How should you place mesh points in your home?

A WiFi mesh system can significantly improve internet coverage in a large flat or house. But even a very good mesh kit can perform poorly if its points are placed in the wrong spots.

The most important rule is simple: don't place an extra mesh point where WiFi barely works already. A mesh point needs a good enough connection to the rest of the network before it can effectively extend its range.

1. Start with the main router

The first mesh point is usually connected to the modem or fibre terminal. Its location should be as favourable as possible for the whole home. Pay attention to:

• a central location
• open space
• limiting the number of thick walls
• the height it's placed at
• the absence of large metal obstacles

If the main point sits right at one end of the home, the next points will have a harder job.

2. Don't put the second point in a dead zone

This is one of the most common mistakes. Say your bedroom barely has any WiFi. You might think: "I'll put the second mesh point there." The problem is that the second point first needs to receive a signal from the first one. If it's already in a very weak area, its own connection to the network will be weak too.

A better spot could be the hallway, a neighbouring room, or somewhere else between the main router and the problem area.

3. Look at the walls, not just the metres

The distance between points isn't the only criterion. A point 8 metres away and separated by two thick walls can perform worse than one 12 metres away in more open space. So when planning mesh, it's worth analysing the home's actual layout.

4. A multi-storey home needs separate planning

In a home with several floors, the signal also has to get through ceilings/slabs. Lining up all the points vertically isn't always the best solution. Depending on the building's construction, it can be better to arrange points so each one effectively serves a specific area.

5. Does every mesh point have to be wireless?

No. If you can run Ethernet, you can use a wired connection between points. That can improve the network's stability and performance, since communication between points doesn't have to happen over WiFi. That's why, during construction or renovation, it's worth planning Ethernet cabling to potential access point locations.

6. How many mesh points do you need?

There's no universal answer like "100 m² = two points." Floor area is only one factor. What also matters:

• the number of floors
• the shape of the home
• the type of walls
• where the main router is
• the number of devices
• your coverage requirements

Two buildings of the same size can need completely different networks.

7. Don't place points too close together

If mesh points are placed very close together, the extra point may not bring the expected benefit. The goal is to extend the area of good coverage, not to install as many devices as possible.

8. Plan mesh on the floor plan

The best way to start planning is with a floor plan of your flat or house. Mark:

1. the main router
2. the spots where you need good WiFi
3. thick walls
4. the floors
5. potential locations for extra points

Then compare a few placement options.

Example

Say you have a two-storey house. The router sits on the ground floor by the entrance, and there are three bedrooms upstairs. Placing the second point exactly in the farthest bedroom can be a bad idea.

A better spot could be the central area of the upper floor, as long as the point still has a good enough connection to the main part of the network. If the home has heavy construction and this doesn't give adequate performance, it's worth considering a wired Ethernet connection.

Summary

Good mesh point placement matters just as much as choosing the right hardware. Remember:

• don't place a point in a dead zone
• account for walls and ceilings
• don't go by floor area alone
• consider Ethernet during construction or renovation
• plan point locations on the actual floor plan

Mesh isn't about placing devices wherever WiFi is missing. It's about building a properly arranged network that provides good connectivity across the whole area.