One of the things that makes a big-screen flat-panel TV enticing is its aesthetic value. You can mount it to the wall, and it resembles a piece of art or another decoration, blending in with the decor while still letting you watch your favorite shows and programs. There's just one hitch to that equation; the cables and wires protruding out behind the flat-panel TV. You need to be able to hide them properly to preserve the overall look of the room.
Instructions
1. Bundle cables. You can use plastic household straps or bundlers made specifically for the job, which can be purchased at any office supply store. Though it doesn't strictly hide the cables, it does consolidate them behind the big-screen flat-panel TV, allowing you to disguise them in one simple move rather than numerous smaller moves.
2. Anchor the cables to the wall with wire tacks. Not only does this minimize their presence, but it also provides a safety benefit and will keep people from tripping over them. You can further hide them by positioning them in unobtrusive locations on the wall, such as near columns or running boards on the floor.
3. Run cables on the floor beneath a rug or carpet. You can hide them very easily just by using the existing decor as camouflage. Choose unobtrusive spots for the cables to emerge from the rug or carpet, such as near a corner or electrical outlet.
4. Pass cables through a cabinet or along a piece of furniture that stands flush against one wall. Purchasing a cabinet specifically for a big-screen flat-panel TV or accessories is an excellent way to hide intrusive cables, but even a sofa or end table will work just as well.
5. Place the cables under wire runners. These provide a plastic cover to hide the existence of the wires and come in a variety of colors to match the paint on your walls or the molding of your big-screen flat-panel TV. Internet sites such as Wiremold offer aesthetically pleasing wire runners, but inexpensive models can be found at any office supply store (see Resources below).
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