Organize and hide your messy cords with cable grommets.
With the right tool it's an easy DIY.
Come see how to hide that tangled mess under your desk or tv.
With the right tool it's an easy DIY.
Come see how to hide that tangled mess under your desk or tv.
I am a purest when it comes to home decor ~ purely form over function.
I know, I know, there are necessary evils in every home.
And many of them are unsightly. But when at all possible, I will choose pretty over practical and attractiveness over amenities.
Sometimes, it creates extra work or causes me to think outside the decoration box, and it frustrates the daylights out of my husband, who is my contractor, but I can't help it.
If it doesn't look right, I don't care how it well it works.
This is especially true when it comes to managing unsightly wires or cords.
My kitchen office is a perfect example.
I spent a lot of time designing this desk space and I didn't want an unsightly tangle messing up my visual.
Of course, I needed to have very easy access to the computer charger and the adapter for the house speakers, but frankly, I didn't want to see any of them.
No problem, I had a quick fix...something we'd used in our old house...on our old desk.
It is called a cord or cable grommet and it magically makes all of your mess go away.
Mine is similar to this one: White Desk Cable Grommet
How fabulous!
This super inexpensive piece of hardware organizes and guides all of the cords below a desk or behind a piece of furniture to an out of sight outlet, leaving you with nothing but a clean work surface.
Plus, it's easy to install.
How To Install Cable Grommets
I have seen cable grommets used on laminate countertops (like mine), wood furniture, sheetrock, particleboard furniture and natural stone slabs, like granite.
As long as you (or someone with the proper know how) have the right bit and can drill through your material, you are good to go.
My handy husband borrowed a bit from a professionally handy neighbor and drilled a two inch hole through the formica.
Then he slipped the first ring right into the hole. No glue necessary, it just sits in the space.
The opening is wide enough to grab the cords, that are plugged into an outlet below the desk.
When all the necessary wires have been fed through the grommet, the next ring is snapped on to secure them.
There are openings to fit a variety of wire widths.
Lastly, the flat cover gets snapped into place and voila!
All of those ugly cords are hidden and I can focus on that gorgeous fabric on my cabinets
And my tulips!
I'm still not thrilled with the outlet that peeks over my laptop, but honestly, it fades away since it's empty.
An added benefit?
Without the big plug sticking out or a handful of wires gathered on the desk, my computer can sit flush again the wall, giving me extra space to work.
Without the big plug sticking out or a handful of wires gathered on the desk, my computer can sit flush again the wall, giving me extra space to work.
Or play.
It's a win-win for under five bucks!
I love it when I don't have to choose.
Are your cords running wild?
Here are some more easy tricks!
Hi Kim! Love cable grommets - used them in our kitchen desk area as well. I also used one to access a plug for a lamp I have in an area with no outlet. We didn't want to install a new electrical outlet, and fortunately there was an outlet in the room on the other side of the wall where I wanted a lamp. Drilled a hole, put a grommet on both sides and all is well. Thanks for sharing - I know many will make use of these! :) Jane
ReplyDeleteThey really do have a lot of uses, Jane, don't they? I can't stand the loose cords all over the place, so finding these was a dream of a solution!!
DeleteOh my! Grommets on both sides of the wall!! Brilliant!
DeleteI think you have solved "the cord problem" perfectly . . .
ReplyDeleteMy cords are "quite tame" . . . although I can think of one area where some new "fencing" may need to be considered!
Thanks Lynne. I am not a tangle kind of girl!! Now if I could just "tame" my kids this easily!! ;-)
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteYes some of my cords are running wild and I need to bring them under control.
My problem is that I do have my own desk, but I seem to like to move around the house with my laptop!
I am going to stay put and stay neat.
Great tip and tutorial! Sharing right now:)
Jemma
Thanks Jemma. I tend to roam, too. I am working by the pool right now!! I just needed a home base to charge this laptop and in winter I do tend to sit at the desk…but when there is sunshine outside or a good show on tv, I travel too!! And, yes, the paperwork mess travels with me. I still need a way to wrangle all that!! ; )
DeleteClever idea! Had to pin it...can't stand cords snaking everywhere...
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. It really made a difference for us!
DeleteHi Kim, Love this. I'm with you on the unsightly cords. I try very hard to hide them too and my hubby has accommodated my ideas with his talents. The grommet for wires really makes a difference. Your desk looks fabulous, neat and tidy, yet decorative too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer!
Thank you Celestina. I like organized...and pretty!! The grommets help…so does a little strategically placed duct tape! ;-) Shhh.
DeleteKim, I'm with you on hiding all the messy cords. We still have an issue in our kitchen with TV cable box and cords on a counter. Trying to figure out a way to hide this mess.
ReplyDeleteYes, those cable boxes are a menace aren’t they?? I have them hidden away in cabinets in I have heard that in a few years they will be gone completely. Here’s hoping!! :)
DeleteLove your desk area Kim. So pretty. The grommet for your wires is a great idea. Happy Summer.
ReplyDeleteKris
Thanks Kris. The handy hubby found them years ago and we have used them whenever we have unruly wires. They really do make a difference.
DeleteI love this! I would love a kitchen desk and when I get one, I will have to remember this clever gadget. LOVE the curtains on your doors. I had that in my last kitchen and just love the look.
ReplyDeleteThe fabric on the glass is my favorite, AnnMarie! I can hide my mess inside. ;-)
DeleteYour desk is so neat and organized, and I am like you, the most important thing is the prettiness factor! Thanks for showing us how you tame those pesky cords :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for peeking, Karen!! :)
DeleteYou are so right Kim...that makes a much better look & function!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheryl Ann! We put so much time and thought into design...I didn't want the cords to mess it up. ;)
DeleteI've got some ugly cords to get rid of!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
It's a super easy fix, Brenda! And it's cheap, too!
DeleteOh girl, I hear ya! I did an entire post on how to hide cords once. I can't stand them. :) I can't believe I haven't heard of your solution! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteKindred design spirits for sure, Lisa!! :)
DeleteLike you, I hate unsightly cords from any kind of electronics, even lamps! Nowhere to put these grommets in our house though because all electronics (laptops, lamps) are always moved. A permanent hole in a piece of furniture or countertop would drive me more batty than seeing cords! If we had a "real" office space with a permanent desk, then I'd do it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Melanie. This is not a temporary fix. You definitely have to be committed to your electronics placement for the long haul or you will end up with holes!! Great point!!
DeleteGreat idea! I agree, I don't like to see cords anywhere. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Lynn and thank you!
DeleteThis is exactly what my husband did in my craft room and I just love it. It was the perfect solution to hide all the cords from the sewing machine, silhouette, etc. Great pot, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria Elena...oh and just the mention of your craft room has me drooling!!
DeleteWhat a great solution.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I blog on the dining room table and my cord is always showing. At least I can just put my computer away when I'm not using it.
That sounds like a perfect plan, Carol and all of your cords go away..poof! No tools required!
DeleteWhat a clever idea! Everything looks so neat and tidy, Kim. And as always, it all looks just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. You are always the sweetest! :)
DeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI love cable grommets, I discovered them a long time ago when we got new workstations at work that had them on the desks, I thought it was the most genius idea and could work in our home too.
I have a techy husband who likes to install a lot of things in our home that become a bit of an eyesore night mare for me, so I am glad that I am not alone in my quest to hide it all! I would pick pretty over functional too! :)
That fabric inside your cupboards is so pretty...the tulips too!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Kimberley
I love technology Kimberley, but hate the necessary cords and cables, too. This handy trick got rid of them on my desk!
DeleteHi Kim, I love your kitchen desk area. It looks so neat and organized. Thanks for sharing this tip for the wires! It helps to have a handy husband. I also love your summer curtains and tutorial p. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteJulie
A handy husband is my best decorating cheat, Julie! I would just be a bundle of ideas and no actual projects without him...or completely broke!! ;)
DeleteKim, cords drive me crazy too and I have devised several tricks for hiding them but I've never seen this nifty gadget--great to know! I have one of those outlets that bug me too ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is a nifty gadget, thanks! :)
DeleteGreat idea and I did not know about the hot iron. I am going to use that trick. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt worked like a charm, Vanessa! Thanks for the visit!
DeleteI have a couple of places where I'd like to do this. We've drilled and used grommets on wood shelves before but not on the counter top. It's definitely a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stacey. I have to say that I love it, it really does hide the cords well.
DeletePerfect idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carla. It really did make a difference!
DeleteWell that is certainly a clever gadget indeed ! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! :)
DeleteIs that real water in the vase?
ReplyDeleteYes! I just dropped a little bit on the bottom of the vase. :)
DeleteYes this is a great idea, I have them in my desk area too! Lovely Home
ReplyDeleteMaria
Thank you, Maria! They really do the job! :)
DeleteHey....you should hang a small picture over the outlet that you are slightly above your laptop. Dollar store should have something -- put it up with a suction cup of one of those removable hooks that has the strip you pull when you want to take it down. If you like the frame just swap pics to match season!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Vicki! I hate those outlets. What a great idea to camouflage them. Thanks!
Delete