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How to Hide TV Cords in Trim Work

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How to Hide TV Cords in Trim Work

Whether your TV is hung over the fireplace, on a wall or it is sitting on a table or console, how to hide  the cords is always the big dilemma.  Angie over at Angie in the Thick of it is here to share her idea and solution of hiding her TV cords in the trim work around her fireplace.  It’s ingenious.   Here’s Angie.

How to Hide TV Cords in Trim Work

Cords make me itch. Especially those that spew from my slick flat screen television mounted front-and-center above my fireplace. It’s an issue, right ladies? The Manchild, my husband, is blind to cords… The weirdo. Is this a Mars and Venus thing?For fear of drilling into the fireplace brick and mortar and/or the flue in order to thread the cords behind the wall, and with my anti-hire mentality, I came up with a super tricky and aesthetically awesome solution that I could do myself.Here is how I hid those pesky cords when we mounted our flat screen above the fireplace:

TRIMWORK WITH CHANNELS FOR THE CORDS TO RUN THROUGH! I nailed the trim to the wall with skinny brad nails. No caulk, so that the cover pieces can be popped off and re-installed if I want to add or replace a cord in there at a later date (change electronics or cable providers much?!).

Before the TV Arrived:

fireplace blank

yuck. sorry. keepin’ it real!

After we put up the TV:

FIREPLACE TRIM CORDS

This it the best picture I could find, my lovelies! I didn’t think to take a picture of just the cords mess. We also had a PS3 sitting on the mantle for months with cords spewing out of it at all times. itch. scratch.
~nervous twitch~
Here is a step-by-step model for how to hide your flat screen cords in a sneaky AND beautiful way like I did:

Step 1: Plan it Out

hiding tv cords in trim step 1

Draw a plan out on paper. Mount the television. Center it, of course. (Notice that with our mounting kit, the actual mounting bracket did not have to be centered perfectly, the TV can slide right and left on the stationary bracket in order to find center. The important point is to screw the mounting bracket into studs behind the wall.)
Then draw all over your wall lightly with pencil or chalk. Mark center, mark left and right edges of the trim-work-to-be. Mark where your cords exit the television on each side and decide where your trim work will best go in order to hide the cords AND look nice.
I had 2 cords exiting left and 1 cord exiting right. However, for architectural interest and balance, I added additional trim work lines on the top, bottom, and sides.
I used a 6-ft. crown molding shelf that I had purchased from Pottery Barn on sale about 4 years ago as the cap for my trim work. For everything else, I used simple lattice pieces from Home Depot. They are not wood, really. They are a plastic-y type of wood composite thing. (Nice vocab, Ang!)

Step 2: Create Vertical Channels

These lattice pieces should and could be primed before mounting them on the wall.

How to Hide TV Cords in Trim Work
Makes sure the vertical channels are WIDE enough to hold the cords you have, but NARROW enough, that a piece of lattice can cover the gap and overlap the channel enough to be nailed into place. Making sense? No? Sorry.
Also, make sure that you are consistent with your gap width, because ALL of the trim work needs to be the same width in the end. I cut out a thin piece of cardstock to use as my channel guide and stuck it between the two lattice pieces before nailing them down to ensure consistency.
Use a level. Follow your chalk lines on the wall.

Step 3: Create Horizontal Channels

hiding tv cords in trim step 3

Isn’t it looking nifty??
Notice how the interior lines of the wood don’t match up perfectly sometimes. Doesn’t matter. I just needed my exterior lines to be perfect, because the mess of the interior will be covered.
Also, make sure you are going deep enough behind the TV that you won’t be able to see where the channels end. I DID NOT do this properly, and had to go back and add 2 inch pieces to my horizontal channels. Oops.
hiding tv cords in trim flue fan switch
Notice the little light switch in the middle of my trim work on the right side? Dang switch. It REALLY complicated my whole project. It is the switch for my fireplace flue fan. Not sure why we need a fan, but I guess it’s a nice feature.
Because of that switch, I could not go as narrow or as wide as I would have preferred with the trim. And that caused lots of other problems, like having to split my vertical pieces in half to accommodate the mantle and also having to meet the crown molding at the top at a non-flat place.
hiding tv cords in trim odd joint
See?

Your project will have it’s own quirks. Enjoy them and the extra hours they add.

Step 4: Add Additional Channels for Balance & Interest

hiding tv cords in trim step 4

At this point, I was running back and forth between the family room and the garage where my miter saw is… over and over again. And the nail gun was “pfffffd!-ing” away like crazy. It’s moments like these that I am the happiest. Excuse my little teardrops of joy. Snif!

I nailed the channel pieces and non-functioning cover pieces down to the wall, but only taped the cover pieces that I would be hiding cords under.

Step 5: Re-mount the TV and Place the Cords into Channels

hiding tv cords in trim step 5

At this point, I had to wait for The Manchild to show his face again so that we could re-mount the TV and attach the cords. I made sure to pull extra lengths of the cords through the channels (but not more than could hide behind the TV when mounted) so that when we need to take the TV down, the trim work won’t be pulled off the wall before I can reach my hand under there and un-attach them. Does that makes sense?
hiding TV cords in trim with wires
By the way, I had to buy longer power and HDMI cords before starting this project. I believe they are both 12 ft long. And when the cable guy was here installing the cable, I had him use an extra long cord.

A video was the best way to show the next part:

And I was like, “Baby, baby, baby… I like the way you work with wood…”

Justin Bieber wasn’t REALLY playing when I did this, but I thought I might add him in just for fun. Except if it was real life, then I would have stopped taping down trim and started to dance. You all know that. If you didn’t, you know it now.
And now I am totally distracted and can’t remember what I was writing about…

Step 6: Take down TV and Paint it All Up!

tv cords hidden in fireplace trim

Secrets revealed:
tv cords hidden in fireplace with text
I did NOT caulk the trim work, which I usually do with trim, because I want to be able to pop the channel covers off when we decide to change cable services/add another HDMI component, etc. I DID however, use some spackle on the noticeable gaps between trim pieces. It is white and paintable, but not like glue, right?
I had so much fun decorating the mantle for Halloween after finishing this project. The whole area was just a mess and NOT the focal point that it should be. And now, with the trim work complete, the cords hidden, and the PS3 removed from the mantle, it’s a whole new room!
Since first completing this trim project I have added more color and molding to the wall:
How to Hide TV Cords in Trim Work
I came up with this all on my own. Google didn’t help me AT ALL with this idea, so hopefully this tutorial can help other “outside-the-box thinkers” like myself solve their flat-screen TV mounting issues.

Tell me you love it?

Stop by my house sometime at Angie in the Thick of It and let’s have some {un}serious fun! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as well. When I am not wielding a nail gun (DIY) I am chasing my 4 kids and trying to convince my husband to take us out to eat.

Thanks, Sandra, for letting me guest post today! {smooches}

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Comments

  1. Looks great…wish I would have read this before we did all the wall cutting and climbing thru the attic that we did..

  5. Hmmmm…now my mind is spinning with (new) ideas about what to do with all MY cords. What an awesome idea!

  6. That is seriously awesome!!! What a great idea! I love to read how other people solve problems like that.

  8. Hi Angie,This is really awesome. Not only does it look great but as Andrea points out, it's blowing my mind with ideas on how I can clean up my TV space. So very creative – thanks so much for sharing.Colleen

  11. This is brilliant. Really, I think you have convinced me to get a nail gun so I don't have to see those god awful ugly things. Thanks!

  12. Absolute genius. I am all over this idea…I have cords EVERYWHERE!! Lisa~

  14. I've told Sandra this on twitter, but maybe it needs to be said here for all to read: Sawdust and Paper Scraps readers are the most kind, generous, and encouraging readers I've ever come across! Your encouragement has been incredible and much appreciated! You guys are giving me so much confidence, yet at the same time I don't feel pressure to be a full-time DIY-er (cause I can't be!). It's just fun to know ya'll! Thanks for the love!

  16. What an ingenious idea! This is something you should share with HGTV!

    You’re right, there is nothing in cyberspace like your idea so I’m going to share it with the folks over on GardenWeb! Many Thanks!

    • I am slow getting back to you ann, but wanted to say thanks for chatting me up at GardenWeb! It’s quite a compliment to be good enough to pass on to others!

  17. Where are you hiding your components? I’m struggling with where to put mine where they will look best. A picture would be awesome! Thanks!

    • Camille, I just actually am using a little night stand right now on the left side of the fireplace. On the top of the night stand is the PS3 (and a little tiny cable box), in the drawer are all the controllers and remotes (IDEALLY- YEAH RIGHT!), and in the space under the drawer I have 2 big zip up CD/DVD cases where we keep the DVDs. The cords are all stuffed into the back of the drawer and behind the dvd cases so that I see as little of them as possible, ya know what i’m sayin’?? good luck with your system! email me if you create this too!

  19. I think this idea is great but I can’t figure out how you made the channels to where you can open them up again. Did you just paint the painter’s tape white?

  21. What Megan asked, how did you attach the channels that need to be able to be opened up? Did you nail them, but just not caulk and will pry them open if need be, or do something else?
    Thanks in advance for the info, this looks great!

    • Hi Valerie. This is a guest post from Angie over at Seriously A Homemaker. If you could pop over and ask her on her blog, I’m sure she will be happy to explain in further detail. She’s awesome like that!

  23. wow! amazing. i have been looking for an inexpensive way to jazz up the empty space above my mantle. we have tv up (no cords!). but we have a blank 20 ft wall above it. i like that just need to figure out where to stop it w/o going up20 ft. and having it look nice and complete. thanks for inspiring me.

  24. Hello. I love this tutorial and this idea. I wanted to post a link to your website on my blog. I’ve never done this before, so it seemed fitting to ask your permission first. I plan to mention you under my TV Wall posting.
    Let me know if this is fine with you.
    Thanks,
    Adrienne

  25. That is a great idea, but where did you hid the boxes that are in the before picture? They are really an eyesore for me as much as the cords.

  26. I just found this link on Pinterest, and I wanted to let you this is an AWESOME idea! We’ve been looking for a way to hide our cords, as my hubby insisted on hanging our TV above the mantle. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing!

  28. Can’t wait to share this FANTASTIC project… Thank you for all the photos and detailed instructions… That makes this job so much easier… 🙂

  29. It bothers me that so many people are putting their flatscreens above their fireplaces (It’s a TV, not a piece of art) but having said that, your idea is brilliant. You go, Girl!

  30. So, yes I am a “man child” myself as you gracefully labeled your other half. The differences are, I have an Xbox as opposed to a play station. But needless to say, I have the same irritating uncontrollable nervous twitch you do when it comes to cords. We are moving in to a new home (new to us), and “the wife” (me being nice) wants the TV mounted on the inside (obviously), of an exterior wall, which means I can’t run cords on the inside of the wall, (damn her). Your idea is fantastic!!! So let’s see if this idea of yours can be passed by the “committee” of 1!!! Thanks for showing it!

  31. We are trying to mount our flat screen above our (gas) fireplace… the only problem is that my hubs said that we can’t mount it to the wall because it’s the flue. It’s a plaster wall, and he says there aren’t studs to attach the mount to. Any suggestions out there??? And there really is no where else in the room to have our t.v. so we have to figure something out.

    • there should be studs that the drywall is mounted to.
      you can go to any hardware store and get a “studfinder” for only a few dollars and use that to find yoru studs, then … away you go! 🙂

  32. I love what you have done here. I meant to mention you as an inspiration photo when I attempted to hide my cords too…but I couldn’t find you again. I like yours much better, but our mantle is so bulky and huge, when you put the tv above it, you just end up with a sore neck! I still have a few cords about an inche away from the outlet…hmmm….maybe I could put a plant there!

    Great job!

  33. AMAZING!! Found you through Pinterest and this will be a LIFESAVER! We’re buying a new home and the only place we can mount the tv is over the fireplace and I have been fretting about the cords and where they’ll go! This is PERFECT!

  34. So, did you nail the covering trim over the cords? Do you have to pry the whole thing off when you have to move or add cords, and then nail it all back on again and cover the nails?

  35. I love this solution to an annoying problem. I checked Angie’s blog to find out more, but there is nothing there. Do you know if she moved it?

  36. So forgive me, I know you said you taped them, but how exactly does the top wood cover the cord channels? Is it double stick tape or something?

    Very nice job – especially with the addition of the two-tone paint and upper trim over the windows. thanks

  37. Hey how on Earth did you get your PS3 cords to reach ALL THE WAY up that wall to the TV??? I don’t understand. haha

  38. Looks amazing where are your cable boxes? We want to try to do something like this , we have our flat screen mounted but cords hanging an Wouk like I hide the cable boxes ideas?rhanks!

    • all you need is your cable box near the wall plate that brings the cable into the room. Then, hop on Amazon or a site like it and purchase an HDMI cable that will reach your location. If you are insterested in controlling your cable box while it’s out of site, you can get an “IR KIT”, they are simple and easy to install.

      Good Luck

  39. We purchased the Datacomm 45-0031-WH Recessed Low Voltage Media Plate with Duplex Receptacle, White to hide our wires in the wall. It is another effect and clean look for your tv room. I really like the look above the mantle and will be using it in my tv room. Thanks!

  40. Thank Thank you for this post! The ugly cords were hurting my head soooo much and this project has made everything better. It is definitely the best cord finding idea on the internet.

  41. Why not just move the light switch for the fan? Or at least extend it out so you can put a plate on it rather than violate code like this.

  42. Very clever! It’s a bit more intricate than I thought before reading the steps.

    To make this simpler, you could just build fascia boards in three horizontal sections the same shape as all of the trim. Have all of it two inches or so from the wall, finish with the same crown molding, etc. This way, you’ll have lots of flexibility moving cords around, and leave fewer issues for the next tenant.

  43. not to be fanning the flame, (no pun intended) but please make sure your readers know that you are (or should be) running fire rated/behind the wall cords behind fixed structures and/or walls.

    if you don’t they could be setting themselves up for code violations, and quite possibly be setting yourself up for major liability if your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover faulty workmanship.

    • The cords are not in the wall or behind a permanently fixed structure. The trim can easily be popped off.

  45. “Dang switch. It REALLY complicated my whole project. It is the switch for my fireplace flue fan. Not sure why we need a fan, but I guess it’s a nice feature.”

    Bite your tongue! 🙂 I wish I had a flu fan. Instead, when I want to start a fire I stick a hairdryer up the flu to get it warmed up. That flu fan sucks the warm air from inside your house up the flu, so you don’t get smoke filling your room when you start a fire. Don’t speak ill of that fan! 🙂

  46. What a genius idea! My wife and I are trying to create a French style in our living room and somehow make it all look slick with the 65 inch tv. This is simple such a cheap and great idea. Well done all the way from sunny Cape Town

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