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How to: Make a Toilet Roll Extension Cord Holder

Gregory Han
Gregory Han
A Los Angeles native, Gregory’s interests fall upon the relationship between design, nature, and technology. His resume includes art director, toy designer, and design writer. Co-author of Poketo's "Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire", you can find him regularly at Design Milk and the New York Times Wirecutter. Gregory lives with his wife Emily and their two cats—Eames and Eero—in Mt. Washington, California, curiously investigating the entomological and mycological.
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published Mar 14, 2008
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

We’ve got a drawer full of unruly extensions cords that we’ve been trying to unsuccessfully keep in order with rubber bands and twist ties. While looking for cable management solutions, we found a tip about using a cardboard roll for cable storage and thought we’d give it a try…

The version shown on Unclutter struck us as a fine idea, but it was missing a little something-something. Call us extreme aesthetes, but we wanted to make our cord holder a little more attractive (it’s the Martha in us). We had a remnant piece of decorative wrapping paper we thought would do a fine job of fancying up our version of an extension cord holder. All you’ll need is the paper roll, a small piece of wrapping paper, scissors and tape (recommend additional double-stick tape for a nicer finish).

We wrapped our roll using one piece to adhesive the paper to the roll, while apply a double-stick tape at the finishing end for a seamless finish. You should have about 1/2″ of excess wrapping paper length sticking out from both ends when done.

Now cut every 3/4″-1″ cut a slit down to the roll until all you’ve made it all the way around. Apply a piece of tap with a bit hanging off, fold over into the roll and adhesive down.

Five minutes later and with absolutely no cost, you’ve got an attractive way to store your cords, cables and wires, all the while saving some items from the trash bin.

(Images: Gregory Han)

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