While I was interviewing Lalitha, an interior designer, for an article about mounting TVs, she went out of her way to give this advice: “No matter how good your TV is or how colorful your paint is—one should keep TV wires out of sight to improve home aesthetics.”
In this article, we’ll show you the easy way to hide your TV wires. You’ll need a pencil, a power drill, suitable drill bits, and a face plate. The whole process will take around 25 minutes and can be expedited if you have another person to help.
| Project difficulty: Intermediate Estimated time to complete: 20-25 minutes Project cost: $10 |
Find the Studs and Mark Positions
Start by picking a spot on the wall near your TV where the wires will go. It could be above, below, or just beside the mounted TV. Once you have a good spot in mind, grab a stud finder to locate the studs hidden in the wall. These studs will get in the way of your wires, so you’ll want to cut between them. When you find a stud, mark the spot with a pencil and avoid cutting there.
If you need help finding a stud, check out “How to Find a Stud in the Wall” or “How to Find Studs Without a Stud Finder.”
Check for Sockets and Plan Cable Path
Look around for power outlets or sockets lower on the wall where your wires will come out. If there is no power outlet down low, decide where to place the entry and exit points for the wires on the wall.
If you plan to call an electrician to add a new socket, make sure it’s placed directly below the TV. This helps keep sharp turns away from wires and saves some length, too.
Mark the Wall for Entry and Exit Points
Use a pencil to draw a rectangular or square shape on the wall where you want the wires to enter and exit. The rectangle for your exit point should fit entirely under your face plate.
Tip: Place the entry point for the wires behind the TV. This way, the TV will cover the hole, reduce the need for extra painting, and keep everything out of sight for a cleaner look.
If your TV is already mounted, you’ll need to take it down for this step.
See Related: How to Remove a TV from a Wall Mount
Cut the Holes for Entry and Exit Points
First, make holes in each corner of those shapes you just marked using a drill with the right bit. After that, take a plasterboard knife to cut out those sections carefully.
If drilling is new for you, check out “How to Drill a Hole in Drywall.”
For brick walls, the process is more difficult. You’ll need to remove some of the brickwork using a hammer and chisel. Then, you’ll need to insert a conduit into that space to protect both your wall and wires. In addition, you have to redecorate after this step to make it look nice again.
Attach the Face Plate and Feed the Wires
Attach a face plate over the exit point using the included screws. The face plate gives the hole in the wall a neater look and prevents drywall dust from settling in your room. Brush plates are particularly useful for entry and exit points.
Feed all your wires through the entry point (the top hole) down to the exit point (the bottom hole). Repeat the same process for all the wires you need to hide.
Tip: To make it easier, tie something small, like a weight, onto one end of some string. Drop it through the top hole, grab it at the bottom, then use it to pull your cables through.
Now you’ve got clean entry and exit points for your wires.
Plug in Your Cables
Now that the cables are securely in the wall, it’s time to plug in! Depending on how your TV sits against the wall, you may need to re-mount your TV first or have a friend hold the TV close to the bracket while you work on the rear of the device.
If you’re running cables for a cable box, video player, or game console, make sure everything is securely plugged in and runs on the correct input. Mount your TV back on its bracket, or push your furniture back into place.
To finish up nicely, push the excess cable back into the wall so only the length needed is visible. This will help keep the space near your outlet free from clutter.
For an added touch, paint the face plate so it matches your wall.
More Articles About TV Mounting:
- All the Tools Needed to Mount a TV
- Where to Mount a TV on the Wall
- How Long Does it Take to Mount a TV?
- TV Stand vs. Wall Mount: Which is Right for You?
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Main Image Credit: Hanna / Adobe Stock / License
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