How to Hide TV Cables on a Wall: 4 Methods That Actually Work
A wall-mounted TV looks sleek and modern — until you notice the bundle of HDMI cables, power cords, and AV wires hanging down the wall below it. Hiding those cables is one of the most-asked questions in home improvement, and the good news is it’s far easier than most people realise. Here are four methods that work, ranked from simplest to most permanent.
Method 1: Cable Raceway (Easiest — No Drilling)
A cable raceway is a plastic channel that sticks directly to the wall and hides cables inside it. This is the easiest, quickest, and most renter-friendly option.
How to Install
- Measure the distance from your TV to the wall socket. Add 10% for the drop and any bends.
- Cut the raceway to length (most cut easily with a hacksaw or strong scissors).
- Clean the wall surface with a dry cloth to remove dust.
- Peel the adhesive backing and press the raceway base firmly against the wall — start from the top and work down.
- Run your cables inside the channel, then snap the cover closed.
- The raceway can be painted to match your wall colour for an almost invisible finish.
Best for: Renters, quick installations, single-cable drops, any situation where drilling is not possible.
Products needed: TIESELX Cable Raceway Kit — paintable PVC, self-adhesive, no drilling required.
Method 2: Flat Cable Concealer Along Skirting Boards
If your TV is on a wall above a sideboard or console, run the cables down the wall and then along the skirting board to the nearest socket. A flat, narrow cable raceway along the skirting is nearly invisible and looks completely professional.
- Use a vertical section of cable raceway from the TV down to skirting board height.
- Switch to a flat, narrow raceway along the horizontal skirting board run.
- Use corner joiners (included in most raceway kits) to make a clean 90° turn.
- Paint both pieces to match your wall and skirting for an invisible finish.
Best for: Long horizontal cable runs, when the socket is far from the TV, skirting-board routing.
Method 3: Cable Clips Along the Wall Edge
For a minimalist approach with just one or two thin cables, self-adhesive cable clips let you route cables neatly along walls and corners without any visible channel. The clips hold each cable flush against the wall, and their transparent or white finish is barely noticeable.
- Plan the cable route from TV to socket, following the wall edge and corners.
- Peel and stick a cable clip every 20–30cm along the planned route.
- Press each cable into its clip.
Best for: Single thin cables (HDMI, power adapter), temporary installations, invisible results without any visible channel.
Products needed: TIESELX 60-Pack Adhesive Cable Clips — clear, self-adhesive, no residue.
Method 4: In-Wall Cable Kit (Most Professional — Requires Drilling)
For a completely clean finish with zero visible cables — exactly like a professional TV installation — an in-wall cable kit routes cables inside the wall cavity itself. This requires drilling two holes in your wall but results in a TV that appears to float on the wall with no cables visible at all.
- Use a stud finder to locate wall studs and avoid them.
- Mark two hole positions: one directly behind the TV, one near the floor at socket height.
- Cut the holes with a drywall saw.
- Feed a fish tape or rigid pull wire through the wall cavity from the upper hole to the lower.
- Attach your cables to the fish tape and pull them through.
- Install the in-wall cable management plates over both holes.
Best for: Permanent installations, homeowners, when a completely professional result is required. Note: always use in-wall rated (CL2 or CL3) cables inside wall cavities — standard HDMI cables are not rated for in-wall use.
Which Method is Best for Your Situation?
| Situation | Best Method |
|---|---|
| Renting, no drilling allowed | Cable raceway (Method 1) |
| Cables need to travel along skirting boards | Skirting raceway (Method 2) |
| Just 1–2 thin cables | Cable clips (Method 3) |
| Permanent home, want zero visible cables | In-wall kit (Method 4) |
| Quick and budget-friendly | Cable raceway (Method 1) |
| Most professional finish | In-wall kit (Method 4) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide TV cables without making holes in the wall?
Yes. A self-adhesive cable raceway sticks directly to the wall and hides cables without any drilling. The TIESELX cable raceway kit uses peel-and-stick adhesive backing and can be painted to match your wall colour for an almost invisible finish. No tools required.
What is the easiest way to hide TV cables?
A cable raceway is the easiest solution — it takes about 15–20 minutes to install and requires no tools or drilling. For a slightly more invisible result with just one or two thin cables, clear adhesive cable clips are even simpler — just peel and stick along the cable route.
How do I bundle the cables before putting them in the raceway?
Use reusable hook and loop cable straps to bundle your cables together into one neat group before running them into the raceway channel. This keeps the cables organised inside the raceway and makes it easy to add or remove cables later without untangling everything.
Shop our complete cable management range: cable raceways, cable clips, reusable cable ties, and cable sleeves — everything you need to achieve a clean, professional cable setup.