How to Organize Desk Cables

Co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: May 16, 2024 References

We know it’s really hard to focus at your desk when you have a lot of cords hanging and cluttering up the space. If you’re looking for a way to clean up your workspace, there are so many things you can try to hide all of those pesky wires. We’ll walk you through a few of the most popular ways to sort and arrange your cables so they’re out of your way and out of sight!

1

Toilet paper rolls

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If you aren’t using the cables, coil and store them in empty cardboard rolls. When you use the last bit of toilet paper, save the cardboard tube. Wrap your cable loosely and push the coil into the center of the tube. Write the name of the cord on the tube and keep it tucked away in a drawer until you need to use it again. Keep each cord in a separate tube so they don’t get tangled with other cables.
- Keep longer cables in a paper towel roll instead so they’re less likely to get tangled.

2

Binder clips

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Hang clips on the edge of the desk for easy access to your cables. Squeeze the clips to open them and slide them onto the side of your desk. Slide the end of a cable through the wide section of the metal brackets on the binder clip. Then guide the cable into the closed end of the metal bracket so the cable doesn’t fall back through. When you need your cable, just grab it and plug it in! ^{[1]
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- Leave enough slack on your cables so they can reach where you need to plug them in.
- Binder clips may not fit on your desk if the top is really thick.

3

Zip ties

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Secure your cables to your desk legs with matching zip ties. Take a bundle of 3–6 wires and straighten them out to get rid of any slack. Place your first zip tie a couple of inches from the end of the bundle so you can still move and manipulate the wires. Move the bundle of wires against one of your desk’s legs and wrap a zip tie around them. Pull the zip tie tight enough so the wires don’t slip around, but leave enough space so you can easily cut the zip tie off later on. ^{[2]
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- Choose zip ties that are the same color as your desk so they blend in well.
- Be careful not to overtighten the zip ties since you could damage your cords.

4

Cable clips

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Cable clips stick to your desk and hold the cables in place. Simply peel the adhesive backing off of the clips and press them onto the back or underside of your desk. Gently push the cable into the slot on the front of the clip to hold it in place. Place the clips along the back legs of your desk and push the cable into them so it doesn’t have a lot of slack. That way, you won’t be able to see the cables from the front. ^{[3]
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- Buy cable clips online or at your local office supply store.
- You can instead buy nail-in clips if you have a wooden desk. Put the cable inside of the clip and then use a hammer to nail the clip into your desk. ^{[4]
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5

Cable wraps

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Bundle a large group of cables with these hook and loop fasteners. Gather all of the cables that you want in the same bundle and keep them untangled. Wrap one of the cable wraps around the ends of the cords and press down on the end to secure the fastener. Place additional cable wraps every few inches along the cords’ lengths so they don’t get tangled together. ^{[5]
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- Buy cable wraps at electronics stores or online.
- Cable wraps are reusable, so they’re perfect if you reorganize your desk frequently.

6

Cable sleeves

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Use a cable sleeve to keep a long bundle of cords secure. Gather all of the cables and wrap one end of the sleeve around them to secure them. Straighten the cables out as you work down their lengths, wrapping the sleeve around them as you go. Coil and fold any extra cord into the sleeve before securing the end so there isn’t as much exposed from the end. ^{[6]
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- Your cable sleeve also protects your wires inside a bundle so they don’t get damaged as easily.
- Some cable sleeves have holes along the sides so you can pull a power adaptor through them. That way, you can still run the power cord inside the sleeve with the rest of your cables.

7

Power strip cover

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These boxes keep all of your cords organized right where they plug in. Set the cover near your outlet and place the power strip inside. Plug in each cable and coil the excess length so you can tuck them inside the cover. Feed all of the cables out from the side of the cover and place the lid on top to keep your desk space sleek and organized. ^{[7]
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- Power strip covers come in many different colors so you can get one that complements or matches your desk.

8

Cord covers

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Cord covers keep your cords straight and hidden in plain sight. You can install cord covers that go on your wall, along the baseboards, or underneath your desk. Use a hacksaw to cut the cover to the length you need. ^{[8]
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- Cord covers are usually white, but you can paint them to blend in with your desk or wall to camouflage them better.

9

Wire tray

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Wire trays attach under your desk to keep cords off the ground. Find a wire tray that’s short enough to fit underneath the bottom of your desktop. Follow the instructions that came with your tray to nail or screw it onto your desk. Set a power strip in the tray and plug in all of your cables. Keep any excess cable coiled inside of the tray so they don’t sag down. ^{[10]
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- Make sure there’s still room underneath the desk for your legs before installing a tray.

10

Charging drawer

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Keep a power strip and chargers in a drawer to declutter your desktop. Take the drawer out from your desk and use a hole saw to cut a hole through the back. Place a power strip inside the drawer against the side with adhesive strips. Plug your chargers into the power strip and place your drawer back in your desk. When you need to charge something, open the drawer and plug it in. ^{[11]
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- This works great for charging your phone without it being a distraction while you’re working.

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Question

How do I organize my charging cables behind my desk?

Jesse Kuhlman
Master Electrician, Kuhlman Electric
Jesse Kuhlman is a Master Electrician and the Owner of Kuhlman Electric based in Massachusetts. Jesse specializes in all aspects of home and residential wiring, troubleshooting, generator installation, and WiFi thermostats. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes.

Jesse Kuhlman

Master Electrician, Kuhlman Electric

Expert Answer

Consider having an outlet installed right behind your desk so the cords can be neatly wrapped up and plugged in.

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Tips

Start fresh by unplugging everything and untangling the wires before you bundle or organize them. ^{[12]
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Leave a bit of slack on your cables so you can easily move them and make adjustments without causing any damage. ^{[13]
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Label the ends of each cable so you can identify what’s plugged in at a glance. ^{[14]
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Warnings

Avoid pulling cords too tightly since it puts stress on the wires and could make them break.

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Inspect your cords regularly for fraying or damage. Replace any you find to avoid any fire hazards. ^{[15]
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How to Organize Desk Cables

Steps

Toilet paper rolls

Binder clips

Zip ties

Cable clips

Cable wraps

Cable sleeves

Power strip cover

Cord covers

Wire tray

Charging drawer

Video

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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References

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