How to Hide TV Cables on a Wall Neatly and Safely
Practical ways to hide TV cables in the UK, from trunking and cable covers to in-wall routes, with safety points on mains power and wiring.
A wall-mounted TV looks smart until a tangle of black cables runs down from it. The good news is that there are several ways to tidy this, ranging from a ten-minute stick-on job to a fully concealed in-wall route. The right one depends on your wall, your budget and, importantly, how safely the power is arranged.
Option 1: Cable covers and trunking
Paintable plastic trunking or slim cable covers fix to the wall surface and hold the cables in a channel. They are inexpensive, require no cutting into the wall, and are easy to remove.
- Choose a width that fits all cables with a little spare.
- Paint it the wall colour for a barely visible finish.
- Keep it vertical and straight; a diagonal run draws the eye.
- Allow a gap at the top so the cable curves naturally into the TV.
This is the best choice for rented homes, since it can come off with little damage.
Option 2: Cable management behind furniture
If the TV sits above a unit, run the cables straight down behind it and tie them with reusable ties. A small hole through the back of the unit can pass them through neatly. This costs almost nothing and works well when the wall is short.
Option 3: Recessed cable routes
Some kits let you cut a shallow channel in plaster or plasterboard and cover the cables with a flush plate. A brush plate or cable outlet plate sits at each end. This looks neat but involves more work, mess and the risk of cutting into services.
Before you cut into a wall
Walls can hide pipes and electrical cables, often running vertically from sockets and switches or in horizontal bands around them. Use a detector, check where the circuits run, and read how to find studs, pipes and cables before drilling.
Option 4: Power inside the wall
Putting the TV's power behind the screen means installing a socket in the wall and wiring it to your circuit. That is electrical work, and in the UK some of it is subject to Building Regulations. Use a suitably qualified electrician for new wiring. Mounting providers can do the bracket and the low-voltage run, but check what each person is competent to do.
One safety point deserves repeating: do not run a standard mains extension lead or a normal plug lead inside a wall cavity. In-wall cables must be rated for that use and installed correctly. Pulling an ordinary power lead through a wall is a fire risk.
What cables you actually have
Count them before choosing a method:
- Power lead
- HDMI (often one per device)
- Aerial or satellite cable
- Optical or soundbar cables
- Ethernet, if wired
Fewer cables means a slimmer trunking. A single long HDMI or streaming stick can remove half of them.
Planning tips
- Decide where the equipment sits before routing anything.
- Leave a little slack so you can pull the TV forward if you fitted a full-motion bracket.
- Label each end of every cable.
- Keep power and signal cables loosely separate to reduce interference, crossing at right angles where needed.
Common mistakes
- Cutting a chase without checking for wires.
- Cramming too many cables into small trunking so it bulges.
- Using adhesive cable clips on dusty or painted-over surfaces that later let go.
- Forgetting a way to replace a faulty cable later.
A worked example: a wall-mounted TV with trunking
For a TV with a power lead and two HDMI cables, a paintable trunking run from the TV down to a socket or media unit often takes under an hour. Measure the route, cut the trunking to length with a fine saw, stick or screw the base to the wall, lay in cables, and clip on the cover. Mitred corners are neater than butt joints. If the route passes close to a doorway, choose a position that avoids brushing and knocks.
Which method suits which situation
| Method | Good for | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Trunking | Rentals, quick jobs | Visible, but paintable |
| Cable slots behind furniture | Media units | Cables can tangle |
| Recessed channel in wall | A clean finish | Needs chasing and making good |
| Power inside wall | Premium finish | Requires qualified electrician |
Cable safety
Never run a mains lead inside a wall in a way that does not comply with regulations. Extension leads should not be buried or covered by plaster. Low-voltage signal cables such as HDMI or aerial can be routed in-wall using proper brush plates, but mains power should be handled by a qualified electrician.
Making good
Chased channels need filler and paint, and the result depends on the wall finish. If you rent, check your agreement first. See mounting a TV above a fireplace for specific considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to hide mains cables in the wall myself?
New fixed wiring in a home is generally electrical work, and notifiable in certain cases. It should be done by someone competent. A tidy surface cover over an existing lead is a much simpler, safe alternative.
Will cable trunking damage my wall?
Adhesive trunking can lift paint when removed, and screwed trunking leaves small holes. For a tenancy, test an inconspicuous area first and ask your landlord.
Can I hide the cables if the TV is already on the wall?
Yes. Most trunking installs afterwards. Recessed routes are easier before hanging, but the wall can still be done with the TV carefully lifted off.