Where’s My Desk Wednesday/Taming the Cord Beast

Cords, you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them. They often go unforgotten as an item that needs some serious organization. You don’t really think about them until you are either moving your computer or you need to plug something else in.

These days it’s not just our computer that is at out desk. You got the digital camera, the iPod, the cell phone, the video game players and on and on.

Well today, I am going to show you some gadgets that will help you tame the cord beast once and for all!

Let’s start with the mac daddy of all cable organizers. (My husband said it looks like some sort of torture device to him. He’s so funny.) This is an item I just added to my wish list and am going to buy it as soon as we move.

It’s called The Complete Computer Cable Manager.

Product Description
The Complete Cable Manager is the perfect kit to organize an average computer workstation. It easily absorbs all the clutter that comes with a computer, printer, labeler, monitor, hub, speakers, phone, fax and more.It removes all cables, power adapters, hubs, and power strips off the floor and safely out of harm’s way. It labels every cable from source to destination, absorbs excess cable length into loops, and hangs them separately allowing all cables to stay tangle-free and easy to access and identify.PRODUCT FEATURES: Clamp it on desk, table, shelf or through cable grommet hole; Mount with screws anywhere under desk; Mount with screws to wall or side of desk; Add Expansion Kit to organize as many as 30 cables.This Kit includes: 1 DeskClamp; 1 CableTrack; 3 CableHooks; 18 CableStraps; 1 Cable Label Sheet; 4 Cable Guides; 3 Bungee Straps; 1 Alcohol Pad; 4 Screws; 1 Instruction Sheet.

Like I said, it’s the mac daddy. Let’s move on to some smaller solutions.

The problem: A kazillion cords snaking across your desk.
Some solutions:

QA Worldwide CP9005 Cable Clamp Cable Organizer

7.5IN Multicolored Cable Ties 52 Pieces

Case Logic CT6 Cable Ties

Velcro(R) Brand One-Wrap(R) Cableties 8in Blk 25pk

3M Medium Cord Clips With Command Adhesive, 4-cord clips, small strips packageThe problem: Your cords are so long they could be wrapped around the earth a couple of times.
Some solutions:

Cable Organizer, Cord Winder

Cable House Cord Organizer, 4 Pieces

Small Cable Manager (4-Pack)

The problem: Way too many cords!
Some solutions: If looks don’t matter because the cords are out-of-sight to visitors, here are a few solutions.

HOSA CABLE ORGANIZER, 3/4″-Diam. PLASTIC TUBING,10 ft.WHITE.

HOSA CABLE ORGANIZER, 1″-Diameter PLASTIC TUBING, 10 ft.

TECHFLEX F6 SPLIT TUBE 1/2″ 25′ CLAM SHELL BLACK

If looks are a big deal and you want that mubbled jumbled mess hidden from anyone’s view, here are a few solutions:

Belking Cable Organizer Panel 2 Sided Poly Vinyl Cover Black (F4D350)

WIREMATE Compter Workstation Cable Organizer – Black

The problem: You go to unplug the printer and the computer goes off instead.
The solution: A color coded system. Use these Case Logic CT6 Cable Ties to color code your wires. Your computer could be purple, printer could be red, speakers could be black…you get the point.

Here are some special gadget solutions for you.

Ipod and digital camera cords are usually pretty thin. They can get into a tangled mess easier than those fat ones. Need a solution. Try this:

BLUELOUNGE DESIGN CableYoyo 3-Pack CY-60-WH

Bluelounge Design Cableyoyo Pop – Ultra-Thin Cord Management

And the newest arrival to cableyoyos:

CableYoYo Cord Manager – Black

All come with an adhesive strip to mount to the wall or desk.

Well, I hope I have given you a good head start on taming your cord beast. There were SO many different cord managers out there, but I highlighted the ones that were the most useful, most popular and ones with great reviews.

Now you can stop being scared of the mess behind the computer!