Tips For Effective Cable Management In Your Office Space
Every employer and employee dreams about working in a clean and clutter-free office. While many things create clutter in the workspace, cables are truly the ugliest and hardest to manage, yet they are absolutely necessary. Thanks to cables, we power all our devices and appliances and stay connected with clients, teams, and colleagues. But cables often end up tangled up in a bunch or running all over the office, which can look unpresentable and be very dangerous, especially in open-plan offices. Surely, cables aren’t the biggest issue your team will face, but if there’s a possibility to manage cable wiring effectively, why not take it?
Luckily, there are many ways your office can stay powered and connected without your employees having to trip over cables and your clients having to perceive ugly clumps of wiring in every corner. If you need to know how cables can be kept nice and neat, here are a few effective cable management tricks for your office:
Proper office design
First of all, before you start managing your cables, it’s important to examine your office design. Most offices put a strong emphasis on aesthetics and cost-effective solutions, while completely neglecting some other important factors. Being focused on short-term gain can lead to many issues in the future that can cost you a lot of money. For instance, not investing time and energy into cable management during the office design phase can result in ugly cables all over the floors and damaged and stuck cables under the desks.
Every office should be designed with electrical power and data in mind, because no workplace can function without them. When you know your connectivity needs, it’s much easier to practice good cable management. Smart solutions for cable mess during the office design phase are raised floor grids and cable-friendly designs that will leave your floors and desks clutter-free and your employees and visitors safe.
Wireless tech
The easiest way to manage cables is to completely get them out of your office and switch to wireless tech. Today, it’s possible to find various wireless tech, from wireless keyboards and mice to wireless printers. All of these are just as effective as their wired counterparts but they don’t contain distracting cables. You can also try to make a move towards wireless chargers and aim for a completely cordless workplace in the future. If you can’t give up cable chargers just yet, at least grab a centralized charging station for much better practicality and fewer cables to manage.
The right furniture
Wireless tech is practical but not always suitable for the job. In that case, opt for furniture that will support your cable management needs. There are desks designed with special routing channels where wires and cords can pass through to create a neater and safer environment, even with many cables around.
Color coding
If your team needs clear access to cables at all times to manage repairs and reroute functions, then clear color coding is the best way to manage cables. Invest in the best LAN cable in different colors so you can easily grab whichever one you need at the time. Color coding is easy to manage and remember and it eliminates any mistakes when handling cables.
Cable labels
If all your cables are black or white and there’s nothing you can do about the color, you can use cable labels to allow you to access needed cables instantly. It’s possible to use special cable labels with printed cable “names,” or you can opt for a DIY version using cut-up post-it notes. This way, whenever you need to find a cable for a specific purpose, you’ll know exactly what to reach for.
Well-positioned power strips
Power strips are often essential for offices, but they can look ugly and become a huge trip hazard for the office. If you rethink the placement of power strips, you can actually allow them to function fully without being noticed, and the perfect place for them is beneath the desk. Mount the power strips beneath the desk and keep your cables out of view.
Cable clips
If cables need to be accessible at all times (think chargers, HDMI cables, headphone cables, etc.), you can opt for mounting cable clips. These will keep all the cables at arm’s reach and prevent employees’ desks from looking messy. Attach the clips to the desk and use labels for extra management if needed.
Cable covers
Sometimes cables need to run along the floor, which can be damaging to cables and dangerous to people. Camouflage the cables using sturdy cable covers for many safety benefits—your cables will stay protected from stomping feet and your employees will stop slipping on round cables or tripping over them.
Cables don’t have to be unruly at the office. With these easy cable management tips and ideas, your workspace can look absolutely pristine and your employees and visitors can be safe while cruising around the office.
