How to Hide TV Wires: 5 Clean Methods for Denver Homes

A wall-mounted TV with a tangle of cables dangling below it looks unfinished — and it's the number one complaint we hear after DIY installs across Denver. The good news: hiding TV wires is straightforward once you know which method fits your wall, your budget, and your local code.

Here are the five methods we actually use on jobs from Cherry Creek to Castle Rock, ranked from cheapest to cleanest.

1. Surface-mount cord raceway ($20–$40, DIY)

A paintable plastic channel that sticks to the drywall and covers the cables running from the TV down to the outlet. It's the quickest fix and requires zero cutting.

Good for: Rentals, brick or concrete walls where you can't fish cables, and anyone who wants a same-afternoon solution.

Watch out for: It's still visible up close. Paint it the exact wall color before mounting — a slightly-off white reads as a stripe on the wall from across the room.

2. In-wall cable pass-through kit ($60–$120, moderate DIY)

Two low-voltage brackets — one behind the TV, one behind the media console — with the HDMI, network, and speaker cables fished through the wall cavity between them. Power still runs on the outside (see method 3 for why).

Good for: Standard interior drywall with an open bay between the two cut points and no insulation blocking the fish.

Watch out for: Fire blocks. Most homes built after 1985 in Colorado have horizontal 2x4 fire blocks mid-wall that stop a straight drop. If you hit one, you're either cutting a mid-wall access hole or switching to a recessed power kit that includes a flexible fish rod.

3. Recessed power relocation kit ($90–$150, hire an electrician)

This is the method most people actually want when they picture a "floating" TV. A recessed outlet goes behind the TV, another behind the console, and a code-approved in-wall Romex extension connects them. Power and signal both disappear.

Why not just run the existing cord through the wall? National Electrical Code prohibits running standard power cords (the flat rubber cable on the back of your TV) inside a wall cavity. They aren't rated for it and it's a fire hazard. Denver's inspectors do enforce this. The kit is inexpensive; the labor to install it properly usually runs $200–$350 if a licensed electrician is already on site.

Good for: Any wall-mounted TV where you want a clean look and plan to keep the setup for years.

4. Fully recessed AV box ($200–$400 installed)

A deep low-voltage box sits flush behind the TV and hides not just the cables but the HDMI ends, the Apple TV or streaming stick, and often the power brick. When you pull the TV away from the wall, everything is tucked inside the wall — nothing sticks out.

Good for: Ultra-thin TVs mounted tight to the wall, and any setup with a streaming device you want out of sight.

Watch out for: The box has to be positioned so it doesn't collide with the TV mount's arms. Measure twice; if you're installing a full-motion mount, dry-fit before cutting.

5. Full prewire (during framing or a remodel)

If drywall is open — new construction or a remodel — this is the right time. We run HDMI, network (Cat6a), speaker wire, and a dedicated 20A outlet inside the wall, terminate everything at a low-voltage plate behind the TV, and pull an extra conduit for future upgrades.

Doing it now costs a fraction of retrofitting later. See our low-voltage prewire checklist for the full list of what to pull.

Which method should you use?

• Rental or short-term fix: raceway (method 1).
• You own the home, standard drywall, and want it hidden today: recessed power kit (method 3).
• You want zero cables and no visible streaming device: recessed AV box (method 4).
• The wall is open right now: full prewire (method 5).

Method 2 (pass-through without recessed power) is the one we rarely recommend as a standalone — you still see the power cord, so you may as well go one step further to method 3 and finish the job.

Code and safety notes for Colorado

• Standard power cords cannot be run in-wall. Use an in-wall-rated power kit or have an electrician add a receptacle.
• Any new outlet needs to be on a properly sized circuit. TVs are low draw, but if you're feeding a receiver, subwoofer, and gaming console off the same run, size accordingly.
• Fire blocks are common in Denver-area framing. Plan the cable path before you cut.
• If your TV is over a gas fireplace, check the mantel clearance and the surface temperature at the mount location before running cables through the chase. We see damaged HDMIs from this every year.

What we do on installs

On a typical Apex AV TV mount, we run signal cables through the wall between two low-voltage plates, install a recessed power kit rated for in-wall use, and dress every cable so nothing sags behind the TV when you tilt it. If you're adding a soundbar or in-wall speakers, we prewire those on the same trip.

Free in-home quotes across Denver, Cherry Creek, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, and Castle Pines. Book a consultation or read our full TV mounting guide for heights, stud considerations, and hidden-wire specifics.