How to Hide Office Cords (5+ Ways)

Keeping cords and cables organized and out of sight can make a home office look clean and professional. Exposed wires are not only unsightly but can also pose tripping hazards. Fortunately, there are many clever ways to conceal cords to create an efficient and safe workspace.

Why Hide Cords

Here are some top reasons to hide computer and office cords:

Improve Aesthetics

Exposed cables from computers, monitors, printers, phones, and other electronics can make an office look cluttered and unprofessional. Hiding wires keeps the space neat and visually appealing.

Reduce Tripping Hazards

Loose cables on the floor can cause people to trip and fall. Concealing wires helps create a safer office environment.

Protect Equipment

Stepping on computer cords can disconnect equipment and lead to damage over time. Keeping cables tidy helps prevent accidents and broken devices.

Increase Productivity

An organized, professional workspace allows people to focus better and work more efficiently without distractions.

Common Office Cord Hiding Solutions

There are a variety of clever ways to conceal cords in a home office setup. Here are some of the most popular and effective options:

Cable Management Box

A cable management box or wire concealer box is a plastic bin or tray that fits under a desk. Simply place the box under the desk and feed all cables through the cutouts to keep them hidden from sight but still accessible.

Cable Sleeves

Cable sleeves are fabric wraps that bundle cables together into one tighter package to look neater. They come in various sizes and can be used for individual cords or multiple wires.

Cable Ties

Plastic cable ties allow you to temporarily fasten loose cables to the back of furniture or secure them tightly together. Use hooks and clips to then lift them off the ground.

Cable Raceways

Raceways are long plastic channels that you can mount flush to the wall or desk. Place multiple cords inside to both organize and conceal them. Raceways come in varied sizes and colors.

Conduit Piping

Similarly, you can install electrical conduit piping and tubing along walls and feed cords through them to keep organized and out of sight. Useful for permanent installations.

Desk Cable Grommets

Grommets are small holes in desks that allow you to thread wires through to hide them. Position computer monitors, lamps, and devices right next to the grommets for the cleanest look.

Power Outlet Covers

Plastic wall plate and power outlet covers neatly channel cords from office equipment to outlets without dangling wires. The covers streamline the appearance.

Tips for Hiding Different Office Cords

The techniques for concealing various computer and office cords may differ slightly. Here is guidance tailored to some common home office wires:

Computer Cords

Position your computer CPU tower on or under your desk to minimize monitor, printer, and power cables. Use cable sleeves and raceways to organize the wires against the wall and down to the outlets.

For standing desks, use extra slack in the cables to allow raising and lowering movement without unplugging. Coil the extra wire and secure it with Velcro ties or clips underneath.

Monitor & Display Cables

Situate monitors, TVs, and displays near power outlets whenever possible or use a surge protector power strip to consolidate plugs. Use cable management boxes under desks to hide loose wires.

For wall-mounted TVs, run cables neatly through the wall if possible or attach them to the back of the mount. Paint cords the same color as the wall to camouflage them.

Speaker Wires

Install speakers, stereos, and soundbars on shelving close to outlets to avoid dangling wires. For mounted speakers, feed wire through conduit piping painted the same color as the wall. Use cable raceways or wiremold along baseboards too.

Telephone Cords

Position home office phones near outlets so excess coiled cords can sit neatly underneath. Use cable ties and clips to attach wires against the back of desks or onto mounts to contain them.

Printer Cables

When possible, place printers on wire shelves or carts next to outlets to avoid excess cables. For standalone printers, bundle cords neatly with cable sleeves and position the printer over them.

Lamp Wires

Situate desk lamps close to outlets and coil extra wire out of sight under the base. Consider installing wall-mounted swing arm lamps to eliminate loose desk wires. Use cable feeds through openings to hide wall-mounted light wires.

Extension Cord and Power Strip Wires

Use adhesive-backed cord holders and clips to neatly fasten extension cords and power strip wires against walls and baseboards rather than loose across the floor. Position them behind furniture too.

Charging Station Cables

Invest in rotating desktop charging stations or mounted wall charging docks to neatly contain and conceal various device charging cables in one place. Use cable management boxes to hide any loose adapter plugs.

Common Problems and Solutions

Despite best efforts, you may still experience some problems when attempting to organize office wires. Here are some common headaches and fixes:

Dust Buildup in Concealers

Over time, dust bunnies and debris can accumulate inside wire management boxes and raceways. Periodically detach them to clean inside and keep cords clean.

Insufficient Cable Slack

If concealing cables too tightly, you may not have enough slack when needing to unplug devices or move things around. Leave a little extra length for flexibility.

Damaged Concealers

Pets and office chairs can damage concealers over time, causing cords to become exposed again. Replace broken wire management products as needed.

Rearranged Office Layout

When moving furniture to rearrange your office, previously hidden wires can become loose and unruly again. Be prepared to reorganize cords as needed.

Limited Power Outlets

If your office lacks sufficient power outlets, extension cords and power strips become essential, making wire concealment more challenging. Add extra electrical outlets where feasible.

Dust and Debris Inside Conduits

Out-of-sight does not mean out-of-mind! Remember to periodically detach conduits and raceways to clean away dust buildup over time for safety.

Preventive Maintenance Measures

Proper organizational habits go a long way in keeping office wires neatly concealed over the long term:

Label Cords

Use printed adhesive labels or handwritten painter’s tape to identify both ends of all cables so you can easily reconnect devices after unplugging.

Periodic Inspections

Check for fraying, damaged, or dusty concealers around every season. Replace aging wire management products as needed.

Allow Extra Slack

When bundling or containing cords, make sure to not wrap too tightly. Give cables a little slack to avoid disconnects if moving stuff.

Utilize Furniture Cutouts

When possible, choose office furniture with built-in cable management features like cutouts and grommets to neatly feed wires.

Outlet Multipliers

Power strip towers and outlet multipliers with rotating plug orientations allow you to eliminate many loose adapter cords.

Cable Lubricants

For difficult wire routing through conduits, apply special cable pull lubricant to reduce friction and strain while protecting wire jackets.

Group By Location

Bundle cords along common paths, e.g. desk wires together, wall-mounted TV wires together. Makes reorganization simpler.

FAQs: Hiding Office Wires

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about concealing computer and office cords:

Is it safe to bundle cords together?

Yes, it is generally safe to group multiple cords together as long as you avoid wrapping too tightly. Ensure adequate ventilation and do not position bundles underneath heavy objects.

Will concealing cords increase fire risk?

Properly concealed cords with adequate airflow have minimal increased fire risk in a home office environment. Ensure wires are not damaged, frayed, or covered tightly without breathability.

Where should I position a cable management box?

Cable management boxes can sit flush underneath desks, tucked into open stand legs, or even mounted on the wall. Place them wherever most convenient to organize unruly wires out of sight.

How do I hide cords on my standing desk?

For standing desks, coil extra wire slack and secure using Velcro ties or clips to the underside of the desk. You can also install a mesh cable tray below to neatly contain various wires together as needed.

What is the easiest way to conceal wall-mounted TV wires?

For wall-mounted televisions, the simplest approach is to position near a power outlet and feed cords through the wall cavity. Alternatively, attach cords neatly to the back of the wall mount before mounting to the wall.

Should I unplug concealed cords before cleaning?

Yes, you should disconnect devices from concealed cords before cleaning dust buildup from wire covers and conduits. This allows you to remove them safely for cleaning and prevents any short circuits.

I hope this comprehensive guide gives you many helpful tips and tricks for expertly hiding computer and office cords! Let me know if you have any other questions.