Learn how to hide cords on a wall; from behind the TV to underneath the console. Hide the TV wires in a simple and fast way!
We all struggle with the need to hide TV wires. Today, I'm sharing some tips for hiding wiring specifically behind media consoles.
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*This is an older post that I've updated. The struggle is still real with the need to hide wires, so I thought I'd share my media cabinet as it is today (up above); plus, exact steps that I worked through to hide the cords a few years ago.
As you are reading through this post, take note of our living room changes. The original post was published in 2014 and, wow, what a change our space has been through. And yes, this is the exact same space showing the TV in the exact same spot!! Crazy beans!
Out of control TV cords
The sideboard that I decided to use as a media cabinet had a bigger clearance between the bottom of the cabinet and the floor. The issue with having leggier furniture is that the cord clutter is much harder to hide.
If you have a piece of furniture that sits low to the ground, hiding TV wiring may not even be something you have to think about. But, when you have furniture that has a clearance over 6", you typically have to think about how to hide the TV wires.
For quite a while, we were dealing with this:
If you have a similar issue with needing to hide cords behind the TV, let me walk you through a few ideas to help!
How to Hide Cords on Wall
Take in to consideration the amount of cords you will be hiding and if you are planning to hide wires in the wall, hide wires on the wall or hide wires behind a console. Your supply list will change based on your exact needs.
Hide the cables supplies needed
- Zip Ties
- 6 Outlet Wall Mount Surge Protector (always good to have!)
- Multi Prong Wall Plug Adaptor
- Sleek Socket Electrical Outlet Cover with Powerstrip (using this currently in our living room right now)
How to hide TV wires
- If you are wall mounting your TV, then do this first! Check out my tutorial for how to run TV cables behind the wall.
- Zip tie cords together. If there's excess length in a specific cord, zip tie it to itself.
- Determine what type of electrical prong will help your situation.
- If needed, buy a multiple prong electrical outlet that will wall mount or one that will plug directly into a socket.
- Continue using zip ties to further clean up excess wire lengths.
You'll be amazed at how much cleaner the the back of your TV looks with just using zip ties to help hide wires.
Each media console and cord situation will be different. We've found that certain supplies work better in some spots but, in all spots, we use zip ties.
With just a few changes on our leggy media cabinet, the cords were no longer visible. The more I've worked with finding solutions for how to hide cords, the easier it got. I did a big post about cord control cord management that shares more about hiding wall cables on nightstands, dressers and more.
It just takes a few different wire organizing clips, cable ties, etc., and you should be on your way to a clutter-free TV wire situation.
Ok, back to present day! I used some of the same tools and ideas to hide the cords behind my new (but vintage) media console.
For this console, I switched to a sleek socket wall mount with power strip and was able to hide the power strip inside the cabinet door of the console.
In our bedroom, upstairs, we use a dresser as a media cabinet and that was pretty tricky to hide the cords under. For that piece, I ended up putting a nail in the back of the underneath of the dresser and wrapping the cable tie around the nail. It worked!
I guess the moral of the story is that there isn't one way to keep your cables tidy. Use what you have and, if you are lucky, you might have a piece of furniture that allows you to run the cables through the furniture to help hide them. Otherwise, snake the wires to the underneath of a console, hide them behind books, etc.
Any progress on hiding wires will make your space look so much better. Just do it! It seems pretty silly, but it's just one of those things that helps make spaces feel put together and clean. Don't forget to check out my cable management post for even more help.
p.s. I pinned this awesome trick for mounting electrical power strips and thought I'd share.
How To Hide Cords On Walls
Learn how to hide cords on wall from behind the TV to underneath the media console. Hide the TV wires in a simple and fast way!
Materials
- Zip ties
- Wall mount surge protector
- Multi prong wall plug adaptor
- Sleek Socket electrical outlet cover with power strip
Tools
- N/A
Instructions
- If you are wall mounting your TV, then do this first!
- Zip tie cords together. If there's excess length in a specific cord, zip tie it to itself.
- Determine what type of electrical prong will help your situation.
- If needed, buy a multiple prong electrical outlet that will wall mount or one that will plug directly into a socket.
- Continue using zip ties to further clean up excess wire lengths.
Notes
Each media console and cord situation will be different. We've found that certain supplies work better in some spots but, in all spots, we use zip ties.
Julia@Cuckoo4Design
That's one gorgeous sideboard for sure. I have a huge issue with electrical cords and this is the prefect little fix.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Julia. That sideboard was such a steal but came from the most disgusting place. I spent hours getting the smoke smell out of it. I've got more electrical issues around the house and now I'm looking to them next.
Brynne@TheGatheredHome
My outlet is just 3" to the right of my sideboard, which is so frustrating! I think I'm going to paint the few inches of cords that stick out with leftover wall paint to help them blend in a little more. Those multi-prong outlet plug-ins are lifesavers for sure š
I'm also crazy about that awesome gold lamp - where is it from?!
Ashley Mayes
So annoying! I guess you could just move them over and drywall over? I bet your guy would love that because of design issues. LOL.
Ashley Mayes
Oh, that lamp was a DIY. It was a Nate Berkus (or Threshold... can't remember) candlestick and I made it a light last year. https://biggerthanthethreeofus.com/repurposed-diy-light/
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
Great tip! It's amazing how changing something small can catapult into bigger changes like decorating the top of your media center.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jennifer. I feel like little things always catapult to big things. But usually, in a good way.
Kyla @ HouseOfHipsters
Is it crazy that I never knew there were outlets thingies that could hang off the wall! I think I need to make a trip to Target! I hate cords! They drive me bonkers!
Ashley Mayes
I don't think I ever thought about other options until I was staring at my ugliness under the TV for months! I think that's when it clicked for me. Go buy some!
Janice
I have the worst cord problem in the bed room, TV is hanging and a small kinda like a sofa table underneath. I'm think about drilling holes and threading the cords through the drywall and then out the bottom but its open, AAHHH. Just don't know... Hopefully I can come up with something.
Ashley Mayes
Yep, I think that's what you have to do when you hang your tv. I love the look of the tv mounted on the wall and when I eventually settle on the right entertainment system, then that is what we are going to do! Let me know if you come up with a solution!
Ursula @ Home Made by Carmona
What a stunning piece of furniture! I need to do this, because my cords are out of control! lol! Thanks for the tip, and the eye candy with all those awesome accessories around that amazing console!
Thanks for linking up with us at The Makers link party!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Ursula!
Cindy@DIYbeautify
Great tip!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Cindy!
selene Galindo
What a smart solution!! I'm going to have to look for one of those because my cords are one hot mess right now!
Ashley Mayes
Definitely go pick one up! I'm trying to motivate myself to work on the cords around the computer...nightmare area for sure!
Marie@The Interior Frugalista
I hear ya re: exposed cords - drives me crazy! I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for multiple cord sockets this afternoon during my Home Depot run. Have been using bulky power bars attached to the back - these would far better. Thanks!
Ashley Mayes
Good luck! I think they even have bendable ones that you can snake around furniture feet. =)
C.Lem (creativeclementine)
I haaate cords. I love this. Some gadgets are totally worth buying!
Ashley Mayes
I totally agree (just don't tell my husband!).
Karisa | Petite Modern Life
Great idea and thanks for sharing! Some things seem so simple, but they change EVERYTHING. Ha. Nothing like a clear floor š Thanks for sharing at Think & Make.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Karisa! I only wish the floor was clean. Ha!
Darla at HeartWork Organizing
So simple, but what a big difference. I find getting cord clutter off the floor also means it's easier to vacuum under there, so it's more likely to get done. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Darla! I totally agree with you on it definitely being easier to vacuum!
heather
Brilliant!!! So easy and such a difference!!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Heather!
jessica
So simple and yet genius! I love that light you put on top too! I must find a way to make one!! I would love it if you stopped by my blog and linked up with me on Totally Terrific Tuesday š
Have a wonderful day!
Jess
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jessica! The light was a DIY (from a Candleholder). I blogged about it... search for "DIY Light" and it will come up. Thanks again!
Victoria
You could just attach a surge protector to the back of the sideboard - most of them come with nail holes so you can hang them on a wall. That way, you still have a surge protector to keep your electronics safe in case of electrical surges.
Ashley Mayes
Yes, you definitely could! This particular one doesn't have the nail holes (its super old) but that is an option!
de
Iām glad you brought that up. I was concerned about the lack of protection, having seen a tv fried by lightning.
Danielle
I like the zip tie idea, but these outlet plugs are dangerous. My mom had several until one caught fire. The fireman strongly encouraged her to get rid of them as he sees these as fire starters in several homes.
Ashley Mayes
I had no idea. I'll definitely look into that. Thanks!
e j
FYI...my DIL found a deal at HD that went into the wall and came out at the plug to hide all the cords to hang the TV....she did it all herself..except hang the TV but could have probably have done that, since they are now so light weight, but wanted to make my son feel like he did something, heehee! You might check that out....she said it was super easy....hardest thing was cutting the hole for the cords AND the size they told her to get was really toooo big she'd go down one size next time!
Ashley Mayes
Good to know! I'll have to check that out.
JUDY
LOVE THE CORD ORGANIZATION. I PUT A PEG BOARD BACKING ON MY TV STAND AND WRAP THE CORDS AND ANCHORED ALL ON PEG HOOKS. IT KEEPS THE DUST BALLS OFF OF THE CORDS.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Judy! The peg board backing is such a great idea.
Jillian
I have this exact dresser and I use it for my tv too. Isn't it so gorgeous?! But I agree on the wires, I had to tie mine up and use a command hook on the back to hang them.
Ashley Mayes
So funny! A command hook is a good idea!
Laura
i appreciate your post! I too abhor exposed plugs and wires. My precious husband loves me enough to hire experts to to install cables and plugs in the walls when we had our television mounted on the wall.
Even then, we will have wires due to video systems when used (when not used I unplug them...which has saved a system or two due to power surges during bad storms, so no one complains anymore!) I use one of the double sided Command strips with hook on the back of the tv to prevent one of the connecting cables from showing, and that way it can stay connected and not a hassle to hook up Wii on a whim.
Thanks for your post!
Ashley Mayes
Such a good idea to use the command strips!
Karla
Naptime project? Now how am I supposed to accomplish this while I'm taking a nap? š
Seriously, thanks for the great ideas!
Ashley Mayes
lol. Ha.
Jean
Great idea BUT DO YOU KNOW 35,000 children under age 5 go to the Emergancy room from TV's FALLING ON THEM! Many die. They pull the drawers out & climb up! TV's are very dangerous, there is a contraption at your local hardware that you can mount to the back of the TV and then to the wall so the TV WONT GO ANYWHERE! Do take this precaution to protect your little ones!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jean. Yes, I have heard that about TVs. We don't have a young kiddo anymore, so we are good but that's a great reminder as well.
natalie
at least you should have cleaned the TV before taking photos!!!!
Ashley Mayes
haha. Yep! It's still not cleaned!
Don
Where did you get that dresser? !! I had that very same one along with the matching desk when I was a boy...50 years ago!
Ashley Mayes
I found it on Craigslist!
Mark Eter
Your Amazon affiliate links are broken
Yana Jonson
That's a great idea! Was in problem with my TV cords and searching for a simple way to hide them. The plan has made it easy. Thanks for sharing! š
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Yana! Cords are my nemesis. Glad you found the post helpful.