How to Easily and Safely Conceal Wires in Your Home

Introduction

Exposed wires and cables can make any room look messy and cluttered. Fortunately, there are many easy and affordable ways to hide wires in your home to create a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing environment. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through various methods, tips and safety considerations for concealing wires in different parts of your house.

Hiding Wires on Walls

Raceways

Raceways are plastic channels that you can mount on your wall to hold and conceal wires. They come in various sizes and can be painted to match your wall color.

• Advantages: Raceways neatly hide multiple wires and cables. They are easy to install with basic tools.

• Disadvantages: Raceways stand out if not properly painted. They need to be installed correctly to hold wires securely.

Conduit

Electrical conduit provides a tubing pathway to thread your wires through the wall safely.

• Advantages: Completely conceals wires in the wall. Allows safely running wires through the framing.

• Disadvantages: Requires basic electrical skills. More expensive than raceways.

Wall Cavities

If your walls have framing with empty cavities, you can drill access holes and thread wires through the open spaces inside.

• Advantages: Totally hides wires if holes are patched properly. No visible raceways or conduit.

• Disadvantages: Limited space inside wall cavities. Requires basic drilling and patching skills.

Wall Plates

Wall plates allow wires to exit through a small hole to connect electronics mounted on the wall surface.

• Advantages: More discreet than exposed wires. Easy installation.

• Disadvantages: Visible wall plate for each group of wires. Limited wire capacity.

Hiding Wires Near Floor

Wire Covers

Plastic wire covers stick onto your floor and blend wires in with the baseboard trim.

• Advantages: Quick and easy installation. Paintable to match trim. Protects wires from damage.

• Disadvantages: Visible wire channel can stand out. Not suitable for high foot traffic areas.

Underfloor Access

For concrete slab floors, channels can be cut to run wiring underneath and conceal it completely.

• Advantages: Totally hidden wires. Allows access for maintenance.

• Disadvantages: Invasive installation. Requires specialty tools and skills.

Under Carpet

Wires can be routed under carpet edges and tucked into the seams.

• Advantages: Completely hides wires if done properly. No visible covers or channels.

• Disadvantages: Wires may get damaged under carpet. Difficult to access for changes.

Floor Outlets

Outlets installed in the floor with a cover allow wires to connect equipment from below.

• Advantages: Only outlet cover is visible. Allows quick device connections.

• Disadvantages: Location is not flexible. Tripping hazard if poorly placed.

Concealing Wires Near Ceiling

Crown Molding

Wires can be routed behind crown molding along ceilings for a seamless look.

• Advantages: Totally hidden wires. No visible raceways.

• Disadvantages: Requires existing crown molding or professional installation.

Wire Channels

Plastic channels can be mounted near ceiling edges to hold and conceal wires.

• Advantages: Quick and easy to install. Barely noticeable from below.

• Disadvantages: Visible from the side. Holds limited number of cables.

False Ceiling

For homes with a dropped ceiling, wires can be routed above panels and inside framing.

• Advantages: Completely concealed wires. Easy access for maintenance.

• Disadvantages: Existing dropped ceiling required. Can be dusty to work above.

Wall Outlets

Wires connecting wall mounted TVs and devices can route straight up into the outlet.

• Advantages: Only a wall plate is visible. Tidy look.

• Disadvantages: Location not flexible. Visible plate for each wire group.

General Tips

• Use wire staples to tack cables neatly against surfaces when routing vertically.

• Label wires with ID tags at access points for easy maintenance.

• Leave extra slack when concealing wires to allow for adjustments.

• For safety, only conceal low voltage wiring like TV, ethernet and speaker cables.

• Hire an electrician if you need to hide higher voltage electrical wiring.

Safety Considerations

• Never conceal electrical wiring inside of air ducts or ventilation shafts.

• Do not overload extension cords or power strips hidden behind furniture.

• Use conduit or clamps properly to avoid loose wires inside walls.

• Keep wireless router antennas free of obstructions for optimal signal.

• Ensure wires have no exposed metal and are undamaged before concealing.

Concealing wires in your home just takes some planning and simple tools. Follow safety guidelines and utilize the methods above to achieve cleaner looking walls and rooms. With some effort, you can hide unsightly wires easily and safely.