Moving into a new flat is a good moment to set up the WiFi router properly from the start — instead of fixing it later, once the furniture is arranged and cables are run. Here are 10 rules worth knowing.
1. Start from the centre of the flat
The router is best placed as centrally as possible relative to the area it needs to cover. Putting it in one corner of the flat means half the signal "radiates" outside the home instead of reaching the other rooms.
2. Don't hide it in a cabinet
Enclosed space limits signal propagation. The router needs open space so radio waves can spread freely.
3. Put it higher up
WiFi signal spreads best when the router isn't sitting directly on the floor. Putting it on a shelf or a chest of drawers instead of on the rug in the corner of a room can meaningfully improve coverage.
4. Keep it away from metal
Large metal objects — metal cabinets, structural elements, or certain furniture — can affect signal propagation. It's worth avoiding placing the router directly next to such things.
5. Avoid the vicinity of large electrical appliances
Some appliances, including microwave ovens, can cause interference, especially on the 2.4 GHz band. It's best to keep the router away from such devices.
6. Check where the thick walls are
Before you set up the router, think about how many walls the signal will have to cross to reach each room. If the flat has one particularly thick wall — a load-bearing one, for example — it's worth avoiding placing the router right behind it.
7. Think about where you actually need WiFi
The router doesn't need to sit at the geometric centre of the flat — what matters more is that it gives good coverage where you actually use the internet, like the living room, bedroom, or a home workspace.
8. Don't assume one spot has to be perfect right away
It's worth testing a few locations before settling on one for good. Even a small change in the router's position — moving it a metre, or changing the height it sits at — can noticeably affect signal quality.
9. Account for future plans
If you know you'll add a mesh point, smart home devices, or change your flat's layout in the future, it's worth factoring that in already when choosing the router's location.
10. Don't guess — measure
The best way to check whether a chosen location is good is to take measurements in different rooms. Check signal strength, speed, and connection stability both near the router and in the farthest parts of the flat.
Summary
Good router placement in a new flat rests on a few simple rules: a central location, open space, the right height, distance from metal and electrical appliances, and accounting for the real wall layout. Spending fifteen minutes on this during the move can save weeks of frustration with weak WiFi.
Don't want to guess? Upload your floor plan to Perfect WiFi and check where a router or mesh node will actually give you the best coverage.
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