someguy Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 This is my desk (at home). It has a glass top and no back to it, so I've got all of these friggin wires all over the place. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to hide this mess? Or should this post just serve as a warning to other readers not to buy a desk like this? thanks, someguy
brad77 Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Yikes! You've got a cable management project on your hands! Sounds like a job for some zip ties and some cable wraps (like these). If you think that you might be changing things around fairly regularly, you might want to opt for velcro straps, though those tend to be more expensive. Also, while the spiral wraps look nicer, IMO, they are a pain in the *** to put on/tear down. If you want something more permanent looking, try searching for some cable raceways (possibly like these). They'd need to be cut to size, but could end up looking pretty good. If you found some black ones, you could probably camouflage them fairly well. Oh, and I don't recommend for or against the retailer I linked to above. They just came up at the top of my Google search for examples.
RatRanch Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Further to Brad77's comments, the split or spiral cable wraps do look nice but they are a major pain to maintain when you need to add or pull out a cable. A few strategically placed velcro ties can quickly clean up a rat's nest of wires. You can save a lot of money by buying this material by the roll and cutting it to size, e.g., there are a few vendors on Amazon selling 5 yard rolls for around $15. Works great for keeping coils of garden hose neat too! -Jim
tahoe Posted January 5, 2010 Posted January 5, 2010 buy a black curtain at Target and velcro it to the back of the desk as a skirt. Unplug every cable and plug them back in in order. It works wonders.
someguy Posted January 5, 2010 Author Posted January 5, 2010 thanks guys, I'll give it a shot with zip ties and velcro.
intellihome Posted January 14, 2010 Posted January 14, 2010 My desk is in the middle of the room as well with the back faceing everyone to see. I built a half wall and put a piece of stained pine (1X10) on the top. It kind of looks like a reception desk now. the wall is constructed of regular 2x4's and sheet rock. While I was at it I wired three receptacles mounted horizontaly just above the desk. Even if you don't construct a wall, they make short partition walls, either room dividers or cubile walls. Just some thoughts
someguy Posted January 14, 2010 Author Posted January 14, 2010 thanks. I used some zip ties and it looks reasonable. I think I'm going to stay with that for now.
brad77 Posted January 15, 2010 Posted January 15, 2010 Indeed! That printer cord is too short, eh? Looks better!
Algorithm Posted January 15, 2010 Posted January 15, 2010 Like intellihome and someguy, my desk is in the middle of the room with the back facing out. However, it is full-size and of wood construction (including modesty panel), and it has the cable/cord outlets at either side of the top, for the cables to go through, which keeps a nice, neat appearance. [A few velco ties can be used for the bundles on top of the desk from the equipment to the outlets.] However, I did use the split cable wraps linked by brad77 in the rear of my entertainment cabinets. They work wonderfully well and really clean up a cable mess, but like RatRanch mentioned they can be a real pain when you need to change or add cables--something I don't do nearly as frequently on the entertainment side as on the computer side. These split cable wraps can be had much cheaper in the automotive section of places like Canadian Tire. BTW, someguy, I take it you are a fan of West by Northwest?
Chris Jahn Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Awhile back I had a setup similar to yours. I found the best solution for me was to cover the area by putting a simple stand-alone shallow shelf right up against the front of the desk. If you get one roughly the dimensions of the front of the desk it looks good and you get a bit more storage as well.
someguy Posted February 1, 2010 Author Posted February 1, 2010 Awhile back I had a setup similar to yours. I found the best solution for me was to cover the area by putting a simple stand-alone shallow shelf right up against the front of the desk. If you get one roughly the dimensions of the front of the desk it looks good and you get a bit more storage as well. are you talking about an actual shelf or a cabinet? either way, this might hide the wires from view from where I sit behind the desk, but wouldn't hide the wires that are behind the shelf/cabinet for other people in the room who aren't sitting behind the desk.
Chris Jahn Posted February 2, 2010 Posted February 2, 2010 are you talking about an actual shelf or a cabinet? either way, this might hide the wires from view from where I sit behind the desk, but wouldn't hide the wires that are behind the shelf/cabinet for other people in the room who aren't sitting behind the desk. Yes, just a small shallow shelf in front of the desk. The wires will be behind the back of the shelf therefore you should only be able to see them from the side, or from under the desk.
phycomp Posted August 15, 2012 Posted August 15, 2012 I must admit, the sight of your desk reminds me of my own, too many wall warts, USB and ethernet cables
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