How to Hide Camera Wires (5+ Ways)
Installing security cameras or other recording devices in your home can be a great way to monitor your property and improve safety. However, the wires and cables required to power and connect these devices can look unsightly.
Fortunately, there are many clever ways to cleanly hide camera wires to keep your home looking neat. With some planning and simple materials, you can conceal cables along floors, walls, and ceilings.

Why Hide Wires
Before going over specifics on how to hide camera wires, let’s review why it’s important to conceal cabling in the first place:
Improve Aesthetics
Exposed wires and cables look messy and detract from your home’s style. Hiding wires keeps your spaces looking cleaner.
Reduce Tripping Hazards
Loose cables along the floor or low on walls pose tripping risks. Concealing wires removes safety issues.
Enhance Security
Visible wires clue intruders into your surveillance setup. Hiding them adds a layer of security.
Planning Your Wire Routing
Carefully planning where and how you’ll route the wiring is a crucial first step. Consider these key factors:
Camera Power Source
Determine whether you’ll plug cameras into indoor outlets or use outdoor-rated power adapters. This affects running cables into or outside of your home.
Cable Length Needs
Measure straight-line distances from cameras to the recording device so you get cables long enough, but not excessive slack.
Conduit Selection
Choose conduit tubing suitable for your mounting surface – floors, interior/exterior walls, ceilings, etc. Rigid plastic channels typically work best.
Neat Entry/Exit Points
Plan clean cable entry/exit locations to/from conduit instead of just below the actual devices.
WiFi Capability
Consider wireless cameras to eliminate the need for power cables at the camera. However, the signal recording device still needs wiring.
Hiding Wires on Walls
For any security cameras mounted high on exterior walls or soffits, hiding their wires against walls keeps things clean. Here are tips for concealing wall-running cables:
Recessed Channels
For one or just a few cables, using plastic channels recessed into walls keeps things very neat but does require patching/painting.
Conduit
Surface-mounted conduit is great for covering multiple wires and easier to install than recessed channels. Paint it to match your home.
Perimeter Moldings
If you have decorative molding trims around ceilings, tuck wires behind these for instant concealment.
Lattice & Trellises
For exterior walls, a lattice frame or garden trellis can disguise wires while also enhancing visual appeal.
Fake Greenery
Artificial bush/vine panels affixed to walls are very effective at camouflaging wires. They’re affordable and reusable too.
Hiding Floor-Running Wires
Cables that need to traverse floors are especially prone to damage and posing tripping hazards. Use these techniques to keep floor wires out-of-sight and out of-mind:
Underfloor Conduit
Plastic tubing under flooring is the most secure option. It may require some demolition but hides wires perfectly.
Floor Cord Covers
Adhesive-backed cord channels stick to flooring and blend into surfaces to make wires far less obvious. They’re quick and easy to install.
Area Rugs
Placing runners or area rugs over floor-running wires effortlessly conceals cabling while adding decor. Just mind edges so they don’t flip.
Furniture Leg Covers
For wires that must cross open floors, plastic wraps for table/chair legs disguise cables effectively.
Hiding Ceiling Wires
Wires crossing ceilings are common if cameras are mounted high or servicing upper-level rooms. Utilize these techniques for keeping ceiling cables subtle and out-of-view:
Crown Molding
Tucking wires behind decorative crown moldings around a room perimeter is likely the easiest ceiling wire solution.
Conduit Tracks
Plastic conduit tubing affixed to ceilings effectively hides wires. Paint it to match.
Attic Access
For cameras mounted below attic spaces, routing wires through wall/ceiling ports into the attic keeps them mostly hidden.
Drop Ceilings
False drop ceilings offer expansive void space perfect for completely concealing wires. Just mind fire codes for plenum spaces.
Additional Wire Hiding Tips
Beyond the basics above, also remember these extra tips when tackling wire concealment in your home:
Allow Access
When hiding wires, ensure recorded footage remains accessible in case needed by authorities. Don’t conceal too permanently.
Manage Slack Wire
Don’t bundle up excess wiring. Neatly coil any extra length and secure it within reach of cameras should adjustments be needed.
Affix Securely
When adhering cord covers or concealing wires, ensure cabling and devices stay firmly in place and don’t sag over time.
Use Wireless Extenders
If camera wire runs are excessive, wireless video transmitters can relay signals to eliminate the need for cables.
Common Questions about Hiding Wires
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about concealing security camera wires and cabling:
What is the easiest way to hide wires?
The easiest approach for most is using cord covers that adhere directly to mounting surfaces. They conceal wires neatly while installing fast without tools. Just ensure you get cord covers suitable and rated for the surface you’re mounting them to.
What is the best way to hide wires outside?
Outdoors, flexible conduit tubing is generally the best solution for hiding wires. It protects cabling from weather and damage. Adhere conduit to walls or soffits and paint it to match exteriors. Faux vines, bushes and lattice also work well hiding exterior wires too.
What can I use to hide wires on the wall?
Recessed plastic wire channels are great for concealing wall wires, but they require patching and painting. Surface-mounted conduit is likely easier to install and helps hide wires. You can also route cables behind perimeter wall crown molding if present.
How do you run video cable in a house?
Plan out your camera placement first. Measure wire runs and get cabling about 25% longer to permit adjustments. Use conduit tubing to encase and protect wires. Adhere conduit neatly to ceilings, walls and floors to avoid hazards and conceal cabling. For ceilings and upper walls, crown molding and wall plates can hide wires too.
How do you hide a camera outside?
Disguising outdoor cameras helps avoid drawing attention to them. Place small cameras in everyday items mounted to your home like lighting fixtures, mailboxes, bird houses, or vents. Ensure the items blend into your home style. Also, paint cameras or conduits to match your exterior colors for camouflaging.
Final Thoughts
Installing security cameras has never been easier thanks to wireless options and affordable systems. However, most setups do require some degree of wiring that looks messy if left exposed.
Hopefully the thorough wire concealment tips provided above give you ample ideas to cleanly route any video camera cabling in your home. Taking time to carefully plan out wiring and use suitable conduit tubing or cord covers is key to keeping your spaces looking orderly and professional.
Concealing camera wires takes a bit more effort upfront but prevents hazards and clutter to ensure your surveillance gear blends into its surroundings. So use the strategies above during your next camera project for a seamlessly hidden wired installation.