Cables are the bane of your existence, right? They are a necessary evil in and around your desk and always seem to get in the way. because:
- They are always in the way.
- They are never long enough to allow you to place the equipment exactly where you need it.
- They look unsightly.
- They are a trip hazard.
- They occasionally suffer damage by being pulled too hard or by being walked-on.
- They can cause damage to the delicate connectors on some of your equipment.
- They can be accidentally unplugged.
The answer is Proper Cable Management. There’s nothing complicated about cable management; it’s simply a way of saying to make the cable tidy, put them out of the way, and don’t stress them.
Here are 10 rules for effective cable management in DIY workspaces:
- Plan Ahead:
Before laying out your cables, plan the layout of your workspace and the placement of your devices to minimize the length of cables needed. This is not to say you should move the equipment to suit the cables! It can be more useful now that most gadgets use wireless communication, so that you mostly you only need to concern yourself about power cable routing, and therefore you only need to get back to the nearest power strip. - Add Label Cables:
Use labels or colored tags to identify each cable’s purpose. This makes it easier to troubleshoot and rearrange cables in the future. I know this sounds unnecessary in the beginning, but you will add more devices and cables through time, and it’s so easy to forget the purpose of that cable you set in place six months ago. - Use Cable Ties:
Gather and bundle cables using Velcro or reusable cable ties to keep them organized and prevent tangling. Avoid over-tightening to prevent damage. You don’t need to tighten the cable ties so much that you pinch the cables. Just tighten them enough to hold the cables in place. That way, when you want to run the cable round a corner, or to move them slightly in a cable tray, there will be enough ‘give’ in the bundle to allow for this. - Cable Trays and Channels:
Install cable trays, channels, or raceways under desks and along walls to route cables neatly and out of sight. It’s difficult to make a bunch of cable look neat using cable ties; it’s much easier when they’re hidden away in a cable tray. Over-size the cable trays and channels where you can, because you will need this extra space in the future. - Mount Power Strips:
Mount power strips and surge protectors to the underside of desks or on walls or even on shelves to keep them off the floor and reduce clutter. Mount more than you think you would ever need. For instance, on a typical desk I would suggest mounting a power strip on each side of the desk as well as one along the back of the desk. On a tall shelving unit, mount one high and a second lower down. - Separate Power and Data Cables:
Run power and data cables separately to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI). Use different sides of the desk or different cable channels if possible. Yes, a lot of devices today rely on wireless data transmission, but some still rely on this. You will probably find that it’s ok to run all cables side by side because the EMI is minimal given the small power demands within the desk, but it’s still best to obey this rule where you can because it could become an issue in the future. - Use Cable Clips and Anchors:
Utilize adhesive-backed cable clips and anchors to guide and secure cables along surfaces, preventing them from hanging loosely. If a cable can hang loosely, it can be snagged – I remember once I had a cable drooping at the rear of my desk, but it was out of the way, or so I thought. Then one day I stretched my legs and snagged the cable, and this yanked by printer across the desk until it’s cable pulled out of the connector. - Measure and Trim Cables:
Cut cables to the appropriate length when possible or use cable organizers to manage excess length. Coiling excess cable can create a tidier appearance. This is especially true of the power strips bolted to your desk. You can see that the excess cable from 4 power strips could take up a lot of space; it’s much better to simply trim these cables to length. - Regular Maintenance:
Periodically check your cable management system to ensure cables remain organized, secure, and undamaged. Adjust as needed for any new equipment. As you add more equipment to your desk, you might find some of it takes permanent residence there. Once identified, you should decide on a permanent desktop placement for it and route its cabling properly to become a permanent fixture in the desk. - Accessibility:
Ensure that critical connections are easily accessible. Don’t bury essential cables too deeply within bundles or behind fixed objects. Try to classify your cable runs. Power strips can be considered a permanent fixture in your desk and mounted as such with cable runs that are the least inaccessible. Everything after this should be easily accessible when the desk is moved out from the wall, etc.. A monitor could be considered a permanent installation, but it’s very likely you will replace the monitor after a few years, so relatively ease of access for these cables would be necessary.
By following these rules, you can maintain a tidy, efficient, and safe workspace that enhances productivity and reduces the risk of cable-related hazards.