All right, so
as I've mentioned a couple of times, my cool friend Janette contacted me about testing this easy DIY solution to
hide TV and cable wires, you know, that very common problem of messy cords
flailing all over the wall. I don't know how she knew I had that issue,
but hiding television and cable wires was definitely on my
countdown-to-Sirens-back-to-work
to-do list.
She's been reading along here and when the PR team at
Wiremold by Legrand
asked if she knew anybody who could test out and review their
In-Wall Cord & Cable Power Kit,* she asked me.
After watching the video together, we unpacked the box. So few ingredients I thought, and it doesn't attach to the wall studs, huh? But, hm. Ok, let's go.
Holy thrilled was I! A chance to do something for Janette and as
a bonus, that ugly zoo of cables on our wall was going to disappear?
Nice. I am unquestionably anti-visual clutter so this was
perfect.
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| The before. |
The idea behind this kit, she said, is that it
is meant to make the process of hiding the cables easy, that anyone can
do it regardless of skill level especially because the kit contains all
the tools, pieces, and parts you'll need. Further, there's a
spiffy, brief, clear as day
video online
that shows the process for those who dislike written instructions.
Shortly after our email exchange, a box arrived with the kit and like a
giddy school-kid, I was super excited to get going. Then life stepped in
and this got postponed, then postponed again. But finally Mike and
I made plans to get this done today. And we did.
After watching the video together, we unpacked the box. So few ingredients I thought, and it doesn't attach to the wall studs, huh? But, hm. Ok, let's go.
I should have checked the city code beforehand but didn't.
You should though, as recommended.
Our gizmo collection includes a Mike addition after the tv originally
went up: a soundbar. He also has a game console but there
was no issue with that. But also, our cable outlet is above the
shelf, the power outlet below. It's, it's a mess.
head shake
The kit we received is intended for a simpler arrangement of television, tabletop boxes, and outlet. No worries, it just took us a bit more brain crunching, configuring, finagling, and one extra hole.
The kit we received is intended for a simpler arrangement of television, tabletop boxes, and outlet. No worries, it just took us a bit more brain crunching, configuring, finagling, and one extra hole.
As you can see, I attached an Ikea cable management doohickey to the
underside of the Ikea Lack shelf for a power strip, the game console
plugin thingie and extra lengths of cables. It's unattractive
still despite my spray painting it an unmatching blue and my attempts to
minimize the mess, but it does its intended job I guess.
Ok, so we started by assembling the included hole saw and while the guy
in the video makes it look easy peasy to turn it by hand on his built
stage set, we had to dig out the
corded drill.* No problem though - the hole saw made quick and handy work of
the two required holes in the wall. After all the
holes in the basement bathroom
though, I still struggle to make holes anywhere, heh.
We already knew where the wall studs were from hanging the television
initially. We didn't measure for the kit part holes as advised in
the directions, rather just eyeballed it, but measuring is good if
you're feeling unsure.
Next up was fishing the cables and such and the top kit part with the
plug into the wall. Here's where our brains hurt thanks to the
soundbar and the back of the tv inputs being spread all across instead
of logically in one spot. Mike didn't care if the soundbar cables
were seen, but since we were going to this effort, I wanted
all the cables hidden. What baby wants, baby gets.
So, we drilled an ugly hole behind the soundbar that I need to figure
out how to plug up since we found one of the covered over windows and
hey,
no insulation in the wall. We next fished those cables up and down
through the bigger holes. (Update: it is against code and
potentially hazardous to run power cords like soundbar bar cord in the
wall. Please find a better option such as mounting the sound bar
flush to the television and run the power line up behind the tv.) (Or,
you can get a kit which states it has parts for
the soundbar.*)
Of course our digital optical cable for the sound bar wasn't long
enough,
right, so we had to dash out and pick up a longer (so overpriced) one.
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| I love each and every one of those Mike freckles. |
|
|
| Inside the top hole. See the window with no glass? See any insulation? Neat! |
The only issue we had with the kit was the plastic fish line.
Right off the bat the hook snapped off without much effort as Mike was
attempting to snare the plug on it. Then we had a spot of trouble
with it not being a bit more flexible. And then the two pieces
disconnected while inside the wall. Nothing duct tape couldn't fix
though. Mike felt the pieces should screw together and I thought
the pieces could be shorter to save on packaging though that might
inhibit bend-ability. Mike said too it was hard to keep the
fish line tight to the back side of the drywall, again due to
inflexibility-ish-ness, and we realized if someone has insulation in
their wall, it might prove tricky to squish things through.
But, all in all, we got it to work.
|
|
| The hook piece for the fish line, broken off, sad. |
Once we had the longer optical cable, the rest of the process was super
speedy. Fish the soundbar cables through, insert the top kit part
in the wall, tighten screws to attach, then snap on the faceplate.
A very clever design on the back keeps it tight to the wall - when you tighten the screws, little flaps pivot to work as wall anchors.
A very clever design on the back keeps it tight to the wall - when you tighten the screws, little flaps pivot to work as wall anchors.
After that, attach the plug end to the back of the lower kit part,
squish through any other cables you need, place the part in the hole,
tighten the screws, and snap on the faceplate.
Plug in the provided power cord, connect and re-place all your components, then kick back on the couch with a cold drink and enjoy your cable-free wall. Sweet, right?
Plug in the provided power cord, connect and re-place all your components, then kick back on the couch with a cold drink and enjoy your cable-free wall. Sweet, right?
Someone really thought through the engineering of the pieces, every
step of the process, and how to smartly streamline both the parts and
the process. And I was quite impressed. I truly think this
is a mighty clever assemblage of a DIY kit, appropriate for anyone to
use, and it does the job perfectly. I mean look, no more
unsightly cables! None! No cables!! I am
thrilled. Truly thrilled. It's easy to use, intelligent, and
fast. Thumbs up from us for sure.
While we didn't get it done in the under thirty minutes they claim, it
was surprisingly quick. If our set up was simpler, under thirty
would have been nearly attainable.
It seems the pricing on the kit varies but regardless of cost, despite
my excessively thrifty blood, I would wholeheartedly recommend this kit
without hesitation every day of the week.
So thanks Janette and Wiremold by Legrand. You're both
awesome!
Update: Several hours later I hear from the other end of the
couch, "ya know, it really is nice not to see all those cables."
Win!
Disclaimer: While I was not compensated in any way at any point,
I did receive the product for no charge. I was thoroughly
encouraged to be upfront and honest about the product and our
experience. The opinions here are completely my own. And Mike's
too. Pinky swear.
And while I was not compensated, here is an affiliate link through Amazon* (one of many places that carry it) to purchase the kit. Best Buy also carries it here.* Thanks!
Too, if you can't go into your wall, here's another affiliate link* (see the "boring stuff" tab for an explanation on affiliate links) for other types of cable management thingies.
To see the updated, vastly improved television console, click here!
And while I was not compensated, here is an affiliate link through Amazon* (one of many places that carry it) to purchase the kit. Best Buy also carries it here.* Thanks!
Too, if you can't go into your wall, here's another affiliate link* (see the "boring stuff" tab for an explanation on affiliate links) for other types of cable management thingies.
To see the updated, vastly improved television console, click here!
*Use
Rakuten
(that's a referral link -- we each get a cash bonus if you sign up and
use it) and get cash back on your purchase! The Legrand Wiremold
links, corded drill, and wire kits are Amazon affiliate links. The
sound bars lead to an Abt affiliate link. Mwah, thanks!
Please see the "boring stuff" tab for more info.












Do you know that fishing the power cord for the sound bar up through the wall is code violation and fire hazard?
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'll look into addressing this right away.
DeleteCode violation maybe... Fire hazard, probably not...
DeleteYou can get a real metal fishtape at Lowes or Home Depot for about $10 - $12 and the hole can be made with a keyhole saw about $5.00 at Harborfreight. as far as the grommets, that can be done with a variety of parts. You can use an outlet plate made with a large hole, or for a few extra bucks you can get one made for this project with1 slanted grommet or one with a grommet and an AC outlet. All can be bought for less than the eighty bucks and you have some real tools left over.
DeleteTotally true, there are many ways to accomplish this and ways to do it for less. For the amount of time running around town and tracking down parts though, it seems (to me anyway) the same would be spent in gas and time. But definitely, there are many ways to get the project done.
DeleteYou are really good at making something yourself well, or rather creating a plan of how to solve a problem. I also have such a problem with wires behind my television. Thank you a lot for this post.
ReplyDelete