Are your electrical cords just dangling about willy-nilly on the wall? A common issue with wall-mounted electronics is the unsightly cords hanging from the wall. So, how can you hide these cords to make your home feel more complete? We did some digging to create a list of suggestions that could help you with this problem.
Here are 9 ways to hide your pesky cords:
- Cord raceway
- Cord sleeve
- Entertainment center
- Cord clips
- Zip tie tricks
- Baskets
- Cable management box
- Plants (faux or live)
- Decor
So what are the best ways to use these methods, and how can you make the most out of them? Keep reading to learn all the tips and tricks.
9 Ways To Hide Electrical Cords On The Wall
1. Cord Raceway
Raceways are long plastic tubes with a flat back. Some brands offer an adhesive back, but some of them need to be nailed to the wall. You can cut the pieces to length and can even purchase kits that include elbows and bends. Many raceways are paintable for seamless integration.
You can use these just about anywhere to hide cords, and they’re very beneficial for child- and pet-proofing your home. Run your cords through these for a seemingly cord-free home.
This raceway kit allows you to choose between adhesive or screws for fastening the channel to the wall. Click here to see it on Amazon.
2. Cord Sleeve
Cord sleeves are tubes made of fabric or mesh that you can run your cords through. Some sleeves have zippers that allow you easy access to the cords inside. Others just coil tightly around the cord and lift off easily. Then, some sleeves don’t have easy access at all, requiring you to pull the cords all the way through to insert or remove them. You can’t paint sleeves, but they come in a variety of colors to help them blend in with your walls or decor.
These cord sleeves have an adhesive backing that will stick to the wall for a neater look. Click here to check them out on Amazon.
3. Entertainment Center
If you’re trying to figure out how to hide your television cords, opting for an entertainment stand rather than wall mounting is a great option. The stand will block the view of the cords, and many have holes cut in the back to allow cords to pass through to the TV, so you can store game consoles and Blu-ray players in the cabinets and out of sight as well. There are tons of entertainment centers on the market in every color and style so it’s easy to find one that will match your home.
This entertainment stand has holes in the back panels allowing cords to pass through to the television and sliding barn doors that allow you to block the view of the cords. Click here to see it on Amazon.
4. Cord Clips
Cord clips can help you hide your cords by allowing you to run cords along the back of furniture, where they will be out of sight. They also come in handy for small electronics like cell phone, tablet, and laptop cords. Put them on the side of your desk to keep your cords organized and easily accessible.
This is a nice set of cord clips that includes multiple cords in a single strip. Click here to see them on Amazon.
5. Zip Tie Tricks
Zip ties, twist ties, and velcro strips can all be used to help organize your cords. Use them to run cords along furniture legs, or to keep all the cords bundled together. This is a great trick to combine with some of the other methods we will discuss. Having well-organized cords makes them easier to hide. If you have white walls, white zip ties will blend pretty well against them.
These 4″ white zip ties should work great for cord organization. Click here to view them on Amazon.
6. Baskets
Baskets with handle holes are perfect for cord organization; you can even choose a basket with a lid for more open areas. Since baskets come in various sizes, this is a great option for hiding entire systems like surge protectors, Blu-ray players, and routers. If you already have a basket but it doesn’t have holes, you can easily make your own with a good set of scissors or a utility knife.
These baskets are perfect for hiding electronics because they have holes on the sides and the top to run cords through. Click here to see them on Amazon.
7. Cable Management Box
Cable management boxes are designed to fit surge protectors inside of them. They have holes in the sides to run cables through. These would be excellent to use with raceways for child and pet safety.
This cable management box has multiple holes in the back to run cords in different directions. Click here to see this on Amazon.
8. Plants
Use tall or bushy plants to hide your cords, outlets, or surge protectors. Fake plants are recommended, to avoid having water near electronics. For cords that are a little tougher to hide behind a plant, consider using fake ivy to wrap them and make them look like part of the plant.
Put this tall, bushy plant in a large decorative pot and it will work great for hiding cords. Click here to check it out on Amazon.
9. Electronics Hider
Electronics hiders can help you hide your router, Blu-ray player, or gaming consoles. They are three-sided boxes that appear to look like books or other decor to blend with your home. These will help block the view of any cords coming from your electronics.
This is perfect for hiding bulky, unattractive electronics. Click here to see it on Amazon.
What Does It Mean When An Electrical Cord Gets Hot?
If your electrical cord is getting hot, unplug it immediately and refrain from using the device. Contact the manufacturer and seek further assistance from them. Contact an electrician to check out your outlet before you continue using it. A hot cord is an indication that there is something wrong with the wiring in the cord, or in the outlet itself.
Is It Okay To Leave A Surge Protector On?
Yes, while it can cause a minimal amount of additional power consumption to leave it on, it is considered safe. Using a surge protector can save your electronics in the event of a power surge, whether or not they are turned on.
Overloading a surge protector is never safe. Always compare the wattage capabilities of the surge protector against the required wattage for the electronic before plugging it in.
Can Curtains Hang Over Your Electric Outlets?
No, do not hang curtains that are long enough to cover electrical outlets. Try to keep curtains at least 3 inches above the outlets. This is a fire hazard and, while it is uncommon, it’s still not worth the risk.
If you have outlets underneath a window, consider having them moved next time you have work done on your home. Until you can have them moved, check your windows every couple of months to make sure there is no moisture getting into the house or the wall near the outlet.
Covert Cords!
Now that you know all the best tricks and tips to hide your cords, it’s time to get organized. Always be careful when working with cords and wires and make sure to disconnect everything from their power sources. Good luck getting your cords tucked away, and don’t forget to try combining some of these ideas for even better results. Have fun!