How to hide computer and TV cables

Despite decades of technological progress, in every home there is a big problem caused by computers, TVs and other electronic devices: cables . In a typical situation we could have, in the bedroom or in the living room, the electric cables that connect the following accessories: monitor, router, computer, TV, printer, mobile phone charger, speakers and speakers. In addition to these there may be cables that connect the computer with the printer, with the monitor, the mouse, the keyboard and speakers, the modem. The TV itself can generate a large amount of cables, having connected to it a DVD player or a Blu-Ray player, a game console (PlayStation or Xbox), a decoder or other devices. All this generates an inextricable tangle of cables, difficult for anyone to manage and, above all, really ugly to see near the furniture or in the living room.
In this guide we will show you how to hide the cables of a computer or TV, so as to minimize the visual impact of the cables and get more order and a decidedly more pleasant design to see.
READ ALSO: Differences between types of computer cables, ports, sockets and connectors

How to hide computer and TV cables

Using the various methods described in the following chapters, we will be able to minimize the discomfort caused by hanging cables.

Use wireless connections

We assume that the power cable for the electrical outlet, the video signal cable and the antenna cable (on TV) are essential, all the rest of the cables we use most can be replaced with w ireless devices or peripherals, which they work using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.

On fixed desktop computers we can use the following wireless devices:

1. Wireless mouse
2. Wireless keyboard
3. Wireless network card
4. Wireless printer
5. Wireless webcam
6. Bluetooth adapter for PC
7. Bluetooth speakers for PC

Using these peripherals we will drastically reduce the number of cables present on the back of the PC, where in fact only the cables for electricity and the cable for transmitting the video signal to the monitor will remain. If we have to connect a smartphone, we can take advantage of the computer's Bluetooth directly, so as to avoid the presence of bulky cables to a minimum; if instead we want to hear some music, we can rely on Bluetooth speakers, so as to obtain good quality without having to use the audio output on the back of the PC.
On TV and Smart TV, on the other hand, the number of cables is already minimal per se (basically only the power cable and the antenna cable) and the only devices that necessarily require cable connection are usually the decoders (for Sky or Tivusat), home theater systems and consoles (PlayStation and Xbox). On many Smart TVs we have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, which allow you to connect them to the Internet wirelessly and to connect Bluetooth peripherals without the aid of a cable (for example headphones and soundbars).

To drastically reduce the number of cables behind the TV and at the same time add new devices, we recommend the following products:

1. Wireless soundbar
2. Wireless home theater
3. Bluetooth headphones for TV
4. Bluetooth adapter for TV
5. Wireless keyboard for TV
6. Wireless pointer for TV

If, on the other hand, we want to transmit the multimedia contents present on the smartphone or tablet to the TV without using a cable, we advise you to read our guides on How to transmit the smartphone screen on TV and How to send videos from your smartphone to TV via wifi ; if instead we wanted to use the TV as a secondary screen of the computer, just follow the steps described in our guide on How to use the TV as a wireless secondary screen of the PC (Windows 10) .
If we also want to eliminate the antenna cable, we can engineer using a Chromecast and reading our guide on How to watch TV channels on Chromecast (without antenna) .

Use sheaths and cable ducts

If the cables are numerous or we also want to hide the electrical cables and the cables for the video signal, we will have to use sheaths or cable ducts for the purpose, so as to keep the cables close and improve order (only a thick "tube will be visible "which contains all the cables).

The best cable glands that we can use on the back of our PC or TV are:

1. Purovi SPIRAL CABLE COLLECTOR (7 €)
2. AGPtEK - Neoprene cable sheath with velcro closure (8 €)
3. YOSH Sheath for Neoprene Cables with Closure (9 €)
4. Meersee 3M Neoprene Cable Sheath Flexible Sheath (12 €)
5. Navaris Polyester cable sheath - 203cm (15 €)

We choose the right cable gland, then use it to wrap and hide all the cables on the back of the computer or TV. If instead we want to use cable ducts, the best are:

1. Wire4u - mini cable duct for electrical cables (€ 14)
2. D-Line CC-1 | Cable duct | Floor Channel (18 €)
3. D-Line 2010KIT001 | Hide Cables | Electrical conduits (19 €)
4. D-Line 3015KIT001 | Hide Cables | Electrical conduits (20 €)
5. Cable duct, Stageek Electric cable ducts (24 €)

Using these conduits we will be able to hide all the cables on the wall, without even carrying out masonry work since all the conduits are adhesive.

Cable collecting tubes

The cable tray is a tube in which to pass the cables to hide them.
It is not the best of aesthetics, but it is always better than keeping all cables separate and visible. Using the cable tray the difficulty lies in making them all the same length to make them enter the tube and make them come out with the right length. I would avoid the fixed cable collectors instead preferring soft fairleads, made of mesh or like a spring.
For example, you can see the Easy Cover cable gland on Amazon.
As a cable hiding cable on Amazon there is the Meliconi cable cover, rigid and adhesive, good for TV.

Use TV stands (VESA and pedestals)

Another method of hiding cables well is the use of TV wall mounts, also called VESA.

By fixing this support on an opinion and fixing it on the back of the TV, we will have the opportunity to better hide all the cables, especially if the electrical socket and the antenna socket are in its immediate vicinity (in fact it becomes like a hanging picture, without any visible wire). To help us hide the wires of a TV hanging on a VESA support, we can use simple cable ties or use very small cables (such as the antenna cable only half a meter long).
Cable ties are the foundation of every cable management solution. A cable tie is the least expensive way to put the various cables together and treat them as one so that, at least, they don't feel messy. The problem with the cable ties is that once the cables are tied together, all the cables collected must be untied to separate one.
Alternatively we can use a TV stand or pedestal, which functions as a small TV cabinet but offers preset channels to hide all the cables.

The best TV pedestals with cable guides are:

1. 1home Universal Pedestal TV Stand Stand (26 €)
2. RFIVER Rolling Mobile Floor TV Cart (74 €)
3. 1home TV Trolley Bracket for Mobile Stand Holder (76 €)
4. RFIVER TV Trolley for TV Stand (82 €)

Conclusions

As we have seen in the previous chapters, we have different methods to exploit to hide the cables on the back of a PC or TV, just choose the one that best suits our situation, so as to hide or minimize the impact of the cables on the design of our desk or on the design of the room or wall where the TV is present.
If we have decided to keep the PC on the ground in contact with the floor, we recommend you read our in-depth study. Is it okay to keep the PC on the ground?
If instead we want to minimize the wires of the Smart TV but do not want to give up multimedia apps, we recommend you read our guide to the Best Smart TV apps for Samsung, LG and Android, so that we can get what we want without having to connect a TV Box or multimedia decoder.