Hiding TV wires can seem like a daunting task, but with some planning and clever solutions, you can conceal cables for a clean, professional look in any room. Proper wire management improves aesthetics, reduces tripping hazards, and protects wires from damage.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various techniques to hide TV wires based on your setup and preferences. With focus and dedication, you can master wire concealment for an immaculate space. Let’s get started!
Gather Materials and Assess the Setup
Before devising a wiring strategy, assess your configuration and gather necessary supplies:
- Examine TV size, mount type (wall-mounted or on a TV stand), and location.
- Identify pathways from TV to media devices like cable boxes, DVD players, and game consoles. Choose shortest wire runs.
- If wall-mounted, determine if you want wires hidden in-wall or along the wall surface.
- For cleanest look, place media devices near TV inside furniture for shortest wire runs.
- Obtain wire concealers like raceways, conduits, sleeves, cable channels, cord covers, and wire hiding paint.
- Use adhesive cord clips, cable ties, cable tubing, and fasteners for securing wires.
- Get outlet extenders to place devices nearer the TV without using extension cords.
Thorough planning and having necessary supplies will ensure wires stay neatly concealed.
Hide Wires for Wall-Mounted TVs
Wall-mounted televisions provide a modern, streamlined look. But wires dangling from the mount can ruin the aesthetic. Here are techniques to neatly conceal cables:
In-Wall Wiring
Hiding cables inside the wall creates the most seamless finish:
- Cut out recessed channels in wall studs for routing cables. Use an electronic stud finder to avoid damaging plumbing or electrical lines.
- Feed cables through channels and small holes drilled behind the TV bracket. Use grommets to protect wires from abrasion.
- Terminate TV and media device connections within a recessed outlet box behind the set.
- Finish the surface with joint compound for a smooth, continuous wall.
In-wall wiring requires handiwork but yields an integrated look.
Wire Channels
Adhesive cable channels neatly adhere wires to the wall surface:
- Run channels vertically from TV bottom to media console. Avoid diagonal paths which expose more cable.
- Match channel colors to your wall. Painted channels blend in for minimal visibility.
- Alternate thick and thin channels behind furniture for larger bundles of cables.
- Use cable clips to neatly fasten wires inside channels without bulging.
Adhesive wire channels offer a quick, affordable, and removable option.
Raceways
Plastic raceways fully enclose wires against the wall for a streamlined look:
- Run raceways directly below the TV or aligned with wall edges for a natural appearance.
- For corner mounts, bend raceway along wall edges to hide cables on two sides.
- Comb wire bundles before feeding them through raceway slots to avoid bulging.
- When mounting over drywall, use heavy-duty fasteners to support the weight of filled raceways.
Raceways provide total cable coverage but require precise alignment and mounting.
Conduits
For one or two thin cables, paintable electrical conduit offers an easy solution:
- Measure cable length and cut conduit slightly longer using pipe cutters. Deburr cut edges with a file.
- Feed cables through the conduit. Use smooth bends to follow corners.
- Secure conduit using pipe clamps. Minimize separation between clamps for rigidity.
- Apply paint matching your wall color for camouflage. Allow proper drying time.
Conduit disappears into the wall paint when carefully aligned and secured.
Wire Hiding Paint
For light-colored walls, wire hiding paint conceals cords along their path:
- Run cables vertically near wall edges for least visibility. Avoid crossing doorways or windows.
- Apply two coats of wire hiding paint for full coverage according to manufacturer directions.
- Crisscross the paint over cables in multiple directions to flatten their profile.
- Touch up paint over time as needed for continued concealment.
Paint formulated to match your wall color makes white cables vanish.
Hide Cables for TVs on Stands
TV stands provide ample space for media components. But their wiring can become an eyesore:
Cord Covers
Flexible cord covers contain cables running vertically from the TV:
- Adhere cord covers directly behind the stand using the self-stick backing.
- UseVelcro strips to neatly fasten covers when mounting behind drywall.
- For multiple cables, apply covers side-by-side without overlapping to avoid bulging.
- Keep paths straight and tight to the mounting surface. Avoid dangling sections.
Properly mounted cord covers keep cables neatly corralled behind TVs.
Cable Sleeves
Reusable cable sleeves tidy and conceal lower wire segments:
- Select an appropriate diameter sleeve for your cable bundle. Avoid overstuffing.
- With the stand removed, insert bundled cables starting from the base.
- Position the sleeve opening at the desired exit point near media components.
- Wrap any excess sleeve length neatly behind equipment for a tailored finish.
Cable sleeves give a clean, streamlined look around TV stands.
Cable Box Concealers
Plastic enclosures mount below stands to contain media components and wiring:
- Choose an adequately sized box based on devices and cabling. Include ventilation holes.
- Securely attach concealer using provided hardware. Allow rear access to components.
- Bundle and feed wires from TV through box knockouts. Keep bundles tidy inside.
- For low-profile stands, mount box to the rear legs away from public view.
Concealers encapsulate devices and cabling for a wireless appearance.
Cable Channels
Adhesive channels adhered beneath the TV stand guide wires downward:
- Align channels directly behind stand legs for minimal visibility.
- Adhere firmly on all mounting surfaces, smoothing any bubbles or overlaps.
- Neatly adhere and route any excess channel length behind media equipment.
- Avoid bundling cables that could distort or detach channels when pressed.
Secured under the right areas, channels maintain a clean edge around stands.
Hide Wires to Media Components
Connecting devices like cable boxes, Blu-ray players, and game systems to the TV involves many wires. Luckily, several options exist for neatly concealing these unsightly cables:
Power Strip Hiders
Plastic hiders mount below furniture to cover jumbled power strips:
- Select an appropriately sized hider with side access for your power strip model. Allow for plugged-in transformer blocks.
- Securely fasten the hider using provided hardware according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Behind the hider, neatly bundle device wires using Velcro ties and anchor to baseboards or furniture legs.
- Feed bundled cables through side access points minimizing interior clutter.
Hiders deliver a clean look while allowing plug accessibility.
Outlet Extenders
Outlet extenders position AC outlets nearer to the TV for shorter device wires:
- Locate unused baseboard outlets and confirm no electrical wires obstruct extension paths.
- Select a flat-profile extender that can be mounted flush with the wall. Match outlet colors.
- Carefully join segments to achieve the desired reach using safety caps to protect plugs.
- Use cable clips to neatly adhere the extender to baseboards in an inconspicuous location.
Extenders eliminate excess wiring without installing new outlets.
Cable Tubing
Plastic tubing conceals cords running along floor edges and baseboards:
- Measure total cable length to cut tubing pieces using pipe cutters. Allow slack for bends.
- Connect straight pieces using smooth tubing couplings. Avoid sharp bends.
- Adhere tubing to surfaces using clear mounting clips, keeping runs tight and flat.
- Insert bundled cables starting from the TV-side to conceal the entire run.
Tubing discreetly hides multiple cables following room edges.
Cable Box Wraps
Self-adhesive wraps affix around devices to converge wires:
- Clean device surfaces so wraps adhere properly without lifting or peeling.
- Neatly arrange wires into a tight bundle before applying wraps.
- Begin wrapping from the device’s bottom, pressing firmly between wires for grip.
- Position seam edges away from public view. Fold any protruding ends under.
Wraps neatly integrate wires directly into media components.
Maintain Concealed Wires
Once wires are artfully concealed, take steps to protect cable integrity and prevent shifting:
- Avoid pushing large furniture flush against wires to prevent pinching and abrasion.
- Check for damage like frayed cords or cracked raceways when cleaning behind TVs and stands.
- Secure loose cables with additional clips. Reattach any peeled cord covers, channels, or conduits.
- Adjust positioning for cords disturbed by pets, kids, or vacuuming. Refasten any displaced cable ties or Velcro straps.
- Test for loose connections and replace aging cables that could fail inside conduits or raceways.
Proper maintenance keeps concealed wires secure, intact, and out of sight.
FAQs About Hiding TV Wires
Here are some common questions about concealing TV wiring answered:
How do you hide wires for wall mounted TV?
For wall mounts, effective options include in-wall wiring inside recessed channels, adhesive wire channels or raceways, electrical conduit, and wire hiding paint.
What is the best way to hide cords behind a TV?
To hide cords behind floor-standing TVs, use flexible cord covers, cable sleeves, under-TV cable boxes, and adhesive cable channels adhered beneath the set and stand.
How do I hide cables going down wall?
To hide cables against walls, use paintable cable channels and conduits run vertically near edges, cable tubing adhered along baseboards, or wire hiding paint for light walls.
What can I use to hide wires under carpet?
Under carpet, conceal wires inside floor cord protectors, plastic raceways with carpet trim, power staples, or flexible cable ramps which transition smoothly between floor levels.
How do youOrganizecords behind a TV Stand?
Behind stands, organize cords using Velcro ties or sleeves, power strip concealers, outlet extenders placed closer to the TV, and adhesive cable channels or boxes under the back of the stand.
How do you hide power cords on a mounted TV?
For mounted TVs, hide power cables inside wall runs, electrical conduit, wire channels, surface-mounted raceways, or flexible cord covers adhered beneath the set’s bottom edge.
Conclusion
Our homes deserve clean, professional TV installations free of tangled cords and cables. With the techniques in this guide, you can effortlessly conceal wires for wall-mounted or stand-based setups. Take time to plan wiring routes, obtain needed materials, and follow instructions carefully when mounting TVs and components. Maintain your handiwork by keeping concealed cables securely fastened and undamaged. With practice, you’ll be able to perfectly integrate wiring into any room’s decor for an immaculate media center.