Cut A Hole In The Drywall
Make sure you locate the studs using a stud-finder before finalizing exactly where youll run your cables.
You dont want to end up mounting your TV and being unable to run the cables down inside the wall.
After selecting the pass-through or mounting bracket, trace the outline of the hole you need on the wall, and ensure it is hidden behind where the TV will be.
Avoid cutting a hole inside the TV mounting bracket otherwise, youll struggle to make it fit. If you have little room to spare, measure and mark where the mount will go, so you make the hole in the correct place.
Using a drywall saw, cut out the hole and remove the section of the drywall.
If you are new to this, heres a useful video on the different ways you can cut drywall without making a mess:
Do the same for the hole at the bottom where the cable exits.
You can then use a flashlight to check that there is no fire block in the way, preventing the cables from reaching the lower opening.
Tips For Hiding TV Cables
Beneath are some of the tricks of the trade that we use to hide TV cables on our installations like our TV wall mounting installations.
Shorten All Cables
Behind your TV can turn into a right mess if left to its own devices. I recommend where possible to shorten all cables that you only have as much cable as you need. Less cable length means less cable to hide. This may mean buying shorter cables for things like HDMI and optical cables where the cable plugs can be easily replaced. For coaxial cables used for TV aerial and satellite connections and cat5 and cat6 cables used for Ethernet connections, these can be cut shorter and the cable plug re-terminated. You can also shorten many electrical type and power cables, I just recommend that you donât do this yourself unless you know what you are doing.
To help you if need to shorten coaxial cables or terminate cat5 or Ethernet cables click the links below for a video demonstration by yours truly.
We also have a wide selection of helpful videos in our DIY section and on our Youtube channel.
Become Friends With Cable Ties/ Zip Ties
Cable ties can also be used to tie cables behind stuff. I use cable ties to tie around furniture legs, TV brackets and when installing cables outside behind things like rainwater drainpipes.
Run Cables Outside
Run Cables Through Other Rooms/ Cupboards/ Wardrobes
Run Cables Under Floorboards
Hide Cables Behind Coving
Go Wireless
How To Create A Charging Station
A well located charging station is essential if you have a number of electrical devices in your home. It is easy to build one that hides the wires and cords from view.
- Pick a drawer or lower cabinet at your desk that is near an outlet.
- Use a drill with a hole saw bit to drill a hole in the back of the drawer or cabinet. Insert a desk grommet through the hole.
- Feed the plug from the power strip through the grommet you just drilled in the back of the drawer or cabinet.
- Apply double-sided adhesive to the back of the power strip and stick it to the inside of the drawer or cabinet.
Read Also: How To Connect Your TV To Wifi
Run TV Wires Through Baseboard Quarter
Raceways and channels move TV wires along a wallâvertically. But what about moving them a few feet horizontally? A clever device that’s difficult to detect is a baseboard quarter-round replacement channel.
Many homes already have a type of long, narrow trim called quarter-round. It has nothing to do with wiring. It’s a piece made of solid wood or PVC that hides gaps between the wall baseboard and the flooring.
Hollow plastic quarter-round replacements, each 5 feet long and with 3/4-inch of inner space, let you run two or three wires laterally along a wall. With a top piece that snaps into an attached back piece, these quarter-round channels are easy to open and close when you need to change the wiring.
Products To Organize All Of Your Messy Cords
For someone who deals with tech all day, I was unreasonably excited to buy myself a clamp-on power strip for my desktop. The main thing it did, and which it can do for your TV unit too, is to lift the connections off the ground and tuck them neatly out of sight. The Tripp Lite model I chose only has six outlets, but you’ll probably need more than that. For example, my TV system uses two eight-outlet power strips.
If you want a larger selection of outlets you can either opt for a clamp that will attach to your existing strip, or you can go the whole hog and grab a component-level power conditioner.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Fingerprints Off TV
Tip #: Hide Wires Behind The TV
We can all picture this: cords running from the bottom of the TV to an entertainment center or surge protector. This ruins the aesthetics of what were going for in our living room or gaming space. After all, thats why we started HIDEit to begin with.
Whats the easiest way to get rid of cords? HIDE them!
Using any one of our wall mounts, you can easily bring those unsightly cables up. Youll no longer need to worry about HDMI cables that are too long that dangle down. You can always wall mount your devices and most of our mounts are VESA pattern compatible. All youll need is our VESA Bars to add a few extra spots for the mounts.
PRO TIP: Pick up a few HIDEit Cord Wraps. Similar to a Velcro cord wrap, these hook and loop straps are strong enough to hold and are easily adjustable to fit cords of any size. Plus they wont pinch cables the way a zip-tie can.
Option #: Powered Cable Pass Through With Soundbar Module
This is the pièce de résistance to in-wall cable hiding solutions. This bad boy routes AV cables and power from a TV like the previous model but also has a module for soundbar power. It’s perfect if you’ve got your soundbar mounted to the wall or TV. Have a SONOS PlayBar or Beam? Hiding the cables will help maximize it’s suave look.
In addition to the circular saw drill attachment, it comes with a drywall saw that also works great for doing karate in the garage. Those pumpkins won’t stand a chance! Using the included template, you’ll use the saw to cut a rectangle hole in the wall behind the soundbar. Once the soundbar module is installed, you can plug it in right there and feed the sound wires up to the TV. It’ll make the soundbar look like it’s completely wireless, be ready for your friends to ask where you got it.
And there you have it. The 5 best ways to hide your TV wires either on or behind the wall. If you’re not 100% sure what would work best for your setup, comment below or hit up our world-class customer support team. They’re available 7 days a week and due to the Minnesota winter weather we don’t want to go outside anyways.
Don’t Miss: What To Hang Above TV
Hide TV Wires Behind The Wall
If cutting into your walls is an option, it is the best method to hide your TV wires. Not only will your cables be out of sight, but if you use an in-wall power extender with more than one outlet, you can plug more devices into the back of your TV.
Plus, this method also lets you mount your TV flush against the wall. This is because most power extender kits are recessed, so your cables wont hit the back of your TV when you retract it back.
Attach Lower Cable Plate
If you had to dismount your TV, grab a friend to hold it while you connect the upper cables and proceed to slap it back in position. Connect the lower cables to the power source, and you should be good to go!
If youve decided its a little out of your skill range after reading this article, check out Hang My TV, we offer wall mounted tv cable management solutions and a range of other services that will make your life easier.
If youve decided this sounds like a piece of cake, well then, now you know how to hide TV cables from your wall mount. Get it done, chuck on a flick or if youre looking for a few movie suggestions, check out our blog on Best family Movies from the 80s and 90s. Happy watching!
You May Like: How To Buy Apple TV
Weird Positioning No Worries
Want to see the VIDEO of how this looks?
Trust me, when we built our house, unbeknownst to me how it happened, but it did, the contractors put things in weird spots, like on right angles and wall corners, etc.
There is nothing I can do about this now, except I can work around the odd areas, corners, angles, etc., and still create TV cable management.
Are There Wall Types I Cant Use This TV Cables In The Wall Project On?
This tv cables in the wall project work well with drywall, but, concrete, brick, and even plaster may be a whole different obstacle.
You will have to research and read because I dont think that will be a viable project.
This also will get down to your skill level. Depending on the tools you own, the skill you have, plus the mess you may create, you will have to research and make that judgment call.
My Only Regret: TV cables In The Wall
I have just one regret, and it is very basic. We needed to hide cables in the wall much sooner than we did.
To recap: the Legrand in-wall kit supports almost any type of power plug including right angles and wall warts.
In the end, you can connect your television to cable and electricity in a seamless style with this Legrand flat panel recessed connection kit.
Its crazy great how the in-wall storage takes control of cables and wires to eliminate tangles across your floor!
Further, the white decorator plate provides a finished look.
Last, if you ever need to get to the back of your TV, no worries.
What Do I Do With The Space Under My Wall Mounted TV
The space beneath your wall mounted TV can be a useful area to add more storage. You can choose from a wall-mounted shelf that can keep your DVDs and Blu-rays looking neat.
You can also choose a TV stand or media unit that will keep all your media equipment and gadgets concealed. Alternatively, you can use the space below your wall-mounted TV to install a soundbar to enhance the sound quality on your TV.
Also Check: How Much Does Mlb TV Cost
Check The Socket Area And Cable Length
If you have some sockets lower down on the wall that youd like the wire to come out next to, check around this area so you know where is safe to drill and cut. At this point, its also worth checking how long the cables are that youre planning to hide, to help determine where to put the entry and exit points.
Feeding The Cables Through
This step has a few variables on whether you will need to use a fishing tool. Here are said variables
-
Are your cable plate holes in line vertically? If the answer is YES, you wont need a fishing tape and you can skip the following two dot points.
-
If you answered NO, that means your cable plate holes are out of line this takes us to the next question. Are your hands small enough to fit in the cable plate hole, and can you reach the cords that are dangling? If the answer is YES, then skip the next dot point.
-
If you answered NO, then you will need to use a fishing tool. With your fishing tape, fasten all cables to one end of the bendy rod. Insert the other end of the rod into the top hole and get a friend to receive it at the lower hole. Pull the rod through and the cables will follow its as simple as that!
If you skipped the last dot point, you dont need a wall fishing tool. Feed your cords through the cable plate, and be careful not to drop them. Once the cords are in, tape them to the wall so they can hang free while you sort out the lower cable plate.
Read Also: How Do I Get Mlb TV For Free
Hide Wires Behind A Panelboard
Image Courtesy: Reddit
This is for the craftier ones out there. You can invest in a panelboard and hide the wires that hang from your wall-mounted TV behind it.
As you may already know, panelboards come in a wide variety of different sizes, patterns, and designs.
You can choose to go for a flashy, poppy pattern that really makes your TV stand out or you can choose something that blends in with your rooms surroundings.
If youre unable to find a design that you like, you can even cover the panelboard with a fabric of your choice.
If you dont want to add fabric, you can even paint the panelboard yourself according to what suits you. Again, you can paint it so that it stands out or blends in with your rooms interior design.
If you dont want to spend a ton of money on a panelboard, you can even use a simple wood pallet.
The concept would be the same and you could even paint the wood pallet board to match your rooms aesthetics.
On the other hand, you can also leave the wood pallet board as it for a more rustic aesthetic.
Before And After With TV Cables In Wall: Not On Wall
I will apologize for the flash not being on for both images, but we were working so fast to hide cables, I did not think about getting the lighting just right!
However, you can see its a great transformation!
Really, I did not think if this would be a before and after you would love to until we started the install.
Hardly was I ready for a photo shoot, so we will call this rough and ready photography.
Easily Hide Cables Which In Reality is TV Cable Management
- You will be cutting into a wall.
- Its not a large cut, but you do want to know that.
- Also, make sure you have a pencil and a tape measure.
- Beyond that everything YOU need is in the Legrand In-Wall Power Kit.
- We found ours at Best Buy the first time.
- Then I headed over to and each time we tackle a new room with a flat-screen, I just ship a new one to myself.
- Last, we install the Legrand kit and it conceals the cables and wires behind the wall!
- Installation for this project is easy.
- There is no electrical work required, other than unplugging the television if you consider that electrical work, lol!
- Give yourself time to read the directions so you understand the concept then have at it!
- Do not call an electrician.
- This is an easy DIY Install.
- If you are handy, maybe it will take 30 minutes.
- Just read the directions, and at no point in time will you be working with electrical other than plugging in!
Can I get a Woot Woot?
Yes, I am totally silly but thats ok because the before and after are AHHHHMAAZZZING!
Don’t Miss: How Do I Stream My Phone To The TV
Buy Trunking For TV Cables
Using square plastic trunking to hide cords is an easy way to tidy cables as they can be easily fed through the trunking and down to the plug socket. You can buy trunking online at places such as Screwfix and B& Q or from your local DIY store. You can then use silicone sealant and self-adhesive pads to fix the trunking to the wall simply – this can be useful to incorporate into your bedroom TV ideas.
White plastic trunking should be reserved for areas you cant see, like cupboards, says Owen Maddock, home technology specialist at Cinemaworks . However, D-line trunking comes in half-round and quarter-round shapes and looks much neater. You can also paint D-line to match the walls.
Alternatively, galvanised steel can give you that industrial interior design look. But HDMI plugs are usually too thick to pull through, so source some half-round instead and use that to cover over the cables.
How To Hide Electrical Cords
You can conceal power cords with a length of flex tubing and a few cable ties.
- Bundle the cords with the cable ties and snip off the ends as needed.
- Measure the length of the cords you want to conceal. Measure and cut the flex tubing to match the length. Cut the tubing lengthwise.
- Pull the tube apart and wrap around the wires that were tied together.
Read Also: How To Connect Netflix To TV From Phone Without Wifi
How To Hide Cords On A Wall Mounted TV
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read my Disclosure Policy.
Are looking for ideas on how to hide the cords on a wall mounted TV? I have a two ideas for you. One requires a drill and a cord kit. This is the best way. If you are in a rental home or apartment and cant drill into the wall, the other cord hiding idea I am sharing uses fabric and is easily made and removed.
I turned a bedroom into a fitness room. One of the features I wanted in the room was a TV to watch when working out and a DVR to follow online fitness classes.