How to Hide and Organize TV Wires for a Sleek and Tidy Look
Are you tired of staring at a mess of TV wires every time you look at your wall-mounted TV? It’s time to take control and hide those unruly cords once and for all. Lucky for you, there are plenty of clever and effective ways to hide TV wires that will not only make your space look neater but also keep your cords organized and easily accessible when needed.
Safety First: Considerations for Hiding TV Wires
Before we dive into the different methods for hiding TV wires, it’s crucial to consider safety first. While hiding TV wires can improve the aesthetics of your space, it’s essential to ensure that you are following electrical safety guidelines. Here are a few safety considerations to keep in mind:
- Surface-mount channels and raceways should not be used for hiding household current building wire.
- Plastic-sheathed NM or metal-sheathed BX electrical wiring should be installed within walls for protection.
- Always check the safety instructions of your devices before installing power supply cords in surface-mount channels and raceways.
- Ethernet cords, data cables, speaker wires, coaxial, HDMI, and other low-voltage wires can be run through channels and raceways or left exposed.
Now that we have safety covered, let’s explore some creative and practical ways to hide TV wires and keep your space looking sleek and organized.
Creative Ways to Hide TV Wires
1. Group Wires in a Flexible Zippered Cable Manager
One of the simplest ways to hide TV wires is by using a flexible zippered cable manager. These braided sleeves can hold up to seven wires, keeping them compact and tidy. Available in various colors to match your wall or blend in, zippered cable managers are a practical and easy solution to hide unsightly cords.
Tip: Braided cable managers can also deter pets who like to chew on cords.
2. Tuck Away Wires in a Cable Management Box
If you have a power strip on the floor with multiple cords leading out of it, a cable management box is the perfect solution. Made of sturdy ABS plastic, these boxes neatly hide the power strip and excess wires, creating a clutter-free look. With various color options and the ability to be painted, cable management boxes blend seamlessly into your space.
3. Bundle TV Wires With DIY Cable Ties
Cable ties are a cost-effective and efficient way to organize TV wires. By spacing individual cable ties every foot or so, you can bundle a thick mass of wires into a slimmer and neater arrangement. Invest in a roll of hook-and-loop tape to create custom cable ties that fit perfectly for your TV setup.
4. Replace Long TV Wires With Shorter Ones
If you’re dealing with overly long TV wires that are difficult to manage, consider replacing them with shorter cables. Power, HDMI, coaxial, and data cables come in various lengths, allowing you to customize the wire lengths to fit your space perfectly. Speaker wire with bare tips can also be manually cut and stripped to the desired length.
5. Move Outlet Sideways to the TV
For a seamless and tidy look, consider moving the outlet to the TV location. By extending an outlet sideways or vertically, you can hide TV wires with ease. This simple solution can be done by a licensed electrician and requires minimal drywall patching.
6. Conceal TV Wires in Wall Raceways and Channels
For a sleek and professional finish, consider using wall raceways and channels to hide TV wires. These flat or D-shaped tubes run along the surface of the wall, allowing you to tuck in cords and conceal them effectively. Wall raceways and channels can be painted to match your wall color, blending seamlessly into your space.
7. Run TV Wires Through Baseboard Quarter-Round Channel
If you need to run TV wires horizontally along a wall, a baseboard quarter-round replacement channel is a discreet solution. These hollow plastic channels allow you to hide wires along the baseboard without disrupting your space’s aesthetics. With easy opening and closing features, you can access the wires whenever needed.
8. Hide TV Wires Behind Crown or Wall Trim
Utilize crown molding or wall trim to hide TV wires discreetly. By fishing wires through existing crown molding or utilizing shallow channels in door trim, you can run wires vertically or horizontally without compromising on the aesthetics of your space. This method is perfect for thin speaker wires that need to run vertically on the wall.
9. Conceal TV Wires Behind a Wall
For a completely seamless look, consider concealing TV wires within the wall. While drilling holes and snaking wires through the wall can be a fire hazard, using an in-wall power kit can help you stay compliant with electrical safety codes. By safely storing wires behind the wall, you can keep your space clutter-free and organized.
10. Hide TV Cords in Plain Sight
Get creative with hiding TV wires by incorporating them into your home design. Make wires part of your baseboard molding, furniture, or construct a makeshift column to blend cords seamlessly into your space. This creative approach adds a unique touch to your decor while keeping wires neatly organized.
11. Mount Power Strip on Wall
Elevate the look of your space by mounting the power strip on the wall. This simple solution not only declutters your floor but also makes access to power sources easier. By using keyholes on the power strip, you can securely mount it on the wall in minutes, creating a clean and organized look.
In conclusion, hiding TV wires doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these creative and practical methods, you can easily declutter your space and keep your TV wires organized and neatly hidden. Whether you opt for zippered cable managers, cable management boxes, or wall raceways, there are plenty of solutions to suit your needs and preferences. Say goodbye to messy cords and hello to a sleek and tidy living space!