Your Expert's Guide to Cable Management | CEF

In this Guide we explain what cable management is and why it is important for your workplace, at home or for your electrical clients. Using a methodical approach, you can follow some easy steps to making your cables neat and tidy.

Preparing for Desk Cable Management

Before tackling the rat's nest of cables, prepare properly. Unplug and label all wires; this will significantly ease your desk wire management effort. Also, categorise the equipment into two groups - devices you unplug often (like your laptop) and devices you rarely unplug (like your monitor).

Unplug everything to see exactly what you are dealing with.
Label every wire, this will help you in the future when you need to unplug a particular device.
Categorise your devices according to how often you tend to move or unplug them.

Using Cable Ties and Clips

Cable ties and clips are valuable in any cable management set-up. They are inexpensive and readily available, making them an ideal starting point for cable management. Cable ties can bundle similar cables together, reducing the clutter on your desk massively.

Bundle cables going to the same location, like your PC or power strip.
Use cable clips wherever necessary to secure the wires to the desk, keeping them out of sight.

Use of Desk Grommets and Cable Outlets

Desk grommets are ideal for massive desk clutter. They are round, eyelet-like accessories that can be fitted into a hole in the desk. The cables then pass through this hole, keeping them neatly tucked away. Most desks come with pre-drilled holes for grommets - if yours does not, you will need to drill a hole yourself.

Find or drill a location for a grommet or cable outlet.
Try UK favourites like the Signum cable outlet kit for this purpose.

Desk Cable Management Solutions

For a more feature-rich solution to your cable woes, consider investing in a desk cable management tray or an under-desk cable tidy. For example, the Ikea desk wire management trays are attached conveniently under desks, providing an organised space for all your cables.

Ensure the tray is correctly installed under your desk for easy access.
Organise your cables effectively within the tray to best utilise the space.

Cable Conduit

Cable raceways are adhesive rails that are fitted directly onto your desk or wall. They are useful if you must add or remove cables frequently. PVC round conduit has the advantage of easy access and can significantly assist in organising the cables on your desk.

Install the trunking in a location that allows the easy addition or removal of cables.
Reddit has a thriving PC setup community – consider looking there for cable trunking inspiration.

Cable Management Boxes

Cable management boxes are an effective way of hiding your power strips and any surplus cables. They are great for office desk cable management and can significantly declutter your desk.

Size the box before purchase, ensuring it accommodates your power strip.
Run related cables cleanly to and from the box.

Tiding a desk gets your life in order. Easily visible, correctly labelled, with the shortest and most efficient routing - and can quite easily be a work of art; cable management says a lot about your work. Hiding cables, being clean and tidy makes for a more productive setting.

Darren Staniforth

Use of Cable Sleeves

Cable sleeves are handy for consolidating many wires into a single, neat tube. They can make your office cable management much easier, particularly for PC cable management, where multiple cables are standard.

Before purchasing a cable sleeve, ensure it fits all your cables snugly without excessive force.
Try using cable sleeves in conjunction with other methods above for the most organised setup.

Labels and Cable Identifiers

Labels are a simple yet effective tool for managing your cables. They enable you to quickly identify which cord belongs to which device, making it easier to swap out or move devices.

Label your cables based on the device, the source, and the ending point.

Consider purchasing labels specifically designed for cable marking.

Wireless Devices

The best way to manage cables is to not have them at all. If possible, switch to wireless devices to eliminate cable clutter. Even if you can't be completely wire-free, reducing the use of less important wired connections can make a big difference.

Consider whether a wireless version of your device performs as well as the wired one and if it fits within your budget.

DIY Hide Computer Cables

DIY solutions can offer a creative workaround for your cable management needs. Using items like PVC pipe, binder clips, and even bread tags, you can create cable conduits, cable catchers, and cable labels.

Consider repurposing household items to organise, label and hide your cables.

Guide Summary

In conclusion, achieving cable management is not about finding a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it's about finding the best solution suited to your needs. By assessing your workspace's requirements, and combining various methods, you can create a highly personalised and efficient system and say goodbye to that tangle of cables.