Last Updated on January 5, 2024
Organizing and hiding electrical cords is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve the look of your home. It can transform messy to tidy within just a few minutes. Today we are going to look at how 9 different homeowners used creative and frugal ways to hide electrical cords behind tables and desks.
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Backstory
One Saturday morning I was sitting, enjoying a quiet moment with my tea and breakfast and looked into my living room. And I noticed the cord from my lamp dangling on the side table next to my couch.
And it just annoyed me.
By the way, that cord has been there for a few years. Just waving in the breeze, not bothering me. But today, it’s turned into the bane of my existence. That cord MUST be hidden!
But how? What’s the best way to hide electrical cords behind tables?
So I scoured the internet for quick, easy, and frugal solutions to hide these unsightly cords. Which I am now sharing with you.
How to Hide Electrical Cords Behind Tables and Desks
There are some creative and talented homeowners out there who have found unique yet still practical solutions to this common problem. Hopefully, one or two will inspire you to tidy up and hide those electrical cords!
When you see a method that works for you, simply click over to their blogs to get the details on how exactly they hid those cords.
1. Adhesive Hooks
This seems to be an ideal solution for tables (like mine) that are open underneath. Erin at Lemon Lavender and Laundry found an east solution to conceal cords in Her Office using adhesive Command decorating hooks and adhesive strips. She simply ran the cord up the inside of the table leg and secured with the hooks.
She tidied up the extra cords by coiling them and securing them either underneath or along the back of the table with more hooks and tape.
Here’s another solution can if the outlet isn’t located immediately behind the table. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage used Command cord clips and adhesive strips to snake electrical cords along the baseboards and up to the other side of the wall!
2. Staple Gun
But you don’t want to run to the store to buy Command adhesive hooks, check out Liz at Love Grows Wild’s simple (yet still just as effective) approach. First she used tape to secure the cord along the path. Then she secured the cord along the back of her desk’s table legs using a staple gun.
3. Sleek Sockets
If you want to upgrade from the Command hooks and adhesive tape, Jen, an interior designer at Jenron Designs, suggests Sleek Sockets. This kit consists of self-adhesive clips PLUS an extension cord with a blank outlet cover.
She had raving reviews about the product, especially since the adhesive strips were strong enough to hold, but delicate enough to not damage the antique wax finish on a hand-finished table. And for those with young kids at home, there is a childproof version.
4. Cord Conduit
Sarah at Thrifty Décor Chick found thin cord conduits that are simple to use. These cord covers have a flat side with self-peel adhesive tape, meaning they adhere flush to whatever surface you adhere them to.
In addition to table legs, Sarah tamed the cords associated with her desk. First, she measured and cut the cord conduits to the right size. Then she adhered the cord conduits to the back of her desk as well as the wall down to the outlet.
Like other cord covers mentioned in this post, these are easily paintable to match the wall cover.
5. Elevate Surge Protector
Sometimes the most obvious solution is right in front of your nose. Instead of trying to hide surge protectors sitting on the floor, elevate them! Note that this method works when your table or desk hides the actual electrical outlet.
This idea from Ashley at Bigger Than the 3 of Us uses a wall mounted surge protector to elevate the cords and plugs so they remain hidden.
6. Zip Ties and Velcro
This solution by Kelley Nan used two methods to secure. First, she used zip ties to secure the electrical cord down the table leg.
Second, which I thought was clever, was how she hid the surge protector sideways to the base of the table leg with Velcro strips. Depending on the thickness and style of your table leg and base, the surge protector could run vertically or horizontally up the leg.
7. Fabric
This solution at One Good Thing By Jillee was simply ingenious. So easy to create yet yields a sophisticated look. For her daughter-in-law’s metal table with an open back, Jillee simple cut a fabric with a fun pattern, stretched itacross the back of the table, and attached to the back table legs using magnets.
And, I think this would also work on wood tables if you don’t mind a few staple holes in the back of table legs.
For a different approach on using fabric to hide electrical cords behind a table or desk, Bob Villa demonstrated a cute fabric pouch that adds a whimsy touch to a room’s décor. This is ideal with a surge protector.
8. Pegboard
This ingenious strategy by Becky at Organizing Made Fun requires a bit more effort and time than the other ways, but looks well worth the effort. I’m a fan of pegboard organization so I was excited when I saw this DIY project.
How did she do it? First, Becky secured and hid her cords behind a pegboard, then installed self-adhesive clips and Velcro strips to install the pegboard under the desk. And with a pegboard she got a 2-for-1 storage approach since she could store desk and craft supplies on the side of the pegboard facing out!
9. Cord Wraps
Emily at Style by Emily Henderson used two strategies to hide her two electrical codes under her side table.
First, for cords that came from other places besides the table in the table, she strung the cords along baseboards with a conduit cover.
Second, for the cords connected to the items located on top of the side table, she threaded them through a cord cover. Cord covers usually come in just white, but can easily be painted to blend into your wall.
Items to Help Hide Your Cords
Don’t forget to check out these related posts!
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