8 Cord Organization Hacks You Can Do With Things You Already Have
Cord organization seems like a never ending headache. One minute your desk or TV stand looks fine, and the next it’s a tangle of wires that looks impossible to pull apart. The good news is, you actually don’t need to buy anything fancy to find a permanent fix for this problem. With a few things you already have around the house, you can wrangle that mess of cords into something a little more organized, and way less likely to trip you.
Bread Tags for Labeling
Don’t throw those little plastic bread clips away just yet. They’re actually the perfect size for labeling cords! Just write what each cord is for on the tag, then snap it onto the cable near the plug. It’s such a small, simple trick, but it’s a huge help when you’re digging behind your TV or desk trying to figure out what cord goes to what. And you’ll never unplug the wrong cord again!
Toilet Paper Rolls for Storage
Instead of tossing empty toilet paper rolls, save a few for keeping cords together in drawers. Coil each cord neatly, slide it into the roll, and you’ve got a makeshift holder that keeps things from tangling and becoming a jumbled knot. You can even line up a bunch of them in a box or bin if you’ve got a lot of cables lying around.
Binder Clips on the Edge of Your Desk
Got a couple binder clips kicking around the bottom of a drawer? Clip one to the edge of your desk and run a charging cable through the metal loop. It keeps the end of the cord from falling to the floor every time you unplug your device from it. It’s simple, but it will save you so much frustration. And if you’re using multiple clips, they keep the cords from tangling and twisting together too.
Twist Ties or Bread Ties for Wrapping
Before you toss that bag of sandwich bread, grab the twist tie from it. These little wires are basically gold when it comes to keeping cords neatly coiled. Use them to secure extra length or bundle things together so cords aren’t sprawled across the floor. Bonus: They’re reusable, and you probably already have a drawer full of them.
Old Shoebox as a Charging Station
If you’ve got a shoebox and a power strip, you’re halfway to making your own DIY charging station. Cut small holes on one side for the cords to poke through, and tuck the power strip inside. It keeps everything in one place and hides the chaos, especially if you’re charging several devices at once. It might not seem like a lot, but hiding the power strip makes your space look a lot cleaner and more organized.
Chip Clips to Tame Long Cords
Those big plastic clips you use to close up a bag of chips can work wonders on long cords too. Just coil up the extra cable and clip it in place to keep it neat and out of the way. This is great for lamp cords, phone chargers, or anything else that tends to get underfoot and become a tripping hazard.
Empty Mint Tins for Earbuds
Those little metal Altoids-style tins make a perfect home for earbuds and small charging cables. Wind the cord inside, snap the lid shut, and toss it in a bag or drawer without worrying about tangles. You can even add a bit of felt inside if you want to be fancy, but honestly, it works fine as-is. Plus, it’ll protect your earbuds too.
Hair Clips or Barrettes for Cable Clusters
If you’ve got extra hair clips lying around, or an old one you don’t use anymore, they’re surprisingly handy for managing cables. Clip one around a bundle of cords behind your desk or entertainment center to keep them grouped together. And if your clips have a nice design, it’s not just functional, it’s actually kind of cute.
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There’s something really satisfying about solving a problem using stuff you already have. These little cord hacks aren’t fancy, but they get the job done. And once you try a few, you’ll start seeing other everyday objects in a new light. So go check that junk drawer, you probably have everything you need to untangle your space right now.
Bliss Donahue-Power
