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Transform your living room into a wire-free paradise! Discover our expert tips on how to hide speaker wires and elevate your home décor.
No one is indifferent to a great surround system for watching movies or listening to music at home. What we don’t adore as much, however, are cables and wires running around the room, not after we tried so hard to make it look classic.
Speaker wires are not just aesthetically unpleasant, but also annoying daily. We are not able to vacuum properly, and there is a genuine tripping hazard for the entire family. But how to hide speaker wires in the living room? There are many easy ways to achieve keep them out of sight and out of mind. Let’s check.
Our guide on how to hide speaker wires in the living room
Image source: Clean Design
There are different approaches to doing this, both less and more complicated. It all comes down to your current decor and the money you are willing to spend, keeping in mind that some ideas here won’t cost a dime. They all have the same goal: making the room look clean and organized, and providing you with more domestic tranquility.
We’ve arranged the ideas starting from the easiest one to the most difficult one. We’ve summed up some super-simple options to hide speaker wire in any room setting. Choose the best solution for your living room.
Use the decor that is already there
The simplest and cheapest option there is to work with the items that are already in the room. This would mean artwork, posters, plants, cabinets, or anything you can route cables behind.
Use a cable slinky or a 3m command cord clip to wrap cables around furniture, and you won’t even notice they are there. You may also need to reposition the appliances so that they are as close to the power outlets as possible.
Buy some speaker wire tape
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Speaker wire tape is foremost affordable, and many homeowners decide for it. You can purchase some in any hardware store; then cut a 1-inch piece off and wrap it around the wires. It works pretty much in the same way as electrical tape and cables.
Position the wire properly in the center of the tape, and make sure it doesn’t get all tangled up with the rest of the cables. You can also remove it with ease any time you want.
Get corner duct raceways
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If you’re not a fan of speaker wire tape, replace it with corner duct cable raceways. They are also cost-effective and were created for commercial applications. You can use them to hide cables and wires all around the room, including the vertical ones running between the ceiling and the floor.
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Most of the abovementioned concealers come with a great three-sided channel design. They fit wherever you put them and even have pre-applied adhesive on the backside to facilitate installation. Depending on where you are putting them, you may need to glue them or attach them with screws.
You can also opt for triangular ducts that are adjacent on two sides so that they fit perfectly in the corners. They are also optimized with snap-on covers to help you install them easily.
Hiding speaker wire between the baseboards and the carpet
Image source: Taylor’s Flooring & Furniture
Hiding speaker wire will be just as easy in a carpeted room. You can tuck and conceal all wires running from the theater components right under the baseboards.
Simply push the carpet slightly down, hold the baseboard up, and tuck the wire piece by piece along the baseboard length. It would be great if someone can assist you to make sure no wire remains visible.
Before you begin, make sure there is enough wire for the entire length of the carpet. This way, wires remain invisible to those who don’t know they are there.
Hide wires behind the baseboard
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How about some behind-the-scenes cable management? Note, however, that you will need to get rid of baseboard moldings on the wall to be able to run the speaker wire there.
This will be easier if you have hardwood floors, as there is usually some extra space between the wall and the edge of the planks. This gap is there deliberately so that the planks have enough space to expand.
You can, nevertheless, purchase molding and create the channels yourself. You can even build in the wire to the back of the cabinets if you are open to some extra work. In all cases, the cables will be completely out of sight.
Light strips can also help you
Image source: Planika Fires
Do you also have light strips in the room, but never thought of this great secondary use? Reroute the speaker wires so that they follow their shape. They will still be there, but they will be much more difficult to spot. Another concern here would be keeping the wires in place, so conceal them with duct tape.
Image source: Planika Fires
Most light strips are designed as simple LED strips you can peel and stick to any surface. The more advanced kind, for instance, Power Practical Luminodle, is more of a lighting rope where you can mount accessories. This is something first-time buyers might take into consideration.
If replacing the LED strips is out of the question, get some decorative clips or command wire hooks – they will be just as helpful
Use flat speaker wire with an adhesive side
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This way, you let the wire do all the job. There are only two things you will need – a terminal block and an adhesive flat copper wire. You can get both in the home improvement store, but they are sold separately.
A basic understanding of how wires work will also help. The cable consists of two or even three thin copper wires that are encased together in the film, and the cooper acts as the conductor. Thanks to their atomic structure, wires let electricity flow easily and freely.
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Flat wire terminal blocks will keep the cables of your ceiling-mounted surround system in place. Thanks to the enclosed form factor, you can paint them easily. They will remain insulated and protected wherever they are.
A flat speaker wire, however, cannot be plugged into any device. There is a different installation process for each of the cords, so make sure you follow the instructions. At best, have an electrician over to finish the job.
Use conduits or painted raceways
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With a larger speaker wire budget in place, you can consider a variety of products specially designed to address this issue. Many cable companies also produce containers, ducts, or hollow raceways to hide speaker wires out of sight. These can then be placed between the floors and the walls, or even around the speakers, as long as they match the wall color.
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It is important not to compromise on price over quality, as you need these speaker wire structures to last. You need to access the wires easily and be able to modify the structures any time you are doing some remodeling at home. Make sure they are as damage-proof as possible so that you can paint over them or even reuse them.
Cable covers are even thinner and more difficult to spot if that is what you’re going for. You can find them in almost any office or store. They are flat in the bottom area and rounded on the top, and they look like a mini speedbump.
Make use of the architectural features, such as the crown molding
Image source: Orac Decor
If your living room comes with such features, or you just got the heats for an elegant crown molding, use it to your advantage. A hollow molding can hide speaker wire better than anything else, rendering it almost invisible.
These decorative ceiling edges that also conceal cables are a win-win solution. They do, however, cost a bit more than what you expected to pay to hide speaker wires. Therefore, make the best out of them and install also LED uplighting. Your room will look very stylish and welcoming.
Last but not least, keep in mind that this is not a DIY project, such as buying and installing flat wire. You need some basic carpentry skills and an accurate idea of how moldings would work with your decor. Give it a thought.
Hide speaker wire in plain sight
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Sometimes, the best way to hide things is to just leave them where they are. In the case of a surround sound system, this means routing cables and wires directly on the wall. Make sure, however, that they match the wall color, and no one will pay attention to them anymore.
If you still want to hide speaker wire and provide ultimate invisibility, consider a more permanent option. An idea would be running speaker wires through the walls themselves. A stylish way to do this would be to install a terminal wall plate with multiple connections so that all equipment runs through it.
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And yet, this is a step ahead of the usual cable management at home, and you’ll need to drill the wall and perhaps have it permanently damaged. Don’t forget to plan the placement of your gadgets before you jump on this bandwagon.
If you don’t have the necessary skills, have a professional installer over. It will cost more, but it will look just the way you wanted it.
Get cable holders
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Don’t worry, we are not all done with easy and inexpensive ways to hide speaker wire. A good way to go is to buy cable clips that are self-adhesive, which means no drilling will be necessary to fix them to the walls. This is a very handy tip if you live in a rented home, and you are not allowed to damage the walls.
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The clips are usually small and unnoticeable, and you can get several ones to keep the whole wire in place. There are also such you can attach with nails, in case permanent solutions are on the table again.
Here is an extra tip that can save you some headaches: go for self–adhesive clips that won’t peel off the wall paint once you remove them. Also, this is not a solution that hides wires, but rather one that keeps them in place, and you may need other ideas as well.
Plan a guide system
Guide systems are, in fact, more advanced cable holders. They won’t hide speaker wire and keep it out of sight, but they will hold it in place and create a trail on the wall or the floor for its entire length.
You should consider this idea if you have many different cables to hide. You won’t get a completely wire-free room, but the floor will look more organized.
The future is wireless
Image source: SW designs
Last but not least, how about eliminating wires completely? It is time to switch to wireless technology, as almost any appliance or electrical item comes with a wireless option. This way, cable management will be out of the picture, and you will have a clean and well-organized media room.
Of course, wireless items tend to cost more than the standard ones, especially surround speakers. If you ask us, they are still worth it, as they save electricity and you can move them around easily.
FAQs about hiding speaker wires in the living room
1. What are some effective ways to hide speaker wires in a living room?
In a living area, there are a number of practical solutions to conceal speaker wiring. Running them behind baseboards or crown molding is one possibility. Another option is to conceal them under pieces of furniture or ornamental elements like plants. To hide wires along walls or ceilings, you can also utilize cable raceways or conduits. These techniques might call for some DIY know-how, but they can give your living space a tidy appearance.
2. Can I hide speaker wires without damaging the walls or floors?
It is possible to conceal speaker cords without causing harm to floors or walls. For instance, you can mount wires on the wall without making holes by using sticky hooks or clips. Utilizing cable raceways that are tape-attached to walls is an additional choice. As an alternative, you can bury speaker cords behind carpeting or rugs. To prevent any trip dangers or potential wire damage, you should use caution when applying these techniques.
3. How can I hide speaker wires if I don’t want to drill holes in my walls?
There are still methods available if you don’t want to dig holes in your walls to conceal speaker cords. Running wires along baseboards or crown molding is one technique, and they can be fastened using adhesive tape or staples. To hide wires along the margins of walls or ceilings, you can also use conduit or cable raceways. Finally, though it could involve some imaginative placement, you might be able to conceal wires behind furniture or curtains.
4. Is it safe to run speaker wires behind baseboards or under carpeting?
If you take the necessary precautions, running speaker wires beneath baseboards or under carpeting can be safe. For instance, you want to use speaker wire that is permitted for usage in concealed places and is in-wall rated. Additionally, make sure the wires are not crushed or pinched, as these actions could harm them or create interference. In order to make sure that you’re utilizing safe and efficient methods to hide speaker wiring, it’s often better to consult with a professional installer.
5. How can I hide speaker wires if my living room doesn’t have any built-in storage or furniture?
There are still choices available if your living area lacks built-in storage or pieces of furniture to conceal speaker wiring behind. For instance, you might cover wires with beautiful items like plants or art. Additionally, you can carefully position furniture, like a bookcase or bureau, to conceal wiring. Finally, you might be able to hide wires along walls or ceilings using cable raceways or conduit.
6. Are there any wireless speaker systems that don’t require any visible wires?
Yes, there are a number of wireless speaker systems that may be used without any obvious wires. Speaker cords are not necessary with these systems because audio signals are transmitted to the speakers via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The wireless speaker systems from Sonos, Bose, and Yamaha are a few examples. Although quick and simple to set up, some systems could have range or sound quality restrictions.
7. How can I make sure that my hidden speaker wires don’t cause any interference with other electronic devices?
You should take some care to make sure that hidden speaker wires don’t interfere with other electronic gadgets. For instance, shielded speaker wire can be used to lessen electromagnetic interference. Additionally, since it may cause interference, you should avoid running speaker wires in conjunction with power connections. To reduce the possibility of electrical noise or interference, you can utilize surge protectors or power conditioners.
8. Can I use conduit to hide speaker wires in my living room?
Yes, you can conceal speaker wiring in your living room using conduit. Wires can be passed through conduit, a safe tube, which is used to run along walls or ceilings. It can be painted to match the color of your walls to perfectly blend in. Conduit, however, might not be the most aesthetically pleasing choice and can require some DIY installation skills. Make sure the conduit you’re utilizing is permitted for usage in hidden spaces as well.
9. What are some tips for organizing and managing speaker wires in a home theater system?
Consider utilizing cable ties or Velcro straps to keep speaker wires in a home theater system neatly packaged and organized. To keep track of which speaker each cable connects to, identify the wires. Finally, to keep cables concealed and organized, you might want to think about employing a wire management system like a cable raceway or conduit.
10. Are there any professional installation services that can help me hide my speaker wires?
Yes, you may conceal your speaker wires with the help of professional installation services. Your wires will be safely and properly disguised thanks to the knowledge and tools these experts possess. Depending on how your living room or home theater system is set up, they may also be able to suggest certain unique solutions. Professional installation services can cost more than do-it-yourself alternatives, but they can save you time and provide you confidence that your cables are properly hidden.
Final thoughts on how to hide speaker wires in the living room
As you saw, learning how to hide speaker wires in the living room is no rocket science. There is plenty you can do to reduce cable mess on the floor, and you just need to choose the option that works the best for you.
This, of course, depends on the appliances you own and the decor in the living room. Further consideration will be the budget you are ready to appoint, and perhaps the skills you have to make the DIY project work.
Whatever you decide, handle the hiding wires with care. They need to be protected and stored in a safe place so that they won’t get damaged.
If you liked this article about how to turn a living room into a bedroom, you should check out this article on how to arrange a narrow living room.
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