We spend a lot of time trying to hide cables and cords away, out of sight. But what are you supposed to do when there's just no way to avoid having them visible? We say, embrace them! Check out these examples and get some ideas below.
Cable Drawings by Maisie Maud Broadhead re-imagines a (very long) lamp cord as a decorative detail in beautiful ornate fashion.
Design Star season 5's Michael Moeller adorned a gray wall with a contrasting red-orange cord for maximum color pop.
The shape of this cool arrangement by XBMC, via Lifehacker, draws attention to and complements the techy style of the mounted TV and Playstation 3.
We spotted these neat lights in Sophie & Isaac's Eclectic Minimal Home House Tour, where they've crafted stylish solutions on a thriftstore budget, including bedside tables made of cinderblocks and these cord + bulb "lamps". The cool, minimal style of the rest of the house helps these industrial touches to blend in seamlessly.
When you're dealing with a visible cable that you can't move, draw inspiration from this simple and minimal DIY design.
Instead of getting a bog-standard black or gray power cable, why not go for something with a little splash? These lamp cord kits from Urban Outfitters turn the cord into more than just a utility item; the designs shown are currently out of stock, but UO frequently offers variations with each new batch of products. Alternatively, this pink power plug ($12.19) can bring a touch of cheerfulness to the otherwise dreary space under a desk.
Can't find a cable in your favorite color? Consider dyeing them.
Would you embrace visible cables using one of these solutions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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I love this post! While my cables are currently hidden, I really like the idea of dyed cables.
The mounted PS3 is brilliant. :)
Oh... these solutions are super original! I can stop dreaming about living in a wireless world at least for a minute longer now. Thanks for sharing.
The mounted PS3 is really cool.
Awesome!
I have very long big orange cable coiled, stacked in the red waste paper basket - all who visits our place thinks it's a great design element (but that think it of stacks of perrier water boxes as well, lol)
the PS3 setup is super cool, but seriously, how many holes would you have to patch if you decide to change stuff?
Our house is built into a slope, so our family room walls are 1/3 drywall-covered cement foundation, 2/3 framed drywall, meaing the electrcal outlets are just above the 1/3 line. We've been griping about hiring a contractor to move the outlets -- but this might be a cost effective solution. We'd still have to get the lamps re-wired with exceptionally long cords, but it may still be more budget friendly than moving the outlets.
How cool!
Fun idea, with great examples.
Very, very creative ...
I really love this post!
The PS3 looks great, what's not clear is how are the cables being fixed in place.
Razors: According to their post, it's a combination of sticky tape (superglued to the cords) and a thin line of superglue on each of the cords to support it all. Not sure I'd be willing to risk the paint, but I guess it would be a quick redo if it pulled it off when removing the cords later.
Love this!
I love this idea! Especially because I have a cat that likes to chew on power cords so this could be a better and more creative way to protect the cords (and my cat)!
Cool. Now help me figure out what to do with the lamp cord that runs out from the wall across my living room floor to the perfect spot next to my floating sofa.
how cool!