Concealed Cable Trunking Options for TVs

A wall-mounted TV can look excellent, but dangling leads can spoil the finished result in seconds. The right concealed cable trunking options keep power, aerial and HDMI cables controlled without making the room difficult to redecorate or upgrade later. The best choice depends on the wall, the number of devices, whether you own or rent the property, and how invisible you want the cables to be.

For many homes in London, Essex and Kent, the aim is simple: a neat TV wall with no visible wires running down to the sockets, Sky box, games console or soundbar. Getting there properly takes more than covering a cable. It needs sensible cable routing, suitable containment and safe consideration of mains electrics.

Concealed cable trunking options for a TV wall

There is no single answer for every installation. A solid brick wall, a new-build plasterboard partition and a rented flat all call for different approaches. Below are the main options we see when fitting TVs in real homes.

Surface-mounted cable trunking

Surface trunking is the most practical choice when you want a tidy finish without opening up the wall. It is a slim plastic channel fixed to the wall, usually running vertically from behind the TV to a socket or media unit below. The lid clips on after the cables are placed inside, keeping them protected and out of sight.

White trunking is common and can often be painted to match the wall colour. It works especially well on feature walls where the TV is mounted above a low cabinet, as the short run can be positioned directly behind the screen and furniture. Once the TV and unit are in place, very little of it may be visible.

The main advantage is access. If you change an HDMI lead, add a console or replace a faulty cable, the trunking can be opened without damaging plaster or paint. It is also usually the most cost-effective option and is suitable for tenants where chasing walls is not permitted.

The trade-off is that it is not fully hidden. On a plain wall with no cabinet beneath it, you may still notice the channel from certain angles. Careful placement and matching paint make a significant difference.

Recessed trunking in a chased wall

For the cleanest built-in appearance, trunking can be recessed into a wall. This involves creating a controlled channel, known as a chase, fitting suitable containment, then making good the surface ready for decorating. The cables disappear inside the wall between the TV and the lower connection point.

This option suits homeowners carrying out a room refresh, a media-wall project or wider decorating work. It gives the TV a genuinely cable-free appearance, particularly when sockets and media connections are positioned directly behind the screen.

However, chasing is not a quick cosmetic job. Solid brick and concrete walls create dust and require more time to cut and repair. There may also be hidden pipes, existing cables or structural considerations. Cable routes should follow recognised safe zones, and mains electrical work must be handled appropriately. A power cable should never simply be buried in a wall without the correct method and components.

Plasterboard walls can be easier to work with, but they bring their own issues. The cavity may contain insulation, timber studs, metal framing or services. It is essential to check the route before cutting. On a new-build plasterboard wall, the fixing method for the TV bracket also matters just as much as the cable route.

In-wall cable pass-through kits

A cable pass-through kit uses two neat wall plates: one behind the TV and one lower down near the media unit or socket. A flexible conduit or brush plate arrangement allows low-voltage leads, such as HDMI, aerial, Ethernet and optical audio, to pass through the wall cavity without showing.

This is a good middle ground where a fully chased solid wall is unnecessary but you still want a very clean result. It is most suitable for plasterboard stud walls, especially when the TV is mounted in line with a cabinet below.

Pass-through systems are best for signal cables rather than loose mains leads. Power needs to be planned separately, often with a suitable socket positioned behind the TV by a qualified electrician. This keeps the installation safe and avoids trying to force too many thick plugs through a small opening.

Before choosing this route, think about what equipment you may add later. A single HDMI cable is easy enough to route, but a TV setup can quickly grow to include a soundbar, console, streaming box, aerial feed and network cable. Allowing a larger conduit or spare draw cord now can save reopening the wall in future.

Skirting-level and furniture-assisted routes

Not every cable needs to travel straight down the middle of the wall. In some rooms, a discreet route along the top of the skirting, behind a TV unit or through the back of fitted furniture gives a much better result with minimal disruption.

Slim trunking can be fitted low on the wall, where it is hidden by furniture, then brought up behind the unit and TV. This works well where sockets are offset from the mounting position or where the wall cannot be chased. It is also useful for landlord properties and homes where decorating work is not planned.

A properly prepared media unit can conceal a surprising amount. Cable holes with grommets, ventilation openings for consoles and a clear route for plugs prevent the usual tangled bundle behind the cabinet. The key is to avoid crushing leads or packing heat-producing equipment into an unventilated space.

False walls and media panels

If you are creating a feature wall, a false wall or media panel gives the greatest flexibility. A shallow timber or metal frame is built in front of the existing wall, creating a service void behind the finished face. Cables, sockets, back boxes and equipment can be hidden within that space while remaining planned and accessible.

This is the best option for a larger installation with a soundbar, LED lighting, wall-mounted shelves or an electric fire. It can look excellent, but it needs proper design before work starts. The TV bracket must be fixed securely to a suitable structure, ventilation must be considered, and service access should not be forgotten.

A media wall is not always the right answer for a small room or a straightforward TV upgrade. It costs more, takes longer and changes the room permanently. For a simple 50-inch TV above an existing cabinet, neat surface trunking may provide nearly the same visual benefit at a fraction of the disruption.

Choosing the right option for your wall and setup

Start by looking at the wall type. Solid brick or concrete walls are strong for mounting a TV but more involved to chase. Plasterboard may be easier for cable routing, yet safe bracket fixing depends on locating studs, using appropriate fixings or strengthening the mounting area where required.

Next, count the cables you need now, then add at least one spare route if possible. Modern TVs often need power, aerial and HDMI at a minimum. A soundbar may require HDMI eARC or optical audio, while wired internet can be more reliable than Wi-Fi for streaming. Thick HDMI connectors and plug heads also need enough room inside any trunking or conduit.

Think about future access as well. Fully hidden cables look smart, but a damaged lead or a new device can mean more work if there is no conduit or access point. Surface trunking is easier to alter. Recessed containment looks cleaner. The right balance depends on whether you prioritise the finish, flexibility or budget.

For rented homes, always seek permission before cutting or chasing walls. A paintable surface channel or furniture-assisted route is often the sensible choice. For homeowners renovating a lounge, bedroom or garden room, recessed trunking or a planned media wall can be worth doing while decorating is already underway.

Safety points that should not be overlooked

Cables should not be trapped, sharply bent or run through areas where they can be damaged by screws and fixings. Keep power and signal cables organised, and use trunking sized for the job rather than forcing leads into a narrow channel. Overfilled trunking is difficult to close and makes later changes frustrating.

Avoid hiding extension leads inside a wall, behind a sealed panel or in a location where they cannot be inspected. If a socket is needed behind the TV, arrange for suitable electrical work rather than relying on a long lead from elsewhere in the room. This is particularly relevant when a TV is mounted high on a chimney breast.

It is also worth checking ventilation around consoles, Sky boxes and amplifiers. Concealed cables are useful, but hidden equipment still produces heat. A tidy installation should remain practical to use, maintain and clean.

A professional TV wall installation brings the bracket position, cable route and equipment layout together before holes are drilled. We Fit All can assess the wall, mount the TV securely and advise on a cable solution that suits the room rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

The best finish is the one you stop noticing: a securely mounted TV, cables kept out of the way, and enough access left for the next upgrade or everyday fix.