Best Cable Management Skirting Solutions: 2025 Expert Review
DR Joinery
Expert Joiner & Bespoke Fittings Specialist
One of the biggest headaches in older UK properties is dealing with modern cabling. In York, where many of our terraces have solid brick walls and lath-and-plaster partitions, chasing cables into the wall is a messy, expensive, and dusty nightmare.
Often, the most pragmatic solution is to manage cables along the skirting line. However, nothing ruins a beautiful room faster than loose wires trailing across a freshly painted torus skirting board. This is where retrofitted cable management comes in.
In this review, I'll look at three solutions for managing cables around your skirting boards. I've selected a budget quick-fix, a comprehensive trunking kit that mimics period moulding, and a solution for longer runs. These prevent the need for ripping out your existing joinery whilst keeping things safe and tidy.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Self-Adhesive Backing"
"Manufactures claim you can simply peel and stick functionality for a permanent bond."
In older properties with layers of gloss paint or slight damp, adhesive often fails over time. For trunking, I always recommend adding a few panel pins or small screws for a mechanical fixing that lasts.
The Spec: "Paintable Surfaces"
"Products claim to be 'fully paintable' straight out of the packet."
Smooth plastic surface tension often causes water-based emulsion to bead or flake. You must give the trunking a light key with fine sandpaper and ideally use a primer before applying your top coat.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
40PCS Black Self-Adhesive Cable Clips - Small Sticky Wire Organiser Hooks
Yyyuluo
If you are renting or need a temporary solution without modifying the joinery, these clips are a sensible choice. At just £3.99, they allow you to route a cable along the top of the skirting without tools. They aren't invisible, but they stop cables becoming a trip hazard.
The Good
- Extremely affordable
- No tools or drilling required
- Can be removed (carefully) without damaging joinery
The Bad
- Visible solution - does not hide the cable itself
- Adhesive may struggle on old, uneven gloss paint
- Not a permanent architectural solution
Installer Tip:
Before sticking these to your skirting, wipe the woodwork down with a little methylated spirit to remove grease or polish. Heated homes often have invisible grime on the skirting that prevents adhesion.
Priced at £3.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonWhite Mini Trunking Kit, 4-Meter Self-Adhesive Wire Hider
D-Line
This is the closest you will get to a professional finish without replacing your skirting boards. The half-round profile is designed to sit on top of your existing skirting, looking like a quadrant or moulding detail. This kit includes all the corners and bends, which is a massive help if you aren't confident cutting mitres.
The Good
- Disguises cables as architectural moulding
- Paintable (blends in with skirting)
- Includes clip-over accessories to hide rough cuts
The Bad
- Short 40cm lengths mean more joins on long walls
- Slightly more expensive per meter than basic trunking
Installer Tip:
Whilst the corner pieces are handy, for the neatest job, I recommend using a mitre block to cut the trunking at 45 degrees in the corners. It looks far more professional than the plastic clip-over covers, provided you take your time.
Priced at £18.56 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonMini Cable Trunking 2-Meter | Decorative Self-Adhesive Cable Cover
D-Line
If you have a long straight wall, the 40cm pieces in the kit above can leave you with too many visible seams. This pack contains two 1-meter lengths of the same high-quality half-round profile. It's the smarter choice for running cables along the length of a living room or hallway provided you don't need the complex corner accessories.
The Good
- Fewer seams on long straight runs
- Cleaner look for larger rooms
- Same paintable 'moulding' profile
The Bad
- Harder to transport/store than the short kit
- Does not include the corner accessories
Installer Tip:
If you are joining two of these lengths together, don't just butt them up. Use a small amount of decorators caulk in the join before painting. It will make the seam virtually invisible once top-coated.
Priced at £11.60 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I paint plastic cable trunking to match my skirting?
Is it better to replace the skirting board with hollow skirting?
How do I fix trunking to uneven walls?
What size trunking do I need for TV cables?
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