There are three answers, in order of neatness: get rid of the wire, route it where it cannot be seen, or cover the part that is left. A single cable running down a wall is what makes a good display look like an afterthought, and it is usually the easiest part to fix.
The three options
| Option | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. No wire | Battery or rechargeable lighting | Single wall-mounted cases; rentals |
| 2. Route it inside | Along the case's back corners and frame, out through the back | Cabinets and cases with a frame to hide behind |
| 3. Cover the wall drop | A paintable surface raceway from case to socket | Any mains-powered wall display |
1. Remove the wire
The only option that leaves nothing to hide. Battery or rechargeable lighting means the case hangs on the wall on its own. The trade-off is recharging, which is why it pairs well with lighting that is not on all day - an always-on light and a battery do not mix, see should display case lights stay on all the time.
It is how our Infinity Garage works: a built-in 650 mAh battery, USB-C rechargeable, with the light triggered by motion rather than left on, so there is no cable on the wall at all. Figures are on the specs page.
2. Route it inside the case
- Run the cable along a back corner, not across the back panel, and fix it with small clear or colour-matched clips.
- Hide LED strips behind the top front lip so the light falls on the cars and the strip itself is out of sight - the method is in how to light a display cabinet.
- Exit through the back, through a small notch or grommet, so the cable leaves the case where the case hides it.
- Combine shelves onto one supply so one cable leaves the case instead of four.
- Keep adhesive clips off painted and printed surfaces of anything on display.
3. Cover the wall drop
Whatever still runs from case to socket, cover it. A slim surface-mounted raceway, painted the wall colour, all but disappears. Run it straight down to the socket or skirting rather than at an angle - a straight line reads as architecture, a diagonal reads as a cable.
Plan it before you hang the case: position the case above a socket if you can, so the drop is short. Fixings for the case itself are in how to hang a display case on the wall.
The one place not to improvise
Running a cable inside the wall is neater than anything above, but a power cable inside a wall is subject to electrical safety rules, and ordinary extension or appliance cables are not made for it. Use a kit designed and rated for in-wall use, or have it done properly - this is not the part of the project to save money on.
Small things that make the difference
- Match the cable colour to the wall or case - a white cable on a white wall is half-hidden already.
- Shorten it. Coiled slack behind furniture is where most visible mess comes from.
- Put the plug somewhere reachable if the light is not on a timer or sensor.
- Keep cables out of reach of children and pets - protecting collectibles from kids and pets.
FAQ
How do you hide the wires on a lit display case?
Remove the wire with battery or rechargeable lighting if you can. Otherwise route it along the case's back corners and out through the back, and cover the drop to the socket with a paintable surface raceway.
Can I run a display case cable inside the wall?
Only with a kit designed and rated for in-wall use. Ordinary extension and appliance cables are not made to run inside walls, and power in walls is subject to electrical safety rules.
How do I hide LED strip lights in a display cabinet?
Mount the strip behind the top front lip of each shelf so the light falls on the objects and the strip is out of the line of sight, then take the cables down a back corner and out through the back.
Are battery-powered display cases practical?
Yes, for single cases, especially if the light is motion-triggered rather than always on, since that is what keeps recharging infrequent. They remove the wire problem entirely.
What is the neatest way to run a cable down a wall?
A slim surface raceway painted the wall colour, run straight down to a socket or skirting rather than at an angle. Hanging the case above a socket keeps the drop short.