Tangled wires and messy desks can be frustrating and time-consuming to deal with. Whether it’s phone chargers, laptop cables, or headphones, keeping them organized doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are 15 smart and simple cable management hacks that will help you keep your workspace tidy, your cables untangled, and your life a little easier.
1. Store cables inside empty toilet paper rolls
Instead of letting your cables turn into a spaghetti mess in a drawer, slide each one into an empty toilet paper roll and stand them up in a small shoebox. It keeps them from tangling and makes it super easy to grab the one you need. I once found my phone charger faster than ever after doing this—total game changer.
2. Use wooden clothespins
Clip clothespins to the edge of your desk, then run your charging cables through them. This keeps your cords from falling behind your desk every time you unplug something. It’s a cheap and quick solution—I even used a pack I found lying around in my laundry basket.
3. Color-code cables with masking tape
Wrap a small piece of colored masking tape around the end of each cable and write what it’s for—laptop, phone, speaker, etc. No more guessing which one to unplug. I did this once when I had friends over and they were impressed I could find the right cable so fast.
4. Use a cable sleeve
If you’ve got several cables running in the same direction, gather them together in a cable sleeve to make them look tidy and less distracting. I use this behind my TV, and it instantly makes the space look cleaner—like a quick room makeover.
5. Keep cables in an old glasses case
Don’t toss that spare glasses case. Use it to store charging cables and earbuds when you travel. They stay protected, don’t get lost in your bag, and you won’t have to untangle a knot of wires at the airport again. I swear by this hack every time I pack for a trip.
6. Use hair ties or elastic bands
Loop your cables neatly and secure them with a hair tie or elastic band. It’s super easy to open and close whenever you need to use them. I started doing this with my laptop charger, and now it doesn’t get tangled with everything else in my backpack.
7. Mount a magnetic strip behind your desk
Stick a magnetic strip to the back of your desk or wall, and let your charging cable tips or metal connectors stick to it when not in use. It keeps them off the floor and within reach. I once knocked my coffee over because I was fishing for a cable—this trick solved that problem.
8. Use small adhesive hooks (Command Hooks)
Attach a few small adhesive hooks to the side or back of your desk and guide your cables through them. It keeps everything in place and stops cables from sliding away. I did this with my keyboard cable and now my desk looks way more organized.
9. Store cables in a plastic box with dividers
Grab a toolbox, tackle box, or sewing box and separate cables by type or length in each compartment. It’s like a mini cable library—you’ll never mix up your HDMI and phone chargers again. I love opening mine and seeing everything in its place.
10. Secure with paper clips
Coil each cable neatly and clip it with a regular paper clip before tossing it in a drawer. It’s a low-effort, zero-cost solution. I did this with all my USB cables, and now they actually stay where I put them.
11. Store cables in empty chip cans (Pringles cans)
Clean out an empty chip can and roll up your long cables to store inside. It keeps them dust-free, easy to stack, and surprisingly neat. I once turned three cans into a little tower of organized cables—it actually looked kind of cool.
12. Use bread tags as cable labels
Save those little plastic tags from bread bags, write the device name on them, and clip them near the cable connector. No more wondering which black cable is for what. I tried this on my TV setup, and it saved me a ton of time when I switched devices.
13. Pin cables to a corkboard
Hang a corkboard on the wall and pin your cables in place with thumbtacks or push pins. It’s like a display of your cables—easy to grab and totally tangle-free. I once set mine up this way near my work desk, and it doubled as wall decor.
14. Keep cables in zip-lock bags
Put each type of cable in its own zip-lock bag and write a quick label on the outside. It’s a cheap way to stay organized and perfect if you have a drawer full of random cords. I even keep spare headphones this way so they don’t knot up.
15. Use a silicone cup holder or cable organizer
Thread your cables through the small holes of a silicone desk organizer to keep them in place and stop them from falling off. I started using one, and now my desk always looks like I actually have my life together.
With just a few low-cost tools and clever tricks, you can turn cable chaos into a clean and organized setup. These hacks are perfect for your home, office, or while traveling, and they’ll save you time every time you need to grab the right cable. Try a few of these today and enjoy a clutter-free space that looks and feels much better.
