Gadgets

13 Tips on How to Organize Your Power Cords

A significant challenge facing many home & office configurations is organizing cabling. With a plan and a range of different solutions, organizing your cords can be a nightmare. That’s why we’re giving you a variety of practical, function tips for organizing the power cords. Some solutions take specialized products that you’ll have to hunt down, while others use objects as accessible as cable ties and binder clips.

Safety considerations for power cords

Whenever you’re dealing with a power cord or other electrical cable, stay away from solutions employing the use of staples, nails, and other conductive mounting tools. There are far safer (plastic) mounting implements available. Also, consider the area that your power cords will be laying. It needs to be somewhere that you can access to keep clean. Without frequent cleaning, your cabling becomes far more than a dust irritant & health issue; it runs the risk of incurring damage or overheating without you noticing. If you’re using several cords plugged into a single outlet with the help of an extension, it’s recommendable that you use a surge protector as well.

Trusty zip ties

Zip ties are forever invaluable to tidying cables. Just remember, only resort to zip ties when you know that you won’t be adjusting the fitment of the cable for quite some time. Most ties need to be cut off, with a new one fitted in its place. 

Roll up your cables

A stylish way to organize power cords is to feed them over a paper towel holder. Fit a bask above, such as those used in a kitchen or bathroom, to put in the strip connectors. This arrangement makes everything neat and highly accessible.

Try a tie-and-belt hanger.

Tie-and-belt hangers make great places to drape power and electrical cords. They’re especially useful in the home workshop or garage. Find somewhere accessible. Fit a mounting, and you’ve got a place to hang at least three to four extended-length power cords.

Secure computer power cables from slipping

Prevent a standard computer power cable, such as the one for your desktop or laptop, from falling off your desk using the help of a basic binder clip. Run the wire through the clip, feeding it through so that the socket locks in place. Clip the clip to your desk, and that’s it.

Try a cable station

Don’t struggle with unsightly computer and audiovisual cables in your home or office. A cable station is one of the most effective ways of keeping everything neat. This handy product tidies all loose cords and is generally quite inexpensive. It’ll mount to your desk or unit using double-sided tape, tucking them away neatly, while helping to prevent twisting at the same time.

Give your plugs labels.

One of the easiest ways to keep a semblance of order is to label each of your plugs, especially when you’re using an outlet with multiple points. One power cable is straightforward enough, but as soon as you’ve got a string of cords, stick a label on them. It won’t directly take care of the extended length of the cable, but it does let you know what is what at a glance.

Try a Velcro cable strap.

Colored Velcro cable straps are an excellent choice for the stylish home or office, and those power cables that are out in the open. Make sure that you get the right straps. Too short, and they’ll only be handy for smaller cables such as those attached to your accessories and peripherals (charger, mouse, USB cable.) It’s best to get a range of different sizes so that you can organize and color coordinate all your wires if you’re going this route.

Install PVC piping

Fit PVC conduit piping is highly effective for hiding power cords and another cabling across extended distances. Try to place long lengths of conduit out of reach, and always use conduit piping to protect any cables that are going to bear the elements. Varying qualities are available, so shop around for the right final look. 

Mount the power strip

The best way to organize the cables is to mount the power strip to the underside of a desk. This way, the cables have a fixed route to where they’re out of sight. A power strip on the ground often leads to tripping, which damages the power cables and the power strip or extension itself. 

Build a box

Instead of having each power cord bunched up behind the entertainment unit or workbench, build a box to house them. This is also a great way to childproof your cables. Give it a swing top lid or a standard hinge, and you’ve got easy access to your hidden cables. From this housing, it’s easy to run conduit piping to mask the path of your cords further.

Cable sleeves are highly effective.

Cable sleeves and braided cable tidy kits work, and they work well. While a set comes at a nominal cost, it is one of the neatest and most professional ways to combine all of your cables into a single strand. This is the perfect choice for computer cables, entertainment centers, and kitchens. What most people don’t realize is that you get large cable sleeves as well as those intended for home use. Cable sleeves support cables up to industrial power cords and extensions, so shop carefully. 

Getting organized

We suggest starting with the outlets that have the most devices attached and tidying the cables from there. This is the place that needs the most attention. Once you sort out your power cord organization at the entertainment centre, games room, media area, or workshop, the rest of your cabling will seem easy by comparison. Check for overloaded plugs, warm cables, cord damage, and any area that seems likely to suffer damage. Tidying your cables will help you identify all of the potential problem areas, leading to a neater, safer home, office, or work space overall. 

Ross Geller

Ross Geller is a working Designer and passionate writer. He enjoys writing about the latest home decor and lifestyle trends all around the globe.

Ross Geller has 28 posts and counting. See all posts by Ross Geller

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