Rebecca over at ATLA tackled a common renter's dilemma that we thought fell under the realm of Unplggd...
The other day Janel posted about AT reader LKCHI’s and his question about furniture solutions for a cable box. The picture immediately reminded me of my own TV inspired dilemma, what to do with the TV/cable wires from a LCD TV when you are a renter?

While we love that our LCD TV hangs nicely on our wall and doesn’t take up space on the top of our drawers, we are not so happy (to put it lightly) with the wire aesthetic we’ve created. Our issues:
a) We are renting so no big holes in the wall for wires.
b) We have a small space around that part of the bed so even a shallow unit would create the perfect opportunity for stubbed toes or too much stuff.
c) We’ve thought about wire concealers, shallow shelves, etc but due to the space we have in that area by the bed and that we don’t want to add too much more stuff in that room, we can’t seem to commit to anything. We like these wire concealers but aren't sure if this will really hide our wires? (maybe it's a start?)

1) Vantage Point WC60W Paintable Wire Cover System
2) Belkin Hide Away Cord Concealer
If any renters or friends of renters out there that have successfully tackled this dilemma, please share your knowledge. A very thankful renter appreciates it in advance!
-Rebecca
Comments (22)
IKEA sells (at least I think they still do...but not on the site) a very thing cord cover that was perfect for hiding cords along baseboards and door frames. It would work for this too. And it could could be painted as well.
thin not think.
Wait, you have just drilled big holes into the wall to be able to hang a LCD tv, and now you are worried about the holes required to hide cables??? Unless of course you are hanging the TV with a small picture hook, in which case the TV will fall pretty soon so you won't have to worry about hiding any cables...
The holes that we drilled in the wall to hang the TV are super small - much like hanging a picture. Those devices are pretty streamlined these days.
The hole we'd need for the wires would be significantly bigger plus we' have to rewire.
The best solution I have found is the Wiremold kits at Lowe's in the audio/video section. It includes elbows and corners to go around corners. About $10. I think you can buy these online, too. Really quick and easy.
It's a white 5' plastic stick that is paintable. It also has a peel and stick backing that is sticky enough to solidly stay in place. Clean the wall first though. With a strong pair of scissors or a steak knife you can trim the stick, too.
It has a slit up the side to feed the cord into if you don't drop it through the opening up top first.
I also found a flat version that is on a spool. You cut to length what you need, fold along the creases to form the channel and use remove the paper to reveal the sticky that seals the unit into a rectangular channel. It was about $8 for a 20' roll I think.
Search online for Wiremold as the manufacturer for these types of products. Also try "cord concealer" and "channel"
I think the idea of using a white wire concealer is great.
The thrify Albanian in me is thinking you could bundle the wires with white electrician's tape. At least that would pull them together and make them blend into the wall a bit more. But probably not the direction you want to head in....
How about a DIY "plasma panel" similar to this:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1151&f=26736
You get the concept.. just the wall panel without the base unit, going all the way down to the floor (this is the best picture I coulf find right now). A panel of dark wood, with a hole for the TV mounts, and grooves at the back for wiring. The panel would need to be about an inch thick to accomodate the gooves.
In fact it could go all the way up to the ceiling, like wood paneling.
instead of just using a wire race and painting it, how about a little camouflage? like this...
http://www.vinylwallart.com/climbingvine.html
Unless the space is smaller than it appears, there's plenty of room there for a slim cabinet (a DVD-width one at least). The space looks wider than your door. I can't believe toes would be stubbed on something with that much space available, but I live in a small place where that much free space seems pretty large.
We have a similar set up except the space between the bed and wall is even thinner than pictured above. What we did was set up a lack shelf above the TV to hold our DVD and cable box. It's set up pretty high so when we walk by it isn't remotely close to our heads. If that didn't work out, plan B was to place a mirror strategically in order to divert the remote control ray to hit the cable box on our dresser. We got this idea from an episode of "Small Space, Big Style" on HGTV from another fellow New Yorker.
Ooooh, the climbing vine wall art is a great idea!
I think some 2" white paper tape and paint would probably do the trick as well.
I just sucked it up and drilled the holes. Save the "cookie" that comes out of the saw bit if it's a rental, and plaster it back in when you move out. You're going to need to patch some holes anyway, so it won't be THAT much more work. Don't forget to run a string to help you add more wires easiily later.
Wiremold also makes a channel especially for flat screen TVs. http://www.wiremold.com/www/consumer/products/tv_cord_center.asp
You could also kill two birds with one stone and spruce up what appears to be a rather bland room with an eyecatching fabric panel with a cutout for the TV mount. It should be as easy as hanging a curtain rod.
The simple drywall repair job required to cover a small hole punch for a few cords at the rear mount down at the floor would be no more time consuming than the numerous small holes you'd need to spackle for most (ugly) wire tracks. And wall vinyl tends to take paint and in some cases the top paper layer of sheet rock off with it when you remove it, just like wallpaper, unless you have primed the wall with something to prevent it from bonding.
We have those vinyl art thingies on our kitchen wall, and they won't stay up if its not completely flush. With the wires there, they will most likely fall off. Nice idea though! The best way short of drilling in to the wall is that wiremold system. you can find some very slim made wire runs that can be painted. We used adhesive backed plastic devices since the wall with our TV is solid cement, and not the most fun thing to drill 20 million screws into.
You could also try a floor to ceiling mirror or something of that nature.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1430&f=11905
I think the vines would look great with the comforter. Maybe glue them on over a white cover of some sort if they won't stay up by themselves.
I love the comforter. Is it still available somewhere?
I agree, I think the dry wall repair would be pretty minimal in the long run. Also, the next renter might actually appreciate the solution you've come up with. And if it looks professional enough, your landlord may not even know the difference. I would pick up a couple of wall plate grommets (like this one: http://www.datapro.net/images/7001.jpg). I would cut a couple of holes, one behind the TV and the other directly below, close to the power outlet. Once the holes have been created, I would run the wires/cables down through the wall. Then I would install the wall plates, giving the wall a clean, professional look. Good luck.
Hey Derek,
I like your solution, however I've hit a bit of a snag. There seems to be some wall studs in my way and it's preventing me from just dropping the cables down. ugh! I suppose I should have checked that before making 2 holes, heh.
I found a service local to me http://www.interstartv.com/hide-the-wires.html but they want $125 dollars to come out and do it. Anyone have any idea how to go around the studs? I'm guessing there's some special tool involved... ?
If your a do it your self type person you can use flex bits drill bits thay come in different sizes along with fish sticks to complete this sort of installation or you can locate the stud and cut out use hole saw to cut out section next to stud cut out section of stud or you can use drill to make hole in stud use original piece of drywall place paint stirrer stick or thin piece of wood behind drywall screw in drywall screw and use ether side of wood to anchor it in with two more screws one on ether side spackle up sand paint done.
http://www.daveshometheater.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=6270
I've come up with a solution that works pretty well... Up close, it might look a little "unfinished" but when you are at a distance, it's hard to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45376228@N06/4373305214/in/photostream/
Great fix! Nothing worse than ugly eye catching cables!