When getting a shiny new gadget, most of us focus on the device itself, and what to do with its cables is an afterthought. But make no mistake: an ugly heap of tangled wires will be the first thing you and your guests see. As popular as bluetooth, wireless charging and wifi are becoming, wires are still an unavoidable necessity that there’s simply no getting around.
Luckily, there are many creative solutions to conceal wires in your home, so you can have all of the benefits of modern life without the eyesores that they can cause. Read on to see our top 5 ways to hide wires in your home.
1. Behind the Wall
The best way to truly get rid of wires is to get them out of your room entirely and route them behind your walls. This is especially practical for wall-mounted devices like TVs, speakers and lights. To put cords behind your wall, you’ll need to be careful to drill into a section of drywall that does not have any obstructions like studs. Also, be extra careful not to mess around with any areas that have electricity running through it. To be safe, contact a trusted handyman and electrician for the job.
2. Wire Hider
Although your wires and cords will be in the exact same spot that they were in before, a cord cover or wire hider will keep them nice and contained. Once installed, paint over the cord cover so that it blends into the surrounding wall. If you need some help, hire a painter for the job.
3. Underneath the Carpet
Wires that need to run across the room like a phone or internet cable can be a challenge to tuck behind walls as you come across studs and non-hollow walls. If you have carpet in your home, you’re standing on a great wire-concealing opportunity. Utilize the section between your carpet’s tack strip (what holds the carpet in place) and the baseboard to tuck cables in and remain out of sight. If you need to run cables across the floor to another section of your home not connected by a wall (such as across a doorway), you can carefully cut a strip in your carpet padding to tuck your wires into.
To make sure this is all done precisely so you don’t curse yourself every time you step on a lopsided section of your floor, hire a carpet installer or handyman depending on the scope of the project.
4. Cover with a Rug
By far the easiest solution, simply placing a rug in the area that your wires are on display will instantly conceal them. This isn’t the best solution if the wires are in a spot that you’ll be regularly walking on, but if it’s underneath a table or in a corner, it may be your best bet. To make sure you don’t choose something that will itself stick out like a sore thumb, contact a rug retailer for some expert advice.
5. Smart Furniture
As your daily routine unfolds, your furniture begins to get cluttered with cables from your phone charger, lamp, clock and dozens of other gadgets. More and more furniture with integrated power outlets and cable management are beginning to pop up on the market, giving you clever and convenient ways to keep all of your devices powered without the organization nightmare that goes along with it. Contact a local appliance retailer and see if they have any smart furniture available, or get a quote from a handyman to add power and cable management your existing furniture. Just be careful, when dealing with wires you are at risk for common electrical hazards.
Bonus: Turn It into Art
Instead of hiding your cables, you can go in the opposite direction and draw attention towards it.
Before you add yet another device to your home, fix what you already have by finally getting those unsightly wires out of the way. Contact a service pro that can recommend a solution that’s best for your home today!
Article Updates June 2022.
