We post a lot on Unplggd about how to organize your cables efficiently and cheaply. But for those of you stragglers out there who have yet to take the plunge either because the task is too daunting, too expensive, or too time-consuming, we might have an answer for you. All it takes is three steps and one afternoon to rid your junk drawer of those loose cables or wherever else they may be hiding.
- The first step to a more organized cable system is to tame those gangly cables. There are two methodologies to this. The first is a self-contained cable wrapping method which uses a particular coiling method to keep the cable together. The second is by using a product (like the above pictured Cable Turtles) that can help you wrap your wires together. We’ve collected several cable management solutions that we can recommend.
- The next step is to help you identify what cable goes with what device. For this we use our trusty labeler. Match up the cables that go with the device and simply punch the device’s name into the label maker, print out the sticker, and attach it to the cable. This way when you store all the cables together, finding the right one within the group will be much easier than blindly digging around and looking for the proper connector.
- Lastly, you’ll need to find a place to store the cables large enough so they can all fit. Ideally you should have a single place where you can store all of your cables so they’re not scattered throughout the office/home. Our solution is to use one of the KNOS IKEA boxes which we then fill with smaller containers from The Container Store. We separate cables by general terms such as “USB” or “POWER CORDS”, etc… And since we live in shoebox apartment, we stuff the tech box high in the closet. And with our cables finally out of sight, we’re able to breathe a sigh of relief.. except when we open up that junk drawer and realize there are a zillion other organization tasks which are still nagging us to get done.
(Images: Flickr member Daveybot and C. G. P. Grey licensed for use under Creative Commons.)
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never was there a need for wireless power chargers, connectors, etc but lol if you have as many tech cords as in the image above, you need a tech break :)
*should have said 'never was there more of a need... :)
Sorry to slightly go off topic, but is there a sight that connects people needing specific chargers to those having said miscellaneous crap lying around? I was just looking through my box of chargers and there must be two dozen that don't go to anything at all that I currently own or use. Somebody could use 'em!
get a pack of the velcro cable ties too. they are amazing and so much better then twist ties etc. I recently went through my cables re bundling them and doing it with velcro. You can get a 100 pack for under $10 from office supply stores
This post is very timely...I was just reading Douglas Adams' article about leftover 'dongly' things in Salmon of Doubt
How about Ziploc bags?
Was I the only one looking for a hidden message in that first pic?
i finally got our cables tamed. each type of cord/plug/etc got a ziplock snack bag (which we bought on accident and had laying around), and the bags and labels are all pushpinned to a portion of closet wall. simple, and no digging required!