There’s a popular plot-line in crime or spy dramas where a murder weapon, or a suspect, is “hidden in plain sight”. The item, or person, is so obviously in view as to be ignored by those seeking them out. You might think that the same should be true of cabling – and often another phrase expresses this: “Out of sight is out of mind”. As an alternative, though, it can often be a bold and interesting design statement to make a striking use of cables to add to, or even create a focal point for, the interior design of a room. Here are five instances where this course of action is well worth considering. Creating a panoramic skyline – many walls carry photographs or paintings of a dramatic city skyline, especially one important to, or much loved by, the owners of the property. Using cabling to present the same kind of image, perhaps with a dramatic colour effect (say black on a cream wall) can create a stunning visual impression that arrests the eye. Adding a fun counterpoint to an electrical installation. Most living rooms will have a television and satellite or sound system, perhaps with cinema-style speakers. Cabling for such items is often left in an untidy bunch on the floor, or gathered into cable ties which simply appear thick or clunky. A fun alternative would be to wall-mount the cable into an interpretation of how the signal is received and distributed – from a satellite dish image over the connected aerial entry point to a representation of the digi-box or the like where the signal is eventually processed. The same idea could be used for telephone socket to handset cabling. For a child’s room, cabling could be run round the skirting boards and then occasionally formed into a favourite character, or perhaps a woodland or seaside scene, together with wall-mounted images of birds and animals. Often, Christmas lights are formed on a wall to represent a Christmas tree or other festive image. However, as a year-long alternative, how about using kitchen cabling to produce a message tree? Family images or reminder notes could be Blu-Tacked to the end of each branch as a fun way of making sure appointments are never missed and precious photographs are always waiting to catch your eye. There may be comparatively few open fireplaces remaining in modern homes. A follow-on effect is the disappearance of the mantelpiece (or chimney piece) over it. While this was originally designed to catch the smoke, it quickly became a decorative addition to virtually every house. Most homes still tend to have an electric or gas fire arrangement as a central point of the main wall of the living room or lounge. Therefore, you could use the cabling to create a quirky impression of the kind of mantel that would add to the image of the room. Leave plenty of space in the middle to insert either the traditional large wall mirror or a painting or photograph of your choice. The previous four ideas have been mainly for the home. However, cabling is a major part of any business area – and there is no reason why, in such locations, it cannot be used to make the same kind of striking image. If the company name is presented in a flowing style of print, it could easily be presented across an entrance wall using cabling to provide a striking alternative to the norm. Equally, the business could be identified with a specific character or image in the same way. Fun locators could also be created, perhaps pointing to the lifts, stairs, toilets and the like. Of course, cabling doesn’t actually need to be connected – therefore it’s use can be extended to presenting striking stand-alone design concepts – ones in keeping with the business and its key functions. Five ideas to demonstrate how creative thinking can turn what can seem like an intrusion in a room into a key part of the design or presentation. Used as a starting point, you’ll soon see for yourself that the opportunities are limited only by imagination – and, of course, the prime need for common sense and complete safety.