Here, we will focus on the elephant in the room: cables. Those necessary but pesky tendrils that power our lives, yet somehow always end up in a tangled mess behind the desk, underfoot, or spewing from drawers in a decidedly unsafe fashion. This is an all-too-familiar scenario for most of us with home offices. Not to worry, there are creative and safe ways to curb this and recover your space.
The urge to clean up and organize our home offices often leads us to consider in-drawer outlets as a neat solution. They’re great for nightstand charging stations or kitchen ‘junk’ drawer. Yet, with the convenience of DIY solutions like extension cords and homemade power strips you can be sure that they curb hazards such as cord damage, overheating, and the very real risk of electrical fires. However, it is worthy to note that these temporary fixes are not designed to be long-term solutions in our homes. OSHA regulations and the National Electric Code are clear: extension cords should not be used no more than 90 days, even for permanent appliances.
Product on Amazon: Compact in-Drawer Outlet Charging Station (2) 15 Amp AC Outlets (2) USB-A Ports with Cord Management Arm, White
Brand: Generic
Price: 149.00 USD
Rating: 4.7 with 82 ratings
Docking Drawer are perfect, especially with their in-drawer outlets that are designed for long-term use and equipped with all the safety features.
Product on Amazon: Docking Drawer Blade in-Drawer Outlet, Integrated Safety Shutoff, (2) 15 amp AC, White
Brand: Docking Drawer
Price: 235.20 USD
Rating: 4.3 with 86 ratings
The internet is prevalent with creative solutions for cable management that reduces risk. An example can be seen in a Reddit user, battoys, whose desk setup is evident to the power of cable ties. Loop them up and secure them with these ties, available in a plethora of colors for easy organization. And for those extra-long cables, velcro ties can be reused and has to be neatly tucked away.
If you have a thing for creativity, baskets and cable boxes offer an aesthetically pleasing way to hide those power strips and jumbles of wires. A simple basket under the desk can house a power strip, which transforms a tangled mess into a neat and accessible hub. Even for a better look, a cable box on your desk can double as a one-stop charging station while keeping the cables out of sight.
Product on Amazon: 2 Pack Large Cable Management Box – Wooden Style Cord Organizer and Cover for TV Wires, Computer, Router, USB Hub and Under Desk Power Strip – Safe ABS Material and Baby-Pets Proof Lock (White)
Brand: Chouky
Price: 29.52 USD
Rating: 4.5 with 3,079 ratings
For the tech lovers with lots of gadgets, cable sleeves are perfect for protecting cables channeled in one direction. They also protect them from wear and tear. The same applies to rugs and furniture legs.
Product on Amazon: Alex Tech 25ft – 1/2 inch Cord Protector Wire Loom Tubing Cable Sleeve Split Sleeving For USB Cable Power Cord Audio Video Cable – Protect Cat From Chewing Cords
Brand: Alex Tech
Price: 14.99 USD
Rating: 4.7 with 71,947 ratings
DIY lovers have predisposed with an array of options, from adhesive hooks for guiding cables along furniture legs to using storage cabinets to hide away the wire chaos. And for those who love customization, adhesive cord covers can be cut to size and painted to match your decor, ensuring your cables are hidden in plain sight.
Product on Amazon: Delamu Cord Hider, 157in Cord Covers for Wires on Wall, Cable Hider Cord Organizer, Wire Covers for Cords on Wall, Wire Hiders for TV on Wall Cable Management, 10X L15.7X W0.95x H0.55in
Brand: Delamu
Price: 16.99 USD
Rating: 4.5 with 38,533 ratings
This is about discovering the right means of safety, functionality, and aesthetics for your space. From Docking Drawer’s certified and safe in-drawer solutions to creative hacks like cable sleeves, baskets, and cord covers, your options are not limited. I urge you to embrace these solutions and create an efficient, beautiful and safe home office.
Also, when next you consider running an extension cord through a drawer or assembling your own power strip, keep in mind that they have its hazards. Harness the safer and smarter options available to you.
Related posts:
DIY Power Strip Hazards: What You Need to Know – Docking Drawer
14 Ways to Hide Cables in Your Home Office
How to Hide Cords, Plus All My Tricks for Cable Management — The Gold Hive
