Q: Since I’m an avid reader/adorer of all things YHL, I’ve seen pretty much all the pictures of your home that you’ve managed to cram into the blog. And every time I see these pics, I swoon over how organized and neat your house is—so very unlike my own. One thing in particular annoys me: office clutter! Cords, cables & wires. Letting it all hang out is NOT my idea of organization or attractiveness. How do you guys make your cords/wires/cables more organized and neat? Must I resort to actually having to tie each wire and cord individually? There must be another way! Right? Please? – Erin
A: I’m a little obsessive about cord clutter. I know it sounds extreme, but we’ve developed a few practical strategies that keep our desk tidy without resorting to individually tying every single cable.
One trick we use is repurposing plain white cardboard Ikea boxes to conceal bulky components like our cable modem and an external hard drive. We punch multiple ventilation holes in the top, sides and back and cut notches for cords to run through, which lets us still plug devices in under the desk while keeping them visually out of sight. After several years of using this method we haven’t had overheating problems, but we do open the boxes periodically to check and make sure airflow is sufficient.
Another simple solution: place a low piece of furniture in front of the cords. For us, a leather ottoman slides neatly under the left side of the desk with the printer on top, and it conceals the cords that run from the boxes to the wall outlet. A budget ottoman or small storage bench works well and gives you extra hidden space for supplies.
For desks that don’t have room for an ottoman, cord-management products from stores like The Container Store, Room & Board and Target can be very helpful. Look for cable channels that mount along the underside of a desk, adhesive cord clips, or fabric tubing and velcro straps that bundle several cables together. These solutions keep cords close to desk legs or the underside of the desktop so nothing dangles or tangles.
We also use desktop containers for small items and supplies so the surface looks intentional rather than cluttered. Two shallow drawers in our West Elm Parsons desk hide papers and notes, while tins on the desktop hold small necessities within reach. A potted plant and a bit of simple artwork help the workspace feel pleasant and lived-in without adding mess.
To summarize practical cord-management ideas we recommend:
- Conceal large devices in ventilated boxes with multiple holes and cord notches—check frequently for heat buildup.
- Place a storage ottoman or small furniture piece in front of cords to hide them and add storage.
- Use cable channels, adhesive clips, tubing, or velcro straps to route and bundle wires neatly.
- Keep desktop clutter minimal with small containers and shallow drawers for papers and supplies.
- Regularly inspect any enclosed electronics to ensure proper ventilation and safety.
We’re curious what tricks you all use—do you tuck cords into raceways, mount power strips under the desk, or hide components in furniture? Share your tips so everyone’s workspace can look and feel more organized.
Update: We’re glad many readers like the Ikea box approach. While it has worked for us, be mindful of safety: punch plenty of ventilation holes, cut a wide exit in the back for cords, and check the components periodically to confirm nothing is overheating. Prioritize safety to avoid creating a fire hazard.