How to organise your cable clutter

From televisions to smartphones, electronic devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, and with that comes a seemingly endless supply of cables. Whether for charging mobile devices or powering electrical equipment, we’re all guilty of hoarding cable clutter

However, there are right and wrong ways to store cables, and plenty of reasons why you should consider taking the time to organise your cables.

Why reducing cable clutter is important

Most homes have that one drawer that looks like a dumped out bowl of spaghetti. As well as making it hard to find the right one when you need it, throwing loose cables into a cupboard or drawer can cause damage as the wires flex and tangle. You might find that the spare cable you kept hold of ‘just in case’ doesn’t actually work should you come to need it.

We also all have several electrical items that need to be plugged into the mains supply when in use. This means that our homes often feature a backdrop of tangled wires that we can’t get rid of. Trailing cables can cause a trip hazard, and can be easily damaged through movement and wear and tear.

Top tips to keep your cables tidy when you store them

Here are some ideas to keep your cables neat and tidy while they’re not in use.

Separate your cables

Keeping different types of cables in different places will make them easier to locate and will help to discourage you from stuffing all your cables in a single messy drawer. For example, you might put all computer-related cables in a drawer in your computer room, and all cables for games consoles in a plastic tub in the living room. If you’d rather have them all in one place, use a label maker and a chest of drawers for convenient storage.

Use cable ties

The main reason cables end up in such a mess is that they have a tendency to unravel and tangle with each other. Cable ties are an inexpensive and effective way to keep unruly cables under control, with lots of different options available. Velcro cable ties and reusable zip ties with a trigger release allowing you to easily unfurl the cable and tidy it away again. If you’re in a pinch, you can use other items you have to hand, such as binder clips, rubber bands, electrical tape or even empty toilet roll tubes to keep your cables neat and tidy.

Label every cable

It’s much quicker to find what you need if everything is labelled. This is particularly useful if you live with other people who aren’t particularly techy and don’t know what to look for if asked to fetch a Cat6 or HDMI. You can do this cheaply and easily by attaching a piece of electrical tape to the cable with the type of cable or what it’s used for written in permanent marker. You can also purchase cable tags and self-adhesive labels specifically for this purpose.

Top tips to keep your cables tidy when they’re in use

There are lots of ways to improve your cable management for computers, TVs and other large appliances while you’re using them.

Cable clips or staples

Where you have wires running from one location to another, use cable clips or staples to secure them to the walls. These inexpensive plastic clips can be nailed to skirting boards, door frames and other surfaces to keep cables flush to the wall. As well as looking tidier, this approach keeps wires out of the way, preventing them from becoming a tripping hazard or getting damaged by being moved around too much.

Cable management trays

There are many different types of cable management trays available, which can be attached to the underside of desks and tables. The tray keeps cables together and out of the way, preventing them from dangling or running across the floor. Cable trays are usually made from metal or plastic, and are available in many different styles, so you can choose an option that suits your setup and design aesthetic.

Optimise your power outlets

An effective way to minimise visual clutter is to ensure that you always plug electrical items into their closest power source. This prevents wires from running all over the room, and can help to make your appliances more efficient. Using a multi-socket extension will allow you to plug several items into an outlet that’s further away with only one trailing cable. You might also consider hiring an electrician to install additional outlets throughout your home.