How do you hide network cables along the wall?

Hiding network cables along walls can transform a room from cluttered to clean and organized. Exposed cables dangling down walls or laying across floors not only look messy, but they also pose tripping hazards. Thankfully, there are easy ways to conceal cables for a safer, more aesthetically pleasing space.

In this article, we will answer common questions about hiding network cables along walls, including:

• Why hide network cables?
• What are the options for hiding cables?
• How do you run cables inside walls?
• What products conceal cables along walls?
• How do you hide cables on finished walls?
• Tips for a clean, professional cable installation

By the end, you’ll have solutions for neatly routing cables and understand best practices for concealing wires in any room with the need for a wired internet connection.

Why Hide Network Cables?

There are a few key reasons to take the time to hide network cables properly:

Aesthetics. Exposed cables along walls or baseboards look messy and cluttered. Hiding wires cleans up the look of a room for a more refined, polished aesthetic. This is especially important in visible spaces like offices, living rooms and bedrooms.

Safety. Loose cables on the floor or dangling from walls are tripping hazards. Concealing cables removes this risk. Tucked away cables are also safer if you have pets or young children who may play with and damage exposed wires.

Organization. When you take the time to hide cables correctly, it forces you to organize and plan your connections. This prevents a bird’s nest of wires behind furniture and allows for easier troubleshooting if connectivity issues arise.

Professionalism. In office spaces or places you host clients, visible tangles of wires look unprofessional. Properly hidden cables give a cleaner, more reputable impression.

So in summary, hiding network cables improves the look and safety of a space while keeping connections organized and promoting a professional image. With the right techniques, concealing cables is easy to do.

What Are the Options for Hiding Cables?

There are a few common methods and products to hide cables along walls, depending on your needs:

Inside Walls. For new construction and open wall spaces, running cables through walls keeps them entirely concealed. In existing homes, strategically placed conduits hide wires.

Cable Raceways. Plastic channels adhere to walls to neatly contain cables against the surface. Raceways come in varied dimensions to match your cord size.

Cable Concealers. Products like wire molding hide cables inside while blending into the wall with painted covers. Cable grommets also conceal wires through discreet openings.

Cable Boxes. Boxes attached to walls contain excess cable lengths out of sight. Some feature power connections too.

Cable Trunks. Designed to run along floors and edges, trunks have channels or baseboard covers to hide multiple cables.

Furniture. Items like enclosed TV stands or desks with cutouts can hide wires. Rugs also conceal floor-running cables.

Later, we will explore these options further with examples, pros and cons, and installation tips. But first, let’s go over how cables are run inside walls.

How Do You Run Cables Inside Walls?

For the most discreet cable routing, walls provide an out-of-sight path. Wires can be fished through new construction or retrofitted into existing walls. Here are the basics of in-wall cable installation:

New Construction Cable Runs

During new builds and renovations, it’s easiest to install cables inside wall framing before drywall is erected. Here are the steps:

1. Map out cable runs and outlet placements based on furniture layouts.
2. Drill holes through wall studs and top and bottom plates where wires will pass through.
3. Run cables through stud bays from point to point.
4. Leave extra length coiled up at ends for easy connections.
5. Secure cables regularly with cable clips or hooks.
6. Label wires at access points for identification.
7. Install wall plates and terminations after painting.

Retrofitting Cables in Finished Walls

To work cables into existing drywall, you need to cut access points between studs:

1. Use a cable finder to mark wall stud locations.
2. Identify entry and exit points between studs.
3. Cut open neat rectangular openings at those points.
4. Drill holes through top and bottom plates.
5. Fish cables through openings and Stud bays.
6. Patch drywall openings.
7. Repaint for an invisible repair.

Using Conduits to Hide Cables

Electrical conduit provides a tidy pathway to route cables inside walls. The tubing protects wires from damage while keeping them out of sight. Here’s how they work for cable management:

• Run conduits between floors and through framing bays during construction.
• For retrofits, surface mount conduit along baseboards or ceilings with minimal patching.
• Install junction boxes to connect conduit segments.
• Pull cables through conduit to desired outlets.
• Conduit keeps cables contained and makes running new wires easy.

So in summary, new builds allow for simple inside-wall cable runs while existing walls require some drywall modifications. But conduits also let you conceal wires without much wall damage or construction in any scenario.

What Products Conceal Cables Along Walls?

Aside from fully enclosed in-wall routing, there are many products designed to discreetly contain cables against wall surfaces. Here are some go-to options:

Raceways

Adhesive cable raceways provide a clean, low-profile solution for hiding wires. These plastic channels have snap-on covers to conceal and organize cables. Models sized for different cable quantities are available. Benefits include:

• Discreet white or paintable finish hides against most wall colors.
• Easy peel-and-stick application.
• Rounded model blends cables into trim and baseboards.
• Openings allow quick access to cords.

Wire Molding

Wire molding attaches to the wall and hides cables inside its enclosed channel. The molding front has a removable cover to easily access wires. Features include:

• Paintable finish matches room décor.
• Flexible hinge allows molding to contour along uneven walls.
• Channels keep cables neatly tucked away and contained.
• Open back provides constant airflow to prevent overheating.

Wall Cable Grommets

Adhesive cable grommets offer discreet cable entry through walls or desks. Available in a range of sizes, grommets include:

• A low profile that sits nearly flush against mounting surfaces.
• Rubber or brush openings that hide and route cables.
• No power tools required for quick and easy application.

Power and Cable Boxes

Wall-mounted boxes provide a tidy staging area for excess cable and power connections. Benefits include:

• Generous capacity to contain bundles of cables.
• Built-in electrical sockets.
• Slots for cable passage into the box.
• Hidden storage keeps connections dust-free.

So in summary, cable raceways, molding, grommets, and boxes all provide neat, concealed pathways for cables against wall surfaces. The right option depends on your specific cabling needs and wall space.

How Do You Hide Cables on Finished Walls?

On existing finished walls, hiding network cables involves running wire through discreet pathways along baseboards, ceilings, under carpets or inside furniture. Here are some tips:

Baseboard Channels

Many baseboard cable covers adhere directly to your existing trim to conceal multiple cables. Look for paintable options that blend into the wall.

Crown Molding

Fiber optic crown molding hides cables inside while adding a decorative accent to the room. Fiber optic lighting illuminates the molding for a soft glow without exposed bulbs.

Under Carpet

Use flat Ethernet cables to run wires underneath wall-to-wall carpeting for full concealment. Use cable ramps to transition wires between flooring heights.

Behind Furniture

Place desks, entertainment centers and shelves in front of outlets to block wires from view. For ease of plugging in devices, cut cable access ports into furniture backs.

Inside Furniture

Items like enclosed cabinets and desks route cables through pre-cut openings to completely hide connections. Adhesive grommets also create discreet entry points.

Paint and Patch

For small gaps around cables, apply non-hardening moldable putty. Once dry, putty can be sanded flush and repainted to match the wall.

So in summary, finished walls provide opportunities to conceal cables creatively through molding, under flooring, behind décor, in furniture and more. Mix and match approaches to tailor your cable hiding strategy.

Tips for a Clean, Professional Cable Installation

Follow these best practices when tackling any cable management project for the most cohesive, seamless results:

Mind the Codes

Adhere to all local building codes for safe, compliant wiring projects. Consider permits and inspections when running new cables inside walls.

Plan Ahead

Have a wiring diagram to optimize cable routes and avoid clutter. Measure carefully and order cables with a bit extra length.

Keep It Centralized

Route cables back to a central hub or media cabinet to avoid wiring sprawl. Use trunks to channel cables to satellite rooms.

Use the Right Cables

Choose flat and flexible Ethernet cables for tight turns. Use plenum-rated cables inside walls and air ducts for fire safety.

Allow Airflow

Never tightly enclose cables, which could cause overheating. Allow space inside cable runs for ventilation.

Label Everything

Label all cables at access points to designate origins. Color coding also helps avoid confusion when connecting devices.

Test Connections

Test all installed cables to ensure the desired speeds. Troubleshoot any connectivity issues before finishing.

Maintain Access

Utilize removable plates, panels and openings to keep cables reachable for changes and repairs down the road.

Following these tips will help prevent damage, maximize performance and promote safe, orderly cable installations that disappear seamlessly into the aesthetic you are trying to achieve.

Conclusion

Hiding network cables delivers cleaner, safer living and work spaces that appear meticulously set up. As you have learned, cables can be concealed fully inside walls or discretely against surfaces with covers and conduits. Adhesives, paintable finishes and strategic furniture placement provide more options for concealing wires. By planning runs meticulously and utilizing the purpose-built products outlined, you can banish messy cables from sight for good.