, Under floorboards	Space is at a premium, so innovative hidden spots are ideal
Cabin/Log House	Inside a fireplace mantel, In the loft	The rustic design may allow for unique hiding places
Multi-story Building	Centralized utility room, Inside a false ceiling	Centralized locations help in managing long cable lengths
Office Building	Locked server room, Hidden ceiling space	Professional settings allow for more robust security measures

Protecting DVR from Theft

Lockbox

A lockbox is one of the best ways to protect your security camera DVR from theft. A lockbox is a sturdy metal container that houses your DVR, keeping it safe from burglars and vandalism.

I personally use a lock box to ensure my DVR is secure. It makes it difficult for thieves to access the device and deters them from attempting to steal it in the first place.

Locker

Another excellent option for securing your DVR is a locker. Like a lock box, a locker is a larger, more spacious storage enclosure designed to store and protect your DVR.

What I like about using a locker is that it provides ample space for organizing cables and additional equipment while keeping everything safe and secure.

Storage Enclosure

Finally, a storage enclosure is another method to consider for protecting your DVR. Storage enclosures can be anything from an attic or crawl space to a hidden compartment in your wall.

Being a bit more creative, I’ve even heard of people using a sock drawer as a covert hiding spot for their DVRs. The key here is to choose a less obvious location and less accessible to potential thieves.

When securing your DVR, it’s important to consider alarms and monitoring systems. These can alert you and the police if someone attempts to tamper with or steal your DVR.

Remember, the goal is to deter and prevent theft; every additional layer of security makes it much harder for a thief to succeed.

So whether you choose a lockbox, locker, or storage enclosure, remember that safeguarding your DVR is crucial to preserving your valuable security footage. Stay safe and happy hiding!

Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Location for DVR

Factor	Description	Considerations
Accessibility	Ease of reaching the DVR for maintenance, repairs, or to change settings	Consider locations that are not overly inconvenient to access
Ventilation and Temperature	DVRs generate heat, so it’s important to keep them cool	Choose a location that is well-ventilated and not subject to extreme temperatures
Security	Keeping the DVR safe from potential theft or tampering	Consider discrete locations or places that are hard to access without being noticed
Cabling and Connectivity	DVRs need to be connected to the cameras and the internet	Ensure the chosen location allows for proper cabling and has a strong internet connection
Noise Level	DVRs can generate noise while operating	If noise could be an issue, consider placing the DVR in a location where it won’t disturb people
Power Supply	DVRs need a reliable power source	Ensure that the chosen location is near a power outlet or arrange for a safe extension cord route
Future Maintenance	Allowing space and access for potential repairs or upgrades	Choose a location where potential future maintenance won’t be excessively difficult
Home Layout	The layout of your home may dictate the best spots for DVR installation	Ensure the chosen spot suits the overall layout and flow of your home

Considerations for DVR Hiding Spots in Different Rooms

Room	Considerations
Living Room	Accessibility, the possibility of camouflaging within decor, proximity to power outlets and internet connection
Bedroom	Potential noise from DVR operation during sleep hours, hidden spots in wardrobes or under bed
Kitchen	Potential heat and humidity, proximity to power outlets, the possibility of hiding within cabinets
Bathroom	High humidity and potential water damage risk, limited hiding spots
Attic	Extreme temperature changes, the potential for hidden and hard-to-reach spots, distance from the power supply and internet connection
Basement	Risk of flooding or dampness, hidden spots in unused corners or utility rooms, distance from the power supply and internet connection
Garage	Risk of temperature extremes and potential dust or debris, hidden spots in toolboxes or on high shelves
Home Office	Good accessibility, potential noise during work hours, an opportunity to hide within office furniture or equipment
Laundry Room	Risk of humidity, noise from appliances, the potential to hide within cabinets or utility closets
Kids Room	Risk of accidental discovery, potential noise during sleep hours, limited hiding spots
Outdoor Shed	Exposure to weather conditions, potential for hidden and hard-to-reach spots, need for power supply and internet connection extension
Home Theater	Good accessibility, potential noise during movie viewing, an opportunity to hide within AV equipment or furniture

References

Organizations:

• Electronic Security Association. https://esaweb.org/
• Security Industry Association. https://www.securityindustry.org/
• ASIS International. https://www.asisonline.org/

Websites:

• Reolink Blog. https://reolink.com/blog/
• CCTV Camera World’s Blog. https://www.cctvcameraworld.com/blog/

Video Reference

Kevin Robinson