To help you get started rearranging those wires for good, we spoke with professional organizing experts who weighed in on the best ways to conceal cords. They also share what products to stock up on for different rooms of the home. Get ready to say goodbye to tangles for good.
Take Inventory
According to professional organizer Kathryn Lord, this is an important place to start. “The first tip is to reduce,” she says. “Many times we have more wires plugged in than we need of things that we actually never use anymore.” So if, for example, you have your DVD player prominently featured in your living room but only use streaming services these days, it may be time to say goodbye to this electronic. Additionally, be mindful of other items that are rarely used and be sure to store them away, rather than keeping them plugged in at all times. ‘Unplugging and coiling things when not in use for things that you only use every now and again means those wires do not end up getting tangled with the others," Lord states.
Position Things Accordingly
Special cord covers and contraptions are a great way to conceal unsightly wires. “You can get neat plug boxes which hide the wires,” Lord says. But if you’re looking for an ultra quick fix, she offers another tip. “Carefully positioning furniture can also help hide those wires,” Lord adds. For smaller items like coffee machines or beauty supplies that need to be plugged in, you can get creative in other ways. “[The Reds Wood Design Appliance Cord Box] from West Elm is so stylish it can live in any area of the home,” professional organizer Erica Thompson says. ‘Use it on a credenza, a dresser or in a kitchen and keep your cords out of sight. It’s a well constructed riser made out of quality hard wood with a nook carved out in the back of it to run cords through and can sit flush against the wall."
Use a Cable Wrangler
And even though laptops involve fewer cords than traditional computer monitors, they still may lead to unsightly setups. Professional organizer Joanna Wirick swears by her charger fuse reel. “Laptop charger cords can be a pain to roll up even with cord ties,” she comments. “Gently pull on each cord to unravel and turn the center wheel to roll the cord back up in seconds.” This device is easy to bring on the go, too. Wirick adds, “It packs away perfectly in a work bag.”
