Electronics and tech products fall into the ‘most popular’ category when it comes to Christmas gifts. In other words, if you’ve been lucky this year, you’ll be holding at least one shiny new toy by now.
But, along with your new tech toys comes a problem: organisation. Whether you’ve received a computer, a tablet, or something in between, holding it in your hands is just the first step. Next, you have to find the right space for it. More specifically, you have to find a place that is neat and tidy (or can be made that way), cool (because you don’t want your new toy to overheat), and private when necessary (because no one wants someone peeking at their emails).
Here are some ideas on how to get started with your organisation station.
1. Use velcro
If you suddenly find a tangle of cables surrounding your desk, you need to figure out a way to get those in order. One method that works like a charm is to make use of velcro strips. In the example above, the multi-socket power adaptor seems to be attached to the underside of the desk, most likely with sticky velcro strips. Once the power adaptor is in place, any ‘excess’ cable lengths are then bundled together neatly and wrapped using a cable tie to hold them in place. You can then velcro the bundle to the underside of the desk.
2. Use cable ties
When your excess cables are stretching across a room, they can become hazardous. No one wants to take a trip and be sent flying, so it makes sense to get them in order as quickly and effectively as possible. In this case, you can use a cable tie to bundle any excess wires into a neat package. The remaining cable should then be laid across the floor. You may want to consider using clear tape to keep the flat cable in place.
3. Set up a pack-away desk
While many of us like our technology to be accessible at all times, it can be quite handy to have a pack-away desk. The easiest way to do this is to build your desk/office area into a built-in cupboard. (If you’re handy at home, you could easily build it yourself.) The beauty of a pack-away desk is that it’s accessible when necessary and acts as a full-blown office/work station, but can also be ‘invisible’ when needed. In other words, it is perfect for the person who finds it hard to ‘switch off’.
4. Use a cable box
A cable box is an excellent way to get your jumbled mess of cables in order. Not only is it effective, but it is budget-friendly and easy to use. You simply thread your cables through the hole at the top (which can typically be opened for thicker cables) and then scoop any excess cables into the insides of the box. Voila! They disappear from sight!
5. Use a wire management tray
While a wire management tray isn’t necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing solution, it is effective. These trays are attached to the back underside of a desk. They then hold any wires in place the same way a shelf would, without the need for cable ties or velcro. One major benefit: because they are attached to the desk, they are with your desk for life, so you don’t have to rethink your solution if you move.
6. Use a stand
For smaller objects, such as your phone or tablet, a wall mount or desk stand can be helpful. In this example, you can see both a tablet dock and a smartphone dock. This is particularly great if you plan to use your tablet as a virtual recipe book in the kitchen, or if you need hands-free access to your phone. If you don’t want to mount a stand to the wall, desk stands are extremely easy to come by.
7. Use a hidden hole
This sneaky trick is fairly common, and for good reason: it works. If you look closely at this picture, you’ll notice the back corner of the desk has an almost-hidden hole. You use this to thread your cables through, so rather than have them dangling over the front of your desk, they are placed subtly behind your electronics. Many items of furniture now have these built in – IKEA even builds them into dressers and bedside tables – and they are extremely handy.
8. Go wireless
The word ‘wireless’ is built into your vocabulary, and it could easily be built into your lifestyle. If you really want to avoid cords altogether, the best way to do it is to work wirelessly. Here’s how: Make sure your electronics have long-lasting battery power. Then, set up a ‘powering up’ area in a hidden part of the house – say, a cupboard or pantry. Plug your electronics in every night so they receive a full charge by the time you wake. Then, you should be able to easily work all day without a wire in sight.
9. Use furniture
It isn’t always possible or practical to use cable ties or velcro strips, but if you are creative enough, you may not need to. In this example, you can see that the wire is carefully placed so it ducks down behind the desk drawers. In other words, the furniture blocks it from sight. You can then use some clear tape to hold it in place and ensure that it doesn’t fall out from behind the furniture.
10. Use nearby powerpoints
Last, but certainly not least, it may be that you can avoid having a mass of tangled wires simply by making the area that divides Point A (your electronics) from Point B (your powerpoint) as small as possible. In this particular example, you can see that the powerpoint is located directly behind the computer. This ensures that any excess cables will be kept in one compact space, out of sight and out of mind.
Article by Domain (Bryna Howes)
http://www.domain.com.au/advice/best-home-hacks-keep-tech-stuff-organised/