Reading list: Achieving the "Floating TV" Look: A Masterclass in Cable Concealment
You have bought a stunning, bezel-less 4K television. You have purchased a sleek wall mount. You drill the holes and hang it up. But then you step back, and the illusion is ruined. Why? Because a cascade of black and grey cables is dangling down the wall to the socket.

Nothing distinguishes a professional [Ireland TV hanging](https://www.smartsatconnect.ie/) job from a DIY attempt quite like cable concealment. The "Floating TV" look—where the screen appears to hover on the wall with absolutely no visible infrastructure—is the gold standard of interior design. At Smart Sat Connect, we consider cable management an art form. Here is how we achieve that flawless finish in homes across Dublin and Meath.

The Challenge of Modern Connections Modern entertainment setups are cable-heavy. A typical setup might include a power cable, an HDMI for the Sky box, an HDMI for a games console, an optical audio cable for a soundbar, and an Ethernet cable for high-speed streaming. That is a thick bundle of wires to hide.

Method 1: Stud Walls (Plasterboard) If you are lucky enough to have stud walls (common in newer builds, apartments, and internal partition walls), concealing cables is relatively straightforward for a professional.

The Process: We create an access point behind the TV mount and another exit point lower down, typically behind your media unit or near the skirting board.
Fishing: Using flexible rods ("fish tape"), we route the cables through the hollow void inside the wall.
The Finish: We use specialized "brush plates" or pass-through plates that allow the cables to exit the wall neatly without leaving a gaping hole. The result is a completely invisible cable run.
Method 2: Solid Walls (Brick/Block) Solid walls, found in most older Irish homes and on external walls, present a bigger challenge. You cannot fish wires through solid concrete.

The "Chasing" Option: This is the premium solution. It involves using a wall chaser (a specialized power tool with dual blades) to cut a channel into the concrete or brick. We then install a plastic conduit pipe into this channel and plaster over it. Once the plaster is dry and the wall is painted, the cables are buried inside the wall, offering a truly seamless finish. Note: This creates dust and requires re-painting, so it is best done during renovations or if you are committed to the perfect look.
The "Trunking" Option: For those who do not want to cut into their walls, we use decorative trunking. Unlike the cheap, square plastic trunking you might see in an office, we use D-line trunking. This has a curved profile that blends into the skirting board or wall. It can be painted to match your wall color, making it virtually disappear.
Organizing the "Brains" of the Operation Hiding the cables is one thing, but what about the boxes (Sky, Apple TV, Xbox)?

IR Blasters: If you want to hide your Sky box inside a closed cabinet, we can install "Magic Eyes" or IR (Infrared) emitters. These small devices relay the signal from your remote control to the box inside the cupboard, so you don't need to leave the cabinet doors open to change the channel.
Behind-TV Mounting: For smaller devices like Amazon Fire Sticks or Apple TV boxes, we can often mount them directly to the back of the television or tuck them into the gap created by the wall bracket, keeping them completely out of sight.
Conclusion Cable concealment transforms a TV from a mere appliance into a piece of architectural decor. It makes your home safer (no trip hazards) and easier to clean. Whether you need deep wall chasing or discreet trunking, Smart Sat Connect has the tools and expertise to ensure the only thing you see is the picture on the screen.