How do I hide cables in the living room?

The quick solution: cable ducts and strips

concealing cables on the wall . They do not require major structural alterations.

The cable duct: The classic

A cable duct made of plastic or aluminum bundles the cables.

• The placement: It usually runs vertically from the wall-mounted TV to the lowboard . To neatly conceal cables , you should choose a channel that can be painted over. If you paint it the same color as the wall, it will blend visually into the background.
• Size: A common mistake when trying to conceal cables is buying channels that are too narrow . Always buy a channel one size larger than you think you'll need. A channel that's too narrow will burst open, and your attempt to conceal the cables will fail.
• Self-adhesive vs. drilling: For permanently concealing cables , screws are better. Self-adhesive channels often detach from textured plaster, meaning you have to hide the cables by remounting them – often resulting in plaster damage.

Skirting boards: The invisible highway

conceal cables across a room is with hollow baseboards .

• Many modern baseboards have integrated channels. You can run speaker or network cables all the way around the room without them being visible. If you want to conceal cables this way , you simply need to replace the old baseboards or use clip systems. This is ideal for hiding cables that lead to a floor lamp in the other corner of the room.

Furniture as a hiding place: The integrated solution

tear open walls when furniture can conceal the cables ?

TV furniture and back panels

Modern lowboards are designed so that cables can be hidden inside them.

• Cable openings: When buying, make sure the back panel has cable openings. If not, a hole saw attachment for your drill will solve the problem in seconds. This way, you can hide cables by running them directly behind the devices into the cabinet.
• Spacers: To conceal cables behind the furniture , it must not be placed flush against the wall. Use spacers or mount the furniture with a shadow gap in which you can hide the cables .

Cable boxes: The end of multi-plug chaos

The power strip is often lying on the floor – a dust collector and an eyesore.

• The solution: a cable box . This is a simple box made of plastic or wood into which the entire power strip is placed. Put the lid on, and the cable is hidden on the floor. Only a single cable leads to the wall socket. Anyone who wants to effectively conceal cables can't do without these boxes.

The professional solution: concealed plaster and drywall construction

For owners who are renovating or building, concealed wiring is the best way to hide cables .

Knock out slots

In this process, a channel is milled into the masonry, a conduit is inserted, and the wall is plastered.

• The advantage: It's the only method to truly conceal cables invisibly . The TV hangs on the wall like a picture, without any downward connections.
• A word of warning: In rented apartments, cutting channels into walls is usually prohibited or must be expensively reversed upon moving out. Tenants who want to conceal cables should avoid this. Furthermore, conduit is essential. If you try to hide cables by plastering them directly into the walls, you'll never be able to replace them later (e.g., when upgrading from HDMI 2.0 to 2.1).

The false wall (fake wall)

A brilliant method for concealing cables without affecting the structural integrity is a drywall partition.

• You mount a wooden or metal substructure in front of the actual wall and cover it with plasterboard or wooden panels.
• The clever part: Behind it, you have 5 to 10 centimeters of space. You can conceal an unlimited number of cables there , integrate power outlets, and even install LED backlighting. Many interior designers use this technique for TV walls ("cinema walls") to stylishly hide cables .

Wireless is the new cable

The best way to hide cables is to not have any at all.

• Sound: Use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speakers for the rear channels to avoid having to run speaker cables across the room. This saves you the hassle of hiding those long cables .
• Image: Wireless HDMI solutions now exist that transmit video signals wirelessly. While both devices require power, this reduces the need to run thick data cables across the wall and conceal them .

Organization systems: Bundling and labeling

Cables should also be hidden and organized behind the cabinet, where they are not visible .

• Hook and loop fasteners: Use hook and loop fasteners instead of disposable cable ties. This way you can easily add new devices and hide their cables .
• Cable sleeves: A cable sleeve (fabric sleeve) bundles five individual wires into one thick strand. This looks neater and makes it easier to run the strand behind a table leg, thus concealing the cables .
• Labeling: Anyone who wants to conceal cables professionally should label the connectors. Nothing is more annoying than unplugging the wrong connector while hiding cables and accidentally switching off the router instead of the light.

Conclusion

The question "How do I hide cables?" is crucial for the overall look of your living room. Concealing cables isn't rocket science, but rather a matter of planning. Renters are best advised to use paintable cable channels and hollow baseboards to hide cables seamlessly . Homeowners should plan for conduit in the walls during renovations – it's the neatest way to conceal cables .

Don't underestimate the effect of cable boxes and cable ties. Simply bundling cables creates a quieter environment. Learning to consistently conceal cables improves living comfort, safety (fewer tripping hazards), and ease of cleaning. A room without visible cables instantly looks more sophisticated.

If you are looking for properties that already have modern multimedia cabling or offer structural features to perfectly conceal cables , Loft offers detailed search filters and property descriptions.

Glossary

• Cable duct: A strip (usually plastic or aluminum) that is mounted on the wall to guide cables and thus conceal them .
• Concealed wiring: Laying cables in the wall (in chases or conduits). The most aesthetically pleasing, but also the most complex method for concealing cables .
• Skirting board: The baseboard at the transition between wall and floor. Models with a cavity are ideal for discreetly concealing cables .
• Conduit: A pipe laid in the wall through which cables are pulled. It allows cables to be concealed and replaced later without opening the wall.
• Cable box : A container for holding multiple sockets and excess cable lengths, in order to hide cables on the floor .