DIY cable-tidy solutions
Cables. They're the bane of our lives. If your workstation resembles a writhing Lovecraftian horror, check out these DIY solutions to making your space liveable.
Sure, there's the good ol' cable-ties and twist-ties, but if you want to get your cables out of the way, you're going to need a more creative solution. Click through the gallery below for cable-tidying fixes made with stuff you might have lying around at home. Full instructions for each project can be found via the links.
These solutions have mostly been applied to desks, but the majority will also work for a home entertainment situation.
Got a hot cable-tidying tip to share? Let us know about it in the comments below!
(Credit: radiorental)
Cable bone
If you've bought something recently that came cradled with sheets of packing foam, you can use it to make an ad-hoc bone-shaped spool for winding up excess cable. Harder foam is more durable, but packing foam will do in a pinch.
What you need
Foam
A marker
Scissors or a packing knife
A small drill
(Credit: berserk)
Toilet roll tidy
This one looks a bit naff, but will do for an interim solution. All you have to do is roll your cable up into a cardboard tube; et voila, no more cable mess.
What you need
A toilet roll
(Credit: projetsugru)
Lego cable clip
This one won't put all your cables away in one place, but if you're looking for a way to clip your cables somewhere convenient, it's really nifty.
What you need
Two flat, two-square Lego pieces
Sugru (which is a really cool thing to have around your home for DIY projects. Superglue or epoxy glue will also work if you don't have or can't get Sugru.)
(Credit: nataliecreations)
Cardboard cable organiser
This one doesn't look the prettiest, but it'll cost you very little and prevent unsightly tangles on your desk … Which is what you want, right?
What you need
Heavy cardboard
Duct tape (for stabilisation)
Double-sided tape or glue (depending how permanent you want it to be)
(Credit: Chris Metcalf)
Polyurethane cable organiser
Similar to Natalie's cardboard organiser is this one from Chris Metcalf, only, it's a little sturdier and less visible. It seems to be operating on a bread-clip principle. If you have old ice-cream containers floating around, give it a whirl.
What you need
Plastic (eg, an old ice cream container)
A jar lid
A marker
Drill or hole punch
Scissors or packing knife
Double-sided tape or glue
(Credit: telaya)
Fishing weight cable retractor
Once you have an organiser like Natalie's or Chris' in place, you can make your cables auto-retracting with just some simple fishing weights.
What you need
Fishing weights
Twist ties
(Credit: thirdspaced)
Under the desk: bulldog clips
What about the nasty forgotten region under the desk? Instructables user, thirdspaced's solution is a little more work, but allows him go from the image on the left to the one on the right, using bulldog clips and a few other bits and pieces.
What you need
Large bulldog clips
Screws shorter than the width of your desk
Washers
Velcro straps (optional)
(Credit: Lifehacker/Seandavid010)
Rain gutter cable storage
To be fair, there aren't many people who keep rain gutters just lying around — but if you are one of those people, this option is great for clearing the clutter out from under your desk. The cables nest neatly in the gutter, and no one is any the wiser.
What you need
Roof guttering at desired length, plus end caps and hangers
Threaded hooks and appropriately sized nuts
Drill
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