How to Install an In-Wall Cable Management Kit

Cables snaking across your entertainment center or desk aren't just ugly—they're a fire hazard and a dust magnet. An in-wall cable management kit solves this by letting you run power and data cables invisibly through the wall cavity, surfacing only where you need them. The job is straightforward if you're patient with the fish tape and careful about what's already behind your drywall. Done right, it looks like the cables were never there at all.

  1. Locate studs and mark outlet locations. Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs and mark their positions with pencil. Decide where your top and bottom outlets need to live—typically one behind a TV mount and one near floor level for power strips. Mark both locations clearly on the wall, then use a drywall saw to cut the outlet holes. Make the hole slightly larger than your in-wall box so it fits snugly.
  2. Cut and install the in-wall conduit. Measure the distance between your top and bottom outlet holes. Cut the conduit tubing to length using a hacksaw or conduit cutter—make it slightly shorter than the wall cavity depth so it won't protrude. Insert the conduit through the wall cavity, starting from the top hole and feeding it downward. Use a level to ensure it runs vertically, then secure it with conduit clamps every 16 inches.
  3. Use a fish tape to route cables through the conduit. Feed the fish tape down from the top hole, using gentle pushing motions—never force it or you'll kink it. When the fish tape emerges at the bottom, attach your cables to its hook using electrical tape, making sure no sharp edges are exposed. Pull the fish tape back up slowly, drawing the cables with it. Leave 6-8 inches of slack at each outlet box for connections.
  4. Secure the in-wall outlet boxes. Insert the top in-wall outlet box into the wall hole and secure it by tightening the side brackets or ears until it's flush with the drywall. The box should sit approximately 1/4 inch proud of the wall surface so the faceplate sits flush. Repeat for the bottom outlet box. Both boxes should be level and firmly anchored so they don't move when you plug in cables.
  5. Wire the outlets and make connections. Strip 3/4 inch of insulation from each cable. If running power, connect the black (hot) wire to the brass screw, white (neutral) to the silver screw, and green or bare (ground) to the green screw. If running data cables (HDMI, ethernet), simply thread them into place without connection—they're pre-terminated. Double-check all connections are tight and no bare copper is exposed.
  6. Install outlet covers and finishing plates. Once all cables are routed and connections are made, carefully push the outlet box and wiring back into the wall cavity. Install the outlet cover or faceplate according to the kit's design—some use standard wall plates, others have special bezels that hide the conduit opening. Secure with the provided screws, ensuring the plate sits flush against the wall.
  7. Test power and organize cables. Plug a lamp or phone charger into the outlets to confirm power is flowing. At the top outlet, arrange cables neatly so they run straight from the conduit opening to their devices. Use small cable ties or velcro straps to bundle them if needed. At the bottom, do the same—cables should lay flat and organized, not twisted or kinked.