It is getting hard to believe that we didn’t aways have have flat screen TVs and wireless options. However, the remnants of old entertainment systems can still be found in many houses to remind you. As TVs change and electronics advance, most homes are encountering a problem- how to hide electrical cords and electronics themselves in home decor. Today, I have an expert to share with us some tips to hide power cords and tech. As an architect, Ronique Gibson gives great advice and tips on everything decor related for her site Stagetecture.com and The Home Depot.
How To Hide Electrical Cords In Your Home Décor
By Ronique Gibson
In most modern homes, technology and digital entertainment is at the heart of every family room, bedroom, and home office. From kids enjoying video games to the entire family gathering for movie night, our screens often provide the pulse of our leisure time at home.
But nobody enjoys seeing all of the electronics all of the time. It’s nice to be able to escape from the screens when we host visitors. It is also great to relax in our home without digital distractions.
Take a look at these creative ways to make your interior décor-rather than unsightly electronics-the star of the show.
Hide Electrical Cords And Devices Behind Creative Decor Elements
I often work with design clients who want to enhance their man cave, family room, or entertainment space with a new flat-screen TV or stereo system. However, one of the spouses is often afraid of unsightly cords and devices taking over the room. Fortunately, over the last decade, many electronic and audio/visual (AV) installation contractors have created ways to hide components beautifully. Once such example is within wall compartments hidden behind sliding picture frames or posters.
If you like the idea of completely hiding your entertainment components within the wall while still being accessible, you will likely need a contractor. Look for a handy man or contractor in your area with a specialty in AV connections and design. But don’t worry, there are easy DIY ways to hide cords too!
Restore Old Furniture Into A DIY Creative Electronic Hideaway
While you can obviously purchase furniture consoles, cabinets, and shelving components to hide your favorite electronics, what about saving money and making your own DIY hideaway? Look for furniture finds from your local thrift store like old dressers, bedside tables and desks that you can repaint, resurface, and cut out the back of the unit for corded electronics. With wireless audio/visual systems, your favorite thrift shop find could become your console for housing your equipment.
It’s worth making the effort to find a hidden system that works for your house, both for appearances and to get the most out of your new purchase. As Ed de la Fuente, the marketing manager for Aperion Audio, points out in the New York Times, seventy percent of people who buy home-theater systems never even connect the rear speakers. “Running the wires is just too much of a hassle.”
I personally found an old wood dresser with gorgeous design lines at a garage sale, but all of the drawers were damaged. My husband and I brought it home, sanded it down to the original finish and made it look like new. Today, it houses our bedroom gaming system, cable box, and the collection of remote controls. It is the perfect solution to what once was a cluttered bedroom and great way to hide electrical cords too.
Image via: Carla Aston
Conclusion
Instead of living with the clutter of electronics, why not hide them? In your home office, look to a simple desk with a pull-down front to hide your laptop when it’s not in use, and use cord management clips to hide computer cords. You will be surprised how much larger your home looks and feels when your home electronics are hidden out of sight until you are ready to enjoy them!
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