Speakers are used for different applications around the home. Stereo audio equipment makes use of at least 2 speakers, while home theater setups can use 7 or more speakers placed throughout the room. Computers, radios and other small devices can be connected to speakers. A major concern when placing speakers in the home is how to hide unsightly wires connected to their respective devices and components. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to hide speaker cables and prevent them from detracting from the beauty of your home.
Steps
Step 1. Hide the speaker wire by installing cable trays
Raceways are long PVC conduits wide enough to hold several cables and wires. They can be opened and closed along their length, so it is easy to place the speaker cable in the track and then close it again. Thanks to their PVC construction, the channels can be cut to the desired length with a knife or hacksaw.
- Cable ducts are available at most hardware stores and various specialty stores that sell home theater equipment.
- The channels can be mounted on walls, floors and ceilings with double-sided tape. They are usually sold with this tape already mounted on the back and are ready for application.
- The channels can be painted to blend in with the wall, ceiling, or floor. Latex-based paints work best on PVC.
Step 2. Hide the speaker wire under the baseboards
If you have a carpeted room, it's easy to hide the speaker cables between the carpet and baseboards. Gently thread the wires into the gap with a flathead screwdriver to push them all the way under the baseboard and hide them from view. This works well for hiding the surround speaker cable in the back of a home theater system.
Step 3. Move the speaker cables to the ceiling
This option is particularly easy to apply if you have a false ceiling or if a ceiling wall has not yet been built. The wire can be easily hidden in the ceiling beams, or it can be suspended in a walkway that can be purchased at a hardware store. When running the wires from the ceiling to the speakers, you can paint them to match the walls.
Step 4. Hide the speaker cables in a flexible cable cover
If you've temporarily remounted your stereo system for an event, cable covers can improve the appearance of the speaker cables on the floor. These covers are available in fabric and rubber, and allow you to hide the wire under them, providing you with a walking surface for people. Cable covers can be purchased at any hardware store.
