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A TV on the wall looks great right up until you notice the four black cables hanging down to the outlet. Hiding them is what makes a mounted TV look finished, and it is one of the most popular add-ons to a TV install.
There are three ways to do it, and one electrical rule that most DIY videos skip. Here is how to decide which one fits your wall.
How do you hide TV wires?
Run low-voltage cables like HDMI inside the wall through a recessed plate behind the TV and another near the outlet, and bring power up with a listed in-wall power kit or a new outlet behind the TV. Where the wall is solid, use a paintable cord cover instead.
| Method | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Paintable cord cover | Slim channel painted to match the wall | Brick, concrete, renters, quick jobs |
| In-wall with power kit | Nothing visible below the TV | Hollow drywall between two studs |
| Outlet behind the TV | Nothing visible, power stays in the wall | New builds, remodels, strict codes |
The rule about power cords
The National Electrical Code, section 400.12, does not allow flexible cords inside walls. That includes the power cord that came with your TV and any extension cord. They are not built for being sealed in a wall where heat and damage go unseen.
So when wires are hidden in the wall, the TV's power cord still plugs in outside the wall. A listed in-wall power kit carries power up inside the wall with proper cable and plugs into a recessed outlet behind the TV. The other option is a new outlet behind the TV, installed by an electrician.
NEC 400.12 bans TV power cords and extension cords inside walls. HDMI, Ethernet and coax are fine in the wall if rated CL2 or CL3. Power needs a listed kit or a real outlet.
Why Chicago walls need a closer look
Cook County and Chicago are stricter than the national code about what can run inside a wall, so it is worth checking what your building allows before choosing a kit. In older two-flats and greystones there is often plaster and lath, a fire block between studs, or brick behind the drywall. Any of those can turn a simple in-wall run into a cord cover job, and it is better to know that up front.
How an in-wall run works
1. Find a clear stud bay
Locate the studs and check for fire blocks, pipes and wiring in the bay behind the TV before cutting anything.
2. Cut two openings
One behind the TV and one near the floor, sized for the recessed plates so the cuts are fully covered.
3. Run low-voltage cables
HDMI, Ethernet and optical go through the wall. They must be CL2 or CL3 rated for in-wall use.
4. Bring power up properly
A listed power kit or an electrician-installed outlet powers the TV. The TV cord plugs in behind the screen.
5. Mount and tidy
The TV goes up, the short cables behind it get bundled, and nothing shows below the screen.
Common questions
Is it safe to run a TV power cord inside the wall?
No. The electrical code does not allow flexible cords, including TV power cords and extension cords, inside walls. Use a listed in-wall power kit or have an outlet installed behind the TV.
Can HDMI cables go inside the wall?
Yes, as long as they are rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall use. Look for the rating printed on the cable jacket.
Can you hide wires on a brick or concrete wall?
Not inside the wall, but a slim paintable cord cover or a route along the mantel or trim keeps it clean.
Can you hide wires if I rent?
A cord cover is the renter-friendly option since it removes without opening the wall. For in-wall work, check with your landlord first.
- #Hidden wires
- #Electrical code
- #Cord covers
