How to Hide Cords on a Wall Mounted TV

Here is what’s involved, so you can better understand why a professional is the right choice for this job:

• Select the Right Wall. Make sure that you’re able to hide wires in the wall behind your TV. Brick or stone walls aren’t compatible with this technique, and it’s difficult or impossible to do if there are studs or pipes.
• Measure and Cut. As the adage goes: measure twice, cut once. Measure and mark the location where you want to make a hole for the wires. Use a wall saw or a hole saw to create the opening for the cables. If you have several wires, you may need to make a few holes.
• Install the Cable Plates or In-Wall Wire Hider. Insert the cable plate or in-wall wire hider into the holes you’ve created. These plates have openings for cables to pass through while keeping them hidden within the wall.
• Thread Cables. Carefully thread your TV’s power cable, HDMI cables, and any other wires through the plates and behind the wall.
• Connect Your Devices. Attach your cables to the back of the TV and any devices you have, such as your gaming console or soundbar.
• Secure the TV. Mount your TV on the mounting bracket, making sure it’s properly secured to the wall.

Pros of Hiding Cords in the Wall

This method completely hides the TV cords, so there’s no extra concealing needed.

Cons of Hiding Cords in the Wall

The safest way to implement this solution is by hiring a licensed electrician, which may be cost prohibitive. It’s not reversible, so it’s not the best solution for renters and certain wall materials—like brick—cannot have wires concealed inside.

Cord cover kits—sometimes called a cable raceway—are an easy way to hide all the cord clutter. Cord covers are rectangular pieces that corral the wires into one easy-to-cover bundle. The covers are usually made of PVC or another strong plastic. They can be painted so they seamlessly blend into your wall.

These kits are available online or in person at any home improvement store. They’re easy to install and can instantly transform your room. You should always follow the instructions on the packaging of the cable raceway you purchased, but here are the general installation directions:

• Measure and Cut. You can purchase different lengths of cord cover, but you’ll likely need to trim it to fit your needs. Measure the length all the wires will span and use a hacksaw or similar tool to cut the cover.
• Attach the Cover. Your cord cover kit will likely come with adhesive backing or brackets. Use these to secure the cover to the wall in the appropriate spot, making sure it’s straight and level.
• Route Cables. Run your cables into the cover or raceway from the TV to the power outlet, ensuring they are neatly organized.

Pros of Using a Cable Raceway

This solution is easily accessible and very affordable. For maximum concealment, you can paint the cover to match your own wall color.

Cons of Using a Cable Raceway

The adhesive backing is likely permanent, and brackets cause wall damage, so this is not a great option for renters. Additionally, the adhesive may not stick to textured walls.

This is also an easy solution to implement. As we mentioned, you can use a variety of methods to bundle the cords, all of which are affordable and can be found at most stores.

Pros of Bundling Cords

This is another quick, affordable, easily accessible solution. You can bundle the TV cables and cut the cord clutter, in just a few minutes.

Cons of Bundling Cords

Bundling up all your wires isn’t a great solution if your cords run down the wall from the TV to the power strip or outlet. It’s best-suited for areas where the cords can be run horizontally or hidden by furniture.

• Label Your Cables. You can purchase labels, or you can DIY labels with masking tape and a marker. If you have a lot of devices, this is a great way to keep them straight, so you never have to guess which one you’re unplugging.
• Buy Shorter Cords. If your TV wires are too long for the space, it will automatically look messier. If this is the case, swap your extra-long cords for shorter ones to instantly eliminate some of the clutter.
• Mount Your TV Lower. Along the same lines as buying shorter TV cords, you can mount the entire thing lower to reduce the distance between the TV and the power strip or outlet. The ideal TV height is eye level when sitting. For most people, this means the center of your screen should be roughly 42 inches off the ground.
• Mount Your Power Strip. Typically, your power strip will rest on the floor or TV stand. Instead, try mounting it on the wall. Getting the strip—and TV cords—off the floor or furniture makes your space look tidier, especially if the strip is hidden behind a piece of furniture.