How To Hide Cords For Your Power Recliner
Why Hide Cords
Exposed cords from your recliner can be an eyesore and also pose safety issues like tripping hazards. Some key reasons to hide recliner cords include:
Improve Aesthetics
Hiding cords and wires improves the visual appeal of your recliner and living room decor. It makes the space look neater, cleaner and more put together.
Reduce Clutter
Exposed wires around a recliner contribute to visual clutter than can make your living room look messy. Properly hiding cords helps reduce this clutter.
Child & Pet Safety
Pets and curious children are at risk of chewing on exposed cords or wires. Hiding the wires reduces this safety risk.
Avoid Tripping Hazards
Loose hanging wires pose a tripping risk. Neatly hiding cords helps eliminate this danger.
Where To Hide The Cords
Before hiding recliner cords, it’s important to understand where the various wires connect on your power recliner. This will determine the best approach to hide them. Common connection points include:
Behind the Recliner
Many recliners have a power cord that plugs into an outlet behind the chair. This is the easiest cord to hide since the outlet is often against the wall or behind furniture.
Under the Recliner
The transformer or control box that powers the recliner’s movement is often located underneath the chair. Wires connect from this control box to the motors that drive the chair’s reclining and lifting functions.
Side or Bottom of Recliner
Some recliners have excess wiring that runs along the sides or bottom of the chair frame. This loose wiring should also be neatly managed when hiding your recliner cords.
Best Practices For Hiding Cords
Follow these general guidelines as best practices when hiding your power recliner’s cords:
Leave Slack
Leave some slack on wires rather than pulling them taut. This prevents strain on connections when moving the chair.
Avoid Pinching Wires
Be careful not to pinch wires when placing furniture or stapling cords. Pinched wires pose a fire and shock risk.
Check Condition
Inspect wires and cords periodically for wear or damage. Fraying cords should be replaced immediately.
Use Code-Approved Products
When possible, use UL-certified cord covers and conduit materials for safety.
Don’t Cover Heat Vents
Avoid positioning cords and wire covers over heat vents on recliners.
How To Hide Recliner Cords
There are several effective options to hide cords for your power recliner. Choose the method that works best based on your recliner type and living room layout.
Route Under Furniture
If your recliner is positioned near other furniture, routing cords under adjacent tables and shelves is an easy way to hide them.Step 1: Unplug the recliner cords from the outlet.Step 2: Lift or slide furniture to create a gap to route cords.Step 3: Gather and loosen recliner cords to install along floor and wall.Step 4: Route cords under table/shelf legs and long the underside of furniture.Step 5: Position furniture to discreetly hide routed cords.
Use Cord Covers
Cord covers are an inexpensive way to hide loose recliner cords. Plastic raceway or spiral wrap covers keep the wires neatly bundled and out of sight.
For Floor Cords
Step 1: Get an appropriate length plastic cord cover that fits your cord capacity.
Step 2: Position the cover along the floor following the path of your recliner cord.
Step 3: Open the cord cover by unsnapping or unscrewing the lid.
Step 4: Bundle together and insert all cords and wrap any excess around the bundled wires.
Step 5: Snap or screw the cord cover lid closed to conceal the wires inside.
For Back-of-Recliner Cords
Step 1: Choose an adhesive-backed spiral cord wrap.
Step 2: Arrange cords neatly together and press wrap to adhere alongside or under recliner.
Step 3: Spiral the cord wrap to completely bundle and conceal cords.
Use Cable Boxes
Electrical cable boxes let you hide excess wiring behind your recliner or underneath inside the chair’s frame.
Step 1: Select a cable box size that fits your wiring needs.
Step 2: Mount the plastic cable box using included hardware or adhesive strip if under recliner.
Step 3: Coil excess wiring and pack inside the plastic cable box.
Step 4: Close the lid to conceal and organize the wires neatly.
Hide in Wall Conduit
For a seamless look, install plastic conduit inside the wall and route recliner cords through it.
Step 1: Turn power off at the circuit breaker.
Step 2: Cut out drywall behind the recliner using a drywall saw to make space for conduit.Step 3: Install conduit mounts attached to wall studs.
Step 4: Attach plastic conduit tubing between mounts.
Step 5: Route recliner power cord through conduit.
Step 6: Patch drywall opening with joint compound when done.
Step 7: Paint to match wall for invisible cord routing.
Use Decorative Lattice
Lattice panels act as functional decor to hide cords along walls behind recliners.
Step 1: Get lattice panels wide enough to cover cord area.
Step 2: Lean panels against wall behind recliner to hide cords.
Step 3: Secure lattice panels to studs using lattice mounts or panel clips.
Step 4: Use cable staples along top to tack cords high behind panels.
Get Power Bridge
A power bridge hides cords by allowing you to mount a temporary outlet precisely where needed behind furniture.
Step 1: Turn off circuits and remove outlet cover.
Step 2: Disconnect and pull out some slack on the hot and neutral wires.
Step 3: Install the power bridge base as per included instructions.
Step 4: Conceal bridge wire up wall or floor and mount outlet box.
Step 5: Connect recliner power cord to the bridge’s outlet.
Hiding Under Recliner Wiring
Power recliners have wiring and a transformer box underneath that powers the chair’s movement. Keep this underside wiring neatly managed by:
Binding Wires
Use self-adhesive wire clips or channels. Run along frame to bind together loose wiring dangling under chair.
Box Cover
Install a plastic junction box cover over the transformer secured to bottom frame with cable ties or screws to conceal.
Staple to Fabric
Use plier staples to neatly tack and flatten excess wiring against fabric underside of recliner.
Tuck Into Pockets
Sew pockets along the insides of recliner fabric to tuck away excess wiring along the sides or back.
Maintaining Hidden Cords
Once you’ve completed hiding your recliner cords, be sure to follow these tips to keep them neatly concealed:
Periodic Inspection
Check for damage and that wires have not come loose from covers. Replace fraying wire covers immediately.
Allow Slack
When bundling cords, leave some slack to account for recliner movement and prevent tearing wires from connections.
Avoid Overloading Cord Covers
Do not pack too many wires tightly into a cord cover. This risks insulation damage and overheating.
Re-Secure After Moving
Re-attach any dislodged wire covers, staples and ties to keep cords hidden after sliding or repositioning your recliner.
Retighten Conduit Connections
Check that wall conduit fittings remain securely mounted. Re-tighten brackets or replace stripped conduit mounts over time.
Common Questions about Hiding Recliner Cords
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about concealing cords for power recliners:
Is it safe to cover cords under rugs?
It’s generally not advisable to hide cords completely under rugs or carpets. The wiring can get damaged over time and pose a fire hazard. Use alternate methods like cord covers or power bridges instead for safety.
Where can I buy cord hider products?
Cord organization products like plastic cord covers, power bridges and cable boxes can be found at most hardware stores or ordered online through retailers like Amazon. Search for terms like “cable concealer”, “cord hider” or “wire chase” to find the right products.
Can I hide cords without wiring them through walls?
Yes, there are many ways to hide recliner cords that don’t involve installing electrical wiring inside walls. Easy methods like using furniture to cover cords, cord covers, or lattice panels can neatly conceal wires without complex wiring work.
What gauge cord cover should I use?
For standard recliner cords, a medium sized 5/8″ to 1” plastic cord cover/raceway is usually sufficient. Measure your overall cord bundle diameter before buying to ensure you get an appropriate sized channel.
How do I keep cords out of walking paths?
Regardless of method, be sure to route all hidden cords along walls or under furniture. Don’t hide wires in the middle of walking paths which poses a safety tripping hazard.
In Conclusion
Exposed, messy cords can make your living room look cluttered while also posing safety issues. Hiding your power recliner wires properly improves aesthetics, reduces hazards and takes just a few simple steps.
Using the various methods above to conceal cords, you can keep your recliner and living space looking neat and organized. Just be mindful of continuing safety best practices when bundling wires.
With this guide’s detailed instructions, you now have all the information needed to effectively hide cords for your power recliner. So go ahead and tackle that wiring clutter to relax in style and safety.
