If you’ve ever worked in an office with more than one computer, you know the big challenge is to make sure all the wires, cables, and power cords are neatly arranged.
This can be a real pain when you have lots of devices that need to be plugged into electrical outlets or your desktop computer. When you add more devices, the cables become a tangled mess. You can buy cable management products to help you keep your desk looking neat and organized.
There are a variety of cable management solutions to choose from including cable management boxes, cord covers, and cable ties. Read on to find out more about these solutions.
Cable Management Ideas for Desk
The Cable Management Box
A cable management box is a good choice for someone who has several devices that are connected to one another. The box provides a space to organize your cords and wires and it also helps you stay organized while protecting the cords from damage.
There are different styles of boxes available, including stackable boxes and boxes with lids. The best way to keep your office organized is to use a box that can stay on your desk even while you are adding new cords or devices.
Laptop Stand with Cable Management
If you use a laptop for most of your work, it’s important to have a good place to put it when you are not using it. Many people choose to purchase laptop stands. These are stands that are specially designed to raise the computer up off your desk so there is room underneath for extra cables and cords.
Cord Covers
Cord covers are a great way to manage the wires that come from several devices. Cord covers hide the messy, tangled wires under your desk so they don’t interfere with your work or look bad in front of customers. They also keep children and pets from tripping over or chewing on wires. These are great for people who have pets or children in the house.
If you use a wireless mouse, keyboard, and monitor you can still use cord covers because cords are required to connect these devices to electrical outlets.
Cable Ties
Cable ties are an easy way to keep your cables organized. Cables tend to become tangled or knotted easily, which can lead to problems with the cables over time. Cable ties are especially useful if you have several different cables because they make it easy to keep them separated and organized.
Create a Hole in Your Desk and Route the Cables Through It
A clever way to keep your cables from becoming a tangled mess is to drill a hole in your desk and route the cables through it.
Before you make the hole, make sure there aren’t any electrical wires that are located under where you will be drilling.
Hide Cables in a Cable Tray under Your Desk
A cable tray is a great way to keep your cables organized. It can easily be installed under your desk so it’s out of the way and keeps your office looking neat and tidy. The tray will hold all the power cords, network wires, and other cords you have connected to your desktop computer or monitor.
If you are using a laptop, you still will need to keep the power cord connected at all times. You can simply run a cord through a slot in the tray and up along the back of your desk so it’s out of sight. The tray can be customized to fit any size space.
Charging Cable Holders
Another way to keep your desk organized is to use charging cable holders. These are clips that hold all the cords you need to charge your devices. You can purchase these in sets so they include the right number of clips for all of your different devices.
FAQs
Does it matter where I plug my computer into?
The equipment you plug in needs a critical part of a surge protector, called a “joule rating,” which is the capacity for electricity for different appliances and electronics.
You can overload any power strip or surge protector by plugging in too many devices, but if your appliances are supposed to be plugged in somewhere else, you can get a surge protector with enough joules so it won’t trip.
How do I clean up a cable mess under my desk?
To clean the cable mess under your desk, simply push everything back towards one end of your desk and use a spool of Velcro to hold them in place while you work. This way, when you are finished for the day it is rather easy to get all of your cords out from under your desk.
What does curling cable mean?
Cables that are not curved or rolled properly when you unplug them may get damaged over time, so always make an effort to curl up any excess cord before unplugging it from the wall outlet or device. Also, remember to keep all cables away from high traffic areas and any area where children may be playing.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your desk looking neat and tidy, you can do so with a little bit of time and effort. Make sure to follow the directions that come with the cable management piece you buy, as this will ensure that it is installed correctly and that it will last for many years.
There are plenty of options available today, meaning anyone can have a clean workspace.
It is possible to have an organized office without spending too much money on more stuff for your desk. By using the tips you just read, you should be able to get your cables under control in no time at all!