Electrical cords are a necessary part of our lives. They keep our devices running, but they can also be annoying when sitting in the middle of our homes. Being necessary doesn’t mean they need to be disruptive and cumbersome.
To keep electrical cords out of the way and out of sight, we have several recommendations:
- Tape electrical cords under the carpet.
- Tuck electrical cords under the molding or baseboards.
- Cover with rubber or plastic cord covers.
- Tape behind furniture or lamps.
- Purchase an electrical cord organizer.
We’ve compiled this list to help you find the best option for your individual needs. To maximize organization, try applying several of these methods simultaneously. If you want to know where to start and where to get the best products, you’re in the right place.
1. Tape Electrical Cords Under the Carpet
Electrical cords can be safely and discreetly stored beneath your carpeting. This is one of the easiest methods of hiding the wires and electrical cables we have strewn across our living room. There are several ways to do this, but these are the best options:
- Lay them out and place the rug on top
- Tape the cords beneath the rug
- Wire tie them together and place them along the wall
Rugs provide a convenient space to hide your electrical cords. If you only have a few electrical cords you need to hide, then just putting them underneath is sufficient. It is best to have wall-to-wall carpeting or somewhat large area rugs to ensure they reach the walls.
Taping the cords to the floor and placing the rug on top is another suitable method of concealment. Taping your wires will add an extra level of security and help ensure the wires don’t come out from beneath the rug. This is the perfect solution if you have children or pets constantly running around on your carpet.
If you have a lot of wires to conceal under your rug, then wire ties can help keep them together. This is the best option if trying to hide wires for a gaming console or other messy electronics. The best way to do this is to wire tie and tape them securely along the wall, beneath the carpet.
Best Products for Concealing Your Wires Beneath the Rug
If you’re planning on hiding your wires beneath the rug, you will want a secure tape that lasts a while. We do not recommend using duct tape or other industrial tapes because they may damage your floor.
Maxwel Vinyl Black Electrical Tape (link to Amazon) is a wonderful solution. It is a potent adhesive tape that will not damage your floor. The only downside is that these tapes typically sport vibrant colors since they are meant to be used for electrical work. However, if the wires are secured beneath the rug, the color will not matter much.
In addition, you will want to find carpeting that reaches the edges of your walls. You do not necessarily need wall-to-wall carpeting but, you will need more than a space rug or a small central carpet resting in the middle of the floor.
The Artistic Weavers Moroccan Area Rug (link to Amazon) is an excellent option. We like this rug because it’s not wall-to-wall or permanent, but it is large enough to grant sufficient coverage for wires. You can also find similar, large space carpets that provide adequate coverage without dominating the room.
2. Tuck Electrical Cords Under the Molding or Baseboards
Baseboards and wall molding are your best friend when trying to conceal your electrical cords. Baseboards are the portion of your wall which separates it from the floor, thus creating a convenient hiding spot for unwanted cables (source).
Molding is a similar feature. However, it’s typically used for decoration rather than for utility purposes. Regardless of which option you have in your home, they make an excellent place to conceal your electrical cords (source).
Some simple ways to accomplish this include:
- Taping the wires to the top of the molding or baseboard
- Stapling wires on top of the baseboards
- Installing hooks to hold the wires in place
Taping your wires is a quick way to hold them in place on the baseboards or molding. However, the downside is you’ll probably need to replace the tape every few months. We don’t recommend electrical tape or duct tape for this project. Regular painter’s tape or Scott’s tape is the best option.
We’d recommend staples or hooks if you want a more permanent method. These take more time to install but will last you years. The best way to accomplish this is to use a staple gun or screw small hooks above the baseboards or molding.
Best Products for Concealing Your Wires Along the Wall
An essential part of utilizing your baseboards for concealment is to ensure the wires look tidy. Unlike when using a cord cover, baseboards and moldings can’t hide your cords along the wall.
We recommend the YEAHOME 4-in-1 Staple Gun (link to Amazon). Not only is this gun affordable, but it is also easy to handle and allows for simple corrections. Just be careful you do not pierce the wires while applying the staples and make sure they’re securely attached to the wall.
We recommend the ESFUN Stainless Steel Hanging Hooks (link to Amazon) if you decide to use hooks. These are easy to install, leave minor wall abrasion, and are small enough to fit above the baseboard.
3. Cover With Rubber or Plastic Cord Covers
There are numerous types of rubber or plastic wire covers to choose from. These devices are sometimes referred to as crown molding wire covers and they act as an aesthetic molding along your wall. The covers are easily installed and can be applied to the upper portion of the wall or bottom.
However, rubber covers can also be installed along the floor or behind furniture. These rubber covers come in an easily applied tape roll or long rolls you can use on the floor. They are some of the easiest to apply but can be disruptive when in the center of the room.
The best places to apply these covers include the following:
- Install behind the TV stand
- Install along the wall
- Apply above baseboards
- Apply along the edges of the ceiling
- Use behind desks or tables
The best part about these kinds of covers is how easy it is to conceal them. Since they’re sleek and comfortable, they can be placed almost anywhere and will blend into the scenery. They are most commonly used in office spaces to make cleaning more accessible, but there’s no reason they can’t be used at home!
Best Wire Covers To Conceal Your Electrical Cords
Wiremolds are conveniently applied covers for smaller wires. Offices and schools typically use them to avoid having a bundle of cables hanging from desks.
These cylindrical tubes require only a basic understanding of home decor and some simple tools. We found this step-by-step video on cutting, applying, and using these devices in your home quite helpful.
We recommend the raceway cable concealer if you’re looking for a good cover for desks, tables, or other places. This system is excellent for hiding cable cords from lamps and laptops. However, keep in mind they only hold up to four cords.
You might want a rubber casing for TV stands and gaming centers. We recommend this Delamu Cord Hider Raceway Kit (link to Amazon) which is paintable and easily personalized. But, most importantly, you will have enough space to keep all those small wires from dangling.
4. Tape Behind Furniture or Lamps
Your furniture can be one of the best allies you have against unwanted dangling wires and cords. Taping or tying your cables to the legs or posts of your lamps, tables, and chairs can help keep your wires under control.
Taping your wires is a great way to prevent them from getting in the way, and it keeps things looking tidy. To do this, use non-abrasive tape to hold the wires in place and out of sight. Make sure you use clear, uncolored tape so it blends in well and doesn’t stick out from the color of the furniture.
Never use duct tape or other powerfully adhesive tapes. We don’t have any special tapes or wire ties to recommend for this method but do not use any harsh tapes. Simple Scotch or gift wrapping tape is sufficient to hold the wire.
Wire toes can be purchased at your local hardware store or auto shop. To use them correctly, just hold the wire to the leg of the table or lamp post. Then, twist the twist ties to hold the wire in place. You may need 3 or 4 ties if the wire is long or overly exposed.
5. Purchase an Electrical Cord Organizer
Electrical cord organizers or baskets are the best options for your TV stand or gaming center. These cubicle-like storage units are excellent places to organize and protect your wires from damage.They’re also perfect for preventing dozens of wires and cords from hanging over your gaming center.
This is the best solution for multiple cords since taping cables to the wall only works with a few cords. It’s also a better option than cord covers since you need several to accommodate the number of cords.
Here’s some useful advice on properly storing your wires with this method:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- You can use a wicker basket as well
- Wire tie if you find that the wires poke out
- Cover with wood or material if there is no provided lid
Best Cord Organizers To Conceal Your Electrical Cords
Devices such as the Baskiss Cable Management Box (link to Amazon) are the perfect tool for protecting and hiding your electrical strip. If you ever peek at your surge protector, you will probably notice it is very sloppy looking. This solves the issue.
However, you can also use wicker baskets to keep the long wires from trailing over your floor. To do this, you’ll need a tall, cylindrical basket. Cut a hole in the back for the surge protector wire to connect to the plug. Next, place the surge protector in the basket and wind up the wires inside the basket.
Many wires are several feet long, but you may not need them quite so long. This is where the basket comes in handy.
Can Cord Covers Help Extend the Life of Your Electronics?
Cord covers can help extend the life of your electronics. This is the benefit of properly storing and organizing your wires. Wires can get dislodged from the electronic device’s base whenever it’s tugged on. Or, the wire itself can get broken when animals bite them or people trip and step on them.
Due to these common everyday damages and wear, the electrical cord casing can become weak. This can result in moisture getting inside or the wires inside becoming frayed and broken. If you want to prevent damage, using a cover can help (source).
If you don’t want to use a cover, simply taping your cords to the furniture or beneath the rug can also help. If your cords are out of the way and not dangling without support, they should have a longer lifespan.
Conclusion
We hope this article has proven helpful as you attempt to organize your living room, bedroom, or other spaces. In a world full of electronics, we all have wires in our homes that need to be charged constantly. An organizational system will help you move about more easily and keep things tidy.
Our recommendations are not the only ones available, but they reflect our best research. There may be other options available that can be used as well. Just try to ensure they protect your wires and aren’t bulkier than necessary.
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