The 8 best desk cable management ideas
Although the trend is that electronic devices have fewer and fewer cables, the truth is that today we still tend to have enough and sometimes they can become quite annoying, as they get tangled, intertwined in the keyboard, cause accidents, etc..
Organizing and hiding the cables on your desk allows you to keep your office organized, so you can focus on your tasks or hobbies without having to worry about them, and in this small guide I leave you with the main solutions to organize and hide them.
Some of these solutions can be found integrated in some desk models, and others can be purchased separately.
Top 8 desk cable management ideas
1. Cable management trays
Pros
Cons
The most versatile and practical solution
Some desks come with built-in raceways on the back or side of the desk, but they can also be purchased separately and are sometimes even cheaper. Troughs offer a specific space for cables that helps keep them tidy and prevents them from getting tangled.
There are plastic and metal ones, being the metal ones the most resistant and, therefore, the most recommendable if you plan to place large power strips or heavy chargers in them.
In terms of fixing methods, you can find trays that stick to the desk with ultra-strong adhesive tapes, that are screwed on or that use a clamp to hold them in place. In this regard, the ones that use adhesive tapes and the ones that screw on are the most concealable, although I have seen very subtle clamps that barely reveal a small smooth plate on the desk.
Top 5 best-selling desk cable management trays prices
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
2. Pull-out or sliding desk panels
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The best cable management solution already integrated into a desk
Removable or sliding panels are usually on the surface of the desk or on the back of the desk. They are not a separately purchased accessory, so the desk has them, or it does not.
They come in a variety of sizes and, in fact, some go from side to side of the desk, giving you plenty of space to hide cables, power strips and chargers. Just open the panel for easy access to cables when you need them, and then close it to hide them again.
There are desks that incorporate plastic panels, but the most attractive are those that are of the same material and colour as the desk, since they are aesthetically more discreet.
3. Cable management nets
Pros
Cons
An attractive solution for some types of décor
These cable management nets are placed under or behind the desk, keeping it tidy, with cables out of sight from you and others.
There are more and less dense nets with very different levels of strength, so it is always advisable to check the manufacturer’s specs. Models that attach to the underside of the desk hide all types of cables, chargers and power strips very well.
As for fastening, desks that already include these nets usually have small hooks. On the other hand, when purchased separately, they usually use clamps, such as the net in the photo, or suction cups. The latter are not very advisable, because if the material of the desk is very porous, the suction cups do not adhere well.
Top 5 best-selling cable management nets prices
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
4. Holes for cables
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A good solution if you don’t have too many cables
You can find different models of desks with one or more built-in holes for cable management. These are usually located on the top of the desk or on a back panel if the desk has shelves.
The holes may include covers or grommets to better conceal cables, but if not, they can be purchased separately. These pieces can be rigid, leaving a hole for the cables to pass through, or rubber, like the one in the photo illustrating this section. If you have few cables, both are good solutions, but if you have many, the rubber ones allow more cables to pass through.
One of the weaknesses of these holes is that they are often located in the corners of the desk, which forces you to route all the cables of your electronic devices there. As a result, the cables are “organized” but, as they run across the entire desk, they are still in plain sight.
Another disadvantage is that if the hole is not very large and there are already cables in it, it becomes difficult to insert bulky plugs. This makes it necessary to disconnect the other cables, pull them out, and put them back in a different order to get the plugs through.
Top 5 best-selling hole groomets and covers for cable management
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5. Cable clips
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Cable clips or clamps are usually sold separately from the desk, although you can find some desk models that integrate them at the bottom or rear.
These clips allow you to secure cables and keep them organized. When attached to the back, they also keep cables out of sight when not in use, as when a cable is unplugged, it retracts due to its weight, as shown in the image above.
They are typically attached to the table with fairly strong adhesives, although, as always, much depends on the quality of the product. Another factor that influences their holding power is how heavy or stiff the cable is.
Top 5 best-selling clips for cable management
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
6. Cable management boxes
Pros
Cons
An attractive solution, although it takes up space
Cable management boxes are specially designed to store cables, power strips and accessories, keeping them hidden and out of sight, but also to protect them from children and pets. Typically, they are large enough to hide a power strip and several cables and chargers inside.
Depending on the design, they have one or more holes for cable entry. The smaller, more discreet ones, such as the one shown in the photo above, are usually intended to be placed on top of the desk itself. Larger boxes, on the other hand, are intended to be placed on the floor under the desk.
Most of the boxes have very minimalist and attractive designs, so that they almost act as a decorative object. In addition, they include cable ties and adhesive guides to insert the cables into the box as discreetly as possible.
The only downside I find is that they take up some space, when the goal was to clear the desk. Even if you put them on the floor, they take up quite a bit of space that was previously empty, when other solutions, like cable trays or nets, do not take up “useful” space or interfere with your field of vision, so to speak.
Top 5 cable management boxes prices
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
7. Velcro cable ties and straps
Pros
Cons
The quickest and most practical solution for organizing any cable
Velcro strips or straps are one of the most practical accessories for organizing and/or bundling cables because Velcro makes them very easy and comfortable to use and, in addition, once attached, they will remain attached for years.
However, you should bear in mind that these straps or cable ties are not the best solution for hiding cables. They are great for bundling them and keeping your desk neat and tidy, but unless you use them in combination with one of the other solutions mentioned in this guide, cables will continue to hang off your desk.
Top 5 Velcro cable ties and straps
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
8. Spiral cable wraps
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Cons
An effective solution for bundling a multitude of cables of different sizes
Spiral cable wraps are used to bundle and organize various cables. Although they can be used on top of the desk, they are quite conspicuous, so people often prefer to use them to collect cables as they leave the desk to keep the back and floor of their office organized.
As with Velcro strips, they are often used in combination with other solutions in this guide, such as trays, nets or desk holes. While Velcro strips are more practical for quickly tying and untying cables, spiral tcable wraps are better for protecting them.
These wraps are usually available in various colours, which you can match to your room and office decor. However, you should keep in mind that they sometimes attract more attention than a few wires on the floor.
Top 5 spiral cable wrap prices
Last price update on 2023-07-28. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
