Managing all the equipment cords seems like a major challenge if you have a home office. The same is true in a living room that’s full of TVs, streaming media players, game consoles and the other gadgets that have more commonplace. And let’s not even start talking about the kitchen…
However, you can organize an environment in any of these spaces that is safer and more appealing, and yet still very functional with careful planning and the use of some of these cord organization tactics.
Corralling All Those Cords
When I visit homes, I notice two problems: the active cables you use around your desk and the problem of managing all the cords people appear to have accumulated over their lifetimes. Most people have a lot of cords in their homes, even though they have no idea what they are used for, because something nags at the back of their mind that they might need them in the future.
This means that the first part of any cord organization project is decluttering. This will involve gathering all the cords in a space, determining just what they are for, and whether they have a current purpose. This is often where, when working with clients, we discover that lots of cables and cords were designed for use with gadgets they no longer use, have upgraded or thrown away.
Once these redundant cords have been weeded out, it will be time to organize those that are left. The best way to do this is usually sorting the cords and keep out the ones you use daily; and then store the rest. Avoid leaving them loose in a drawer. A better option: use a clear shoebox to hold bundled and labeled cords.
Once you know which cords and cables need to stay, it’s time to get into serious cord management and organization. Here are some of my top tips – and some suggestions for excellent and very helpful organizational products – that should help you do just that.
Think Safety First
Because you’re dealing with cords and electrical devices, you’ll need to consider safety before anything else when organizing your cords and cables. Never use staples or nails to secure or store cords on a wall. Also, follow the instructions that come with your surge protectors, so you know how many cords can be safely plugged into a single outlet.
When you’re using a surge protector, make sure there is no paper around it and none of the cords or cables plugged into it are frayed. You also need to keep that area clean, since dust can build up fast, even in a clean home. It’s not just a safety issue, it’s a health issue too. You want to be able to vacuum to remove that dust, and you can’t do that if the area is cluttered with a bunch of loose cords.
Label Every Cord and Cable
To avoid confusion when setting up or dismantling equipment in your home office, or just when using it on a daily basis, identify cords by using a label at the base of each one. This helps you match up the cord with the appropriate appliance or media component. I like to use a label maker, but you can also use masking tape with a metallic Sharpie to identify it at the base of the cord.
If you have other people in your home who use the space you are organizing, this organized cord labeling process allows everyone to know what goes with what. Many people find that color-coding cords is the way to go. There are products available to help, or you can use bread tags as an easy way to identify specific cords for quick reference.
Useful Accessories to Organize, Conceal and Contain Cords
Often, really effective cord organization and cord management depends on the use of the right products. Some of them can also solve another problem many of us have with all the cords and cables in our home: they look really ugly. Here is a look at some of my favorite of them, all of which are products I personally use in my work as a home organizer.
Sleek Power Strip and Outlet Cover
A great addition to living rooms and bedrooms, this sleek, stylish socket cover has an extension cable and a power strip with several power points and USB ports. This cover, which is available in a range of lengths and port counts, not only makes electrical outlets appear more understated, but it also makes using an outlet behind furniture simpler. With the help of the extension cord, you can plug in this cover behind a sofa and still make asy use of its extension cord.
Bamboo Lid Cable Management Box
For desks or nightstands, this stylish cord box with a bamboo lid allows you to hide a power strip inside so that you can have all of your devices plugged in and accessible without needing to look at a jumbled mess of cords.
A big plus is that once the bamboo lid is in place you are essentially left with a new, attractive shelf that can be used in a number of different ways, including getting all of your heavy use gadgets – your phone, your headphones etc – corralled into one organized spot.
Cord Wrapper Cord Organizer
This clever cable wrapper is ideal for appliances and adheres to the rear of any appliance, including a slow cooker, toaster, mixer, and others, to hold the cord in place (and out of the way!) until you need to plug it in.
To unravel the cord, simply twist the wrapper; to recoil it, simply twist it in the opposite direction. Never again will you have to be bothered about cables covering your kitchen countertops and interfering with your culinary efforts.
Colored Cord Ties
These inexpensive cord ties do double duty: they will help keep cords organized and tangle free while also making that color coded cord organization system I mentioned earlier even easier. The fact that the colors available to choose from are rather cool and funky is another big plus!
Cable Sleeves
Sometimes you have no choice but to have cords and cables on display. However, not only is this ugly, but if you have curious kids or pets, the danger that they will mess with them or chew through them is high. These clever cable sleeves help solve both of those problems, and they are even reversible, from black to white, so you should be able to coordinate them with most home decorating schemes.
Need help with a home organization project? Unsure just how to get started, or how you’ll dig through all that clutter alone? Just Organized by Taya can help. As Houston’s leading professional organizer, Taya Wright leads a team of organization experts who are up for tackling any organization task in the home or office. Contact us today to learn more, or get started right away by booking an appointment here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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