Hiding TV Cables Above Your Fireplace (5+ Ways)

Having a TV mounted above a fireplace can be an excellent use of space in your living room. However, the various cables required to power and connect the TV can hang down in an unsightly way. Properly hiding these cables helps create a clean, polished look for your living room.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through various methods to neatly hide TV cables above a fireplace. We will cover common issues that arise and provide solutions, tips, and step-by-step instructions for cable management.

Why Proper Cable Management is Important

When mounting a TV above a fireplace, cables can detract from the overall aesthetic if left to simply hang down the wall in plain view. Carefully hiding cables helps create a clean look and also prevents tripping hazards from loose cables hanging down. Beyond appearances, properly securing cables also creates safer conditions in your home.

Some key reasons to manage cables above a fireplace include:

• Create a cleaner, more polished look
• Improve safety by eliminating loose cables
• Protect wires from damage from friction or pets
• Allow easy access behind wall for future maintenance

Taking the time to properly run and hide cables makes a significant visual impact and prevents safety issues or damage to wires over time.

Common Challenges with Hiding Cables Above Fireplaces

Hiding cables above a fireplace presents some unique challenges, including:

Limited Space: The area directly above a mounted TV provides little space to hide multiple cables. Cables must be tightly bundled and strategically run.

Heat Exposure: The rising heat from the fireplace can damage plastic coatings on cables over time if left exposed. Proper placement behind walls is important.

Power Access: Cables must run down to outlets, often on completely opposite sides of a wall from each other. Strategic outlet placement and planning helps.

Future Upgrades: Additional cables may need to be added over time as gear is upgraded. Having accessible paths behind walls is key.

Pet/Child Damage: Loose cables are susceptible to damage from pets or kids. Tucking away securely prevents this.

By planning ahead for these challenges, cables can be neatly hidden in any living room.

Equipment Needed

Hiding cables requires more than just the cables themselves. Some key equipment and materials include:

• Cable raceway / wire channel – Channels along walls for neatly securing cables in place
• Cable concealer / paintable cord covers – Flexible covers to run cables down walls
• Cable box / brush wall plate – Wall plates with brush inserts for running cables behind walls
• Drywall tools – Mud, tape, anchors to secure plates and channels on walls

–Cable ties / velcro – To neatly bundle and organize wiring behind walls

• Stud finder – For finding studs to properly anchor mounting hardware

Having these supplies on hand will make running cables much simpler.

Hiding Cables Behind Walls

For the most discrete option, running cables down inside walls completely conceals them. However, this requires gaining access behind the drywall.

Steps to hide cables behind walls:

1. Use a stud finder to locate studs. Mark their locations with tape.
2. Determine the best route for cables to run down to outlets. Mark cable exit and entry points.
3. Cut out drywall sections at exit/entry points with a drywall saw. Cut holes centered on studs.
4. Drill holes through studs for cables to pass through. Install brush plates.
5. Run cables down through walls, out holes at bottom. Use cable ties to neatly bundle.
6. Patch drywall holes with drywall mud and tape. Sand once dried.
7. Run cables through brush plates. Attach plates with drywall anchors.
8. Paint plates/anchors to match walls. Attach trim pieces to plates to hide rough edges.

Running cables through walls provides the most hidden solution. However, this method requires advanced DIY skills. For simpler options, wire channels neatly secure cables.

Hiding Cables with Raceways and Concealers

For those less comfortable cutting into drywall, wire channels offer an alternative method to neatly run cables down walls.

Types of wire channels:

• Raceways: Plastic channels that securely adhere to walls. Cables tuck inside.
• Concealers: Long covers that paint to match walls. Cables hide underneath.
• Combo kits: Offer both raceways and concealers for flexible options.

Wire channels attach directly to walls with adhesive backing or screws. This avoids the need to cut into drywall while still neatly securing cables.

Steps to hide cables with raceways:

1. Measure length of cabling from TV to outlet. Account for slack.
2. Cut raceway/concealers to needed length with a hacksaw.
3. Thoroughly clean wall surface where channels will adhere.
4. Peel adhesive backing and firmly press channels to wall.
5. Secure any loose sections with additional adhesive or screws.
6. Open channel covers and neatly run cables inside.
7. Consider painting channels to match your wall color.

Pro Tip: For easier installation, use wire channels with built-in outlets to avoid exiting cables mid-run.

Raceways and concealers offer a simpler way to hide cables that avoids drywall work. Combined with painting, they can blend right into a wall for a clean appearance.

Tips and Tricks

Beyond the basics, applying these additional tips will help cables stay neatly hidden:

Leave slack – When running cables, leave some extra length tucked away to allow pulling more out later if needed without having to redo the entire run.

Use velcro – Velcro cable ties avoid the need to cut tie wraps for adjustments. Hook-and-loop straps also stay secure.

Outlet placement – Ideally place outlets centered behind the TV mount to simplify wiring.

Power kits – Single units like a Power Bridge that neat consolidate multiple outlets avoid excess cables.

Future proof – Consider running empty conduits behind walls to simplify feeding additional cables later for upgrades.

Inspect annually – Check for damage and make any needed adjustments to ensure cables stay securely hidden.

Taking the time to follow best practices goes a long way towards keeping TV cables neatly concealed.

Mistakes to Avoid

When installing cables, there are also some key mistakes that should be avoided:

Not using wire channels – Simply running cables down the wall will lead to a messy appearance and cables pulling loose over time.

Routing along baseboards – While this hides cables initially, they clutter floor space and get damaged by vacuums.

Leaving excess slack – Bundling up coils of loose cabling defeats the purpose of neatly routing wires.

Improper mounting – Not securely anchoring wire channels allows them to loosen and cables to slip free.

Ignoring building codes – Improperly drilling holes through firewalls or not using in-wall rated cables risks safety issues.

No future planning – Difficulty running new cables later leads to a messy cluster of cables that must be redone.

Save yourself the headache down the road by carefully planning your cable routing in advance and avoiding amateur mistakes.

FAQ About Hiding TV Cables

To wrap up, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about concealing cables:

What is the easiest way to hide TV cables without cutting drywall?

For an easy cable hiding solution without drywall work, wire concealers and raceways simply adhere directly to walls to neatly contain cables. Painting them the wall color makes them practically disappear.

Where should I place outlets relative to my TV mount?

Ideally place outlets centered directly behind your TV mount. This allows the shortest cable runs straight down from the TV to outlets to keep wiring neat and simple.

Do I need special cables for running inside walls?

Yes, cables routed inside walls must use wiring that is specifically in-wall rated for safety. This is important for meeting building codes and preventing fire risks.

What is the best way to hide cables on a stone fireplace?

For surfaces like stone or brick that wire channels won’t adhere to, use a wire hiding solution like Power Bridge that mounts to your TV bracket and neatly runs all cables down a single tube.

How can I hide cables if my components are on shelves away from the TV?

If your Blu-ray player, streaming box, or other devices are on a shelf below the TV instead of wall mounted, run their cables neatly along the edge of the shelves using raceways.

Final Thoughts

Having a clean fireplace TV setup free of messy dangling cables delivers a polished, professional appearance. While hiding cables effectively takes some planning and work, the difference it makes visually is significant.

Following the techniques outlined, such as securely routing wires inside wire channels or behind walls, will help you neatly conceal unsightly cables. Paired with proper outlet placement and securing slack cables out of sight, you can achieve a seamless, cable-free look.

Hiding cables is an important facet of mounting a TV above a fireplace. Taking advantage of the strategies and solutions provided here will allow you to reclaim your living room’s beauty by keeping cables neatly out of view.