While our recently finished bonus room upstairs wasn’t meant to be a dedicated “media room,” we knew it would be perfect for family movie nights. We also didn’t want a tangle of cords, so we mounted the TV, hid every visible wire, and concealed the cable box. Below are the four simple steps we followed to hide TV wires and create a clean, built-in look.
All together these four steps cost less than $75 and none took more than an hour (some took only a few minutes). The process included:
- Mounting the TV to the wall
- Installing an in-wall cord system
- Getting the power strip off the floor
- Adding an infrared (IR) receiver to hide the cable box
Before we dove into the cord solutions, we picked the TV and positioned the furniture. There was essentially only one sensible wall for the screen in that room: a windowless, flat wall opposite the built-ins. That placement also helps reduce noise down the hall.
We bought a 50″ Vizio TV earlier during a holiday sale and paired it with a mid-century dresser we found locally to act as a low media console. The dresser needed work—much sanding and filler—so we painted it rather than trying to stain mismatched wood. After sanding and priming, we painted it a deep neutral color and installed new hardware before staging the electronics on top.
With the dresser painted and cured, we added hardware and set the TV on top to see how it would look. The TV’s stand worked fine, but it left an awkward gap and visible cables below—exactly why wall mounting makes such a difference.
1. Mounting the TV to the wall
Mounting the TV was the first priority. This was our first time wall-mounting, and despite the nerves it was straightforward: attach the mounting brackets to the back of the TV, fix the wall plate securely to studs, and hang the TV on the plate. Use a stud finder and a level to ensure a secure, straight install. The TV was lighter than expected and latched into the mount easily.
2. Installing an in-wall cord system
Next, we dealt with the power and HDMI cables that would otherwise hang down behind the TV. We used an in-wall power cord and cable kit designed for TVs. The kit guides you to cut two holes in the drywall—one hidden behind the TV at the mount and another behind the dresser or console—and run a narrow plastic conduit between them to create a tidy cable tunnel.
The kit includes a hole saw and a plastic tube that you cut to length with a utility knife. We positioned the top hole within the mount plate so it would be hidden, then drilled a second hole about three feet below behind the dresser. The hardest part was guiding the tube through the wall cavity around insulation and studs, but a little patient nudging did the trick.
The top portion of the kit provides a recessed outlet-like connection where you plug the TV in behind the mount, and the lower portion provides a cord and plug that you connect to a nearby wall outlet behind the dresser. The kit’s plates snap on for a clean, finished look so no visible cables trail down the wall.
3. Getting the power strip off the floor
Hiding cables behind the wall solved the visible wires above the dresser, but extra cable slack and the power strip still needed attention below. The simplest solution is often the best: mount the power strip to the back of the dresser or just under its bottom so it’s off the floor and snug against the furniture. Most power strips have keyhole slots for mounting; two screws and about ten minutes is all it takes. This creates a little shelf where excess cable can be coiled neatly instead of spilling onto the floor.
4. Adding an infrared receiver to hide the cable box
The final step was to hide the cable box while keeping remote functionality. We use a small infrared (IR) receiver that plugs into the back of the cable box. The receiver’s external eye sits visibly (or behind a small opening), while the cable box itself can be tucked inside a drawer or cabinet. We drilled a hole in the back of the dresser for the box’s power and HDMI cables and added ventilation holes to keep it cool. The IR extender means the remote still works even when the box is out of sight.
With the TV mounted, the in-wall cord kit installed, the power strip mounted out of sight, and the cable box hidden with an IR receiver, the wall looks clean and uncluttered—exactly what we wanted: no visible cords, no chaos.
The rest of the room is still a work in progress, but the TV wall is now one of the room’s “keeper” features. We’ve added a mobile, curtains, and a colorful rug to balance function with personality. Hiding TV wires and equipment this way keeps the focus on the room and not on tangled cables—a small upgrade that makes a big visual difference.
If you’re planning to mount a TV and hide wires, the approach we followed—secure wall mount, an in-wall cord kit, mounting the power strip, and using an IR extender—offers a reliable, affordable, and attractive result.
Note: allow paint and finishes to cure fully before reinstalling electronics or handling furniture to avoid scuffs or nicks. Small planning steps like choosing the mounting location, checking stud placement, and providing ventilation for hidden electronics prevent headaches down the road.
We’re still finalizing what goes where in the room, but the TV wall is done and cord-free. Enjoy your clean setup, and happy movie nights!
*This page contains references to items we have purchased and use in our home.*