Tangled Tribulations and Tidy Triumphs
As a self-proclaimed lazy gamer, I’ll admit – cable management has never been my strong suit. In fact, I used to think it was a complete waste of time, something only the most obsessive among us would bother with. That is, until I found myself parting the great, tangled seafloor of ethernet cables to vacuum my office, yet again. [4]
You see, I’m the kind of person who would rather spend my free time actually gaming than fiddling around with wires and clips. But as my collection of gaming gear and office equipment continued to grow over the past year, my floor started looking more and more like Strega Nona’s pasta pot. [4] It was time to face the music and get my cables under control.
From Chaos to Calm: A Cable Management Journey
I’ll be the first to admit, the idea of drilling holes, installing raceways, and meticulously arranging every single cord seemed like the antithesis of lazy. But as I delved deeper into the world of cable management, I discovered that there were actually plenty of easy, low-effort ways to tidy up my setup. [4]
The first step, of course, was to unplug everything and take stock of the situation. [4] Ugh, annoying, I know. But trust me, it’s the most important part. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to properly untangle that rats’ nest. I found it helpful to group the cables by location – the ones on the right side of the room separate from the ones on the left, for example. [4]
Embrace the Cable Sleeve
Once I had everything laid out, I started planning my cable routing. If you’re like me and prefer a wired setup for your PC and peripherals, it’s a good idea to start with your ethernet hub and work outward from there. [4] I had three ethernet cables snaking around my home office, so I decided to switch out one of the raceway spots for an HDMI cable running from my PC to my TV.
Grouping the cables with reusable velcro ties or plastic ties was a game-changer. [4] It kept everything nice and neat before I tucked them away in sleeves or raceways. And speaking of sleeves, these little beauties are a lifesaver. They take that tangle of cords and turn it into one clean, ignorable tube. [4] I was honestly shocked at how much of a difference they made.
The Power of Raceways and Clips
Another super handy tool in my cable management arsenal? Adhesive cable clips and raceways. [7] These little guys let me route cables along the edges of my desk or even up the wall, keeping them out of sight and out of mind. And the best part? No drilling required. [4]
I also found that a lightweight, low-profile surge protector that I could mount to the bottom of my desk was a game-changer. [4] No more unsightly power cords snaking across the floor! And for those stubborn cables that just won’t stay put, a few strategically placed cable ties or velcro strips did the trick. [6]
Taming the Tangled Beast
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But what about all those pesky peripheral cables? The ones for my keyboard, mouse, and other gadgets?” Well, my friends, that’s where a little creativity comes in. [8]
For my mechanical keyboard, I actually embraced the curly cable look – it’s in right now, you know. [4] And for my wireless peripherals, I was able to tuck the charging cables neatly out of sight using adhesive cable clips and raceways. [4] As for those unavoidable cables, like the ones for my controller chargers, I lined them up in neat little rows using cable organizers. [4]
The end result? A clean, clutter-free workspace that still lets my gamer heart shine through. No more tripping over cords or diving into the abyss to find a missing plug. Just smooth, seamless cable management that keeps my PC looking its best.
Wrapping Up: A Tidy, Tech-Filled Tomorrow
I’ll admit, when I first started this journey, I was dreading every minute of it. But as I slowly transformed my tangled mess into a sleek, organized setup, I found myself genuinely enjoying the process. [8] It’s almost therapeutic, in a weird way – like I’m finally taking control of the chaos that had once ruled my desk.
So if you’re like me and have been putting off cable management for far too long, take the plunge. Embrace the clips, the sleeves, and the velcro. Trust me, your future self (and your floor) will thank you. [4] Plus, think of all the extra time you’ll have to actually game, instead of fishing for that elusive HDMI cable.
Happy cable wrangling, my friends! May your PCs stay tidy and your gaming sessions stay uninterrupted.
References
[1] YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZelaJ5ukwGo
[2] Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/DeskCableManagement/comments/fn3xi9/tutorial_ultimate_cable_management_guide/
[3] YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3dggnkaEs8
[4] Article: https://www.wired.com/story/lazy-gamers-guide-cable-management/
[5] YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6riohb75yc4
[6] Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/4t9kx5/what_are_your_cable_management_tips_inside_and/
[7] Article: https://hardwarecanucks.com/how-to-guides/pc-desk-cable-management-guide-2020/
[8] Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/comments/sgagny/share_your_pedalboard_cable_management_tips_and/
