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Home Network Access Point Placement Options Using Floorplan

Sarah Jenkins • • 6 min read
Home Network Access Point Placement Options Using Floorplan

Summarize the problem

I need help with access point placement to improve the Wi-Fi in my home. I have a UniFi UDM Pro and a couple nanoHD access points, and need to purchase a Flex HD access point. I've created a couple placement options using a floor plan and the UniFi Design Center.

Provide details and any research

  • Three story home (finished basement, main, and upstairs) built in 1986
  • 2,378 finished square feet
  • Drywall ceilings, eight feet high
  • Drywall interior walls, brick exterior walls
  • Hardwood floors
  • Around 24 WiFi clients from a family of four
  • WiFi clients include iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, HomePod, Nintendo Switch, Ecobee thermostat, and Wemo smart plug devices
  • I hardwire everything I can but we do use WiFi in the basement and every room on the main and upstairs floors
  • I don't currently need WiFi in the garage, just the basement
  • I have a UDM Pro, Switch Lite 8 PoE, and gigabit cable modem in the basement HVAC closet
  • I have two nanoHDs and ordered a Flex HD that is arriving Monday
  • I can run Ethernet from the UDM Pro to anywhere in the basement to place or wall mount a Flex HD
  • I can run Ethernet from the UDM Pro to anywhere on the main floor, except the living room and dining room, to place or wall mount a Flex HD
  • I can run Ethernet from the UDM Pro to anywhere on the upstairs floor to ceiling mount one or two nanoHDs (I have attic access)
  • The UniFi Design Center screen shots show 5GHz coverage

When appropriate, describe what you’ve tried

I've tried creating a couple options using a floorplan and the UniFi Design Center:

Option A (one access point on each floor)

Basement: nanoHD ceiling mounted in basement (UDM Pro in HVAC closet)

Main: Flex HD wall mounted in kitchen

Upstairs: nanoHD ceiling mounted in hallway

Option B (Flex HD in basement and two ceiling mounted nanoHDs upstairs)

Basement: nanoHD ceiling mounted in basement (UDM Pro in HVAC closet)

Main: No access points (hoping that the two upstairs nanoHDs will provide enough coverage to the main floor)

Upstairs: Two nanoHDs ceiling mounted in master bedroom and guest room

Sarah Jenkins
Author

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.