How to Hide an Electrical Cord

Too much cord

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You’ve got a fun idea for redecorating your great room. But after fresh paint, beadboard and some new trim, you notice the area is still a bit dark in one corner. There’s an outlet nearby but you don’t want to add a torchiere or a table lamp because, well, just because. A sconce might work but you don’t want to deal with the appearance of its electrical cord running six feet up the wall. You could install a permanent switched light fixture but you don’t want to part with the $100 to $150 an electrician would likely charge to do the job. Not to worry! There is a fast, effective and relatively inexpensive solution. Head to the home improvement store for that corded wall sconce or ultramodern halogen light fixture and while you’re there, pick up a raceway—-we’re not talking NASCAR here, either.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Utility knife
Tape measure
Bubble level
PVC raceway

Step1

Measure the distance from the outlet to the location you intend for the new, corded light fixture.

Step2

Select the light fixture that best satisfies your needs. Most corded fixtures state the length of the electrical cord on the outside of the box. If not, email the seller or ask a sales associate to measure its length. If the cord meets your minimum requirements, get the light fixture and remember to check the box to ensure the mounting hardware—wall anchors and screws—is included.

Step3

Ask the sales associate where you can find electrical raceway. This item, manufactured of semi-rigid PVC, is designed to organize wires of all kinds. It is usually available in 6-foot lengths (or longer) and often has double stick tape on the back for easy surface mounting.

Step4

At home again and with your new light hanging proudly, plug it in. Then, determine the length of raceway you’ll need between the outlet and the base of the light fixture. Cut it to length. If the cut is ragged or unsightly, sand it lightly with medium grit sandpaper. Remove the covering from the adhesive tape on the back, position the raceway correctly and, holding the adhesive strip carefully away from the wall, use your level to ensure the raceway is perpendicular to the ceiling or floor. You don’t need to be exact, but neither do you want the finished appearance to be amateurish. When you’re sure the location and attitude of the raceway is correct, press it firmly against the wall working from the center up and down and re-check to ensure the raceway still runs straight.

Step5

Unpainted, very visible raceway Tuck the lamp’s cord inside the raceway being careful to ensure it is completely inside the plastic. Now, your cord is organized…but the raceway is still visible. Raceway styles may vary—some have covers while others simply use a flexible split in the center—but the result is always the same: raceways hide cords

Step6

Painted, invisible raceway Paint the raceway with the same product you used on your walls. If the raceway’s surface is too smooth to readily accept the paint, rough it up with your medium grit sandpaper, wipe off the dust and complete the job. When you’re finished, step back and enjoy the result. The new light is up, no electrician was necessary and the cord is all but invisible.

Tips & Warnings

Raceway can also be similarly used to organize or hide stereo wires, coaxial cable (television) or the myriad wires associated with computers.
Follow all instructions for the proper installation of your new light fixture.