Quick answer: to hide and organise desk cables, get the power strip off the floor (into an under desk cable tray, a clamp-on mount or a cable box), bundle the cords that run together with a sleeve, spiral wrap or straps, route them along the back or underside of the desk with stick-on ties or clips, and cover any run down a wall or across the floor with a cable raceway or cord cover. Finish by labelling the plugs.
Step 1: Plan your setup
Unplug everything and lay out what you have: computer, monitor, lamp, chargers, speakers and so on. Decide where the power strip will live and which cables need to reach the desktop. Cables that never move can be hidden; charging cables you use every day should stay within easy reach.
Step 2: Get the power strip off the floor
- Under desk cable tray: a tray that clamps under the desk holds a power strip, chargers and spare cable out of sight. Look for a no-drill clamp-on tray that matches your desktop thickness. See under-desk trays and mounts.
- Power strip mount: the no-drill under-desk power strip mount clamps to the desk edge and holds a strip underneath, so plugs stay within reach.
- Cable box (cord hider): if the strip stays on the floor or a shelf, a cable box hides it. Browse cable boxes and cord hiders.
Check your desk thickness and power strip size against the tray or mount before you buy. Browse under-desk trays and mounts and cable boxes and cord hiders.
Step 3: Bundle cables that run together
- Zippered cable sleeves zip around a bundle, so you do not have to feed cables through a tube.
- Spiral cable wrap twists around cords and lets individual cables leave the bundle anywhere along it.
- Reusable hook-and-loop cable straps tidy loose lengths and coils.
Leave a little slack at each end so you can move the monitor or computer without pulling on the plugs.
Step 4: Route cables along the desk
Run the bundle along the back edge or underside of the desk to the tray or power strip. Stick-on cable ties combine an adhesive pad with a reusable strap and are made for routing cables along the back or underside of a desk. On the desktop, magnetic cable clips or an adhesive desk cable holder keep charging cables where you can grab them. Clean each spot before you stick anything down. See all cable clips, ties and organizers.
Step 5: Cover cables on walls and floors
- Cable raceway on a wall: the self-adhesive PVC cable raceway / cord cover (15 m) sticks along a wall or floor to keep cables in one channel. Cut it to the length of each run.
- Across the floor: a floor cord cover lies over cables that cross the floor and keeps them flat.
More options are in Cable Sleeves & Raceways.
Step 6: Label and tidy the extras
- Use reusable colour-coded cable labels or write-on cable tie tags so you know which plug is which. See Cable Labels.
- Store spare chargers and adapters in a clear cable and charger organizer box with removable dividers.
- Free up the desktop with a clamp-on headphone hook, a foldable clamp-on desk hook or a stick-on under-desk drawer for pens and small items.
Once the cables and small items are off the desktop, a desk pegboard panel gives you a slotted board for organizing a desk or workspace. The listing is the board only — hooks and accessories are not included. See Desk Pegboards.
Tips
- Measure each cable run before you cut a raceway or sleeve, and cut a little long.
- Keep the cables you unplug often, such as phone and laptop chargers, outside the bundle so you can reach them.
- Make one bundle per direction, for example one to the monitor and one to the computer, rather than one big bundle.
- Take a photo of the setup before you unplug everything so you can put it back together.
More options in the shop: the Delamu paintable cord hider kit, 157 in and the shinfly self-closing cable tidy sleeve, 6 m (ships to the United Kingdom only).
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to hide cables without drilling?
Use a clamp-on under desk cable tray for the power strip, stick-on ties under the desk, and a self-adhesive raceway down the wall. None of these need screws.
What is the difference between a cord hider and a cable raceway?
“Cord hider” is a general term for anything that hides cables, including cable boxes and covers. A cable raceway is a channel that sticks to a wall or floor and holds cables in a line.
Will an under desk cable tray fit my desk?
Check the clamp range and tray size against your desk before you buy. Listings in under-desk trays and mounts give the desktop thickness each tray fits.
How do I keep charging cables on top of the desk?
Use magnetic clips or a slotted cable holder stuck to the desk, so the cable end stays put when unplugged.
Should I use zip ties?
Hook-and-loop straps are easier to undo when you change your setup, and they can be reused.