Image par Michael Schwarzenberger de Pixabay
Organizing and controlling cables and wires of electrical appliances at home is a daunting task. In almost all houses, there are more cords and cables than there are electric appliances. The reason behind that is people store cables and wires that are not in regular use instead of discarding or recycling them. That is not the only reason that causes cable chaos. Multiple electrical appliances plugged in at one place is also a reason. Examples of such scenarios are the entertainment center in the living room, workspaces in home offices, etc. Organizing all the cables every day is easier said than done.
If electric cord chaos bothers you, here are five effective tips that will help you get rid of it. Having a well-organized cable system will make your house look aesthetically pleasing and prevent the cords from damage. Without proper organization and maintenance, electric cords can get frayed, and using frayed cords is extremely dangerous.
Following are the five effective tips to manage cables and wires at home-
Use magnetic keepers
You should start by buying some magnetic keepers that protect your cords when not in use. There are many ways to organize and prevent your electrical cords while plugged in. However, magnetic keepers keep your electrical cords safe when they are not plugged in and during transit. You can protect your laptop power cord and smartphone charging cable using tiny accessories like magnetic keepers conveniently. You can find magnetic keepers online, available in various sizes. The two strong magnets placed in a stylish leather strip attract and hold the cable firmly. The best part about magnetic keepers is that you can use the inner microfibre layer to clean your phone screen and glasses as well.
Create a DIY cord organizer using a shoebox
Here’s another effective way of organizing your cables at home. Use an old shoebox to store the power cords and cables when not in use. You can also create dedicated cubicles using cardboard to organize the cables efficiently. Label the cubicles accordingly, so the electrical cords are easy to locate. You can store all the cables and chargers you use daily in the DIY organizer and place it on your desk or drawer to avoid confusion. Say goodbye to cables and cords lying on the table, floor, and drawers with your DIY organizer. You can use it for storing adapters as well.
Instaling a cable management box
Using a cable management box will help you eliminate cord chaos. Slide a power strip in the box and, the plugs and cables plugged in will not be visible anymore. Cable management boxes are available in various designs that add a modern touch to the house. Apart from hiding the plugs and cords plugged into the power strip, the cable management box also protects from electrical hazards, especially if you have kids or pets in the house. For instance, your kid may insert any metallic or sharp objects in the power strip outlets that are not in use resulting in an electrical hazard. Therefore the cable management box offers multiple benefits.
Photo by 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash
Cable management sleeve
Using cable management sleeves to bind cords together is an excellent way to keep them organized. You can purchase multiple sleeves to bind similar electrical cords together. For instance, you can use one sleeve to bind all the cords of your work computer. On the other hand, bind and organize all the charging cords such as laptop and phone charger in another cable management sleeve. Using a cable management sleeve will also prevent your electrical cords from fraying and other potential damages. There is velcro or a zipper that encloses the sleeve and holds the cords inside. The best part about the cable management sleeves is that there are several holes along the side to eliminate any excess heat. Remember, covering electrical cords with a rug or a sleeve that does not have an outlet for heat may result in a fire hazard due to overheating of cords.
Setup a cable management station
One of the concerns for many people is that the electrical cords slide once unplugged and ultimately fall to the ground. If you do not wish to unplug or are in constant need of electrical cords such as chargers, etc., then setting up a mini cable management system on your work desk is the best way to organize all the cords. You can choose the size of the station based on the number of cords you use regularly. The cable holder comes with a strong adhesive at the bottom so you can stick it to the desk or wall. The surface of the cable holders is smooth, allowing you to label them easily using a marker. The maximum number of cable slots available is five.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, the tips mentioned above will help you tidy up the workspace and entertainment center by organizing the cables and wires. There are several other ways to organize the cords of electrical appliances, such as using color-coded velcro management cord ties and labeling all the cords. Always refrain from using staples or nails to store and secure the electrical cords to the wall. Doing so may damage the outer protective layer, exposing the inner wires, ultimately resulting in an electrical hazard.