Life & Work Skills

The One Product That Keeps My Desk From Looking Like a Disaster Zone

written by KRISTEN GARAFFO

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Source: Alaina Kaz
Source: Alaina Kaz

Creating good vibes in your work-from-home space is essential for productivity and your overall well-being. You always want to have clear space for your notebooks, a spot for a variety of beverages (coffee and water for me, always), and a candle lit nearby to lift your mood. But perhaps one thing that isn’t necessarily as fun or pretty as aesthetic notebooks and cute coffee mugs are the cords that seem to plague the underside of your desk. Everything can look organized and pristine on the surface, while underneath is littered with cords and outlets. Why is it that everything seems to need a plug?

For me, there are many reasons I need a power strip for my desk, and I know I can’t be the only one. My desk lamp, of course, needs an outlet, and I need two more for my laptop charger and the desk itself, since I have a standing desk that can move up and down. Bonus outlets include a plug for my mug warmer, which keeps my hot coffee hot (game changer), a phone charger, and a charger for my noise-canceling headphones. Sure, some of these bonus outlets don’t need to be right at my desk, but it’s nice to have everything close by in a designated space for all things work-related. 

Simply plugging in a power strip and setting it on the floor was great since everything that needed an outlet got one. But what wasn’t cute was seeing all the cords stretched out to the floor as I walked into my office space. Once I was working, I couldn’t really see the cords so it was out of sight, out of mind… but they would bug me any time I wasn’t seated or standing at the desk. I knew I needed a solution, and a quick Amazon search led me to a few different options. 

I’m no stranger to cord management, and have used cord coverings before, mainly for all the cords that plug into our TV and cable box in the living room, but this was a situation where cord coverings weren’t going to cut it. I found an organizer box but decided against it because I didn’t want it taking up valuable desk space, and keeping it on the floor wouldn’t solve the problem of cords being stretched from the desk to the floor, at both ends of the desk itself. What I ended up with is a cable management tray that fits my power strip perfectly and allows space for all the cords and plugs, without the cords being spread out everywhere. This turned out to be the perfect solution, and I’m here to spread the good word so you, too, can elevate your workspace:

My Cord Organizer

Amazon
Under Desk Cable Management Tray

Say goodbye to jumbled messes of wires and plugs under your desk with this attachable tray that keeps everything in check.

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My Review

cable management tray review
Source: Kristen Garaffo

The tray was super easy to put together, and it arrived with velcro cable ties and adhesive cable clips, which definitely came in handy. The tray clamps to the desk itself and holds up to 15 pounds. Shortening and wrapping the cords is part of the puzzle of organizing them, and the Velcro strips come in handy for all the extra length by the outlet where you plug them in. I also ended up using two cord wrappers that I already had for the extra-long cords that the desk itself comes with. After just a few minutes of plugging everything in and wrapping the cords up,  the underside of my desk became much tidier, and all of the cords were out of sight as much as possible. It’s a win! 

While I may be able to see the exposed power strip and wrapped cords when I crouch down and look under the desk, I no longer see a sea of electronics when I walk into the room anymore, which calms my nervous system and keeps my spirits high as I settle in to work. Life just feels a little easier when everything is organized and in its place, ya know? It’s always the little things! 

My Desk Essentials

Amazon
6-Outlet Power Strip

This is a a must-have item to help keep an organized, central hub for all of your chargers and electronics.

 

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Apple
Noise Cancelling Headphones

Investing in comfortable, high quality headphones for a 10/10 work from home experience is 100% the move, and this pair by Apple is perfect for the job.

 

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Amazon
Mug Warmer Plate

There’s nothing more annoying than your morning coffee or tea getting cold before you have time to finish it. So, opt for this mug warmer to keep your bev of choice at the perfect temperature all day long.

 

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The Everygirl X Day Designer
Weekly/Monthly Planner

Make sure your mind and tasks are just as organized as your desk with the help of this weekly and monthly planner that offers weekly calendars, tabbed monthly views, and more.

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Other Cord Organization Essentials

Amazon
Cable Clips

Using these discreet, stick-on cord organizers is a super easy way to keep your workspace wires tangle free.

 

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Amazon
Silicone Cable Straps

Your earphones and chargers that you take on the go need to stay in check, too—these cable straps are absolute life savers.

 

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Amazon
Cable Sleeve Organizer

Having a million loose wires under your desk is kind of a headache to look at, you know? This sleeve not only keeps all your chords untangled, but also keeps them contained to have your area look and feel super organized.

 

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