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How to cover hole behind TV?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some ideas on how to cover a 350x350mm hole behind the TV, where the internet router, power board, and all the wiring are located.

I was considering a thin plastic cover or lid, but if anyone has a better suggestion—something neat and low-profile—I’d really appreciate your input!

Thanks in advance!

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EricL

Hello @MartinB84

Thanks for sharing your question about covering the hole behind your TV. I propose using D-Line 2.5m Ø10-40mm White Wrap Cable Tidy Organiser to join the cables together. I recommend removing your router and setting it aside from the rest of the cables. Your goal is to have the wires organized in such a manner that it can be easily seen and identified. It would be best to have the power cables away from the internet cables as they interfere with your internet cable signals. I propose hanging the router on the wall so that you'll have easy access to it.

Once the cables are organized, I suggest having a look at this Solved: How to patch large gyprock hole by @RichMist. This is a good example of how to cover a large hole in your wall with support. At the bottom of the patched wall, I recommend using DETA White Brush Wall Cover Plate - Single Pack. This will allow you to have the wires coming out of your wall without having to leave a very large hole.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 , @Nailbag, @CSParnell and @MikeTNZ for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @MartinB84

A question first, your router is in the wall? Does it have to stay within the wall?

If it doesnt then I would be following @EricL 's suggestion, that wall plate really works, I have two in my libary that I have run cables between and out of sight. If the router has to stay within the wall then is it possible for a photo of the hole itself? I would probarly suggest to frame the hole up and install an actual door to gain access. You will come up with issues tho as routers every now and then do tend to need power cycling so having it in the wall behind the tv may be a pain.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @MartinB84

As with @Dave-1 would definitely consider relocating the equipment externally the wall. The additional heat will reduce life and possibly cause overheating issues. is there a cabinet below the the cables can be run internal of the wall to?

Then patch the wall and install the DETA White Brush Wall Cover Plate - Single Pack that @EricL suggested.

Nailbag

MartinB84

Thanks everyone for the advice!!

Sorry I forgot to mention that router, power board and all the wiring have to stay in the wall.
The lid/cover ideally should have a gap where the tv cable come out.

all the rest must stay in the wall.

ventilation is not an issue

thanks

JacobZ

Hi @MartinB84,

Similar to the others, I am not so sure you should have these appliances inside the wall. If there were another location for them outside of the wall, that would be ideal.

In saying this, something like an access panel is likely what you'd be looking for. You could then use the method @EricL mentioned through the door of the access panel. You would have to cut a hole in the panel to install the brush plate, which you could do with an angle grinder.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good morning @MartinB84

Then id go for the option of framing out the hole, I would also close fit a lid with some finger holes in it so you can pop it out if needed (Tight so it stays in place, no hinges) . Ventilation holes are definently needed plus the cable access. A metal access lid may shield the routers signal. There is another discussion thread in here where someone had their router in a metal box that was fine and teh job the person was doing looked pretty nice.

Dave

AlanM52

Hi @MartinB84,

Something not right...something funny going on?

As for the powerboard that's no-no.

The standard NBN install has a outside utility box which connects to the inside connection box mounted low down on the wall.

The nominated ISP then sends out their installer who will setup the router near the connection box.

There is often a DIY homeowner install option.

If the homeowner requests the router setup in another room/area they will be advised to engage a qualified cable installer to run the cabling and install the wallpoint in that room/area and the ISP installer will follow-up (if not DIY install) to install the router.

Watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdY5wg2e6UM&t=17s

From the photos looks like a layperson has been at work?

Cheers

MikeTNZ

Hi @MartinB84,

I would be quite concerned with that stuff being packed into a wall of my house, especially if there is a power board in there as well.

I don't want to scaremonger or come across as silly, but if one of the plugs on that power board, for whatever reason, should come loose, you can conceivably end up having a fire start in your wall, this may go unnoticed before it causes serious damage.

Just a thought.

MartinB84

Considering all the safety concerns I will get someone to patch the hole, install a couple of power points and bring the internet outlet out.

Im happy as long as everything is concealed behind the TV 😊

EricL

Hi @MartinB84

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your wall fixed and the cables properly hidden.

Eric

MikeTNZ

Hi @MartinB84,

Thank you for taking these safety concerns on board, regarding this project.

Something like this is never easy, given the often extremely limited amount of space behind a wall-mounted TV,

the need to have quite a bit of equipment behind it and make this gear inconspicuous.

No-one wants a house fire, they are never good, I've been to hundreds of them over the years.

Cheers,

Mike T.

MartinB84

Hi EricL, I ended up hiring qualified electrician and cabler to complete the job properly.

All I did was painting the area 😊

EricL

Hello @MartinB84

Thank you very much for the update, the outlets look fantastic, I'm sure it will look nice and tidy once everything is hooked up.

Eric

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