The Ties That Bind: How to Creatively Gather Your Equipment Cords

"Spaghetti wires" is a term that one of my old bosses coined when he walked in and saw the back of my desk. The issue was that the back of my desk faced whoever walked into my office. The even bigger challenge was that as a systems manager, I had two monitors, two hard drives, a server, a couple of printers, and a phone surrounding me. You can imagine what the wires resembled - yes, spaghetti noodles. So how did I organize those cords? I creatively gathered them together, and you can too.

Cost-Friendly Options

There are many easy ways to clean up your wire act with items you already have around your office. Gather up some twist ties, rubber bands, string, masking tape and paper clips. If your cords run across the top of your desk, line them up like pencils and tape them down neatly with some scotch tape. The cords to my notebook computer are gathered this way, and the clear tape makes it less unsightly. Before you lay the tape, however, be sure to allow enough length for shifting around a bit. Otherwise, you will find yourself taping and re-taping your cords, which defeats the purpose.

If your equipment cords face anyone who walks into your office, follow these steps:

• Position your keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc., exactly where you want them. Remember to leave extra cord for your mouse.
• Tape down the cords with clear packaging or scotch tape in such a manner that they run from each machine separately, but join together on the top of your desk.
• Carefully gather the cords and use tape, an opened paper clip, a rubber band or another means to hold them together tightly. To make the gathered cords appear aesthetically pleasing, cover your means of gathering (tape, etc.) with a pretty cloth ribbon tied neatly in a bow. The ribbon(s) you choose can be very simple and discreet or, you can get creative, and use wide, elaborate bows in colors that accent your office décor.

Channeling Martha Stewart

You can take this idea one step further by cutting a piece of decorative cloth the length of your cords from the desk to the floor. Wrap the cloth around the cords and tie the decorative bow in the middle - kind of like drapes. However, if you're not the seamstress type, face the cloth to you, wrap it around the cords, and use staples to fasten it together. (Note: be careful not to staple any cords.) Turn the closure side toward the desk, tie a ribbon in the middle, and notice how your cords are now displayed like pretty little curtains!

Other Options

If your office contains a mass of equipment cords, it can be both unsightly and potentially dangerous. Fortunately, you can purchase products from office-supply stores that fit neatly over cords and secure them to the floor - although duct tape often works just as well.

Other items to help you gather your cords include Velcro strips and plastic zip ties. Colored pipe cleaners even work - use your pencil to make little twists at the end of the pipe cleaners for a ribbon effect. If you have thin wires lying haphazardly across your desk, wind them up with cardboard. Cut a piece of thick cardboard about 2 inches by 4 inches and wrap the cord around it. Secure with any of the items suggested above, and you have instant organization. Don't have thick cardboard lying around? An empty bathroom tissue roll or paper towel roll works beautifully. Wrap the cord around the empty roll and secure it with a few strips of tape. Also, hide the roll with a tissue box cover, and you've turned your spaghetti wires into decoration!

Creatively control your cords, and turn your cluttered, crazy desk into a colorful, clean work area!