How to get rid of wires from home electronics

Tips to get rid of wires from home electronics for a tidier decor look

When decorating a home, most people don’t take wires into account. It’s not a case of denial, it’s just that after accepting them as a fact of life the eyes sort of gloss over them. Sometimes it’s not until a guest arrives that you remember how unattractive, cluttered and annoying they are.

It’s enough to make you want to unplug and purge your home of every electronic – out with the television, DVD player, appliances, lamps, computers! Hold on. Chances are high you would instantly regret that decision.

There is another way. Thanks to wireless technology, you can get rid of wires from home electronics. Keep in mind this process won't necessarily happen over night. Almost every home is bound to still need some wires because some of these devices and electronics we rely aren't Wi-Fi enabled.

Wireless home technology has come a long way since it was first introduced. There once was a time when cordless phones competed with Wi-Fi networks and even cell phone because they all used the same air waves. Homes today have higher connectivity and devices are more intelligently designed so they don't compete.

Take the path of least resistance

Eliminating the necessity of wires will take some time. Start with the devices that offer the best technology so you don’t have to sacrifice Internet speed or the quality of audio and visual entertainment. Focus on removing what you can and replacing them with reliable alternatives.





Router and modem or a gateway

In order to set up a wireless network, you need to have a router and modem. The modem operates like a bridge from your home to the Internet, it’s what connects you. The router broadcasts the signal your other electronics will use to connect to the Internet and each other.

A gateway offers both functions in one device. If you, like many people, prefer to keep things as simple as possible in the technical department, go with a gateway.

Music options

Music lovers, you have a number of options to choose from. Whether you’re on the go or living in a household with people who don’t always want to bop, wireless headphones produce a clear, crisp sound. The price point for them is typically higher, but they’re made to last for ages.

When you want to get rid of wires from home electronics, audio is the simplest and most affordable place to start. It makes sense to start here anyway, considering both logistics and aesthetics. Gaming consoles, DVD players and the television are usually located next to each other, so these are the easiest wires to hides.

With audio, you want to spread the speakers out to produce a more enjoyable, surround sound effect. This means running wires around a room, threading them through a wall or trying something new - wireless solutions.

Wireless audio adapters, subwoofers, speakers and other accessories are powered by batteries and USB. Devices like Apple’s Airport Express stream music, but the drawback is they only work with iTunes, so it limits your options.

Music streaming solutions like those made by Sonos allow you to stream from multiple locations, including a server, computer, online stations or iTunes library. These units are speakers so you don’t have to deal with connecting speakers to the sound system as it’s an all-in-one. Different units can play different tunes or amplify the same song.

Adapters

Some of your older devices may not have the capability to connect this way. Don’t give up. It’s worth researching to see if the manufacturer has since produced an adapter. If not, be sure to make sure your next printer or gaming console is Wi-Fi enabled. 

You may want to get rid of wires from home electronics today, but be patient. Think of this as a work in progress. Bind and hide what you can, replace as many as possible and read reviews as new products become available.