It is complete…I finished the last project that needed doing in the bedroom I turned into a fitness room. I hid the cords on the wall mounted TV.
I am so happy that I made the decision to transform the room. I have no excuse now not to workout daily in the nice bright space.
In my last post about it, I left you with this image…
of the wall-mounted TV with exposed cords hanging from it. Not very pretty. I am happy to tell you that they are now history.
Well, not actually history, but the cords are now running behind the wall.
How to Hide Cords on a Wall Mounted TV
I used a packaged kit to run my TV wires safely behind the wall.
Note: When I first ran the cords behind the wall, I did it without the kit and got a lot of comments telling me how unsafe it was. I have deleted that original post and have rewritten the post showing this correct and safe way.
Home improvement stores sell the kits. They are called In Wall and Power Cable kits to run TV wires “to code” behind walls. They come complete with outlet boxes. They cost around $50 and are the best and safest way to hide TV cords behind the walls.
Here is a run down of what you need to do:
The outlet power is attached to a plastic tube that you place behind the wall via two holes that your drill into your wall. Your TV cords run through the plastic tube. The top outlet has a power plug. This is where you plug in the TV. The tube runs through the two holes that you drill in the wall (one low on the wall, the other behind the TV). The kit has a power cable that you need to then plug into an existing wall electrical outlet that is low on the wall.
After placing the TV mounting bracket on the wall, you need to figure out where the two holes need to go so the top one is hidden behind the TV and the bottom one closer to the floor and an existing wall outlet where the cords and the kits power source coming out of the wall will be plugged into.
We used a circular drill bit to make the holes.
Following the kit’s directions, push the tube and cord through the top hole. This looks hard, but it was pretty easy. See that white cord along the black tube? That is the power cord part of the kit and how you will get power to the TV.
The top part of the kits power cord has an outlet. You plug the TV in there behind the TV. At the bottom opening, you then need to plug in the power to an existing wall outlet.
Ask a family member for a second set of hands to help grab and pull out the tube/cord when it reaches the drilled hole near the bottom of the wall.
Use the kit’s screws to secure the outlet to the wall behind the TV. This is where you plug in the TV, the rest of the cords go through the tube.
Thread your cables through the tube and out the bottom hole and connect to the back of the TV on the wall and cable box/DVR below.
All done! It took about 2 hours from start to finish.
IMPORTANT: The hardest part was figuring out where to place the holes in the wall. You want to make sure all the cords that connect from your electronics are long enough to thread through the wall and into the the back of the TV. You may have to purchase longer HDMI cords etc.
***VARIATIONS***
If you don’t want to put cords behind a wall to hide them when hanging a wall mounted flat screen TV, check out this post:
How I hid cords on the wall mounted flat screen TV in my family room without running them behind the wall.
- If you want to hide the cable box: check out the end of this post: Installing a Swivel Mounted TV
- If you can’t find a kit in your area: Here is the In-Wall KIT that I used: TV In-Wall Cover and Power Kit
- Affordable 32″ LED TV I used can be found here: 32″ Sharp LED TV
You can find out more about how I transformed this unused bedroom into a fitness room in these posts:
- How to Paint Sub-flooring
- Vision of A Fitness Room
- Fitness Room Mirrors
- Storage Basket on Wheels
- Fitness Room Art
- Window Treatments
Wow you’ve done a wonderful job in sharing this useful tip and information to us. I really love your idea and your tips and it is so neat. Well done! Keep on sharing more.
Hi,
I see the kit has only 1 outlet. Overall, it’s a beautiful job.
We use the real hide TV wires kit from seller that would does the job nicely. See here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/332496827483
Hope it helps.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody?
This paragraph posted at this website is actually pleasant.
Judging by how easy it was to run the connections inside the wall between the two holes, this TV was mounted on an inside wall. Try this when it’s mounted on an outside wall. It’s virtually impossible because the space between the 2×4’s is stuffed with insulation.
Dónde puedo conseguir esté material para poder trabajar sobre esté terreno gracias y saludos
You can buy the kit at the Home Depot or on Amazon.
Would be a.bit tacky to use this particular type of kit if you have 3 powered units mounted on wall with tv…i.e.: Flat Panel, Sound Bar and a Remote Satellite Mini-box.
Do these kits come with a duplex or a triple-gang outlet?
Hi B – I am not sure if they make something like this. Have you checked on Home Depot, Amazon, Best Buy or Radio Shack?
Just plug a 3-way spliter into the top outlet behind the TV and plug your devices into that
That is a good idea. One of those… “Why didn’t I think of that” ideas. :-) Thanks for taking the time to share it.
Careful with splitting the electrical. Make sure you don’t overload the circuit. Add up the total amperage of all devices on the circuit that will draw power at the same time. If the sum is greater than the circuit rating, you could create a hazard.
Neatly done! As if the electricity and the network is being managed through Solar. Cheers!
You really should be using HDMI cable to replace 3 cables with one and able to watch in HD.
That depends on what equipment is being connected to the TV. Older A/V equipment may not have an HDMI output so you’re stuck with having to use RCA or composite cables.
What about living in an apartment.; You can’t drill holes in an apartment complex. How would you go about hiding your cords when living on other’s property?
THEY HAVE KITS THAT MOUNT ON THE OUTSIDE MORE LIKE A MOULDING STRIP. JUST PAINT IT SAME AS WALL AND IT IS ALMOST UNSEEABLE.
There are tv stands that you can mount the set to a piece of furniture. Saves the wall and keeps it safely out of the way.
What if my wall is concrete? Any idea how to hide the cords
Hi Meera – Hmmm…. not sure about how to hide them. I would have to see a photo and maybe I could come up with a way to hide the cords.
I did this a long time ago but made my own kit from Home depot. only thing I do not like about yours is the Big holes you drilled. It is fine if you don’t ever plan on redecorating or moving the tv. If you do you got a mess on your Hands, replacing sheet rock cutting to studs and then spackle it etc. I like the moulding idea the best when your ready to move the tv take off the moulding and put it where you need it next no holes no mess.
Same way i said THEY HAVE KITS THAT MOUNT ON THE OUTSIDE MORE LIKE A MOULDING STRIP. JUST PAINT IT SAME AS WALL AND IT IS ALMOST UNSEEABLE.
Dear Diane , great idea but fully understand conserns and views with power cables being run behind walls & with the obstacles of noggins in dry walls, maybe a bit more work involved as you have showed, there is a simple way to do this, most cables are max of 8mm you could always use a wide condiiuit and paint after to match the wall colour on TVs wall.
They have a decorative moulding sets that do that. just paint wall color ..no mess no holes, and once painted can be hard to notice.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to wait until I become a homeowner to do it. I doubt they’ll allow this in an apartment. lol
Brilliant idea!!!!! Will have to run it past my husband Lol…… However I have read through the comments going back quite far….. And I’m just hoping that people realize that most of these so called electricians can’t even get on the same page about whether or not it’s up to code!!!! So to all those reading these I’d say look into yourself and proceed at your own risk!!!! I don’t normally post on things like this but some of things comments are just ignorant!!!!! And if they aren’t interested then don’t bother posting about it…. Anyhow Lol thank you and I’ll be sure to let you know if I get it done Lol
Hi Jessica –
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment about hiding the TV cords in the wall using a kit. I agree with what you said… to look into it for yourself to see if it is the right option for your home and wall. We just used a kit again in our new house to hide the cords on a TV in our living room. We felt like pros since we knew exactly what to do.
Looks nice but extension cords are approved for temporary use only not approved for permanent wiring per National ERlectric Code. Is the product UL approved ?
it is more like an extension wire being put behind walls so no good electrician would do that it is against code. better off using romex wire with plug on one end and outlet on other end. wire has to be at least 12-2, meaning size of wire has to be # 12 and the 2 means two wires in cable, the ground wire doesn’t count. so you will see 3 wires black ( hot)
white (neutral) copper (ground). Black goes to the small prong on plug white on bigger prong and ground to ground.
Isn’t the point of the tube is to have the wires INSIDE of it to prevent damage? It is shown with the wires OUTSIDE the tube, in that case you should of just fished the wires through the wall.
Hi Barb – All the electronic wires are in the tube, the photo that shows the white cord outside the tube is the the kind of electric wire that is approved to be behind a wall. It is what electricians use when wiring a house. The top white opening with the outlet is attached to the cord and the tube. The kit comes with rubber bands to hold it on. Having the tube helps all the jumble of wires get through the wall easily. Just fishing wires through the wall doesn’t give you the outlet behind the TV. The kit has the outlet. It is nice to have that.
if you put a nail or screw in wall under the Tv it will go right through that black tube.
How do you do this with an outside wall? (insulation and fire blocking involved!) Thank you!!!
Hi Christine –
In the wall that we hid the cords in, we ran the tube in front of the insulation. It was all that was in the wall.We could see it from each hole we drilled into the wall. Different states have different building codes so I am not sure if you have more the standard insulation in your walls.
An easier solution. Just put your power outlet up behind the TV and mount a shelf below the TV for dvd players etc. Everything plugs in and nothing can be seen. No fire hazards and code perfect. My husband is an electrician and thats how all our TV’s are setup in my house. You see none of my cables or power cords. No kit required. Pay a licensed electrician to do it right.
Yes Sherry that does seem nicer and quicker way to do it. But unfortunately we all don’t have a hubby for an electrician.
So therefore what electricians charge an hour or just to come out it is cheaper to buy the kit. I am sure people look into it before doing it.
What about the fire blocking
this is very cool hope to try it out one day. Where would be a store that would sell it.
thanks
Hi Ryan – Lowes or Home Depot. They both sell the kits.
Hi Diane, Great idea !! I have done this and the other methods. But I feel bad that you have to answerer all these stupid question. These people just have to use common sense. Just go to your home center, and go to the Electrical Department . They have an area with all the different ways to hide the wires. They could read a book or use google. Also most people have more common sense than to drive a nail in the same area after installation and why they would do this I don’t know. I never post but the nail question made me post this. Thank You Diane..
How does one get around/ through cross beams? Thought interior walls had 2×4 blocks between the vertical 2x4s.
Hi Sunil –
In most walls the studs run parallel with no blocks. Cross studs may go across in places where an electrical box or plumbing needs to be attached, but for the most part the space between vertical studs is open. If you have a low on the wall electrical outlet that has a cross stud above it and that is between two vertical studs to hold it on you can still use the kit. Place the bottom hole for the cord kit right above the outlet. Once the cords and plugs are out the bottom, simply plug the plugs into the outlet. On my wall, the outlet was to the right of where the cord kit ran through the wall. Once the plugs came out through the bottom hole, I plugged them into a electrical outlet strip (hidden on the table) and then that plug went to the wall outlet.
Thanks for helping!
I’ll try it out… Now to talk my wife into the new TV :-)
That’s rubbish all walls should have “nogs” (horizontal timber inbetween vertical studs) especially exterior walls like the one in the photo . And you can only get around them by removing a section of the wall and cutting out part of the nog. I think they’ve just photoshopped these pictures.
No horizontal supports are used in a standard wall.Except around door and some window framing ,or on wet walls where plumbing is located.Unless you have an extremely old home.
Even electrical outlets are attached to the vertical stud .
Are you serious David ???” Do you really think all house’s are like that. You sound like you should call a professional for everything. You take the top spot for the most stupid comment!!
how did you get the power from the origional outlet to the new setup? pic #1 shows the tv/dvd plugged into the wall pic#2 you can see the origional outlet but no cords and i was no mention or it in the post. all i saw was drilling for the tube and fishing the wires thru.
I wondered the same thing: how does the new upper outlet get power? That part is completely omitted from your post.
Hi Robert – Sorry for not explaining how the kit is powered. The kit, the tube itself with the upper and lower openings that goes behind the wall has a power outlet at the top opening. You can plug in the TV there and then where the kits cord comes out of the wall (lower opening), you plug into a low wall outlet. In the room I show in the post, the outlet is behind the turquoise table. I have also used the same kit to power another TV. You can see a picture of the top outlet in one of the photos in this post: https://inmyownstyle.com/2016/05/how-to-install-a-swivel-tv-mount-and-hide-tv-cords-and-wires.html
I will edit the post to make sure it is clear how the outlet at the top is powered.
Does this suit a brick wall?
What about concert walls?
Hi Mahmoud –
I have no experience with any type of wall except, a sheetrock wall in a 22 year old house. Sorry, maybe you can search Google for an answer. :-)
You could just make a false feature wall out of plywood and perhaps wood strips or whatever you wanted to make a feature wall out of and hang cords in behind that!!
Hi Jo – That is a great idea and would not be too hard to do. Thanks for taking the time to share your idea with me.
No,these are made for framed walls using sheetrock .
What are consert walls ?? Or will this method work on brick??? DOES ANYBODY HAVE COMMON SENSE ????????? I have to stop reading these questions..
This is a perfect DIY ideas, the wires of TV is really annoying but i think that will works fine, thanks for sharing, and please let me make you as a source in my weblog.
As an electrician that looks like too much work just for a simple thing
How else do u do it that’s safe and easy?
Hi Bobbie – It is the only way I know to do hide the TV cords yourself. On the TV above my fireplace in my previous home, I hit the cords with a fabric sleeve. You can see that post here: https://inmyownstyle.com/2012/09/how-to-hide-the-cords-on-a-flat-screen-tv.html
great solution. Another is to use magnets
Hi Susie – Magnets to hide the TV cords? I would love to find out how that is done.
Nice idea for organizing but unfortunately doesn’t work for concrete walls
This looks quite involved and (for me) would require an certified electrician. I want to hide cable on an exterior wall. Insulation, etc. might complicate installation.
It’s much simpler ans better looking if you just placed the tv on the table!
Wall mount are so 90s
Can u put the screen a little higher?
Hi Cece – You can place the TV as high as you want. You just need to make sure the distance between the TV and where the wall plug is, is not longer than the kits tubing.
Use magnets on outside of wall to pull wire from top hole down to , bottom hole.
??????????? wow ,you’ve done this???
Copper is what the wires are made of in all extension, power cords, and A/V wiring and it is not magnetic. My 4 oz. rare earth magnet had no magnetic affect even on a coax cable.
*work
My wires and cords have been inside the wall for years now.make sure there are no bare electrical wires inside the wall as it can cause a short and fire. I had a house fire years ago due to an electrical short, my golden retriever woke me up and saved my life. My fish tank of 55 gallons of h2o was leaking into an electrical power strip which by the way I never bothered to read the warnings on the power strip that clearly state,” not for use under sinks or aquariums or around any h2o” please read all warnings and follow all safety measures when working around electrical wiring. It’s best to have a pro check your handy work. Be safe, or safe.
I have to admit, my son and I both have separate power supplies and a cable connection to connect to behind the TV.
Thank you so much! After showing this post to my boyfriend he felt like he could hid the cords. We did it a little differently but because of you we did it. Thanks
Adorei!! Tenho muito problema com fios aparecendo, estragam a decoração e causam a impressão de bagunça. Adorei a ideia!!
I am still waiting for you to either remove this article or put a clear warning at the top that this is a violation of National Electrical Code – specifically
400.8 Uses Not Permitted.
Flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
You have created a fire hazard and promoted this to the public as acceptable practice. Quit waiting on someone to confirm this for you – it has already been brought up numerous times.!!!
Chad is totally correct!
As a long time licensed Electrician, I cringe every time I see these “handy-man / home-owner /DIY horrors!
Please, allow me to tell you that I have (in my 50+yrs) seen too many awful results of people attempting to play electrician.
Agreed… Such a silly diy that could result in huge losses. I thought this was a good idea at first… Definitely not attempting this. Thanks Chad. I’d rather paint cords white or is those exterior square tubes. Plus I love moving my furniture around to refresh the room every once in a while.
Why do you seem so butthurt? Did a bear get you
Dude really? It is not a hazard not is this in any way a code violation! Chill out and leave this blog. Very helpful for the diy community. Don’t take the code out of context either. Read it good before commenting.
using this is in no way any different then using a power strip or an extension cord.Furthermore it could not be sold as a kit if it were not approved .You should go troll somewhere else and try reading the installation instructions before making such comments!!!
Sean, respectfully, this is totally different than using an extension cord or power strip. It’s different as soon as it goes into a wall. Flexible cables cannot carry power inside a wall. That’s it. Power cabling has to be rigid. Low-power cabling (HDMI, etc) has to be rated for in-wall use. That stupid plastic tube means nothing as far as the NEC is concerned. And apparently they CAN sell it if it’s not to code, because they are.
I would think that Chad’s reference is clear enough, and he’s right. Leaving this post online is IRRESPONSIBLE. Someone is going to do this, and when someone has a mouse shew through their flexible in-wall power cable, and their house burns down and at best causes thousands-worth of damage , or at worst, kills someone in their family, I’m pretty sure the maintainer of this website won’t be there to make it right. There is nothing wrong with sharing knowledge online, but electricity is inherently dangerous. This type of how-to should not be shared by someone that isn’t an electrician, because frankly, if you’re not an electrician, you probably don’t know what you’re doing. If you want to do this right, use these instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/HOW-TO-RETRO-FIT-AN-OUTLET-BEHIND-A-WALL-MOUNT-TEL/
Be safe everyone.
The “wire snake” is actually called a fish tape, we electricians use it to pull string, ropes or wire through conduits. We also use them for the same application you did, it is a very creditors tool
This is not safe and shouldn’t be encouraged.
Instead of making us find ways to hide ugly cords, why don’t they make cords white and why hasn’t some one come up with a frame kit like they make of those large bathroom mirrors?
Awesome tip Diane, I have never seen one of those wire tools but it looks very handy. Thanks for sharing this, I have a feeling we will definitely use it one day:-)
I’ve done this often… and lucky because my husband is a skilled tradesman so he had the snake. But there is another way and I can vouch that this will work. Same concept but you don’t have to buy anything.
Take a long sturdy piece of string and tie something heavy to the end. I have used both a fishing sinker and a large nut, just something heavy so that the string hangs down between the studs behind the drywall. Then using something like a straightened paper clip or crochet hook, snag it through the bottom hole. You can use the nut or sinker to make the string swing and easier to snag. Once caught, pull it through the hole. Now you can attach the wire to the string, much like you show, and pull it through.
I’ve been a firm believer of hiding cables and wires where and when ever I can! I will have to post about my “second wall” that hides all my wires and plugs for my computers and printers. No one ever realizes I have a false wall!
Great work, BTW. Doesn’t it feel good to be done!?
Aha! Methinks we owe Ed a certain pat on the back for being so clever! Of course he would have to be, since he was clever enough to fetch this particular Diane to marry! Great project, looks super!
Thanks for sharing Diane. We were planning on wall mounting ours but ran into the same problem of the joists not being centered but neither the hubs nor the son in law came up with the brain storm to mount wood on the wall first. lol. Guess we can make a trip back to the store to re-purchase that mounting kit. Yea!!
Hi Christine – I am so happy to hear that you can now center your TV on the wall after seeing what I posted. I have to give my husband Ed credit for coming up with mounting the wood first on the wall, then the mounting bracket. :-)
Extraordinary! Thanks so much for the DETAILED instructions. You really helped me.
Thanks for the flange idea as I don’t know that I would have ever tho’t of using a sink piece. As for pulling wires up thru’ a wall, I have used wire coat hangers for that, straightened out, of course. More than one can be wired together, if needed, and as such, no special tool need be bought.
Btw, in looking at your photo, I noticed the painted floor. Is that painted plywood?
Hi – Thanks for the tip on using wire coat hangers to fish cords and wires through walls. Freebies are always good :-) I posted about how I painted the subfloor in the room in this post: https://inmyownstyle.com/2014/08/paint-subflooring.html
You can also find the links to the other projects I did in the room at the end of the post.
I just ran across your post and I have to say, NO NO NO. running power cords through the walls is not a substitute for permanent wiring. You’re supposed to have a new electric socket installed directly behind the TV, where you can plug in the power cord and coil up the slack to tuck underneath. If you drilled some holes and ran cable yourself all willy nilly, in and back out to a power socket, chances are you are in violation of these codes. Should a fire result, your insurance may find reason to get out of covering your losses.
Hi Laura – You bring up a good point. I will have to get an electrician to take a look at it and make sure it is done up to code.
It’s not to code. Really this post should come down. You are encouraging people to install a power cord in their wall which is not protected and is a real fire hazard. Additionally, should it cause a fire, there is a good chance that an insurance inspector would decline to approve a claim since the installation is in violation of the NEC. This mistake could literally cost someone their entire house and everything in it. Then of course there is the matter of life safety.
Well, I am mistaken after finding this item online I was able to find that the wire that goes in the wall is essentially Romex. So it DOES meet the NEC and is safe to use. The power cable in the wall of the CMK70 is NM cable, which is NEC code compliant to be inside the wall. It conforms to UL STD 514C and CSA STD C22.2 #18.2 wall installation.
The key here is to be sure the product meets the electrical code for your country and local area. Never run regular electric cords through the walls.
I find it a bit arrogant that you only respond to comments or questions that benefit you. I find it selfish and really rude that you only recognized this comment when the talk of your insurance not covering you if your house caught fire due to your negligent post. You simply ignored all the other comments about how dangerous this was before this post. Disgraceful!
Hi Bob – You must be a one time reader. The post about the TV cords has been updated and totally redone. I did not ignore any of the comments! I changed the whole post because of them so the wires were run the correct way. Maybe if you knew all the facts about the post you would not have left such a comment.
Omg hiding your cords or cables within the wall is just that “hiding” them. your cords are behind the drywall inside, instead of in front of it on the outside. Before you shut this “blog” down and accuse these people of carelessly setting the world on fire, shouldn’t you stop by your local hardware store (lowes/Ace) and have a talk with them, they are the ones initiating the idea, perhaps one could say that they add the “fuel to the fire” selling these kits to average joes?
Sheez….You people really know how to piss on a parade! Calm down and move on!
YOU DONT HAVE TO DO THIS PROJECT IF YOU DONT WANT TO, YA KNOW?
or maybe you don’t …
I did the same thing everywhere too. It’s such an easy thing to do and looks so much better.
Clever! Thanks for sharing all your hard work.
I have seen this done by diy’ers many times, and cringe each time. This is not safe and violates national electrical code guidelines. Power cables, like on your tv, should not be run through walls.
I was wondering about the same thing. I’m not a electrician but something tells me it’s not up to code :-( But ya gotta admit, it looks waaaay better ;-)
Totally agree. You can buy a kit that has the type of power cord that meets code for being inside a wall to accomplish this. Our kit was around $70. More money but safe. Definitely worth the expense.
Hi Brandi – I will look into this. Thanks for taking the time to tell me about the kit.
Surely a cord inside the wall is under less risk of damage than one twisting around furniture?
Anyway, great idea but it does not address the existence of noggins.
Actually, our entire home sound system and cable system was installed professionally behind the walls and in the ceiling. It is up to code with the state of NC and was done when our home was built. My son had his done by a licensed electrician and the cable company when he wanted his television mounted high above his fireplace and he did not want the wires exposed. If done correctly, and with the proper equipment and components, no problems!
I bet they used the correct kits, not just run the power cords through the wall.
The power code of the tv is not going inside the wall, it has an outlet, the video cords would be ok, I’ve seen up to code video cords that look cheaper than those in brand new houses. But I do agree, if it’s not made for inside the wall it should go there, a little extra cash and done right is the proper way to do it.
What a difference! Looks beautiful! Your pipe/flange idea is terrific and a bargain. As an aside, office supply stores offer flanges made to sit in holes on top of desks (for computer wires). Not sure of diameter and may be more costly than your pipe idea. I love meandering through the aisles at home supply stores looking to repurpose their supplies! Thanks for your how- to. Keep ’email coming!
That is so clever. I’d be too scared I would break the wall. Great job. Julie
I did this not too long ago for all of our tv’s. I cut a square in the wall and placed a square switch cover (for the rocker type switches) over the hole to hide the edges of the drywall. It worked perfectly!