Hello folks at AT!
How can I better organize the cables at my desk?
I know that cable organization has been discussed several times here but I have an unusual situation. I own this beautiful secretary which I'm not willing to get rid of or alter so I can't run my computer cables out the back of the piece or underneath it.
My current set up has my laptop acting as a desktop (it rarely travels anymore since I stopped freelancing). There is a power cable, DSL cable and printer cable running into the back of the laptop. Additionally, there are occasionally a sync cable for my PDA and/or a cable for my camera (which I need to switch out as there are only 2 USB ports on my laptop).
Under the desk is a surge protector with computer power, router power, printer power, shredder power. Additionally, I occasionally use this power strip for my cell phone charger, PDA charger, and/or rechargeable battery charger. I use the power button on the surge protector to turn everything off (after powering down the computer of course).
My current set up has several problems:
1. The cables under the desk and going into the computer look messy and I'd like a cleaner look for them.
2. The power button on the surge protector is on the far side of the strip so I need to pull the whole strip (and thus the cable mess) out from under the desk in order to turn it off and on.
3. The printer currently sits on the top of the secretary but the power cord is too short to reach the surge protector (especially with pulling the power strip out from under the desk) so I currently have it plugged into an extension cord which then is plugged into the surge protector (thus adding to the cable mess).
Can anyone help me clean up this spaghetti??
Thanks,
The Green Cat
Cat,
The Secretary presents a challenge with no easy way to hide the cords behind. You are going to have to have cords running up to the machine, our advice is to minimize the number of them. Go wireless for the internet and printer (if you can.) An even better solution, and one that can take into account your camera and PDA is wireless USB. Then, none of your peripherals will need to run up to the computer, but can be stored wherever your wireless USB hub is housed.
The power cables are a little more tricky, it all depends on how flexible you are with where things are placed. Maybe some of our readers can give you suggestions or offer personal expertise.
Thanks for the question!
Definitely go wireless, as that reduces the scope of your problem to power cords. Wifi is close to "plug and play" these days.
Get yourself a surge protector in a configuration that's more convenient for you, so it doesn't have to sit in front of the cabinet but can live under the cabinet most of the time. That's a $30 or under solution to most of the rest of the problem, as you can then run the majority of your power cords down the back of the cabinet and underneath to the power strip. No one is going to notice cords under the cabinet -- it's not eye level for anyone but small pets and maybe crawling babies.
If the last power cord or two is still a problem with draping over the front, sew a cord cozy from a fabric you like and call it decorative. Your "look" lets you do that sort of WASP-y chintz bit, which would be out of place in a modernist minimalist setting.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
Sorry, i don't have a solution but a question: How do you use this thing as a desk? Where do your legs go when you try to sit and type on your laptop?
view mh330's profile
I would purchase a Belkin Concealed Surge Protector which would hide your array of powerbricks. It is just a rectangular box when closed. I own one; it currently houses my iMac's cable, my router powerbrick, my radioshark powerbrick, my for powerbrick, etc. All the cords are concealed within the surge protector. It also has a convenient on/off switch. I would then place it on the writing desk portion of your secretary behind the computer. You would still have one visible white cable connecting the surge protector to the electrical outlet.
I would put white books on the shelves and organize the other books by color, perhaps using the angels as book ends. I would put my pens in a white bowl or cup; china and porcelain vessels that complement the vintage of your secretary are easily available in thrigt stores and tag salesIf the printer fits inside the cabinet, I would put it there, keeping it unplugged until needed, in which case I would simply open the doors and plug it in to the surge protector (it has one external plug). I might find a large white bag (canvas or paper would do) and place the paper shredder inside it. Another bag could hold the odds and ends I see there, including the bag of fabric. All this would make your setup look intentional
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