How to Organize Cords: Clutter Pros' Best Tricks

A common organizing hassle in many households? Keeping electronic cords tidy and accessible! It’s common to keep these cables in areas of your home or car that are within arm’s reach, but this creates a messy situation if you have multiple cables for your phone, laptop and/or tablet. Cords that are being used simultaneously can also become easily tangled, which can be equally frustrating. Thankfully, keeping digital devices fully charged doesn’t have to be chaotic. We got experts to share how to organize cords, whether you’re storing or using them, so cord clutter is a thing of the past.

How to organize cords when put away

With so many electronic devices in your household, it’s easy for charging cords, cables and power adapter boxes to get tangled up or lost in your bag or junk drawer — and even easier to forget what cord goes with which device! To help prevent a mess, store cords, chargers and the like in the following ways:

With a binder clip

No matter how carefully you wind headphones or phone chargers before stashing them in your bag, they seem to come out tangled in a knot. Thankfully, sidestepping cord chaos is simple with a binder clip or hair clip. “Just roll the cords, then snap a clip on,” suggests Sarah Dunn of Ready Set Organize. The clip secures the cord without eating up valuable bag space. Or watch the YouTube video from Lifehacker below which shows another easy way to utilize the binder clip :

In pill bottles

A pill bottle can be used to organize cords

The next time you finish a prescription, don’t toss out the bottle! Pill bottles are perfect for storing individual cords. Not only are they small and portable, they’re easy to label too so you’ll know what’s inside at a glance.

Inside crayon boxes

Crayon boxes can be used to organize cords

Utilizing plastic crayon boxes (easy to find at dollar stores) is a simple way you can organize cords. Use different colored boxes or label with a Sharpie to easily identify each one.

In eyeglass cases

An eyeglass case is perfect for organizing cords — LeventKonuk/Getty

Whether you stash them in your purse, car or luggage, traveling with cords always seems to result in a knotted mess. The simple fix: Keep them neat and protected inside an eyeglass case. “It will easily fit in your handbag, glove compartment or suitcase, and it’s sturdy enough to keep cords from getting damaged, even if your bag gets squashed or mishandled,” says organizing expert Brenda Scott.

Another cord-corralling tool she advises you use when you’re driving? Twist ties. “Use them to bundle cords, then hook them around a dash vent in your car so they stay secure and out of the way while you’re out and about,” she adds.

With toilet paper tubes

Cardboard tubes can be used to organize cords

“Try repurposing items like toilet paper rolls or empty paper towel tubes to corral cords neatly,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space. Once you’ve tucked coiled cords inside, label each tube with the cord type, and place in a basket for easy access. (Click through for more uses for cardboard tubes).

With plastic zip-top bags

“I’ve had clients who invested in fancy organizers, but I’ve found a simple plastic food-storage bag works best,” organizer Mary Jo Contello of Organized by MJ says. Simply coil the cord, place it in the bag, and zip it closed. Stick on a label with the device the cord is used for and the date you put it in storage. This way you’ll be able to see which cords are eventually safe to toss.

How to organize cords that are on display

With adhesive hooks

When you sit down at your desk to pay bills or shop online, your legs often get tangled in your computer’s cable. Not only is it a nuisance, you risk accidentally unplugging the computer or damaging it.

The solution: Adhesive hooks! “To keep hidden cords from getting jumbled, I recommend hooking individual cords using something like Command Clear Round Cord Clips,” says says DIY and home lifestyle expert and Command brand partner Julian Thomas. Just place the hook on the back of the desk, toward the top. Then run the cord up the back of the furniture leg and place over the hook.

This will secure the cord out of harm’s way and also neatly out of sight. “Whatever you do, never use a staple gun to mount cables — you can run the risk of puncturing the cable (I learned that the hard way),” he adds.

Another alternative is to secure the excess cord on the wall. Thomas recommends Command™ Cord Bundlers. “They keep extra cords neat and tidy, perfect for office/workspaces; and because they are damage-free, they can be mounted to dry wall for easy reach when needed,” he shares.

With a shoebox

A shoebox can be used as a charging station

Sure, you could buy an organizer to keep your devices and their cords sorted on your counter while you charge them, but an easier and cheaper alternative is to create your own charging station. “Shoe boxes can serve as under-desk organizers, with holes cut out for cords to pass through, keeping power strips and excess cords out of sight,” says Bridget Flynn, home organizer and owner of Divine Organizing.

To do: Grab an old shoebox (you can even cover it with pretty wrapping paper or washi tape to match your decor), and cut a large hole on one of the box’s short sides, then create a few regularly spaced smaller holes on a long side of the box. Place a power strip inside; the large hole is where the strip’s plug goes, while the cords for your devices come out of the smaller holes. Put the lid on top, and you’re done.

With twist ties

When you have a lot of long cords plugged into one outlet or power strip, things can get a bit crowded. How to organize cords? Bread ties or twist ties! “They’re perfect for bundling together a group of cords or securing excess length to keep them neat,” says Flynn. If you opt for a bread tie, you can also use them a mini labels to identify specific cords or cord groups.

A similar option: Zip ties! See how these work in the TikTok from @mancrafting below:

@mancrafting
Organize your wires with zip ties. #learnontiktok #tictokpartner #zipties #shophack #lifehack
♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

With Velcro straps

Another great alternative to twist ties? Velcro straps. “Reusable and adjustable, Velcro straps are excellent for grouping cords together and can be easily changed as your setup evolves,” adds Flynn. She recommends these multi-colored strips for her clients.

They can also be used for bundles of cords tucked away in storage. See how in the YouTube video from Pete Johns – Studio Live Today below:

With binder clips

Binder clips keep cords organized on a desk

Argh! It can be frustrating when you unplug a device and have to go searching on the floor later to find the cord you need when it’s time for a charge. What can help: “You can use binder clips attached to the edge of a desk or table to prevent cords from slipping out of reach,” suggests Duckworth. They’ll hold the end of the cord up on the desktop so you can access them fast.

Inside cable sleeves

“These can bundle several cords into one neat tube, reducing clutter and making cleaning easier,” explains Flynn. Not only are they more aesthetic, but they can be great for households with pets prone to cord chewing, as it acts as a barrier.

See how cable sleeves work in the TikTok from @lifewithleeanne below:

@lifewithleeanne
How I manage cord clutter, using my office as an example. #cordmanagement #organization #homeoffice #homeofficedecor #ikeahack #ikeahackers #diyproject
♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer

More tips for successful cord management

Label everything

“Labeling both ends of each cord with its device name (or use) can save a lot of time and frustration,” Flynn. “Using different colored labels or tapes can also offer a visual cue for quickly identifying cord categories (e.g., blue for computer peripherals, red for audio equipment).” She also recommends organizing cords by frequency or use or device category so you can easily find what you need.

Cut down on waste

When possible, only hold onto cords you know you absolutely need for your devices. The less you have, the better! “I also recommend purchasing surge protectors and extension cords that have multiple outlets and charging ports so any needed cables can be ‘bundled’ together via one electrical source,” says Thomas.