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5-Step Guide To Under Desk Cable Management – 2020 Edition

The 5-Step Guide To Perfect Under Desk Cable Management

 

Cable management might be something that you’ve never really given much thought to. After all, it’s easy to get a new computer, lamp, or other electronic item, plug it in at your desk, and never think about it again…until you’ve done this a few times and need to unplug one of them or move your desk, only to find you’ve got an absolute mess on your hands.

 

Or perhaps you’ve just purchased a new desk and computer setup and want it to look as swanky as a stock photo, but you have no idea where to start. Where do all of those cables go? Are the electronics in that stock image you’re trying to emulate even plugged in?

 

The answer, in both cases, is under desk cable management: the art of taking a bunch of cords and effectively and efficiently keeping them from becoming an eyesore. In this article, we’re going to look at what makes cable management key and five steps to set yourself up for success.

 

Why Is Cable Management Important?

 

It’s easier now than it was a few years ago to get a lot of wireless devices. But even with a laptop and some wireless accessories, chances are that you’ll still have a few cables laying around your workspace between the laptop charger, a lamp, and a USB device or two. Because of that, “going wireless” isn’t always a perfect solution to your under desk cable woes.

 

But what if you’ve never considered cable management before? If you don’t unplug things very often, you might be wondering why you should bother with organizing your cables now, especially if a cleaner appearance isn’t your primary concern. Believe it or not, there are a few very practical, non-aesthetic reasons to corral those cables.

 

Does Cable Management Affect Performance?

 

Never underestimate the power of a pristine workspace. When you think about having a clean look to your desk, you probably think first about the impact it has on others, whether that’s coworkers, prospects, or simply some house guests. But it affects you directly, too.

 

It’s safer. Loose cables can be a liability, even if it’s just for yourself in the comfort of your own home. You could trip on them, accidentally tug on the wrong one when you’re unplugging and bring something crashing down onto your head, or damage the cables themselves by stepping on them.

 

You’ll save time and frustration. Ever go under your desk to quickly unplug something from the power strip, only to realize all of the cables for your computer look the same? With proper cable management, it’ll be much easier to trace the cables back to their origin – or, if you choose to, you can have your cables labeled and never have to guess again.

 

You’ll also save some money down the road. If you don’t properly manage your cables, chances are that your cords will be susceptible to sagging, which can place unnecessary weight on the ends that will eventually cause the wires inside to fray or for the cord to not sit right in its connection. Or, if someone trips over or gets snagged on a stray cable, you might end up with damage to the port on the device, which could be a costly fix.

 

Does Cable Management Improve Temps?

 

For the most part, it isn’t temperature that will be affected by proper cable management. Rather, cable management is fantastic when it comes to allowing appropriate airflow and efficient cleaning so you can prevent dust buildup, which is a much larger concern than temperature in the vast majority of cases. This is true both inside and outside your PC!

 

So How Can I Hide My Cables?

 

under desk cable management setup

 

Now that we’ve taken a look at just how much you can benefit from a little bit of cable management, let’s take a look at how to get the perfect setup. We’ve taken what could potentially be a painstaking process and boiled it down to five easy steps to ensure that you get the most out of your workspace.

 

Step One: Start With A Clean Slate

 

You probably already have a thing or two plugged in at your desk, or maybe you’re taking a currently messy workspace and looking to freshen it up. Unplug it all! Take all of the cables out of their connectors that you can and set them aside – but make sure you keep track of which cable goes to which device.

 

Make sure you unplug everything from both ends if at all possible so you can start with a totally clean slate. You’ll thank yourself later.

 

Step Two: Power Strip Placement

 

Where you can most discreetly place your power strip will depend on your setup – but it will also dictate how everything else comes together. Because of that, picking the ideal place to put your power strip is crucial. Two of the most common, discreet, and effective places to mount your power strip are going to be either on the underside of the desk itself or on the wall behind your desk, but you can also conceal your cables well on the floor if need be.

 

Option A: Mounting Your Power Strip

 

If your workspace is on a “standing desk” that moves up and down, you’re going to want to go for the under-the-desk spot. This way, you don’t have to worry about extra cable length to account for when you move the desk, which could make it harder to keep your cables hidden. If you go this route, however, make sure you choose screws that won’t go all the way through your desk and poke out of the other side.

Or you can choose our Cable Corral Under Desk Cable Management for an all in one solution.

 

cable corral under desk cable management

 

Most power strips come with notches on the back where you can easily slide it onto screws for mounting. In this case, all you have to do is measure the distance between the notches, install the screws that far apart on your desk or wall, and hook it on, tightening the screws after to make sure it’s a snug fit. If your surge protector for some reason doesn’t have these, you can use industrial strength velcro, Command strips, or something similar to get the job done.

 

Option B: Concealing On The Floor (Complicated)

 

Alternatively, keeping your cables on the floor might be your preference or your desk might provide ample cover as it is and you don’t feel the need to mount your power strip. Or perhaps your desk is a glass desk and mounting behind the bar won’t look clean enough. Don’t worry – you can still keep your workspace clean and organized!

 

Thankfully, there are nifty little boxes you can pick up that will conceal your cables and surge protector called cableboxes. You could make your own with things like shoe boxes or other plastic boxes of a similar size, or you can pick up some sleek options at a store or online. These are also a great solution for cable management around the house and not just at your desk!

 

Step Three: Make Your Desk Cable-Friendly

 

Now that you’ve figured out where your power strip’s going to be, you probably have some ideas brewing in your head about where you’re going to route your cables. Some desks come with various built-in cable management features such as holes and grommets – if that’s the case, you’re ahead of the game. If not, these are easy features to add.

You also visit our guide on how to “How To Choose The Most Beneficial Office Desk”.

This might seem like a tedious step to include, but it is well worth the effort. This way, you can get your cables under your desk and tucked away as close to the source as possible, which is a massive visual improvement. If you have PC monitors you can mount on the wall rather than having them sit around on the surface, this will also help minimize cord clutter.

 

Step Four: Cable Prep

cable-ties for desk cable management

 

Making sure there’s no extra slack in your cables is one of the most important parts of cable management. In order to do this, you’re going to have to do a little prepwork: take your cables and/or a measuring tape and figure out exactly how much cable each connection needs. When you have that length, you’re going to want to coil up and put a tie on any excess cable.

 

Many cables come with twist-ties and you might initially think of those or a plastic zip-tie to wrap around the cable. I’d recommend against using those, however, as the twist-ties aren’t always the best and zip-ties can’t be removed unless you cut them. Pick up some velcro cable ties instead – they’re durable, low-profile, and, most importantly, reusable.

Find our TechDeck cable-ties here.

 

You’re also going to want to have some cable sleeves on-hand both for cable prep and for when you start plugging everything back in. These allow you to take bundles of cables and bunch them together in a much more attractive package than having them hang willy-nilly.

 

Step Five: Putting It All Together

 

You’ve prepared your space, your desk is clear, and your cables are coiled to the correct length. Now it’s time to plug everything in and make sure it’s tucked away properly. For this step, there are a few things that will help guide your cables to their destination without becoming an eyesore.

 

Most importantly, you’re going to want to look into getting a few adhesive cable clips to hold cables in place before they reach your main bundle. If you can’t get your hands on any of those or don’t like the idea of an adhesive, you can use binder clips on the edge of your desk to guide your cables.

 

Once you have things pretty much positioned where you want them, grab your cable sleeves and bundle together any cables that are near each other. This will minimize any signs of cables you end up seeing and can help keep certain types of cables bunched together for easy access. These can then be attached by clips or hooks to your desk or wall if you’d like to go the extra mile.

 

Tip: If you have a lot of cables that look similar to one another, label them! People often use bread clips for this but you can also use tape or other adhesive labels to keep track.

 

To Wrap It All Up…

 

clean under desk cable example

 

Even though society is leaning more towards wireless devices and support for those has increased dramatically over the years, things ultimately still need to be plugged in – even if it’s just to recharge. This is especially true at your desktop workspace, which is likely where most of those charger-dependent devices live. Making sure that area stays clear so you can be productive is important, even if you only have a few cables hanging around!

 

Plus, maintaining solid cable management is just a good practice to be in. It increases your efficiency, keeps things organized, and makes your workspace look far more attractive. You’ll also probably save some money because your cables will last longer and not be at risk of getting torn out of their sockets.

 

Getting that perfect, aesthetically-pleasing cable setup doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or convoluted. With just the five steps we’ve listed, you can get that stock-photo-ready desk of your dreams. And trust me – you’ll thank yourself later when you need to upgrade, replace, or even simply move one of your devices. What are you waiting for?

You can see our entire product line at Techdekproducts.com

Choose Your Office Desk

With so many options to choose from, how is it possible to find the right desk? First, we need to think about which desk is more suitable for your work style.

What do you do for work? While searching through the following also take in accountability your work habits. Are you a messy worker, creative, and/or well organized?

Computer Worker

You will want to get an office desk specifically for computer work. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something to get the work done.

Don’t forget the read on tips for organizing your office desk cables.

Homebound Worker

What is a homebound worker? You don’t want clutter in your home. A desk that has many drawers to hold all your paperwork and other work-related items to keep everything organized might be suitable for your home.

Paperwork

Having a place to organize all your paperwork would be nice right? So why not get a desk that allows you to organize all your work while staying tidy.

Computer Work, Paper Work, And Meetings

You may want to get an office desk that allows for a computer and maybe some drawers for a good organization with a professional look for important meetings.

Not Enough Space

Some rooms are smaller than others. If you have a small workspace you may want to invest in a small desk that saves space while also being able to keep you organized and orderly.

– Desk Surface

Veneer or Wood Top

The most sophisticated choice in desks. The veneer is a wood surface containing wood glue to an interior base. These types of desks are more expensive because of their appealing appearance. These desks are also considered more sensitive. I wouldn’t use a veneer or wood top desk if you are doing rough or heavy work.

Laminate

The most popular choice in desktops because it is more affordable and can withstand more than a pure wood or veneer desk. There are also more choices in colors and wood grain patterns.

Metal

This durable desk is mostly used by those who work in mechanics, woodworking, and those similar. It is not the most professional option, but when your working in a different industry, you are not looking for appearance.

Enjoy your journey, searching for the right office desk!

Also, check all of our office and home desk organization products at TechDekProducts.com

4 Tips for Efficient Cable Management

With all the technology that we use in every room of our homes today, we end up with dozens of cables coming out of every outlet around the house. As necessary as these cables are, they also become problematic over time.

They can be a tripping hazard and they end up causing a lot of unsightly clutter around your home that you just do not want to look at on a daily basis. You probably cannot afford to get rid of the cables that you have, so how do you manage your cables and get them organized and more controlled?

Below are some tips on how to get your cables back under your control without pulling your hair out and throwing them out.

1.) Move your devices as close to outlets as possible:

Unfortunately, contractors who build houses do not always think about decor and convenience when they start to install outlets around houses which means the outlets can be in awkward and inconvenient places.

But, if it is at all possible, moving your furniture closer to the outlets will help keep you from having to stretch your cables across the room.

This will help your home not look cluttered and will keep you from tripping over cables that are reaching every which way.

Also, avoid fires with our Under-Desk Organizers.

2.) If wireless options are available, take advantage of it

Thankfully, technology has come a long way in the last few years and many of the devices that are used on a regular basis can be set up without the use of a cable.

Things like Bluetooth and speakers, wireless chargers for devices, etc. are all gadgets that you can use which will help get rid of some of your needed cables.

Switching over from cables to wireless options may cost a little more money upfront, but it will give you incredible mobility and freedom and will make your used spaces much cleaner.

3.) Invest in good cable storage

All of our devices and gadgets that we use have to have chargers that go with them to charge them up. These chargers all have cables that go with them and they can truly start to add up and cause clutter in your space and are actually a large majority of clutter that you have in your space.

Investing in a good box or zip-up organizer in which to store your charging cables when they are not in use can help you turn your cable chaos into a neat, organized space.

Most importantly, keep wires under your desk nicely organized with our Cable Corral Under Desk Wire Management Solution products.

4.) Keep the cables that you use on a regular basis labeled and neatly arranged

There are some cords that you have to use all day every day. Things like your television, lamps, computers, etc. have to be plugged up at all times. This means that you need a way to keep those cables neat and arranged nicely so they are not an eyesore.

There is an option like cable management systems that allow you to tidy up your workspace and keep you from having to deal with unnecessary clutter in your space.

Cable Corral Zip ties are also super important for keeping cables neatly organized and bundled.

Conclusion

There are several options that you can do that will help you tidy up your home or office space and keep cables from taking over your entire space. It only requires a little bit of imagination and organizational tools to get your space back!

Don’t forget to visit TechDekProducts.com for more organizational products and ideas.

Basic Desk Organization

If you have snarled cables that lead to your desk they can be a real headache. Adding cable management to a basic desk can help alleviate this stress. Not only will it be easier to look at, but the cables will be easier to manage individually.

Here is one trick to having better cable management. The junction box is the place where all the power adapters are connected. This is the main point of contention for those who want to organize their cables a bit better. There are cable boxes for sale to place the junction box into.

The surge protector can also be installed in a cable box. The cable box can be flat and will hide the octopus cables from view. The cables from the power adapters come out on one end to make them look less messy.

The one problem of putting the power adapters into one box may be too much heat. Heat is an enemy of all electronic devices, so be sure to get a cable box that has some ventilation for heat to escape.

Cable management from the 115 VAC power adapter and the smaller adapters is a bit harder than just getting a box. The good news is that there are cord sleeves made to handle the cables that come up to the desk. Cable sleeves that are made of neoprene are available to handle this problem with ease.

The neoprene has the extra ability to resist being chewed. We have a better solution though, see image below. Buy Here

cable organizer spiral wrap
Cable Organizer Spiral Wrap

They are strong enough to resist cat or dog bites. The sleeve is a tube with extra plastic ends that present a professional look. Some of these tubes or sleeves come with a zipper going up the side for more ease of use.

For those who do not mind seeing exposed cables, zip ties are a choice for better cable management. The best thing about cable ties is that they come in colors. It is easy to classify what cable goes where with colored zip ties.

If the PC has two monitors, just choose two different colors for the zip ties that are leading up to them. Start at the backside of the PC with this strategy and continue on down the two HDMI or VGA cables to mark clearly which video card is in use on that cable. Buy Here

cable-ties
Organized Cables With Zip Ties

These days companies make reusable zip ties that help to save money as well. Get blue, white, black or whatever color is your favorite. Using more colors means better cable organization.

Another way to take control of cable management to your desk is to use bungee cords. These are not the kind with hooks on the end. These are colored cables with push-button control. The bungee style of cable control is superior to the cable tie method.

It looks more professional!

To release the bungee, just push the button. The ease of use is also one of the big advantages of using a bungee over a neoprene tube or ties. If a lot of cables are going to be bundled and more strength is needed there is no problem. The bungee cord can be doubled or tripled if needed for extra control.

Look for more of our desk management solutions here.

Read about us at Techdekproducts.com