apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think it's a cute idea!

This is very cool!!

Okay -- here's a question -- what do people do about lamp cords when they can't/don't want to have all their furniture pushed up against a wall? Not only does it look awful to have extension cords snaking across the floor, but it's dangerous (and they do say hiding the cords under the rugs is also hazardous).

This is particularly important because I have only one overhead light in my long living/dining/working space, at one end. I may well end up with track or cable lighting but I'm not there yet and meanwhile I must have light for reading and so on. (Or I could color coordinate all my books and stop reading, but that isn't yet high on my list)

Deborah: I don't know but part of the solution is to make sure the cord is nice and straight. Unplug the lamp and use a heater (low temp heat gun or high temp hair dryer) to straighten the kinky cord.

The cord will still be there but it will at least be neat.

Cheers!

Deborah,
this is a problem. the best way to deal with it is to have a floor outlet. Not quite possible in most rentals, and pretty expensive to boot.

Maybe you could look into sconces? Many of these come with cord covers and are not meant to be hard wired. Not great for task lighting, but for general light, it might help.

Okay, so I admit it. Extension cords are running all over my place under rugs. I've even gone as far as to tape some parts to the floor under the rugs. And I've snaked some around doorways and (carefully stapled it to the floor's edge). Is this just a disaster waiting to happen?

(I've lived this way for years, and in the past, when I've moved, there's never been the slightest bit of damage to any cords. So are people just being overly cautious when they say you can't string cords under carpets?)

I hate cords, they're a big problem here, especially around my computer area. I think the picket fence idea is good, certainly better than seeing all those wires, but to me it looks kind of busy. Saw on HGTV recently where the carpenter replaced the baseboard with a nice, clean-lined piece of moulding and included a channel -- dead space -- for the cords to travel along between the baseboard and the wall. I love this idea, just trying to figure out the logistics for it (cost, ongoing accessibility, etc.).

Cord covers will allow you to place rugs or carpet over your electric cords. They come in a variety of weights and sizes. They are not attractive in and of themselves, but they allow you to walk safely over cords.

http://tinyurl.com/39yqw2

I needed to run wires from my LR to my DR (speaker, coax cable, ethernet). When I refinished my floors, I pulled off the 1/4 round that finishes off my baseboard, and lo-and-behold, there was a gap between the floor and the baseboard. I ran the wires in the gap, tacked the 1/4 round back in place, caulked & painted, and you would never know there were wires in there. I have also seen crown molding used as a cable raceway for wall mount speakers.

You do have to where you nail, and be careful in corners, because you don't want the wire to be crimped or pierced. The wires should be eased in the corners, with a radius & not at a true 90 angle.

As far as lamps cables in the center of the room, I have cut holes in area rugs (if they are not $$), run the extension cord under the rug, and to an outlet. You will still have a some cord exposed, but it can be tacked down with brown gaffer's tape, or a plastic threshold.

Thanks everyone, this has been most helpful.

I love the picket fence! As someone who was born and raised in NYC and plans to stay here as long as possible, I love that I can finally have a white picket fence...if not a yard!