Let’s face it—nothing kills the vibe of a perfectly styled living room like a mess of tangled cords under the TV. Or worse, that cluster of power strips and random chargers by the couch that looks like it’s plotting something. 😬
If you’ve ever stepped on a plug barefoot (a rite of passage, honestly) or had to un-choke your laptop cord from behind a plant, you already know the struggle. The good news? You don’t need to live in cable chaos. There are actually tons of clever, easy ways to hide cords in your living room without drilling holes or hiring an electrician.
And I’ve tested a lot of them—mostly because I got sick of pretending that trailing extension cord was “modern industrial decor.”
So grab your coffee, take a seat (just don’t trip over a cord), and let’s fix that wire nightmare together.
Start With a Game Plan (AKA: What’s Actually Plugged In?)
Before you start zip-tying everything in sight, take stock of what you’re working with.
Ask yourself:
- What needs to stay plugged in all the time? (TV, modem, gaming console)
- What only needs power occasionally? (Phone chargers, laptop cords, speakers)
- Which cords are visible right now—and which ones are just annoying because you know they’re there?
Why does this matter? Because knowing what’s essential helps you figure out what to permanently hide, and what you can stash or unplug when not in use.
I once spent 20 minutes hiding a phone charger just to fish it out again 10 minutes later. Learn from my mistakes.
Use Cord Covers That Actually Blend In
You’ve probably seen those plastic cord raceways that run along the wall or baseboards, right? Yeah, they’re not just for office spaces.
Here’s why I swear by them:
- They’re paintable. Match them to your wall and they basically disappear.
- You can cut them to size. Just use a hacksaw (or a friend with one).
- They hold multiple cords. Think TV, cable box, soundbar—easy.
Look for low-profile cord covers with adhesive backing. No screws, no drama.
Pro tip: Run the cover vertically behind your wall-mounted TV and it looks sleek and intentional. Like, “Yes, I absolutely planned this.”
Hide Cords Behind Furniture (Without Starting a Fire, Please)
This one’s a classic. Push furniture closer to the wall and let it do the heavy hiding.
It works best for:
- TV consoles
- Sofas and sectionals
- Bookshelves
- Accent cabinets
BUT—don’t cram cords between furniture and the wall so tightly they get bent or overheated. That’s not “organized,” that’s dangerous. 😬
I use command hooks and Velcro strips to attach power strips to the backs of furniture. Keeps everything off the floor, and you don’t have to move the whole couch to find a charger.
Go Vertical With Cable Management Boxes
If you’ve never used a cable management box, you’re missing out on one of the easiest wins in the cord-hiding game.
These boxes:
- Hide your power strip + excess cords in one neat container
- Look like part of your decor (especially in white, wood grain, or matte black)
- Prevent dust bunnies from nesting in your cords (been there 🙃)
I keep one behind the TV and another near the couch for my phone/laptop chargers. Looks clean, stays safe, and bonus: my dog can’t chew the cords anymore.
Mount Power Strips Under Furniture (Game-Changer)
Want to hide cords and make outlets more accessible? Mount your power strip under your desk or behind your console.
All you need:
- Velcro tape
- Double-sided adhesive
- Or zip ties (if your furniture has crossbars or slats)
This trick saves SO much floor space. Plus, no more crawling around behind the TV like you’re diffusing a bomb every time you need to plug something in.
FYI: Always make sure the strip has room to “breathe.” No one wants a fire hazard under their couch.
Label Your Cords (So You Don’t Lose Your Mind Later)
Ever unplug the wrong thing and take down your entire entertainment system mid-movie? Yeah, me too.
Solution? Labels.
You can use:
- Cheap cord labels from Amazon
- Colored tape + a Sharpie
- Bread tags (yes, seriously—they work great)
It takes five minutes and saves you HOURS of confusion later. Especially when all your black cords look exactly the same.
Use Decorative Items Strategically
Okay, hear me out: some decor pieces are basically stylish cord disguises.
A few ideas that actually work:
- Tall plants – Snake cords behind leafy greens and no one will notice.
- Woven baskets – Perfect for hiding routers, power strips, or chargers.
- Books or boxes – Stack ‘em around electronics to conceal cords while still looking chic.
- Wall art or large frames – Prop them slightly in front of outlets or cords for sneaky coverage.
This is how I hid my router and modem for three years. People thought it was part of the setup. It wasn’t. I just got crafty with a basket and a fake plant. 🙂
Tame TV and Console Chaos (Because It Gets Wild Fast)
Between the TV, the soundbar, the Apple TV, the PS5, and that one device you forgot you had—cords pile up fast in the living room media area.
Try this combo for max effectiveness:
- Cord sleeves to bundle everything into one neat line
- Cable clips to secure cords along the back of your TV console
- Velcro ties to shorten extra-long cords
- Command hooks for routing cords behind or underneath furniture
Optional but fun: Get some RGB light strips and place them behind the TV. They hide cords and make the setup look way fancier than it is.
Hide Charging Cords the Smart Way
You don’t need six cables draped across your coffee table.
Here’s how to hide chargers without losing functionality:
- Use a wireless charging pad and build it into your decor setup
- Designate a charging drawer or box inside your console or side table
- Buy a stylish charging station that blends into your aesthetic
I keep a fabric-covered charging box on my side table. It holds two phones, earbuds, and my Kindle—without looking like a tech junkyard.
Quick Fixes for Renters (No Holes, No Drama)
Don’t worry, fellow renters—I’ve got your back. You can still hide cords in the living room without losing your security deposit.
Try these damage-free options:
- Command strips and hooks for everything
- Adhesive cord clips for running cables along walls
- Paintable cord covers (stick, paint, done)
- Decor-focused concealment like furniture, baskets, or plants
No tools. No holes. No angry landlord emails. Win-win-win.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Live in Cord Chaos
Let’s recap the basics here—if you want to hide cords in your living room and keep your sanity, all you need is a little creativity and the right tools.
Trust me, you don’t need an electrician or a million-dollar entertainment center to make your cords disappear. You just need a plan—and maybe a few Velcro straps.
So go ahead—unplug the visual clutter and plug back into a living room that actually feels like home.
Got a cord-hiding hack that saved your setup? I wanna hear it. Or hey, just brag about your clutter-free TV zone. You earned it. 😉