A smart way to hide a modem and wifi router. Keep reading to learn how to hide your modem and wifi router without blocking the signal, router cover or box options, and more.
If you have seen my Pinterest, you’ll know how much I love hiding unsightly electronic products – I have a dedicated board called “Smart Home Ideas”. Since I know I cannot live without modern technology, the only thing I can do is hide them in a smart and stylish way.
Nowadays we all need internet and wifi to survive, so let’s find a smart way to hide router and modem without blocking the signal!
I hide my wifi router and modem in my living room, because that’s where the internet cable was installed. The two methods I’m sharing next will work for almost any room in your house. I’ll also share my thoughts on where to place place them, as well as how to organize the cables of your modem and router.
If you are interested, keep reading 🙂
Btw, you can follow my decorating and DIY journey on Instagram for more home decorating tips!
How to hide modem and wifi router without blocking the signal
The general idea is simple: you want to cover the modem and router in some sort of box, but it shouldn’t blog the signal or create too much heat.
So my first method I use is to store them in a woven basket with holes (like this one), then you can place it somewhere near the internet cable and power outlet, to minize the cable being exposed.
Alternatively, you can place them in a decorative open box (which is even better to prevent blocking the wifi signal!).
I’ve included both types of wifi router box and covers at the end of this post that you check them out.
I have been hiding my modem and router this way in my living room for quite a few years and haven’t run into any issues with signal or overheating. However, if your house is very hot, open basket method might be for you.
The intent of this post is to provide you with some inspiration and ideas. Your router model and basket might be different, and I would suggest you to keep a close eye on it the first couple weeks after you have it set up.
I have also listed some open baskets as an alternative option at the end of this post.
Why use a lidded basket with holes to hide modem and router?
Why is a lidded basket with holes a good option to hide modem and router you may ask? Modem and wifi routers will release some heat as they work, so make sure to pick a basket with holes to allow heat to come out.
Another reason is that your router and modem need to connect to power outlet and internet cable. With the designated holes, it is easier to pass the wires and cables through to keep them organized.
Of course you can choose an open basket as your router cover. I will share more tips on hiding modem and router with that method later in the post.
The reason I chose a lidded basket is because I want to hide them completely – they are such an eyesore for me!
A box to hide modem would also work but I personally think it easier to find pretty basket than pretty boxes, also baskets are generally more breathable which is beneficial for both letting heat out and not block signals.
Organizing the wifi router and modem cables
To keep the router cords and cables hidden, I thread them through the back of the basket lid. Most lidded baskets have hinges that have enough gap for cables to pass through.
I then guide them behind the living room console table where the basket sits. In addition, I placed an indoor plant in front of the outlet to completely cover the power outlet.
This is so easy to do but definitely has a high impact! Those black plastic wifi boxes will no longer be visible. I highly encourage you to try!
Where to place modem and router?
Choosing a location to hide your wifi router box is important as you probably don’t want to run the internet cable running through the entire space and screaming “catch me!”.
I have my wifi station setup right next to where the internet wire comes out from the floor. It is between my entryway and living room, next to a wall.
Because a lot of modem cables come out from the floor, you can also hide router and modem at floor level too. Considering having a taller basket or a skinny one, so proportionally it looks nice and doesn’t look awkward sitting on the floor.
Basket with lids online resource:
Here are a few lidded woven basket sources I have found to be pretty cute for a space, so you can get started on hiding your modem and router right away!
Alternative way to hide a router and modem – Open Basket
You can use an open basket or box as long to hide wifi router and modem as long as your device doesn’t stick out.
I have been hiding Google Home mini device on my kitchen counter, and you can read the details at how to hide smart home device. This method works particularly well if your electronics has a speaker or if you want to make sure your internet router and modem get fully ventilated.
I placed my smart home device in a small basket with some napkins as sound absorption to increase the sound quality. If you want to use it for wifi router, you might want to use a stilt instead of fabrics, to let the heat to escape from the bottom of the router.
The general idea is to place this router box high enough so it won’t be easily seen, such as on a book shelf. You can imagine if you place an open basket on the floor, people can easily spot those unsightly router and modem.
Besides using a basket, you can also hide modem and router in a box, just make sure the box you store your router has decent mount of holes or openings for heat to escape and also for the wires and cables to come out.
Basket without lid online resource:
Here are a few cute baskets to hide your wifi router and modem:
I hope you find my ideas and tips helpful on hiding those ugly wifi routers and modems! And I encourage you to give them a try because I’m so happy using wifi everyday without seeing the devices in my well decorated home.
Curious about the sources of my home furniture, decor and finish? Visit Shop My Home page.
And by the way, The Everygirl has a great post on hiding electronics and cables in general if you are also troubled by how to hide TVs, for example.
More smart home organization
How to Hide Google Home Mini, Alexa or Any Smart Home Devices
DIY Bathroom Vanity Inside Mirror – IKEA FRACK Mirror Hack
DIY Spice Drawer Organizer (Video) | Kitchen Organization
Concerned person says
this looks like a fire hazard.
Oryn oldpath says
Love the boxes especially the owl one. I hid my broad band box behind a large picture on a shelf. Many visitors say oh you had wifi taken out then ? Cause they no longer see the ugly sky box
Kelin says
That’s such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Toots says
Routers, modems, etc. are simply a part of our lives whereby we do things we just don’t want to do. Nobody cares when they spot routers and modems in peoples’ homes….
Ventilation requirement is 4” of clearance on all sides and even ideally NOT on the floor (Wi-Fi signals go downward)… if you decide to make baskets etc.
PLEASE remember that and make the baskets LARGE ENOUGH to keep the tech safe and working optimally).
When tech gets too hot, it’s unhappy- just like you!
Beth says
Where’d you get the table/cabinet from ? The white one! I love it!
Kelin says
Glad to hear that. I got it as second hand and painted it into an oyster white color
Abhi says
nice post. Actually, If you already have a basket without a lid, you can just use that even on a low height table by just putting it upside down to hide the cables and use the holes for handles to connect cables.
Kelin says
This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing Abhi!
Georgia Anne says
Does this affect connection/has the router overheated? This is a great idea, I hate my router, it’s such an eyesore aha!
admin says
I feel you – all the routers on the market are ugly. For the basket, I’d recommend you to keep a close eye on it for the first couple days. It wasn’t a problem for me because my basket has holes on the sides and my house it not very hot. Also you can pop the lid open a little bit to allow ventilation, just enough to allow heat to come out but people won’t easily spot the routers inside.
Jyoti Goodwin-Jones says
Can I ask where you got the basket to store the router in?
admin says
I got it from my local Home Goods a while ago so I don’t have a link. I found a few similar baskets from Amazon under “Basket with lids online resource”