How to Hide Internet Cables and Wires (5+ Ways)

Having exposed and messy internet cables in your home can make rooms look cluttered and unappealing. Fortunately, there are various clever ways to hide internet cables and wires to keep your space looking neat and tidy.

Why Hide Cables

Exposed cables are more than just an eyesore. Loose wires pose tripping hazards, especially for kids and pets. Uncovered cables also collect dust, which can lead to signal and connectivity issues over time.

Hiding your cables keeps your home safer, cleaner, and more aesthetically pleasing for both you and any visitors. Tucked away wires also protect cables from pets, kids, lawn mowers, and other hazards that could damage them.

Planning Your Cable Hiding Project

Before concealing your internet cables, take time to carefully plan your approach:

Take Stock of All Cables and Wires: Note where cables originate and end, how long they are, and where you want to position them out of sight. This allows you to purchase sufficient materials for hiding each one properly.

Consider Permanent Versus Temporary Hiding: Some approaches like in-wall wiring or under-carpet wires require more work but deliver very discreet results. Others like cable sleeves allow you to access wires easily later on. Decide which method best suits your needs.

Choose Wisely Between DIY Versus Professional Help: Installing some cable hiding techniques like crown moldings or running wires through walls may benefit from professional help if you lack experience. Evaluate your skill level and seek assistance when needed.

Thorough planning makes executing a clean, hidden cable setup much simpler.

Creative Ways to Hide Internet Cables

Here are some creative and effective methods for concealing internet cables in various areas of your home:

Entryways, Hallways, and High-Traffic Areas

Entryways and hallways with cables running across the floor are inconvenient and hazardous. Here are some excellent ways to hide these wires out of walkways:

• Underdoor Cable Ramp: Flat cross-over ramps hide cables under doorways neatly while still allowing doors to open and close without pinching.
• Cable Concealer Columns: Hide wires inside slender column-like covers painted to match your walls. Use them to run cables vertically from floor to ceiling.
• Wall Cable Hiders: Adhesive plastic pieces act like mini wall-mounted cable channels to neatly adhere wires flush against baseboards or walls. Excellent for hallways and edges of rooms.
• Cable Hiding Moulding: Moulding strips designed with internal channels are perfect for aligning baseboard or crown moulding neatly with hidden cables inside.
• Under Carpet Wires: Plastic cable tray systems placed underneath carpet allow you to run wires discreetly between rooms under the carpet edge.

Behind Furniture and Appliances

Cables connected to televisions, computers, media centers, and other furniture are inevitable. But you can neatly hide them:

• Cable Management Box: Plastic boxes with adhesive backing mount behind furniture to contain a mass of wires out of sight. The wires feed neatly through a small slot in the back of furniture.
• Power Bridge: Adhesive plastic cable runner sticks to the back of furniture, keeping cables neatly tucked up and out of sight. Clips also hold cables in place.
• Cable Sleeves: Flexible plastic tubing in various sizes and colors slide over cables behind furniture for quick, adjustable concealment. Slide cables inside to hide then remove later if needed.
• Cable Box: Mounted cable boxes made of plastic or metal attach to the back or underside of desks, tables, and other furniture. Cables feed through into the box then exit through another opening to connected devices.

Across Walls and Baseboards

Cables stretching visibly across open walls from baseboard to baseboard appear messy. Use these techniques to make them vanish:

• Cable Channels: Long channel raceways secure neatly to walls with adhesive, acting as perfect wire hides. Various colors and sizes available to match your walls and wires.
• Cable Concealer Paint: Special paint formulas create textured finishes that seamlessly disguise cables laid across walls. When done properly, wires seem to disappear into the painted texture.
• Wire Mold: Versatile plastic molding mounts on walls with clips or adhesive. The channel built into the molding hides cables routed neatly from floor to ceiling. Paintable for discreet results.

Under Area Rugs

Rugs with cables peeking out from underneath them appear sloppy. It’s easy to route wires discreetly under rugs instead:

• Under-Rug Flat Cable Concealer: Adhesive-backed plastic channels allow you to securely adhere cables under area rug edges, keeping wires out of sight.
• Cable Ramp: Rug cable ramps act as transitional bridges that allow cables to run underneath area rugs smoothly without causing lumps or tripping hazards from bunched up wires.
• Under Carpet Wires: Plastic cable tray systems placed underneath wall-to-wall carpeting can discretely hide cables running room to room with minimal visibility.

From Ceiling to Wall

Dangling cables running vertically from ceilings down walls are an eyesore. Hide them with:

• Drop Ceiling Cable Concealers: Plastic covers mount above drop ceilings to hide vertical cables previously left exposed. Great for office buildings and finished basements.
• Wire Mold: Mount wire molding vertically on walls and feed cables inside the channel pieces for tidy, painted cable tracks floor to ceiling.
• Hollow Wall Columns: For open interior walls and railings, install hollow wall columns to hide cables routed through them. Paint them to match for discreet wire hiding.

Tips When Hiding Cables

Follow these tips when tackling cable concealment projects for better results:

Leave Extra Cable Length: Don’t staple or adhere cables tightly. Allow slack so cables move freely without stressing connections when adjusted.

Avoid Cable Overheating: Don’t bundle cables too tightly into confined spaces or ventilation will be limited, causing overheating.

Properly Secure Cables: Use cable mounting clips, channels, sleeves, and other organizers so wires stay put securely, especially if they may pose tripping risks when loose.

Incorporate as You Remodel: Take advantage of remodeling projects to install built-ins for hiding cables, outlets, and AV equipment during the construction process for very seamless integration.

Label Well: Use small tags, tape, or clear cable sleeves to label overly concealed cables for easy identification later when troubleshooting or upgrading.

Consider Future Expansions: If you expect to add more equipment and cables later on, oversize wire hides like channels and columns to accommodate future wiring needs.

FAQs About Hiding Wires and Cables

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about concealing internet and other cables in your home:

What is the easiest way to hide TV wires?

Some of the simplest ways to hide TV wires are plastic cable covers, power bridge cord organizers, and adhesive-backed cable boxes to enclose wires behind the TV stand.

Where can I buy supplies for hiding cables?

Many hardware stores and home improvement retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot sell various cable concealers, raceways, conduits, and covers. You can also find numerous options online at retailers like Cable Concealers, Cable Organizer, and Amazon.

Is it safe to hide cables in walls?

It can be safe to hide cables inside walls but extreme care should be taken. Use in-wall rated cables that meet building codes, seal openings properly, avoid overloading wires in confined spaces, and take fire risks seriously. Consider hiring an electrician.

What is the best way to hide internet cables outside?

For concealing outdoor cables, plastic cord covers designed for outdoor use, small cable trenches dug in dirt, flexible sealtight conduit, and siding wire channels are good solutions. Waterproofing is a must.

How much does professional cable hiding cost?

The cost to hire an electrician for cable concealment projects ranges widely but expect to pay a minimum of around $200-300 plus materials. More extensive in-wall wiring with infrastructure improvements may cost $2,000-3,000 or more.

Can I paint cables to hide them?

You should not paint cables as it can impact heat dissipation and fire safety. Use cable concealer paint on walls or specially made paintable cable channels instead. Never paint over electrical cables.

Conclusion

Hiding messy cables for internet connectivity, AV equipment, computers, and other devices is an easy, affordable way to keep your home looking neat and safe.

With this wide variety of clever cable hiding techniques, you can tackle wire concealment in virtually any room. Just be sure to leave enough slack, avoid overheating cables, securely mount them, and properly label concealed wires.

What area of your home will you tidy up first by discretely hiding those unsightly cables?