Few things have the same unbalanced visual impact on a room as a misplaced wire or cable. We understand that no one wants to give up their devices for a nice look and that you often have little control over where outlets are located in your house.
Fortunately for you, though, our team of knowledgeable interior designers is well-versed in concealing wires in your house, so you may have the best of both worlds: Without having to deal with the mess of cords and wires that come with them, you can keep your TV, router, and other necessities where you want them. Most of these appliances merely need a 5-15p socket.
It’s important to use creativity to reduce this type of electric visual clutter; it’s similar to designing hide-and-seek. Your other decor can appear neat and fashionable as your cables and wires will be forgotten when hidden. This post will include practical advice on how to permanently conceal your cables and examples of actual cord-concealing projects.
The greatest organizational tips for electrical cords will keep you and your family safe and sane at home. Not only will you save money on needless replacements, but you’ll also save time searching for the correct cables.
Extend Your Cords
Make a loop in the cord by tying a basic overhand knot anytime you’re up high on scaffolding, a roof, or even a ladder performing an air hose or extension cable task. Make use of that loop to sustain the weight of the portion of the cable that is heavy and dangles to the ground.
It may be suspended from any surface by hooking it over a nail, scaffolding peg, or other suitable object. In this manner, your circular saw or nailer won’t fall to the ground if you drop it, and you won’t have to struggle with carrying many pounds of cable or hose around your unstable position.
Place the Cord in a Pail.
When you want electricity and the closest outlet can only be seen via binoculars, it’s time to grab your bucket of extension cords. What is a bucket for extension cords? A 5-gallon bucket with a 2-inch hole cut at the bottom is all needed. Inside is a long, heavy-duty extension cable that is loosely coiled, with the male end protruding from the hole a few feet, just long enough to reach an outlet.
Take hold of the cord’s female end and begin walking after inserting the male end into a GFCI-protected outlet. nor tangled, nor kinky. Functions perfectly! If you’re using high-amperage instruments for an extended time, unwrap the entire cable. If you don’t, there might be a fire risk since the cable could heat up.
Store short cords for instruments.
No matter what kind of tools you use most frequently, store small extension cables in several of their boxes. Even while they might not always reach the closest outlet, their frequent convenience will more than make up for their additional box space. Ensure that the cord you purchase is 14 gauge, and seek out cables with a few extra plug-in locations.
Extension Cord Reel Made of Scrap Wood
Use leftover plywood or scrap timber to construct reels for small to medium-sized extension cables. Making a few scoop cuts on both sides of your wood is all needed to create one of these reels. Even if you don’t have a router, you might still use one to round the edges.
These reels have a few positive aspects. It’s simpler to prevent a rat’s nest of extra cables when you simply need to unwind the quantity you want. They store very well, fitting neatly in a bucket or on a shelf, and they’re simple enough to use even by the new employee.
It makes sense to extend the reel rather than making large scoop cuts at the end if you’re making one for a lengthy cord. As with all reels, you should use caution while continually operating a heavy load to prevent heat buildup.
Quick-Fit Cord Wrap
Here’s how to wrap your extension cord fast and effectively.
Take hold of both ends and coil the cord into beach ball-sized loops.
When you get close to the finish, feed the remaining loop through to form a little loop by wrapping it around the center of the coiled rope.
Many experts utilize this approach since it’s really quick and allows you to hang several wires from a single hook. The next time you rush to finish packing and get home before supper gets cold, try it.
Guard Yourself and Your Cords
Steel rails have sharp edges. You may easily cut through your extension cord and electrify the entire wall by unintentionally walking on one draped over a sharp track. Take a spare section of your track, turn it upside down, and place it on any part of the wall where the extension cables cross through to prevent a shock.
Place Cords Next to the Structure
You can prevent your extension cables from being tripped over, trampled in the mud, or caught beneath a truck’s wheels by constantly tucking them up against a wall or structure. If they aren’t constantly trodden upon, rolled over by wheelbarrows, or crushed by 10-ton telehandlers, they will also endure longer.
Advice on How to Use Power Cords
- Use power cables properly while storing them by following these guidelines from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Avoid overloading. Check the wattage rating on an extension cord. Never plug in anything that draws more than it is designed to.
- Maintain a relaxed grip. Cords looped, coiled, or hidden by things like carpets should never be used. In areas where furniture may press on the socket, use angled extension cables.
- Throw it away. If a cord’s plastic casing seems damaged or becomes heated or mushy, replace it.
In the end!
It could be time to consider updating the design if you’re glancing around your room and finding that ugly cords are the least of your issues.
