Bigger Than the Three of Us

Hide those Cords (hiding tv wires, etc!)

by 59 Comments

*Edited 04/05/2016 to add: There’s a new HUGE post on this issue. Make sure to check out all the ways to hide those cords after reading through this post.

This is another installment of “Naptime Projects.” Basically, as its name implies, a project that can be completed during one nap. This project has been on my mind for 6+ months! Can you believe that something that can be completed in an hour or so just never got done? Man, I hate those types of things.

Alright, let me back up. We have moved our television and console around a few times, even changing consoles completely. We finally found a set-up that works for right-now (until we find the perfect console). The “console” that we are using is actually the sideboard from the dining room. The sideboard has higher legs than our previous console so you can see underneath it.

Do you see my issue?

How to hide electrical cords with a modern console

THOSE CORDS!!

Part of the issue of not taking care of it was that I never sit down to watch tv until after the little guy goes to bed. By that time, I’m done with projects and cleaning. So, every night I get reminded about this ugliness but never take care of it. Well, last week I actually remembered during the day and started working on it.  My set-up ended up being pretty easy.

*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

First thing that I did was zip-tie the cords together. I did that in three different spots with multiple different cords.

Zip-tie cords together to manage the amount of cords that you have

The second thing I did was to hunt the house for a multiple prong electrical outlet that either would mount to the wall (with holes for screws) or plug directly in to the socket. I found the latter one.

Electrical outlets for hiding cords

With those two changes, the cords were no longer visible. It seriously makes quite the difference not seeing that extra junk. Then, I motivated myself to decorate just a bit on top of the console and, low and behold, that helped as well.

Hide those electrical cords using zip-ties

If you want to get your media console organized, you might want to get:

– Zip Ties

– Multiple Prong Wall Mount


Media console in living room with tapered legs

TV console styling with vases and a light

DIY Sunburst Light

How to style a media console

Long and skinny media console with styling

Hide Those Cords - Need help hiding cords behind your media cabinet? Look no further.

Seriously, hiding tv wires and all the other stuff around your console looks 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. Also, I pinned this awesome trick for mounting electrical power strips and thought I’d share.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.



Comments

    • 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.

      Reply

  2. 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 🙂

    I’m also crazy about that awesome gold lamp – where is it from?!

    Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Reply

  14. 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 🙂
    Have a wonderful day!
    Jess

    Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

  16. 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.

    Reply

  17. 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!

    Reply

  18. 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.

    Reply

  19. 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.

    Reply

  20. 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!

    Reply

  21. Naptime project? Now how am I supposed to accomplish this while I’m taking a nap? 😉

    Seriously, thanks for the great ideas!

    Reply

  22. 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!

    Reply

  24. 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!

    Reply

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