Smart Home Wall Mounting: The Complete Guide

You’ve invested in a smart home with all kinds of connected devices. But now everything sits on tables and cabinets, cables are everywhere, and it doesn’t look particularly sleek. Time to professionally mount your smart home equipment.

In this guide, we walk through the best ways to get your smart home devices neatly and functionally on the wall.

Why wall mounting is worth it

Good wall mounting is more than just aesthetics. It directly impacts your equipment’s performance and your home’s safety.

Better performance

WiFi access points and mesh routers perform significantly better when mounted at the right height and position. Crammed on a shelf between other items causes interference and dead zones. On the wall, at eye level or higher, signals spread optimally.

The same applies to motion sensors and cameras. The right angle and height determine the difference between a sensor that detects everything and one with blind spots.

Safety and accessibility

Equipment on the wall is out of reach of children, pets, and vacuum cleaners. No risk of being knocked over or cables for someone to trip on. This is especially important for hubs and controllers that need to stay on.

At the same time, mounted equipment remains accessible for maintenance. With the right brackets, you can easily unclip devices when needed.

Clean appearance

A smart home should look smart. Neatly mounted equipment with hidden cables gives your home a modern, tidy appearance. It’s the difference between “I’m working on this” and “this is finished.”

Mounting options by device type

Smart hubs and controllers

Hubs like Philips Hue Bridge, Homey, or SmartThings are the heart of your smart home. They don’t need to be visible and can often be mounted in a utility closet or behind furniture.

Note that some hubs emit WiFi and Zigbee signals. Don’t mount them in a completely metal enclosure and keep distance from large metal objects for optimal connectivity.

We supply custom mounts for various hubs that are easy to attach with double-sided tape or screws. The hub clicks on and off, handy for when you need access.

WiFi access points and mesh routers

This is where mounting really makes the difference. Access points from brands like Ubiquiti, TP-Link, and Asus are designed for ceiling or wall mounting, but often come with mediocre brackets.

For ceiling mounting, you want a sturdy bracket that distributes weight well and provides easy access to ports. Wall mounting is an option if ceiling mounting isn’t possible, but ceiling usually gives better coverage.

At 3Dennis, we’ve developed a whole range of Ubiquiti mounts that work better than the included options. Sturdier, better looking, and with practical features like cable management.

Security cameras

Cameras need a specific viewing angle, and that determines where and how you mount them. Outdoor cameras require weatherproof mounting, while indoor cameras are often placed more discretely.

Consider when mounting cameras:

• Is there an outlet nearby, or are you using PoE/battery?
• What viewing angle covers the desired area?
• Is the camera accessible for maintenance but not for vandals?
• How do you route cables without ugly traces?

Custom 3D printed mounts can help here, especially for tricky angles or specific surfaces.

Thermostats and switches

Smart thermostats like Nest or Tado usually replace an existing thermostat and go in the same location. The challenge is the wiring and neat finishing of the installation.

Smart switches and dimmers go in existing wall boxes. The limitation here is mainly the space in the box for the electronics. Always check if the depth is sufficient for your chosen switch.

Sensors

Door sensors, motion detectors, temperature sensors - they’re small but need to be in the right place. Many sensors come with double-sided tape, which works fine on smooth surfaces.

For less ideal surfaces or when you want to regularly reposition the sensor, magnetic mounts are a good option. A metal plate on the wall and a magnet on the sensor gives flexibility without drilling holes.

Tools and materials

Basic necessities

For most smart home installations you need:

• Drill with wall plugs suitable for your wall type
• Level (or the app on your phone)
• Phillips screwdriver
• Pencil for markings
• Measuring tape

Cable management

Sloppy hanging cables ruin any clean installation. Options to hide cables:

Cable raceway - Plastic channels that run along the wall. Not invisible but neat. Available in various colors to match your wall.

In the wall - The cleanest solution, but requires chasing or a flexible drill. Only practical during new construction or renovation.

Behind baseboards - Many modern baseboards have space for cables. If your route runs along the floor, an invisible solution.

Powerline or WiFi - Sometimes you can eliminate cables entirely by switching to wireless variants or powerline adapters.

Custom mounts: when standard doesn’t fit

Not every device comes with a good bracket, and not every situation is standard. This is where custom 3D printed mounts help.

Examples of situations where a custom mount is the solution:

• You want to mount a device at an angle that isn’t standard
• The included bracket doesn’t fit the surface (round, uneven, etc.)
• You want to combine multiple devices in one mount
• The original mounting system simply isn’t good enough

At 3Dennis, we design and print custom mounts for all common smart home equipment. Need something specific? Contact us and we’ll make it for you.

Tips for a professional installation

Plan your installation beforehand. Determine where each device goes, how cables run, and whether you can combine multiple devices at one location.

Use quality mounting materials. Those cheap wall plugs from the bargain bin won’t hold your access point. Invest in proper plugs and screws for your specific wall type.

Take time for a level result. Nothing screams “amateur” louder than crooked hanging equipment. An extra minute with the level saves years of annoyance.

Test before you finalize. Mount your device temporarily, check if everything works and if the position is right, then make everything permanent.

Getting started

Ready to take your smart home to the next level? Start with a plan, gather your materials, and take time for an installation you’ll enjoy for years.

Browse our smart home mounts collection or let us design a custom solution for your situation.