There is a reason we are called WIRED. If there’s one thing most of today’s devices have in common, it’s that they usually need to be plugged in regularly. But all those cables, cords, and wires can be difficult to manage. It doesn’t have to end up in a tangled nest under your desk; you can bring order to the cable chaos.
As a device tester, I have more cables than most people, which is why I also have a cable management strategy to keep everything organized. Here are my tips and product recommendations for hiding those cords and power strips, and keeping your desktop tidy.
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Planning and Preparation
Start by inspecting the area, unplugging and disassembling everything, and removing anything that doesn’t need to be there. You might be surprised to find a stray USB-B or Micro USB you haven’t used in years in the mix. Before starting cable management, take a slightly damp cloth and wipe all surfaces and cables. Now, you can start planning the route and figuring out which cables will make sense to put together.
Ideally, the cables will be the exact length needed, so if you have spares or don’t mind grab some. new cablesit is worth changing and getting as close as possible to the actual length to reduce the extra cable that you have to hide. If you have a standing desk, remember to take into account the length of the cable needed for the standing position (trust me, dear reader, it’s not fun when you stand on the desk and it pulls the tower of your PC in the air with the DisplayPort cable that is now stuck forever in that port).
Cable Management
Clean up your technology it often comes back to cable management, but there are several ways to keep those cables neatly out of sight. Most desks have built-in channels, grommets and electrical cord trays, so take a quick look to make sure you’re using what’s available. Some tracking arms also have built-in cable management. You may also have a bunch of cable ties in your drawer or toolbox, so gather them together.
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