Comments on: Reader question: Help curb my cable clutter!

By: L L Macpherson

L L Macpherson — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:01:08 +0000

Looks like this might be able to be solved by hanging a separate “curtain” from the underside of the cabinet above aobut 8 inches from the wall. Obviously all the electrical solutions have been addressed, however sometimes the aggravation of reconfiguring even the smallest thing can seem too much. This is especially true if you have kids and time is at a premium.

By: zyzzyva57

zyzzyva57 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:24:18 +0000

When reworking your cables make sure you can easily and quickly get to your wires and “boxes” so when you have that inevitable problem and have to do this and that for the internet/cable provider’s tech support, you can–CONSTANTLY PRACTICE AS YOU “DE-COBWELL,” CAN I GET TO XYZ FOR TECH SUPPORT

Step back and note your “hot” spots, e.g., where there are cobwells of wires and boxes mixed in with others

Separate out the cobwell that can be put on your right, then middle, then left, e.g., move those power plugs to a plug in to the left, middle, and right?

Nex, de-cobwell from left to right, ALWAYS REMEMBERING CAN I FIND XYZ AS DESCRIBED ABOVE FOR THOSE INEVITABLE PROBLEM

Next study the remaining sub cobwells and figure there might be/must be a solution–you are not alone in dealing with this type of mess, e.g., electricians–so visit Home Depot/Lowes and describe your situation and ask for suggestions

If you are ready to notch it up and spend real money, check with Best Buy for advice and products, e.g., cordless speakers or flat monitors or laptops

Too, RSS various shopping sites for great buys on cordless mouses, etc

“Dollar stores,” pawn shops, and Goodwill stores are worth checking

Use “industrial strength” Velcro to hold boxes to the back,sides,and under desks, REMEMBERING CAN I GET TO THEM TO GIVE TECH SUPPORT THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE BOX OR ANSWER DO I HAVE THIS OR THAT WIRE PLUGGED IN

RSS various such sites as this one and when you see a suggestion, pause and think: can I modify this or do this on the cheap?

By: Tania

Tania — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:38:39 +0000

I’m late to the party, but I have 3 of these and I LOVE them

http://www.belkin.com/surgeprotection/clamp-on/

ended the cable nightmare I had going on, no construction required…

By: Milo

Milo — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:10:18 +0000

Just received this on my inbox, something called CableBox..
http://www.bluelounge.com/cablebox

If you think $30 is worth it to clean up the mess.

By: J

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:30:23 +0000

defrag the office…

http://lifehacker.com/394387/d.....efficiency

By: Chamberlyn

Chamberlyn — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:38:03 +0000

My mom has basically the same set up in her kitchen, though she has a much smaller space. She is horrible with clutter, but she’s doing a few things right that could help Sara.

1) As others have said, under-the-counter lighting is great. One less wire and less thing on the desk.

2) Laptop. My mom just learned to use a computer, so she has her laptop front and center on her desk. She keeps it closed most of the time so that she can work over it and puts it up when needed. She just uses the touchpad so she has no need for a mouse (or mousepad).

3) Wireless internet. If there are any other computers in the house, you wouldn’t even have to worry about finding a place for the router and such on the desk (or in cabinets).

The only remaining cord would be the laptop power cord, and it would also free up a lot of desk space to be used for other activities. When company comes over, the laptop could be unplugged and put away, leading to a completely clutter-free space.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:07:28 +0000

My super-cheap suggestion: next time the clementines that come in those cute wooden boxes are on sale at the grocery store, buy one. Take special note to pick a box in good condition. Eat the clementines, then take the box and turn it upside down. Stick all your excess wires underneath and sit your lamp on top of it. Get one of those plastic corrals for the length that goes between the box and your monitor.

I had to do something similar for my telephone that the previous owners have running through the kitchen. Quick, cheap, crafty & frugal!

I would also measure the space between your desktop and the floor and then find a stool that will fit – that chair takes up way too much space.

By: tod hilton

tod hilton — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:29:34 +0000

Honestly, I’d replace the PC, monitor & keyboard with a laptop. You can find good ones now for around $500 (sufficient for email, web surfing, word processing, photo editing, etc.) and they have such a smaller footprint.

By: Susan W

Susan W — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:10:33 +0000

Melinda, well said. Sara: NEVER get rid of your “no nagging” sign.

Enjoy the day, everyone. Susan Wiggs

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:06:38 +0000

The Container Store sells something called a cable turtle that also does a good job of concealing wires and cables.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Sat, 24 May 2008 10:57:05 +0000

I disagree with the person who said that the “no nagging” sign is clutter.
It is very important that people don’t nag. This sign sets the boundaries. There will be no nagging.

Nagging = clutter.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:04:54 +0000

I think that for the amount of money you would spend buying a flat screen, wireless keyboard and mouse, drilling holes in your counter etc, you would probably be best off replacing this desktop computer with a laptop. With the prices of laptops these days, you most likely wouldn’t be spending more. You might even save money. A bonus is greatly reduced clutter, and even the option of mobility.

So my recommendation would be a laptop and wireless internet. Overhead lighting would also be a good idea. If you got a laptop, you could feasibly keep the lamp, but just move it to the very left of the counter.

By: Susan W

Susan W — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:08:09 +0000

First of all, Sara, this picture takes me back, for sure! (My child is all grown up now). LOVE the magnets on the oven drawer and the kid photos above. FOUR kids? This “clutter” is nothing! Nothing, I say!

Anyway, I’m sure the feng-shui police will arrest me for saying this, but I love the feel and personality of of this workspace, better than the idealized, stark, barren wastelands we usually see. Is this space beautiful? Nah. So what? The computer works, right? You can check your e-mail, pay a bill, do a little work and then you’re outta there.

My advice? Turn off the computer, grab the kids, take them outside and play with them. Trust me, that’s the best use of your time and effort. Susan Wiggs

By: allen

allen — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:48:14 +0000

It takes almost no work to move an electrical outlet yourself. That being said, for the easiest way, she should get a right-angle (this kind of plug-end) power-strip, and she could mount that under the counter, after drilling a small hole. Keep the strip mounted to the back wall, and you've removed ALOT of the clutter right there. She could mount the computer under the counter, too. Either that, or get a smaller one ( like this, and it'd be easier to mount under the computer. I totally agree with all the comments on getting an LCD with built-in speakers, save ALOT of space. Once you have your computer, the power strip, &c under your counter, you could move the internet-bit under there, too. I don't like the idea of her buying a lap-top for this, because of something happens to the bits (she has kids, remember), then it will be alot more exspensive to replace the individual units. Alternativly, you could rip out that chunk of space, and re-build it to your whims. Bwahahahahha Good luck!

By: Lars Hoel

Lars Hoel — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:28:05 +0000

When it’s time to upgrade your computer, a 20″ iMac with wireless keyboard and mouse will do wonders for this desk (and you can even run Windows on it).