This $12 cable tray fixed the mess behind my desk

This $12 cable management tray has saved a few relationships

Cable management used to be one of my lowest priorities. It’s now at the top of my list after troubleshooting more than one PC with its cords tangled with printer, lamp, and other electronic plugs. 

(It is a quiet form of hell, crawling under someone’s desk and finding a rat’s nest. Also, please vacuum before I come over.)

My favorite method is an under-desk tray. It costs just a little over $10, and the ones I like best also include a handful of Velcro ties and other accessories to make everything. I prefer the clamp variety, but you can also find some that allow you to drill into the underside of your desk. 

The benefits: Clearly seeing what’s connected to your power strip. More easily tracing cables to their devices. Less time for setting up, compared to routing the cable along the desk or wall. And, of course, fewer cords dangling every which way at the back of your desk. 

(It really does make your space look nicer, especially if you have a standing desk—and I say this as someone who’s generally oblivious to aesthetics at home.)

At my desk, I use an open-wire version, which lets me get more creative with cable routing. For friends whom I’ve strongly encouraged to install the trays before I next service their PC? The mesh kind linked above is usually more to their taste as far as looks goes.

I actually have two trays hanging off my desk. One holds the power strip, while the other has the power bricks for the mini-PCs and laptop I use.

You can use a cable protector or try to route cables along your desk’s legs, but this takes way less thought. I spend the time savings to label each cable while neatening up. Makes life a heck of a lot simpler whenever you’re drowning in dust bunnies.