No matter if I am in my living room, bedroom, or home office, I cannot stand the look of messy cables. In my opinion, they make even the most put-together room look tacky, or messy.
Not only are they ugly to look at, but they often get in the way and can be easily damaged when I catch them or pull them when trying to move tech around. That being said, unless I want to unplug everything after every use (which would be borderline impossible to stay on top of) they have to stay in place.
After a year of trying to find the best cable management solution, I have come to the conclusion that a combination of three Amazon cable management essentials is the perfect answer to organizing cables and keeping the visual clutter to a minimum.
How I use these Amazon cable management essentials
Cable tidy boxes are an absolute essential for me, especially when I am using extension cords and bulky plugs. The boxes offer a sleek way to hide extensions while keeping them easily accessible and without them overheating.
I often find that the worst offender for messy cables are those that run up and around my media unit or office desk. Even my nightstand with my lamp and phone charger isn't safe. Using these smaller sticky cable clips allows me to trail cables up the back and hide them from view while keeping them easily accessible.
There are some areas where I need cables, but won't need to move or access them often – my Wi-Fi router comes to mind. I have already hidden my router in a woven basket, but the cables trailing up the wall next to the shelf stuck out like a sore thumb. Using this white trunking to contain and trail cable helps to keep them out of my field of view.
Why cable management is essential
Cable management is a must for several reasons. The first of which being aesthetics, says the interiors experts at Diamond Interiors. In the case of organizing a home office, for instance, removing cables from view not only improves the look of your workspace but reduces distractions to improve productivity, they explain. It also helps to mitigate stress by preventing cables from tangling together when you need them the most.
I have also found that introducing good cable management means that my cables last a lot longer and do not break as regularly, especially when hiding cords on kitchen counters. Perhaps this is only an issue in my household as I am incredibly clumsy (and often a little impatient when it comes to detangling), but it is certainly something that has saved me a lot of money and stress in the long run.
Finally, managing cables helps to prevent tangles so that any time I need to unplug something or troubleshoot an issue, I know exactly which cable to pick, rather than having to pull at them all and hope for the best. I have found that this is especially useful for organizing cables behind the TV where I am juggling two game consoles, string lights, the TV, and a sound system.
'Maintaining an organized space requires regular upkeep,' adds Diamond Interiors experts. Make sure to sort and manage every new cable to your space as you add them to prevent a tangled mess from becoming overwhelming later down the line.
FAQs
How do I start organizing cables at home?
When organizing cables for the first time, it is helpful to unplug all of the cables and start organizing one at a time, running it from the outlet to the item and clipping it into place as you go. The move onto the next cable, and the next. This will allow you to have clear channels so that you can trouble shoot if needed in the future.
Any cables you are not using should be wrapped up and stored in a bag or divided organizer, with labels, so you can grab them when you need them.
'It is good to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to organization,' reminds the interiors experts at Diamond Interiors. After all, it took me a good amount of trial and error to find the right solution for my spaces and ace my home organization.
-
The 15 best ways to organize board games without cramping your style or spaceFrom rolling carts to unboxing your favorite games, there's a solution for every household
-
Fire pits vs fire tables – experts reveal which is best for your yardI spoke to experts about fire pits vs fire tables to work out which is best for your yard. This is all you need to know about these popular heating solutions
-
The 15 best ways to organize board games without cramping your style or space
From rolling carts to unboxing your favorite games, there's a solution for every household
-
Is the 'fridgescaping' trend a functional fail? We ask the experts if style matters more than storage in this spaceDecorating the inside of your fridge like a beautiful tablescape is taking off on social media. But will it get a frosty reception from your family?
-
How to store insect repellent – 5 tips to have your product work more effectively than everYour insect repellents will last all summer long if you implement these expert-approved storage tips
-
How to organize paperwork at home – 6 steps to fabulous filingThese six storage tips are guaranteed to save you from stress
-
5 ways bookworms can organize their bookshelves without throwing away a single oneLove your books and don't want to declutter? Here's what to do instead to keep your bookshelves tidy
-
6 things super organized people do every day – the steps they follow without failCut back chaos with these tips from super-organized people
-
This packing hack is the perfect way to organize your suitcase for the Labor Day Weekend – and it costs less than $10Pack like a pro with this ingenious, affordable hack
-
I'm a homes editor and mess makes me sad and anxious. Here's 4 things I do daily to keep it at bay, including a two-minute 'Fly By'Mess makes me miserable so I've learned some tricks to keep it under control
