How to Hide Wire or Coaxial Cable Running Through a Room

Raceways offer a permanent cord management solution that's easy to change if needed.

Plastic surface raceway, or cable hider, is an easy-to-use, self-adhesive channel that conceals electrical cords, speaker wire, or coaxial cable running along the base of a wall. This is an effective, attractive solution to adding electronic components without the hassle hiding cabling in walls or the ugly appearance of exposed wires.

Instructions

1. Run the wire or cable along the base of the walls where it will install in the raceway. Keep the wire straight, leaving just enough slack at the ends for connecting to the components or power source.

2. Cut straight lengths of plastic cable hider to match the wall runs, using a hacksaw or utility knife.

3. Remove the cover from each raceway piece, and peel off the rear film to expose the adhesive backing. Place the raceway firmly against the wall. For best appearance, place it even with the floor or at the top of the baseboard trim. Keep it level, or even with the trim, and be sure that it makes a strong bond with the wall. Continue until you have a full run of cable hider throughout the room.

4. Starting at the beginning of the wire run, push the wire snugly into the cable hider by hand. It may take a bit of force at first, but once you get the wire started the going should be easier. If the flanges of the cable hider do not pop back out after the wire is in, use a putty knife or screwdriver to pry them out. Continue along the length of the run until you reach the other end.

5. Snap the cable hider cover pieces into place to enclose the raceway and hide the wire. Use angled cover pieces for corners, trimming back the adjacent straight cover pieces as needed to make room for the corner pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• If your cable hider does not adhere well to a heavily textured or rough wall surface, you can use screws or smalls nails to secure the raceway strips before installing the wire, or use U-clamps after installing the wire to hold the wire in place and secure the cable hider.

• Avoid damaging the wire during installation, as this can create a fire or shock hazard.

Resources

• cableorganizer.com: "5 Easy Ways to Hide Speaker Wire"