HGTV's Nate Berkus Demonstrates A Controversial Trick For Hiding Lamp Cords

Interior designer Nate Berkus has been in the public eye for over 20 years, offering signature styles and expert insights to make high-end aesthetics accessible for anyone updating their home. From his HGTV show to his best-selling books, when Berkus speaks up, we listen. And we rarely have to question the guidance. That's why one tip earning his seal of approval has caught some by surprise, showcasing an offbeat cord concealment method that can raise eyebrows in more ways than one.

What's this controversial trick? In an Instagram post, Berkus demonstrates cutting a hole in an area rug to hide a lamp's power cord. Necessary as it is for the light to work, the cord can definitely drag down the appearance, making this trick a seemingly clever path to a wireless look at first glance. Then you give it a few minutes, and the issues begin to appear.

Setting aside safety and practicality concerns for a moment, you have to consider whether it's smart to cut your rug in the first place. If you care enough about the design to hide your cord, you likely didn't skimp on the decor. After finding the perfect rug for your space, do you really want to willingly ruin it? Even if you conceal the hole in its current place, forget about rotating your rug later to even out the wear. Plus, when you see the viable alternatives, it may be an unnecessary sacrifice to make your floor lamp flawlessly fit into the space.

While we're always up for a Nate Berkus lighting tip to keep your home zen, cutting a hole in the rug will, understandably, raise a few red flags. Getting past the damage to a prized possession, the technique demands attention. The hole should be clean even if your lamp will cover it up, just in case you want to move the rug later. With a thoughtful approach you can lessen the effect on the rug's surface. Don't start boring holes recklessly. Cut a slit or X-shaped hole in the backing with a sharp razor to better protect the surface fibers. You can then apply clear tape or slightly melt the rug if it's synthetic to prevent fraying. When needed, you can apply carpet seam tape to repair the cut as best you can.

Even with a proper cut, running your lamp cord through your rug adds another issue: a fire risk. Rugs can create a heat trap, potentially causing the insulation to degrade. Alongside the threat of everyday foot traffic causing abrasive damage to the wire, this can open the door to a serious fire hazard. Generally, fire safety authorities highlight the importance of not running electrical wiring under rugs, carpet, and furniture as a critical protective measure. Is it guaranteed to cause problems? No, especially if the cord only runs through a short section of rug and doesn't cross any foot traffic area. With the amount of risk involved if something goes wrong, though, it's well worth exploring alternatives.

It can be hard to look at someone wrecking a rug just to hide a lamp cord, much less imagine yourself doing that to your decor. When you're stuck at this stage and looking for a way to set up a wireless lamp look, rest assured that there just might be a better solution. With floor lamps typically hanging out around seating, you can run extension cords and blend in concealer kits to move the lamp cord behind furniture and along walls. You could also get rid of those annoying wires by playing with furniture setups and using decor like plants and side tables to hide them.

Instead of cutting the carpet, also consider cutting the cord and going with an actual wireless light. Arrange the room any way you like with a product like the GE LED+ Backup Battery LED Light Bulb. The bulb charges in a fixture and provides cord-free illumination as a lamp bulb or flashlight. The downside (other than the cost) is they can take a long time to charge and only offer a few hours of light with a full battery. They may not be convenient for oft-used fixtures, but for floor lamps that primarily only occasionally provide task or accent lighting, this can be a perfect way to get the appearance you want while keeping your rug intact.