How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
January 9, 2018This post contains affiliate links.
I have written many times about my hatred of TV cables & wires (here and here). Hatred may seem like a harsh word (and I guess it is!), but the truth is I really, really, really dislike seeing those black cables dangling from the TV. In every room of our house, we have a TV mounted on the wall – by the way, we really love this mounting solution.
If you have a TV mounted on the wall, you most likely have to contend with TV cables, too. That is, unless your home was pre-wired for TVs. Lucky you! 🙂
For most of us, our rooms are not pre-wired for TVs and so those cables will need to be dealt with. I have written about this sneaky solution before and another clever solution that works well. For the product used to accomplish this, I really loved using this – it was easy and straightforward to install. And most importantly, the end result was fabulous!
However, today, I will share what we did in our living room. This post’s pictures have been sitting on my camera’s SD card for months. I am totally behind on writing this, but I am excited to share it with you all today!
First, let’s start with a Before picture. There’s the TV sitting on the wall. I placed it above our electric fireplace. You can see those gorgeous (NOT) wires dangling under the TV.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
The solution I will share with you today involves routing the TV cables inside a channel formed my molding. First, we gathered several long 1×2 boards and nailed them to the wall. We nailed four boards vertically from the floor to the ceiling: 2 to the left of the fireplace and 2 to the right. We spaced the two adjacent boards about 1.5″ apart. Notice how there is a gap in the wood on the left side. This is where the TV cables will be routed.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
We used a spare block of wood as a spacer to ensure uniformity between the two adjacent boards throughout.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Now it’s time to determine how many horizontal moldings you want. I chose three. I placed six 1x2s horizontally between the vertical boards. The lowest set of horizontal boards will serve as the channel for the wires.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Here you can see how the wire fits right between the molding.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Now it’s time to cover the open channels with more wood molding. Start with the long vertical pieces from floor to ceiling.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Next work on the three horizontal channels. Cut a wooden board to size and center across the gap. For the bottom-most channel (the one that is hiding the wires), I simply secured the wood with some caulk, using some tape until the caulk dried. This way, if we need to replace the HDMI cable, for example, I simply have to cut the caulk away and can access the cable.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Next remove the TV from the wall. It’s time to add caulk to all seams and edges for a smooth look.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Once the caulk is dried, paint the whole thing white, including the wall between the wooden boards.
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
Place the TV back in place! Doesn’t this look so nice? And look ma, no wires!
How to Hide Those Pesky TV Cables
I hope this post has inspired you to hide the cables in your home too. Now let me know: Are those dangling cables a pet peeve for you too?
That looks awesome! It really hides the cables well and creates a real focal point around the TV. Great job
Nobody likes seeing those pesky cables protruding out from behind the t.v.! This is such a cool idea!
That looks so much better! You now have a feature wall instead of the eye sore with the wires and cables. I am not all that handy, but I think I could manage this project.
I love your solution! It looks really nice – almost like the TV is floating now! I don’t like dangling cords, either. I need to come up with a solution for my sewing machine cords and my laptop charger cords!
OH SNAP! What an amazing idea! So creative!
Brilliant and beautiful!
Thank you!!
This is such a good idea. We want the spaces in which we live to be clutter-free, to look finished. You have helped us by posting this today.
But…Imagine when you need to replace or repair that TV?
Sure, repairs are not as convenient as when you’re dealing with a TV sitting on a TV stand. However, remember I didn’t use nails on the molding that is concealing the wires. I just used caulk. So all I have to do is cut the caulk to access the wires.
I am wondering if it is harmful to l can coil my power cords?
Thanks
I’m not sure I understand the question. Are you asking if it’s okay to use a cable coil on power cords?
This is a lovely idea. Very pretty and so neat. But, I have a question. Where is the cable box? It is shown in the before picture.
Great question, Mary! I hid the cable box inside that cream-colored box to the left of the fireplace. I used a small infrared receiver from Amazon to make it possible to still operate the remote without the cable box visible. I talk all about it in this post: http://engineermommy.com/2015/how-to-hide-the-cable-box/