Running wires through walls can be a tricky task, especially if you want to avoid visible damage or drilling large, obvious holes. However, with some unconventional thinking and clever techniques, there are several creative ways to run wires discreetly through your walls.

1. Use Existing Electrical Outlets

One of the easiest ways to run new wires is by taking advantage of existing electrical boxes and outlets.

Here's how to do it in 3 simple steps:

1. Turn off the power at the breaker box to avoid getting shocked.
2. Remove the outlet cover plate and unscrew the outlet from the electrical box.
3. Feed your new wire into the box through the back or side entrance and out of the front through the outlet opening.

If the box is too crowded, you can even replace the existing outlet with a low voltage "old work" bracket. This will give you more space to install wires behind the wall plate.

2. Hide Wires Behind Baseboards

Baseboards are a great way to discretely run wires because you can hide them behind the trim. Here's how it works:

• Carefully pry the baseboard away from the wall, only so much as needed to fit the wires behind it. Be careful not to damage the drywall.
• Drill small holes only at the start and end points - you'll feed the wire through these holes.
• Run the cable behind the baseboard, leaving plenty of slack. Use cable staples to keep it in place if needed.
• Reattach the baseboard over the wire using the existing nails or new finishing nails. Caulk around the edges for a seamless look.

As long as the baseboards are tall enough, no one will ever see the hidden wires!

3. Use Paintable Cable Channels

Cable channels are vinyl pieces that stick to your wall and can be painted over to seamlessly blend in. Just peel and stick the channel to the wall, run your cables through it, and paint it to match the wall color.

This is one of the quickest and least destructive ways to hide wires. The channels come in different sizes to fit everything from speaker wires to HDMI cables.

4. Fish Wire Through Wall Cavities

Using the "fish tape" technique, you can drop wires down from the attic through wall cavities and electrical chases.

Here are the basic steps to fish wire through walls:

1. Go up to the attic and find the interior wall location where you want to drop the wire. Confirm there is a straight clear path down through the wall cavity.

2. Drill a small hole through the top plate of the wall.

3. Attach your fish tape to the wire end and feed it down through the wall hole. Have someone in the room below to grab the fish tape and pull the wire down.

4. Drill a hole near the baseboard to pull the wire out. Patch up the holes neatly with spackle.

This takes advantage of existing paths through walls to run wires invisibly from floor to floor.

5. Hide Cables Under Carpet

Cables like ethernet, speaker or HDMI wires can be discreetly run under carpet edges between rooms.

Here's how to do it while keeping the carpet tacked down neatly:

• Lift up the carpet just enough to fit the wires underneath along the tack strip.
• Use flat cables or trim excess bulk from round cables so they lay flat under the carpet.
• Apply carpet seam tape to hold down any edges that get lifted up.

This hides wires nicely for connecting devices in different rooms!

6. Conceal Inside Crown Molding

Some types of crown molding have a hollow backside cavity perfect for tucking away wires.

To use this technique:

• Measure and cut crown molding pieces to size.
• Drill small holes near the corners to thread the wires into the hollow cavity.
• Run the cables through the molding and install using construction adhesive and finishing nails.
• Patch holes with wood filler for a seamless look.

The molding disguises the wires for a beautiful finish!

7. Install Wire Ducts Under Cabinets

For kitchens or workshops, wire ducts (channels) can be installed under cabinets and counters to neatly contain all kinds of wiring.

Advantages:

• Keeps wires hidden and organized.
• Allows for easy access to plug in devices.
• Simple surface-mount installation.

Wire ducts come in long sections and can be cut down to fit your space. Use adhesive or screws to mount below cabinets, then insert your cables through the channels as needed. Painting the ducts allows them to blend in seamlessly.

Running wires through walls can be challenging, but with a little creativity there are many possible solutions. Next time you need to hide wiring, try using one of these unconventional techniques for clean, concealed results. With the right approach, you can run cables through your home without any visible damage.