Are messy cables and wires driving you crazy? Don’t worry! You can easily learn how to organize cables and wires and sort them for short and long-term storage. All you need to do is make some changes to your organizational system. This will make it easy for you to find and identify all your cords in the future.
This article will discuss the ways to manage messy wires and cables. There are plenty of options when it comes to hiding and organizing cords. From shoe organizers to a system of cable management for standing desks, we will discuss several ways to conceal nasty messes.
Let’s begin.
11 Easy Ways to Organize Messy Wires and Cables
1. Zip Ties
Zip ties, also called cable ties, are your best bet when it comes to getting rid of messy cords, especially underneath a desk. We recommend using them for media centers that have a bunch of wires and cables protruding out of a single device or snaking behind a television set. The best way to use a zip tie for cable organization is to loop it over itself once or twice before cinching it, especially when one cable is much longer than others.
You can easily find packs of zip ties in a variety of lengths and colors at your local hardware store. You can even buy them online. They cost as little as $1.99. If you want zip ties that will hold up better outdoors, you can buy metal ones available in the market.
2. Painter’s Tape
If you run out of zip ties and don’t have time to run out and get more, you can use painter’s tape as a short-term solution for wire organization. Painter’s tape, also called masking tape, can help tame cords by holding them against the back of a desk, media center, wall, or the underneath a table.
Painter’s tape is a great temporary solution because it doesn’t damage surfaces. Keep in mind that it will not hold forever. Based on the type of surface, surface cleanliness, and humidity level, the tape may hold for a few days or weeks, sometimes even hours.
If you are worried that painter’s tape will damage the delicate varnish on your new piece of furniture, gently press a certain length of tape to your skin a few times before using it on the piece of furniture. The natural oils excreted by your skin will make the tape less adhesive.
3. Coaxial Cable Staples/Cable Nail-ins/Clips
You might have seen TV cable and Internet technicians using dozens of coaxial cable staples when fixing up your service. These staples, also called cable nail-ins or clips, make cables run evenly along walls, baseboards, or wherever the cables need to go (for example, around window frames). They keep cables in place neatly and securely.
Coaxial cable staples cost around $3 for a pack of 20 staples. They are usually available in black or white. You can use them on any surface where you don’t mind or are not restricted from pounding a few nails. They are ideal for walls and the undersides or backsides of wooden desks and media centers. The best part about coaxial cable staples is that you’ll know exactly where all your wires go. These staples will ensure your wires don’t budge out of place.
4. Toilet Paper/Paper Towel Rolls
Toilet paper and paper towel rolls are an old trick to keep your wires and cables neat and tidy when not in use. This hack prevents cords from tangling. Save the cardboard roll after you finish a roll of toilet paper or paper towel. Then, wind your cords loosely (don’t do it tightly as it might damage the wires inside) and slide them into the empty cardboard roll.
Toilet paper rolls are ideal for shorter cables, such as earphones and mobile device chargers, whereas paper towel rolls work better for longer and bigger cables such as extension cords. After you wind your wires around the rolls, you can stash all rolls in a box, bag, or any place feasible.
5. Hanging Cord Bundlers
Instead of organizing all your messy wires and cables under a desk or behind a media center, you can also manage them individually, if that’s more your style. All you need to do is simply purchase a stick-on hanging cord bundler.
A hanging cord bundler will allow you to wind your wires up in bundles and just hang them anywhere you like. These bundlers will keep your space tangle-free. You will be able to store your wires and cables safely out of the way. The best part about stick-on bundlers is that they stick to all hard surfaces and do not cause holes or any such damage.
6. Velcro Cord Organizers
If you have dozens of cables and wires kicking around, Velcro cord organizers are for you! When discussing how to manage wires at home, we couldn't leave out Velcro organizers from this list.
Velcro cord organizers usually come in packs and are available in varying colors such as red, green, pink, yellow, blue, black, white, etc. They are also available in different sizes to fit various cable needs. In addition to your home, you can also use them to manage cords at your workplace or in your car!
Photo Source: Amazon
7. Cable Sleeves
Cable sleeves are a great alternative to zip ties for desk cable management. You can add semi-permanent cables to these sleeves. They usually come in two styles: Velcro or zippered. They can hold all your messy cords together. You can easily remove and add cords as per your liking.
Many people prefer using cable sleeves over zip ties because they believe they look better since they provide a uniform color. If you do not have budget restraints, we’d suggest you get cable sleeves to conceal your messy wires and cables.
8. DIY Cablebone
A cable bone is a no-cost solution for managing messy cords. All you need is a rubber mat, a marker pen, a cutter, glue, and a drill to make your own cable bone.
Using the marker pen, draw small bone shapes on the rubber mat and cut them out. Then, glue two pieces together. The resultant rubber bone should at least be a quarter of an inch thick. Drill holes at both ends of the bone and cut it slightly so a wire can slip in easily. In the end, wrap the wire from one end to the other, coiling it around the cablebone.
9. Cable Management Kit Organizer Kit from FlexiSpot
Are you looking for fuss-free cable management for a standing desk kit? Turn to no other than FlexiSpot! The Cable Management Kit Organizer Kit from FlexiSpot is the ultimate cable organizer that fits in with any décor. The kit comes with high-quality self-adhesive ties that are lightweight, flexible, and sturdy. The kit is designed for ease of use. All you need to do is bind the cords together, wrap the sleeve around them, and bond.
The Cable Management Kit Organizer Kit from FlexiSpot is the best way to clean up messy wires and cables in a home office, dormitory bedroom, living room, workshop, car, office, and school. It helps create a safer space for you and your family.
Check out other storage and organization products from FlexiSpot here.
10. Gear Ties
If your messy wires and cables drive you nuts by getting tangled and jumbled together, you can fix this problem by tying or wrapping them. While you can use rubber bands to tie and wrap wires, they might end up causing damage. The best way to tie and wrap wires is through gear ties.
Gear ties are highly inexpensive and reusable. They make the tying and wrapping process a whole lot easier, especially for cords you use frequently. Several types of gear ties are available in the market, including rubber twist gear ties and Velcro wrap ties.
Photo Source: Amazon
11. Shoe Organizer
Lastly, another good way to manage messy wires and cables is to use a hanging shoe organizer as a cord organizer. You can keep your cords in the individual pockets of a shoe organizer. This will ensure your cords stay separate and untangled. You can even label the pockets, so it is easy for you to identify your cords.
Shoe organizers are great for all types of extension cords, electronic cords, earphones, etc. You don’t need to use drawer spaces when you use shoe organizers. You hang them on the wall or on the backsides of doors, which is more feasible for you.
Final Words
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to organize cables and wires and make your home or workplace look more organized. Now you don’t have to live with messy wires and tangles of electric cords! For the best cable management systems, check out FlexiSpot’s storage and organization product category today.
