The Ultimate Cable Management Guide

There's nothing quite like setting up a new entertainment system—the excitement of unboxing new equipment, the anticipation of that first movie night, the satisfaction of arranging everything just right. And then reality sets in: a tangled nest of power cables, HDMI cords, ethernet lines, and speaker wires that turns your sleek setup into an unsightly mess. Cable management might not be glamorous, but it transforms an amateur installation into a professional-looking entertainment area. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know.

Why Cable Management Matters

Before diving into techniques, let's understand why proper cable management is worth the effort:

• Aesthetics: A clean, cable-free appearance dramatically improves your living room's visual appeal
• Safety: Loose cables are trip hazards and pose risks to children and pets who might pull or chew on them
• Equipment protection: Organised cables experience less stress and wear, lasting longer and maintaining better connections
• Easy maintenance: When cables are labelled and organised, troubleshooting problems and swapping equipment becomes simple
• Dust reduction: Cable tangles collect dust and are difficult to clean, affecting air quality and equipment longevity

Essential Cable Management Tools

Having the right tools makes cable management significantly easier. Here's what to consider adding to your toolkit:

Cable Ties and Velcro Straps

The most basic cable management tool. Velcro straps are preferable to plastic zip ties for most applications—they're reusable, adjustable, and won't damage cables when removed. Reserve zip ties for permanent installations where cables won't need adjustment.

Cable Sleeves and Wrap

Fabric or neoprene sleeves bundle multiple cables together into a single, neat tube. Split sleeves allow cables to exit at various points along the length, making them ideal for entertainment setups where devices are spread across a TV unit.

Cable Raceways and Channels

Plastic or metal channels that mount to walls or the back of furniture, completely concealing cables inside. They're available in various sizes and colours to match your décor. Paintable versions can become nearly invisible on walls.

Cable Clips and Organisers

Adhesive-backed clips hold individual cables in place along specific routes. Cable organisers with multiple slots keep several cables parallel and separated, preventing tangling.

In-Wall Cable Kits

For wall-mounted TVs, in-wall cable kits allow you to run cables inside the wall for a completely concealed solution. Note: In Australia, running power cables inside walls requires a licensed electrician. Low-voltage cables (HDMI, network, etc.) can typically be DIY.

Planning Your Cable Routes

Effective cable management starts with planning before you connect anything. Taking time upfront prevents frustration later.

Step 1: Inventory Your Cables

List every cable your setup requires:

• Power cables for each device (TV, gaming consoles, streaming boxes, AV receiver, soundbar, etc.)
• Video cables (HDMI, DisplayPort)
• Audio cables (optical, RCA, speaker wire)
• Data cables (ethernet, USB)
• Antenna cables (if using free-to-air TV)

Step 2: Identify Start and End Points

For each cable, note where it originates and where it needs to end up. Group cables that follow similar paths—these can be bundled together.

Step 3: Plan Your Routes

Determine the most logical path for each cable group:

• Route cables along edges and corners where they're less visible
• Use the back of the TV unit to hide vertical runs
• Take advantage of any built-in cable channels or holes in your furniture
• Keep power cables separated from signal cables where possible to reduce interference

Step 4: Measure Cable Lengths

Measure the routes you've planned. Excess cable creates bulk and looks messy. Consider purchasing cables in appropriate lengths rather than coiling excess. If you must use longer cables, plan where to neatly coil the excess out of sight.

Cable Concealment Techniques

Behind the TV Unit

The space behind your entertainment unit is prime cable-hiding real estate. Most of your connections can be made here, out of sight:

• Route cables through the back panel using built-in cable holes, or drill your own if needed
• Use cable ties or clips to secure cables to the back of the unit, preventing them from drooping onto the floor
• Mount a power board to the back panel rather than leaving it on the floor
• Leave a small gap between the unit and wall for cables—this also aids ventilation

Wall-Mounted TV Solutions

When your TV is mounted on the wall above your unit, the cables running between them are highly visible without management:

• Cable raceways: Surface-mounted channels that run straight down the wall from TV to unit. Paint them to match your wall for minimal visibility
• In-wall kit: For a completely hidden solution, low-voltage cables can run inside the wall through a kit with two mounting plates (one behind the TV, one near the unit)
• Power bridge kits: These allow power to safely run through the wall—they include a recessed outlet behind the TV connected to a standard outlet below. Always use proper power bridge kits; never run power cables loosely inside walls

Cable Sleeve Solution

For cables that must be visible—such as those running along the floor to a rear speaker or across a desk—fabric cable sleeves create a neat, single bundle:

1. Lay out all cables that will share the route
2. Feed them through the sleeve, entering at one end or through the split opening
3. Let individual cables exit the sleeve where they need to branch off
4. Secure the sleeve in place using cable clips at regular intervals

Labelling Your Cables

Nothing is more frustrating than tracing an unlabelled cable through a tangled mess to find its source. Label cables when you install them, not after.

Labelling Methods

• Adhesive labels: Wrap-around labels that stick to the cable, available pre-printed or as write-on blanks
• Coloured cable ties: Use different colours for different devices or cable types
• Cable tags: Plastic tags that hang from the cable, allowing more detailed information
• Heat-shrink labels: Professional-looking labels that shrink tightly around the cable when heated

At minimum, label both ends of each cable. For complex setups, include the device name and port number ("PS5 HDMI 1" or "Soundbar Optical"). This documentation is invaluable when troubleshooting or making changes.

Managing Power Cables

Power cables often create the biggest management challenge—they're thick, stiff, and numerous.

Choosing the Right Power Board

Select a power board with enough outlets for current needs plus room to grow. Look for:

• Surge protection to protect expensive equipment
• Flat plug design if mounting behind furniture
• Mounting holes or adhesive pads for securing to furniture
• Adequate spacing between outlets for larger adapters

Mounting and Routing

Mount your power board to the back of your TV unit or to the wall behind it using screws or heavy-duty adhesive. This keeps it off the floor where it collects dust and is a hazard. Run the single power board cord to the wall outlet—much cleaner than multiple individual power cables.

Excess Power Cable

Most power cables are longer than needed. Neatly coil the excess and secure with velcro straps, storing the coil out of sight behind equipment. Avoid tightly kinking power cables as this can damage the internal wiring over time.

Handling Audio and Video Cables

HDMI, optical audio, and similar cables have specific handling requirements:

• Avoid sharp bends: HDMI cables in particular can have signal issues if bent at tight angles. Use gentle curves with at least 3cm radius
• Don't over-tension: Pulling cables tight stresses connectors and can cause intermittent connections
• Separate from power: Running signal cables parallel and close to power cables can introduce electrical interference. Cross power cables at right angles when necessary, and keep some distance when running parallel
• Quality matters: For longer runs (over 5 metres for HDMI), invest in quality cables rated for the distance and resolution you need

Maintenance and Updates

Cable management isn't "set and forget"—periodic maintenance keeps your system organised:

• Quarterly check: Ensure cables remain secured and haven't loosened or fallen
• Equipment changes: When adding or removing devices, take the time to properly integrate or remove cables rather than adding to the tangle
• Dust removal: Regularly vacuum or dust behind your unit to prevent buildup on cables and equipment
• Label updates: Replace damaged labels and add new ones as equipment changes

Quick Reference Checklist

Before you start organising, run through this checklist:

1. Have you inventoried all cables in your setup?
2. Are cables the appropriate length, or will you need to manage excess?
3. Have you planned routes that minimize visibility?
4. Do you have the necessary management products (ties, sleeves, channels)?
5. Is your power board surge-protected and appropriately sized?
6. Have you prepared labels for all cables?
7. Are signal cables separated from power cables where they run parallel?

With proper planning and the right tools, transforming a cable disaster into an organised, professional-looking setup is achievable for any skill level. The time invested pays dividends every time you use your entertainment system, and makes future changes or troubleshooting a breeze rather than a headache.