Can You Hide TV Wires Inside the Wall?

Wall-mounted TVs can make a room look much cleaner and more modern, but exposed wires hanging underneath the television can quickly take away from that finished appearance.

One of the most common questions homeowners have after mounting a TV is: Can the wires be hidden inside the wall?

In many cases, yes. TV cables can often be routed through the wall to create a much cleaner installation. However, there is an important difference between low-voltage cables such as HDMI and simply dropping a TV power cord inside the wall.

The goal isn’t just to make the wires disappear. They need to be routed in a way that is safe, accessible, and appropriate for the type of cable being used.

How Are TV Wires Hidden Inside the Wall?

For a typical wall-mounted TV installation, openings can be created behind the television and lower on the wall near the entertainment center, media cabinet, or existing outlet.

Low-voltage cables can then be routed through the wall cavity between those locations.

Depending on the setup, these cables may include:

• HDMI cables
• Ethernet cables
• Optical audio cables
• Coaxial cable
• Speaker wire
• Other low-voltage audio and video connections

Once everything is installed, the cables exit through wall plates or low-voltage openings rather than hanging visibly down the face of the wall.

The result is a much cleaner installation with the television appearing to float on the wall without a bundle of wires underneath it.

Can You Put a TV Power Cord Inside the Wall?

This is where TV wire concealment is often misunderstood.

The removable power cord that comes with most televisions should not simply be dropped inside the wall cavity.

Instead, power for a wall-mounted TV is typically provided through a properly installed electrical receptacle located behind the television or through an approved in-wall power solution designed specifically for that purpose.

That allows the TV to plug in normally while keeping the power connection hidden behind the screen.

Extension cords and ordinary TV power cords are not intended to be used as permanent wiring concealed inside a wall.

So while hiding the wires is possible, power and low-voltage cables should be treated differently.

What About HDMI Cables?

HDMI and other audio/video cables are considered low-voltage wiring, but that doesn’t mean every cable should automatically be installed inside a wall.

If a cable is going to be permanently routed through a wall cavity, using cable specifically rated for in-wall installation is the better approach.

This is especially important when installing longer HDMI runs between a wall-mounted TV and equipment located in a cabinet or another part of the room.

It is also worth thinking ahead.

If the television may eventually be upgraded, running an extra HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, or conduit during the original installation may make future upgrades much easier.

Is Wire Concealment Possible on Every Wall?

Not necessarily.

The difficulty of hiding TV wires depends heavily on what is inside the wall.

A simple interior wall with an open stud cavity may allow cables to be routed relatively easily. Other walls can be more complicated because of:

• Fire blocking
• Horizontal framing
• Insulation
• Plumbing
• Electrical wiring
• Exterior wall construction
• Masonry or concrete

Sometimes a cable can travel directly downward behind the drywall. Other installations may require additional access points or a different route.

This is why every TV installation is a little different.

What If There Is No Outlet Behind the TV?

This is very common.

A homeowner may already have an outlet near the floor but nothing behind the television.

In those situations, adding a properly located power source behind the TV can eliminate the visible power cord and create a much more finished appearance.

The outlet is typically positioned so that it remains hidden behind the television while still allowing the TV to be unplugged when necessary.

The location also needs to account for the TV mounting bracket so that the outlet does not interfere with the bracket or mounting hardware.

Planning the location before making any openings in the wall can save a lot of frustration later.

Should You Hide the Wires When Mounting a TV?

If you’re already mounting a TV, wire concealment is one of the upgrades that can make the biggest difference in how the finished installation looks.

A television may be perfectly level and securely mounted, but several black cables hanging underneath it can still make the installation look unfinished.

Routing the appropriate cables through the wall and placing power behind the television creates a cleaner, more built-in appearance.

At Precision Home Services, we can help with wall-mounted TV installations and wire concealment, including planning cable routes and creating a clean finished appearance.

Whether you’re mounting a TV in a bedroom, living room, office, or entertainment area, taking a little extra time to plan the wiring can make a major difference in the finished project.

Serving Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Temecula, and surrounding areas.