This IKEA Hack Hides Cord Clutter and Looks Cute, Too

Recently I’ve noticed some cute cord covers that look kind of like scrunchies from places like Urban Outfitters or Pierce & Ward. They’re made to cover unsightly extension cords and continue the pattern of, say, a fun lampshade, down to the ground with a delightfully ’90s flair. 

I know that cord covers aren’t completely necessary — it’s OK for a home to show proof of life — but as a lamp-lover (seriously, check out my Instagram, and know that I work part-time at a vintage lamp shop once a week), I thought a cord cover could be a fun detail to complement my pieces and cover up other cords in my home. 

I was inspired by Peggy Dupuis, the designer behind this cord cover, which is a more chunky, tactile version that uses oversized natural wood shapes. Because the one Dupuis designed is wired for use in another country and sold at a price point out of my budget, I decided to play around and make my own version using materials found at IKEA. 

Although you could use raw wood blocks closer to the inspiration image (like this $32 set from Amazon), I decided to see if I could make this colorful $15 set from IKEA work. (Who doesn’t love an IKEA hack?)

To create what I’m calling the “vertebrae” power strip, you’ll need a basic understanding of electrical wiring (something I consulted my lamp shop friends on), and to be comfortable using power tools. Here’s your supply list.

Supplies

• Kids’ blocks of your choice 
• Power strip (I used this one.)
• 3-prong replacement plug 
• Spray paint 
• Sealant
• 220-grit sandpaper

Tools

• Power drill or drill press
• Drill bit
• Clamps
• Wire strippers
• Phillips screwdriver

1. Add holes to the blocks. I set up a workspace on a table where I could clamp down the blocks, using two clamps, to drill the hole through. (The hole can be drilled anywhere on the block; this adds to the random feel of the block placement on the cord.) I drilled until all of the blocks had holes.

2. Sand the blocks. I gave each block a quick sand to remove any splinters or rough spots around the holes. I dusted the blocks so they were free of debris and ready to paint. 

3. Spray-paint the blocks and power strip. Using light coats of spray paint, I covered the blocks and the body of the power strip, making sure to avoid drips. I didn’t worry too much about spray paint getting inside the sockets; as long as you’re not spraying too close to power strips (hold the can about a foot away and apply light pressure), you should be fine. I covered the cord with painter’s tape so that it didn’t get sticky with any stray paint, which would have made it more difficult for my wood blocks to slide on. 

4. Spray-paint the plug housing. I removed the three screws from the front plate to disassemble the housing. Once disassembled, I set the housing (the part with the connectors) aside so I could spray-paint just the outside cover of the plug.

5. Seal everything. Once everything was covered on all sides, I used a spray-on acrylic top coat to seal the blocks and power strip. 

6. Cut the original plug off the end of the power strip so you can string the wooden blocks onto the cord. Cut near the plug end, not the power strip end, and be sure the power strip is unplugged from the wall. I used a utility knife; be sure your blade is sharp for a clean cut, and cut the cord as close to the plug as you can to leave yourself plenty of cord to work with. As always when working with sharp things, wear protective eyewear and be sure not to cut too close to your fingers.

7. Once the painted blocks are completely dry, string them onto the cord. (I didn’t stick to any certain pattern here; I just went with shapes I liked, but you can go with any sort of arrangement.) I left about 2 to 3 inches of empty cord at the end to attach the plug.

8. Prep the extension cord for connecting with a new plug. I used the utility knife to make a shallow cut in the sheathing, then pried it open to expose the three internal wires. Using wire strippers, expose about 1″ of copper from each of the three wires. (You should expose about 1 inch of copper wire per strand.) Although it might seem intimidating, this step isn’t difficult — especially if you have some experience with electrical.

9. Connect everything back together. Slip the painted plug cover around the end of the power strip cord with the three exposed wires, then connect each of the three wires from the cord to the internal housing of the new plug. Screw the housing back into the plug cover, and you’re all set!

Again, it isn’t absolutely necessary to have a power strip in your home that is lavender and resembles a vertebrae, and I think next time I’d stick with natural wood because the IKEA pieces were tricky to paint. (Older toy block sets or cast-offs from a woodworking shop would be perfect!)

I do think, however, that using something playful to create something fun and useful for your home is never a waste of time — and is in fact highly recommended by this DIY pro. Just make sure to consult an electrician if you’re a newbie, and follow basic electrical safety rules if you give this one a go.