Guide to Keeping Home Office Extension Cords Organized

When you have a lot of tech equipment on your desk, arranging the cables in a way that makes sense and keeps them all separated is challenging. If you do not do it, you will be stuck with long, tangled cords, which you will need to untangle. Not only is this process annoying, but also a waste of your time. To avoid this issue, you should arrange your home office extension cords to save you time in the future. 

There are many different ways to arrange your cords, but some have the potential to damage your cables. To keep your cords safe and organized, it is essential that you research the best way possible.

Why Does It Matter?

Messy cords connected to a single power socket.

Storing your extension cords have many benefits. When working at your home office desk, you will most likely use a computer or laptop, have a desk lamp, and maybe a printer and a paper shredder. To keep all these devices up and running, you must have them attached to a port. Many prefer an extension cord since it allows them to plug everything in neatly. However, extension cords are long and unyielding, which makes your space look incredibly messy if you do not store them properly. 

Suppose you have put effort into making your space tidy and well-decorated. In that case, messy extension cords will destroy the aesthetic and make your place cluttered and unappealing. To avoid such a situation from arising, it is essential that you organize your extension cords well.

Another important reason for organizing home office extension cords is safety. By putting away the cords, you reduce the risk of accidentally tripping over loose cables. Unwrapped cords are a hazard because they are long. Due to this, you must ensure that they are tucked away or wrapped in a manner that prevents them from getting in your or anyone else’s way. Additionally, if you do not store your cords, they will wear down faster. You will see chips and cuts in various places, which is a huge hazard in case the wires inside get exposed. 

Organizing extension cords correctly in your home office is also highly convenient because they remain untangled. This makes it easy to unplug the correct wire when you are not using a device or want to move it. By properly storing and organizing your cables, you won’t have to worry about untangling them when you next need to use them. 

Ways To Organize Home Office Extension Cords

Cables fastened with cable ties.

You can organize the extension cords in your home office in many different ways. Some people prefer to use devices and small accessories, while some prefer to do it by hand. No matter which way you choose to organize your home office extension cables, ensure that they do not get damaged and remain out of sight. Thus is because visible extension cords in your home office can make your office look messy and can be a tripping hazard.

Here are some ways that you can organize your home office extension cords. 

Use Cable Ties

One of the main issues people have when storing and organizing cables is their sheer length. Cables come in various lengths depending on how far from the port you want to be able to take your device. These long cables can be extremely handy, but storing and organizing them can be a nuisance. Shortening their lengths is the best way to make these cables easier to store. 

The easiest way is by using zip ties or reusable cable ties. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, zip ties can tighten the wires and shorten their length. On the other hand, cable ties usually use velcro, which allows you to fasten the cables to make them shorter. If you need to use the entire length, you can simply take it off and reuse the same one. If you use zip ties, you will have to cut them and use a new one when you want to shorten the length again. 

The best way to use these cable or zip ties is to loop the wires and then hold them in place using your cable or zip tie. Cable ties also come in various colors, which can help differentiate between the cables. All these benefits make cable ties a must have home office accessory.

Try a Cable Sleeve

Most home offices have a lot of wires, and to ensure that they all remain safe yet useable, a cable sleeve is an excellent option. Such a sleeve allows you to group together many wires running in the same direction. Additionally, they also protect your wires from damage. A cable sleeve can look a bit bulky, but it is much better than many wires running down your desk’s back. 

A cable sleeve is much more helpful for smaller wires that are of the same length, as it will look a lot more uniform. It also allows easy access to the cables if needed. If you need to take out a cable, all you need to do is pull it, and the cable will slide out of the sleeve. This prevents you from having to reach behind your desk and trying to figure out which cable is the one you need. 

Use a Cable Box for Your Desk

A cable box is an excellent way to store your power strip and extension cords. Most cable boxes are designed to look minimal, which can accentuate your office instead of making it look messy. You can place your power strip in it and have all the cables enter it to connect to the power. It does a wonderful job of hiding all your cables and becomes a one-stop charging station. You can also keep stuff on top of it, which makes it even more helpful. 

If you have a long extension wire that you want to store with your power strip, ensure that you purchase a cable box that is large enough to contain it.

Stow Extension Cables Away in Cabinets

Storage cabinets and sideboards are an extremely beneficial addition to your home office as you can use them in a variety of ways. If you have cabinets near your desk, it is the perfect way to hide your extension cables. 

There are two ways that you can organize your cables using a cabinet. One way is to run the wires behind the cabinet. Then, you can use a hook to hang the cables, which hides them entirely. You can also drill holes in the cabinet and have cables running through them. You can place the power strip in the cabinet to completely hide it from view. 

Clip Wires in Place

A cable clip is extremely useful in storing and organizing your cables. If you have a lot of wires that seem to be highly disorganized behind your desk, you may want to invest in a clip wire. When storing away extension wires, it can be challenging to ensure you can still use the connector. Most connectors fall to the ground and rarely remain accessible on your desk. A cable clip allows you to clip the cable onto your desk so that it remains accessible yet organized.

Clip wires come in various styles, so you can choose one that best fits your cable and desk. Ensure that you are not clipping too many wires to your desk. Otherwise, it may look disorganized and clutter your desk. If you need multiple cables to be accessible, you can also clip them all together on a single cable clip. 

Use a Cable Tray

A cable management tray allows you to store all of your accessories and cables out of sight so that they remain safe from wear and tear. These cable trays are designed to be under-desk wire baskets that you can clamp or nail to your desk. Not only do they provide extra storage space, but it also allows you to safely store your extension cables so that they do not get damaged.

These trays can also be attached using adhesives and come in various styles. You can get one that is a drawer style or a box. Choose one that will allow you to store your cables without them spilling over. 

The Chain-Link

The chain link method does an excellent job of organizing your cables so that you can easily transport them whenever necessary. Although this method requires practice, it allows you to easily store your extension cord on a wall hook or in a cable management tray. 

This method does not require buying anything, but it can twist your cord over time, making it challenging to stretch your cord out. Additionally, you cannot extend the cord and will need to straighten it out first, making it difficult to use the cord. 

The Over-Under Coil

The over-under coil method of storing and organizing your cord means making a loop on top of another loop to keep your cords wrapped up and organized. Once you get the hang of it, this method is easy to do, but it may be difficult at first because you will be bending the cord out of its natural curve. This method also makes the coils cumbersome to carry. Still, it does not damage the wire, which is its most significant benefit. You can further secure the coils by using velcro wraps. 

Retractable Cable Reel

A retractable cable reel uses an automatic mechanism that spools the cable back, which makes storing long extension wires effortless. This method looks incredibly neat and is convenient, but it may be more expensive than the other methods. It can also wear down the cable over time due to the friction of the machine reeling the cable back. 

Extension Cord Safety

Closeup of man tripping over an extension cord.

When using an extension cord, you must be careful; otherwise, you can seriously injure yourself and those around you. Here are a few dos and don’t you should remember when using an extension cord. 

Do Don’t
Check the cords for damage.  Overload the cords.
Ensure that the plug of the extension cord is interested into an outlet. Force a plug into an outlet.
Ensure that you store the extension cords indoors. Overheat an extension cord.
Unplug the extension cords when you are not using them. Place cords under a rug or in an area that gets a lot of traffic.

FAQs

1. How do you organize home office cords?

To organize home office cords, you can use a variety of methods. You can use cable ties, hang it on a hook, use a cable sleeve, etc. You can also choose to bundle your cords together and velcro them together. 

2. How do you hide cords in your home office?

The best way to hide cords is to conceal them behind furniture. You can hide them behind the desk or couch, or place them in a decorative basket. You can also put them in a cabinet by drilling holes. 

3. How do I make my extension cords look nice?

One way to make your extension cords look nice is by using a simple fabric panel. This allows you to bundle your cords together so that there is only one cord instead of multiple running behind your desk.

Conclusion

Extension cables can be highly unsightly in your home office since they make the back of your desk look messy. They also prove to be a safety hazard because you can easily trip over loose cables if you are not paying attention. Due to these reasons, organizing your extension cables is crucial. There are many ways that you can do so to ensure that they are out of sight at all times.