A wall-mounted TV with cables dangling underneath never looks finished. There are two ways to fix that: run the wires inside the wall, or hide them on the wall under a slim cover. Both work well. The right choice depends on your wall, your home and how invisible you want the result to be.
In-wall concealment
The cables run inside the wall cavity, entering behind the TV and exiting near your devices or an outlet.
How it works
Two small openings are made in the drywall: one hidden behind the TV, one lower down near the media console. HDMI, optical, network and speaker cables are fished between them. For power, an in-wall power kit provides a proper receptacle behind the TV, connected to a power inlet lower on the wall.
Pros
- The cleanest look possible: nothing visible except the TV.
- Neat brush or recessed plates at each opening.
- Easy to add cables later if the route is left open.
Cons
- Only works on hollow walls (drywall on wood or steel studs).
- Insulation, fire blocks or ducts can complicate the route.
- Not always permitted in condos.
A word on power cords
This is the single most important safety point. Standard TV power cords are not meant to be run inside walls, and electrical codes don’t allow it. Cords inside walls can overheat and aren’t protected the way building wiring is. Use an in-wall power kit made for this purpose, or have an electrician add an outlet behind the TV. Low-voltage cables like HDMI are fine in the wall, but in-wall rated cables are the better choice.
On-wall concealment
A slim channel, called a raceway, is fixed to the wall and the cables run inside it from the TV down to your devices.
Pros
- Works on any wall: brick, stone, concrete, plaster, tile.
- No openings cut into the wall.
- Paintable, so it blends in with the wall colour.
- Usually allowed in condos and rentals.
Cons
- Visible, even if painted. You’ll see a slim line on the wall.
- Less elegant on feature walls or in rooms with strong lighting across the wall.
Which one should you choose?
Choose in-wall if: you have drywall, you own the home, and you want the cleanest possible result. Perfect for living rooms, basements and bedrooms in most houses.
Choose on-wall if: your wall is brick, stone or concrete, you live in a condo that doesn’t allow opening walls, you’re renting, or there’s something in the wall like a fire separation or ductwork.
Other tidy options
- Through the mantel or furniture: sometimes cables can drop straight behind a console or through a mantel.
- Shelf-mounted devices: a floating shelf under the TV can hold a streaming box and soundbar, keeping the cable run very short.
- Wireless: wireless HDMI kits and Wi-Fi streaming reduce the number of cables, but the TV still needs power.
Planning tips
- Decide where your devices will live before mounting the TV.
- Add one or two spare cables while the wall is open.
- Choose HDMI cables rated for the resolution of your TV and devices.
- Label both ends of every cable.
Let us handle it
We do both types of concealment every day across Hamilton and the GTA, and we’ll tell you honestly which suits your wall. See our wire concealment service or book a free quote.
