How to Hide TV Cords in a NYC Apartment
How to Hide TV Cords in a NYC Apartment
This is one of the most common questions we get after a TV mounting job: “Can we also hide the cords?” Yes, and it is almost always worth doing in the same visit. A TV floating on the wall with cords running down to the outlet undoes a lot of the visual impact of the install.
The approach depends on your wall type and whether you own or rent. Here is how it works in practice for NYC apartments.
In-Wall Cord Routing
In-wall routing is the cleanest option. Two wall plates are installed behind the TV and at the outlet location below. An in-wall rated power cable runs between them, along with your HDMI or component cables. From the front, nothing is visible except the TV and a small outlet plate low on the wall.
This only works in certain wall conditions. The cavity behind the drywall has to be open and unobstructed between the two plate locations. Insulation, fire blocking, or horizontal blocking can all get in the way. Most standard drywall walls in NYC co-ops and condos work fine.
In-wall routing is not possible in metal stud walls. Metal studs are governed by electrical code that prohibits running power cables through them in the same way as wood stud walls. If your walls have metal studs, a raceway is the answer.
Cable Raceways
A raceway is a surface-mounted channel that runs along the wall and covers the cords. It attaches with adhesive or small screws, comes in white or off-white, and is paintable. When done carefully with the right size raceway and clean paint-matching, most people barely notice it.
Raceways work on any wall type: drywall, plaster, concrete, brick, and metal studs. They are the standard solution for rental apartments because they can be removed without patching. The adhesive strips come off, the raceway comes off, and the only evidence is the two mounting holes if you used screws.
Size matters. A raceway that is too small does not fit all the cables, and a raceway that is too large looks clunky. PPM selects the right size for the cable count and runs it cleanly with consistent spacing from the wall edges.
What Buildings Allow
In-wall work in co-ops and condos sometimes requires board approval or a licensed electrician for the outlet work. Most PPM jobs do not involve new electrical work — we use the existing outlet and run an in-wall rated cable between the two plates — so a permit is not typically required. That said, some buildings have their own rules and we always advise checking before the job.
Renters: check your lease. Many leases prohibit in-wall work. In that case, a raceway is the move — it is removable and leaves minimal trace.
Done in the Same Visit
Cord management is part of the TV mounting job for PPM. We assess the wall, determine which approach is appropriate for your space, and handle it in the same appointment. You do not need to schedule a separate visit for cord hiding.
If you already have a mounted TV and the cords are still showing, see the standalone cord concealment service. That is a separate appointment focused entirely on the wire management.
For the full picture on TV mounting in NYC, visit the TV Mounting NYC overview page.
Ready to book? Schedule your installation online or call (201) 241-2544.
Read more: How to Hide TV Cords in a NYC Apartment — a detailed guide covering in-wall routing, raceways, metal stud walls, and what to ask your building before drilling.