Hiding Tv Wires: Complete Guide for Homeowners

A wall-mounted television with three cables dangling down to the outlet ruins the look of any room. Hiding tv wires takes anywhere from 20 minutes with a $15 cord cover to 4 hours with an in-wall power kit, depending on how clean you need the result. The good news: every method below works with standard residential drywall, none requires an electrician for low-voltage signal cables, and the most popular DIY solution costs under $40 in parts. This guide walks through the six proven approaches and which one fits your situation.

Why Code Matters Before You Cut

You cannot legally run a standard TV power cord through a wall in most US jurisdictions. The cord lacks the in-wall fire rating required by NEC code 300.22. There are two compliant solutions: install a recessed outlet behind the TV (requires an electrician), or use a power relocation kit that runs proper Romex inside the wall to a new outlet behind the screen.

Low-voltage cables like HDMI, optical audio, Ethernet, and coax are unregulated for residential walls and can be fished through drywall freely. Mixing high and low voltage in the same hole, however, can cause signal interference, so use separate openings.

Method 1: In-Wall Power Relocation Kit

This is the cleanest solution and the most popular DIY choice. A kit like the PowerBridge ONE-CK ($45) or Echogear In-Wall Cable Management Kit ($55) includes two recessed wall plates, a flexible conduit, and the brackets to mount everything.

The TV power cord plugs into a hidden outlet behind the screen. The kit relocates the existing wall outlet up behind the TV through a passthrough. Total install time runs 90 minutes with a stud finder, drywall saw, and fish tape. The result looks identical to a new outlet installed by an electrician at $250 to $400.

Method 2: Pure Cable Passthrough

If you have an outlet within 6 feet of the TV at floor level, you can simply pass the cables through the wall and let the power cord stay hidden behind furniture. A two-gang low-voltage bracket like the Datacomm 35-2061 ($12) cuts in fast with a drywall saw.

This method works perfectly when a credenza or media console sits below the TV. The cables drop through the wall, exit behind the cabinet, and connect to receivers or game consoles. Cost runs under $20, and there is zero electrical work involved.

Method 3: Cord Covers and Raceways

For renters or anyone who wants a no-cut solution, a paintable cord cover hides cables on the wall surface. Top picks:

• Legrand Wiremold CMK30 ($25) — paintable PVC raceway, 30-inch cover
• Cable Concealer On-Wall Cord Cover ($18) — adhesive backed, easy install
• D-Line Quarter Round Cord Cover ($30) — sits in the corner where wall meets baseboard

Paint the cover the same color as the wall after install for a near-invisible finish. The right paint matched at Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore costs about $15 in a sample quart and covers multiple raceways.

Method 4: Behind-Furniture Routing

The cheapest option is to route cables behind a large piece of furniture like a console table or low credenza. Use cable clips ($8 for a 50-pack) to hold cords against the back of the furniture so nothing sags into view.

This works when the TV mount keeps the screen close to the wall and the cables can drop straight down behind the cabinet. It does not work for tilting mounts that pull the screen forward and expose the gap.

Method 5: Crown Molding Channels

For a polished look without major drywall work, build a hollow crown molding section that runs from the TV to the corner of the room. The molding hides cables completely and looks like an architectural feature.

Hardware stores sell three-piece crown molding kits with a removable bottom panel for cable access. Plan $50 to $120 in materials plus 3 to 4 hours of cutting and painting. The result reads as a custom built-in.

Method 6: Full Recessed Built-In

The premium option recesses the entire TV into a wall niche with all components built into the wall cavity. This requires framing modifications, often a permit, and either a contractor or serious DIY skills. Budget $1,500 to $4,000 for a professional install on an interior wall, more on an exterior wall with insulation and vapor barrier work.

The payoff is a TV that sits flush with the wall, no visible cables, and integrated power, signal, and ventilation. For media rooms or great rooms, this is the resale-friendly choice.

Cable Management Tips That Make Any Method Look Better

Bundle the cables together with reusable Velcro straps ($6 a roll) instead of zip ties so future swaps are easy. Label both ends of every cable with masking tape and a Sharpie before connecting them. When new gear arrives in 2 years, you will know exactly which HDMI runs to which port.

Leave 2 feet of slack at the TV end so you can pull the screen forward to access the back. A short cable behind a wall-mounted TV is a guaranteed source of frustration during the next service call.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Never run an extension cord inside a wall. It is a fire hazard and a code violation that can void your homeowners insurance. Use only a proper power relocation kit or call an electrician for a real outlet.

Do not bend HDMI cables tighter than a 2-inch radius. Sharp bends crack the internal copper and cause intermittent signal dropouts months later. The same applies to Ethernet, optical, and coax.

Skip the cheapest unbranded cord covers on Amazon. They yellow within 6 months under any UV exposure and become brittle. Spend the extra $10 on a paintable PVC product from Wiremold or D-Line.