A Guide on How to Hide Cables Throughout Your Home
In todays world, it seems like so much of it centers around technology, and as much as we need it, one thing we could all live without is all the cords it can bring into our homes. Cords not only get in the way of your living space, but theyre unsightly, too. Theres nothing less attractive than cords strewn about in an otherwise, beautiful room. When your goal is to create a beautiful, de-cluttered space, cords are one thing that can quickly clutter an area and turn a visually appealing room, into a not-so-appealing room, not to mention, they can be a trip and fall hazard. The answer to the problem of visible cords is to hide them, but how? If youre like most, hiding cords seems like a daunting task that takes a lot of time, energy, and creativity that you may feel like you dont have. Well, we have some ideas on how to get those cords out of sight, and if you want to learn how, keep reading, because heres aguide on how to hide cables throughout your home.
Entertainment centers
- Contain them along the edge of, or inside your entertainment center One of the most common places to find lots of cords in one area is the entertainment center. From televisions to DVD players, speakers and other technology devices, your entertainment area can be loaded with cords. Without organization, your living room or entertainment room can be cluttered with jumbled-up cords and not only does it look messy, but it can become a headache to figure out what cord goes to what device. A solution to entertainment cords, according to Homestratosphere, is to bundle your cords with zip ties and neatly run them along the back edge of your TV stand or the underside of your entertainment center using Command Cord Clips. Theyre neat, clean, and easy to use, and keep cords out of sight. Some entertainment centers are designed with holes cut into the unit specifically for running cords into the unit and keeping them hidden.
- Hide them in your wall Datacomm Cable Organizer Kits allow you to hide cables behind the wall. This can be a DIY project that requires you to move the TV or entertainment center away from the wall. Cut two holes in the drywall (away from any studs), one hole should be behind where the TV sits and one next to the outlet. Once you attach the two cable plates in the kit, thread the cords behind the wall in the first hole behind the TV, and over to the second hole next to the outlet so it can be plugged in. Your cords are now discretely hidden out of sight.
Computer centers
Computers can be used on wireless or wired internet services, however, no matter what your computer operates on, there are plenty of other things around a computer that probably have wires. Maybe you have a printer or fax, even charging stations can cause cord clutter. There are a few ideas for keeping computer areas tidy looking with the cords.
- Cable slinky This is a pliable cord wrap device made of foam that, like a slinky, has a spiral design that spirals around the cords so they are kept together in a neat formation.
- Cable catch A cable catch, catches cables and holds them on the furniture, such as your desk. The cords are bundled in a neat fashion and prevents them from dangling from the desk and lying in mess on the floor.
Electrical cords
According to Homedepot, you can conceal electrical cords by bundling the cords you want to conceal and wrapping a tie wrap around them. Take a piece of flex tubing and cut it to the length of the wires you want to conceal. Open the tubing and wrap it around the cords youve tied off, then hide it discretely under or behind a piece of furniture, along the base of a wall, or wherever you feel it will best be concealed.
Use your baseboards
Your baseboards can be a source of concealment if you use baseboard devices, according to Bob Vila. Baseboard cord channels are simple, hollowed-out pieces of molding made of plastic that mount directly to your baseboard. Run your cords through the sections and mount them to your baseboards to keep cords hidden and out of the way to prevent tripping hazards and damage to the cords. These are paintable and stainable, making them easy to match your paint and home decor motif.
Hide your router and router cords in a book
If your router happens to be installed close to a shelving unit that houses books or another table where books can be arranged, heres an idea to conceal it and the wires, that you probably never thought of. Find a binder that is large enough to easily fit your router, then cover it in some fabric (using hot glue for attaching the fabric along the front and back, as well as the binders spine). Put the router in the binder, the slide the binder into the mix of books on the desk, table or shelf nearby so that the cords run behind, along the wall. You can bundle any cords that may be exposed or splayed out, into a piece of tubing to help contain them better, or use a wall-mount cord concealer, such as a plastic track, that can be painted the same color as your wall.
Under the carpet concealment
One trick that many people have used is to run cords along the baseboards, just under the carpet. If you are able to pull up the edge of your carpet along the baseboards and slide your cords under it, this is a simple way to hide long cords that run long lengths of rooms. One thing youll want to be sure of is to tack the carpet down (without damaging the cords), to prevent carpet damage from leaving it un-tacked, or cord damage if they become unprotected.
There are plenty of ways to conceal cords in your home, and most home repair stores have kits and other items that are geared for cord concealment. No matter what type of cord or how many you have you need to hide, there are ways to keep the rooms in your home look aesthetically pleasing and cord, clutter-free.
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