Cable management: why is important that your home office has cables tidy and secure

Cable management systems range from the cheap, do-it-yourself variety to the more expensive integrated desk solutions. It is important to have cables tidy and secure to reduce the probability of people tripping over them.

Common problems include cables running from walls, across pathways, to desks and cables running across the footwells under desks. With the latter, there is little danger of people tripping but it is incredibly frustrating if you happen to disconnect your monitor by snagging the cable.

For cables trailing across open areas it is possible to buy flexible cable protectors. These are commonly available on rolls so allowing them to be quickly and easily cut to the desirable length.

The rolls can be purchased from some hardware stores. Prices depend on the quality or the protector and also the length on the reel.

Although this type of cable management can be used under desks this is not advised as often they clash with the chair or footrest. Not only does this become annoying but is could lead to awkward postures (see more on correct posture) i.e. people not using footrests or sitting too far away from the desk.

The smart, ideal solution for cables in and around the desk area is to attach them to the desk itself. Cable should be fed around the side and back of the desk rather then trailing under the chair or across the footwell.

First examine your desk to determine if it has a cable management system. This is usually located at the rear of the desk either as part of the desktop itself or immediately underneath.

If there is a system take the time to use it. You may have to move equipment and work but it will be worth it from both the safety viewpoint and the pure annoyance factor.

Remember how annoying it is when you have to wiggle your chair around to try and release it from the cables' grasp? If you need longer cables for the monitor or hard drive ask the computer centre for their advice.

If you do not have a cable management system as part of your desk a quick and smart solution is to use tie-raps to group the cables together. They can then be held behind your desk using a length of dowel bridged across two hooks. All the equipment you need can be purchased from most do-it-yourself/hardware stores.

Go see more tools for your home office desk.