Hide Cords Behind TV (Velcro Ties & Raceway)
To hide cords behind a TV, unplug them, group them loosely with hook-and-loop ties, and route them through a surface raceway made for those cable types. Keep the raceway outside the wall, follow its installation instructions, and leave vents and the outlet accessible. Never hide an ordinary TV power cord inside a wall; use an approved in-wall power solution instead.
A tidy setup can cost less than replacing a wall finish or buying a larger cabinet. For many rooms, reusable ties and a paintable surface raceway are a practical starting point: they gather loose cords and cover the route without opening the wall. The key is choosing products for the cables you have, then installing them without pinching cords or blocking airflow.
I plan a TV cord route by separating two questions: how to organize cords on the room side of the wall, and whether any wiring needs to go inside the wall. A raceway can conceal cords on the surface, but it does not make an ordinary TV power cord safe or permitted to conceal in a wall.
Plan the Cord Route and Identify Cable Types
A cord route is the path from the TV to its outlet and connected devices. First identify every cable, where it starts and ends, and whether it is power or signal. This simple inventory helps you choose a suitable raceway and avoid a cramped, tangled bundle.
Map power and signal cords
With the TV and connected equipment switched off, note the TV power cord, HDMI cables, antenna or network cable, and any speaker or soundbar leads. Measure the route from the TV to the outlet or device, including the distance down the wall and any turns. Allow enough cable to connect without pulling it taut, but avoid extra loops that will crowd the raceway.
Power cords carry electrical power. Signal cables carry audio, video, network, or antenna signals. Keep these groups separate unless the raceway is listed and its instructions allow the combination. For in-wall signal wiring, the cable must have markings suitable for the location and circuit type. NEC 725.179 applies to certain Class 2 and Class 3 cables; it is not a blanket rule for every cable.
Choose the right raceway
A surface raceway is a channel fixed to the wall, with a cover that hides and protects cords. “Listed” means a product has been evaluated for specific uses by a recognized testing organization. Check the label and instructions: some raceways are for signal cables only, while others may allow specified power-cord uses.
There is no universal raceway size or fill percentage for this job. Capacity, cable combinations, bends, and mounting method depend on the product. Do not assume that a raceway suitable for HDMI cords can also carry a TV power cord. If you need power inside a wall, use properly installed wiring and a receptacle, or a listed in-wall power relocation kit intended for that purpose.
NEC 400.12 generally bars using flexible cords as a substitute for fixed wiring and, subject to listed exceptions, routing them through wall openings or concealing them in walls, floors, or ceilings. Check the code edition adopted locally and any local amendments. A surface raceway does not change this rule or permit an ordinary power cord to transition into the wall.
Check Ventilation, Outlet Access, and Mount Clearances
Before attaching a raceway or moving the TV, check the TV manual, mount instructions, outlet location, and wall surface. These checks help keep the route accessible and the equipment within its stated limits. Clearances and weight ratings vary by product, so use the specific manuals rather than a general rule.
Protect airflow and access
TVs need room for heat to escape. Compare the planned raceway path and TV position with the ventilation clearances in the TV manual. Do not cover vents with cords, ties, raceway, or nearby objects. Keep the outlet and plugs reachable enough to disconnect when needed; do not seal an outlet behind a fixed cover or trap a plug where it cannot be removed.
Check the mount’s stated load rating and confirm it suits both the TV’s weight and the wall material. A rating alone does not confirm that a particular fastener works in your wall. Follow the mount maker’s instructions for the wall substrate, such as wood framing or masonry. Do not move a mounted TV or drill near concealed wiring unless you have checked the route and can work safely.
Confirm the raceway route
A straight route down from the TV often needs fewer bends than a path that wanders around furniture. Mark the proposed path lightly, then check that the raceway will not cross a vent, block a control, or prevent access to a connection. Measure the route and compare it with the raceway lengths and corner pieces available.
If the outlet is far from the TV, plan the whole route before buying materials. Do not stretch a cord to make it fit or add a hidden extension inside the wall. For a clean in-wall power route, use a listed power relocation kit designed for that purpose and install it as instructed. NEC 110.3(B) requires listed or labeled equipment to be installed and used in line with its instructions.
Bundle Cords and Install the Raceway
Hook-and-loop ties are reusable straps that hold a cord bundle together without the sharp squeeze of a tight zip tie. Use them to organize cords before routing. Then fit the cords into a raceway approved for that cable mix, secure it as directed, and close the cover without pinching or flattening the cables.
Dress the cables
Disconnect the TV and connected devices before arranging cords. Lay the cables along the planned route and separate power from signal cables where required. Apply ties loosely: snug enough to keep cords orderly, not so tight that they flatten insulation, deform a cable, or pull on a connector. Place ties where they will not sit under a bend or inside a crowded corner.
Keep the minimum bend radius specified by each cable or device maker. If no bend limit is shown, avoid sharp folds and tight turns. Do not pull a cable sharply around a corner or force a connector into the raceway. Leave enough slack at the TV and devices for normal movement and service, without creating a loop that prevents the cover from closing.
Mount the channel
Follow the raceway’s instructions for surface preparation, fasteners, adhesive, and corner fittings. An adhesive-backed product may require a clean, dry surface and a set time before it is loaded; use the exact directions for that product. Do not assume adhesive will hold on every paint, texture, or wall finish. If the instructions call for screws, use the specified mounting method and take care not to damage concealed wiring.
Place the cords in the channel, keeping any separate power and signal groups arranged as the product allows. Close the cover gently and check its full length. If it bulges or will not latch, remove cords and choose a larger raceway or a permitted layout. Never press the cover down on a crowded bundle to force it shut.
| Setup | Suitable use | Check before installation |
|---|---|---|
| Hook-and-loop ties only | Organizing cords behind the TV or near devices | Keep ties loose; ties do not conceal or protect a wall route |
| Signal-only raceway | HDMI, network, or other permitted signal cables | Confirm cable types and capacity in the product instructions |
| Raceway approved for specified power cords | Surface routing where the product permits it | Confirm the exact power-cord use, cable mix, and local requirements |
| In-wall power relocation kit | Moving power to a properly installed in-wall receptacle | Use a listed kit intended for this job and follow its instructions |
NEC 725.136 addresses separation between power conductors and communications circuits where applicable. A listed raceway with a divider may allow certain arrangements, but do not assume that any divider or shared channel meets the rule. Check the raceway listing and instructions, and consult a qualified electrician if the permitted cable arrangement is unclear.
Verify Cable Condition, Raceway Closure, and TV Airflow
A final check confirms that cords are undamaged, the raceway is installed as intended, and the TV can breathe. Inspect the route before reconnecting equipment, then test the setup. If a cord is pinched, the cover will not close, or a vent is obstructed, correct the layout rather than forcing it into place.
Reconnect the TV and devices only after checking for cuts, crushed sections, strained plugs, and loose connections. Confirm that each cord has enough slack and that no connector is under tension. Close the raceway fully, then check along its length for gaps or bulges. A cover that will not sit flat is a sign to reduce the bundle or select a larger suitable channel.
Turn on the TV and connected equipment. Confirm that the screen, sound, and connected devices work as expected. Check that the raceway has not shifted and that required vents and clearances remain open. Recheck the setup after moving furniture or adjusting the TV, since a new position can tug on cords or block airflow.
Two practical layout examples
These examples show how I would assess common layouts; the exact product choice depends on the cable types and manufacturer instructions.
- TV above a low cabinet: If the outlet is below the TV, group the signal cables with loose ties and route them in a surface channel chosen for those cables. Keep the power cord in the same channel only if that raceway’s listing and instructions permit it. Leave the outlet accessible.
- TV on a wall far from the outlet: Measure the full surface route and check whether a raceway can reach the outlet without crossing vents or creating sharp turns. If the desired look requires power wiring inside the wall, do not pass the TV’s flexible cord through a wall opening. Use a suitable listed in-wall power solution installed according to its instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover common decisions when organizing TV cords with ties and a surface raceway. Product instructions and locally adopted electrical rules govern the details, especially when power and signal cables share a route or when any wiring goes inside a wall.
Can I hide my TV power cord inside a wall?
No. Do not conceal an ordinary flexible TV power cord in a wall or pass it through a wall opening as a shortcut. Use properly installed wiring and a receptacle, or a listed in-wall power relocation kit intended for that use.
Can a raceway cover the TV power cord?
Only if that specific raceway is intended and listed for the power-cord use, and its instructions allow your cable arrangement. Many raceways are made for signal cables. Check the label and instructions rather than assuming all channels are interchangeable.
Can power and HDMI cables go in the same raceway?
Only when the raceway’s listing and instructions allow that combination and the required separation rules are met. NEC 725.136 applies to certain power and communications wiring arrangements. If the product information is unclear, keep them separate or ask a qualified electrician.
Are hook-and-loop ties better than zip ties?
They are reusable and easy to adjust, which makes them useful for organizing TV cords. Whatever tie you use, do not tighten it enough to flatten or damage the cable insulation.
How many cords fit in one raceway?
There is no standard number. Capacity depends on the raceway size, cable dimensions, permitted cable types, and product instructions. The cover must close without compressing cords.
Can I paint a raceway?
Only if the raceway maker permits painting and gives instructions for doing so. Check before applying paint, and keep paint off surfaces or parts the instructions say must remain clear.
Will adhesive raceway stay on textured walls?
It depends on the wall finish and the product’s mounting instructions. Adhesive may not suit every surface. Check the manufacturer’s guidance and use only the approved mounting method.
Can I run an extension cord behind the wall instead?
No. Do not route an ordinary extension cord through or behind a wall as a substitute for fixed wiring. For in-wall power, use a properly installed receptacle or a listed relocation kit intended for the job.
How do I know if the TV will have enough ventilation?
Use the clearance requirements in the TV manual. Keep the raceway, cords, and nearby objects out of the vents and stated clearance area.
What is the safest next step if I am unsure about an in-wall route?
Keep cords on the room side of the wall in an appropriate surface raceway, or have a qualified electrician assess the route and install a suitable in-wall power solution. Follow local code and product instructions.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
