Friday, March 9, 2012

147 You Asked: Organizing Cords

A little bird told me that I should do an "Organizing Cords" post.... so happy day because it's here!


However, I didn't always think happy thoughts about cords.  In fact, when Emily mentioned to me that I was getting quite a few questions on the subject, I hung my head a bit....

I knew where my cords were, so I guess I get a point for that, but they really weren't organized. They lived in some stacked media boxes on a shelf by my computer:


But open those boxes and you would see a jumbled mess of cords, all webbed together.  What cord did what?  No one really knew.  I dreaded the day the kids would ask for the battery charger or the hubs would spend multiple minutes looking for his PlayStation controller cord...

So I emptied the contents of the boxes onto the table - I wish this was an exaggeration to make a great before and after story, but it's 100% what I was dealing with!  You know that gross goosebumpy feeling you get when someone puts nails on a chalkboard?  I get that same feeling when looking at pictures like this:


I also gathered all the cords that were around the house that weren't originally in the box, to take inventory and make sure we weren't keeping any that we no longer used or needed.

Since cords can be a bit hard to tame, I turned to these Q Knot Reusable Cable Ties:



SO much better already.  However, there were some cords used more than others, and I wasn't sure that I would want to deal with the cable tie every time we used them {like iPad chargers}, and I feared that eventually they would end up back the way they were originally.  Plus, at first glance, I still didn't know which were which.

Instead of popping them back into the empty media boxes:


We cut down some cardboard pieces to create dividers:



Which I proceeded to cover with pretty scrapbook paper... {because, you know, that's what I do}


Pretty cute eh?

Now, to determine which cords belonged together and give them an identity, I snagged some pretty Martha Stewart file folder labels:


Since they couldn't be fed through my printer {which is always a bit of a bummer for me}, I turned to my label maker paired with clear printing tape to create the labels for each cord type:


I was loving it!  The best part was tossing each cord into it's new "cubby":





A couple of things to note:
  • We keep one charging station in our bedroom for our cell phones {we charge them over night, yes, away from our bed/heads}.  We keep another charging station specifically for the kid's DS chargers in our playroom.  Those five chargers will forever remain in their stations in those specific locations, which is why you don't see them here.  
  • The two boxes were grouped by type of cord and frequency of use.  The chargers/cords we use often, will stay up on a bookshelf in our living room near our electronics.  The cords used less often or that are related to our computer, will remain down on the shelf next to the computer.   Smart thinking right?

So there you have it!  I no longer have to fear the cord box.  And the system should be super simple to maintain, which makes me all warm and happy inside!

Now it's your turn!  What  is your secret to organizing all those cords?  An over the door pocket organizer?  Toilet paper tubes?  Do share!

UPDATE! We have tweaked our cord organization a bit and you can find those details here!



147 comments:

  1. Wow, I could really use this. Thanks for the inspriration!

    ~Katie

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  2. I don't have a solution for cords yet, but it is on my office clean-up list. I do love what you did.

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  3. Oh, so cute! I love the pretty paper and labels! I just organised our wires too:

    http://myhandcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/organising-with-wicker.html

    They each have their own bag, but now I'm wondering how I could incorporate some pretty papers too...

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  4. Haha it's posts like this that just make me want to BE you. It's so perfect. So pretty! I know exactly where all my cords are, and it's stuffed in my padded laptop bag. Not exactly photo-worthy ;) But you've inspired me! Looks like I have another project for the list.

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  5. I LOVE it! What great ideas--- Our house could definitely benefit from something like this. Thanks for the inspiration! :)

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  6. I definitely need to copy this - I have a (much worse than yours since it includes every possible cord we've come into contact with for the past four years, including for items we no longer even own!) jumble of cords in a tray and always find it impossible to find the cords that I actually need!

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  7. Ditto what everyone said! I can't think of a single post that hasn't inspired me to go organize! Need to go pull out my cords now...

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  8. My whole house looks like your before picture right now, and I have a constant goosebumpy feeling. Working 3 days a week, and being a mom is leaving me very little(read:NO) time to make things organized, let alone pretty. How do people do it?!

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  9. Ack, our cords are a HUGE mess right now; they live in a jumbled pile inside of a large grey bucket/tote (about 24x12x15) and it's totally filled with cords! I did at least put cardboard dividers in a while ago to try to tame some of the crazy, but the system has sort of fallen apart since then :-(

    You've inspired me to get it all a bit better organized! Plus, great idea about the cable ties to hold stuff together.

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  10. Who knew that cords could look so pretty! As always, a wonderful post. I've also found it handy to use my label maker to write out exactly what the cord goes to (which camera, which phone, etc.), and then to wrap it around the cord, so that the tape ends up sticking to itself and forming a little 2-inch flag around the cord. Maybe I'm not explaining myself very well.....but it's been very helpful when family members aren't "as diligent" as following up the organizing systems we put in place. Love your style, Jen!

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    1. I do this too. And I put the label by the plug end so when they are plugged in, you can look at the power strip and know which one is for he device you want to unplug. Very handy for multicord spots like computer or stereo.

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  11. Why should we not charge gadgets near our head/bed? I have a bedside clock that doubles as my Touch dock and charger. And since I'm blind as a bat without my glasses it's within a foot or two of my head. Inquiring minds wanna know! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jen!

      I am no doctor or expert, I have just read and heard that phones shouldn't be charged near your bedside, since they put off radiation and over time it's not great for your health. Plus, some say it causes sleep issues. Again, I don't know for sure, but we just pop them in a charger in our dressing room so we can still hear them if they ring at night.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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    2. Do you have a special/cute charging station for them? Or do you just plug them in?

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  12. Loving this! this project is easy on the eyes....love it!

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  13. What a great idea with those cardboard dividers! And I'm not one bit surprised how you prettied them up :-)

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  14. All of my cords are stored in ziploc type bags with the name of whatever device they go with written on the baggie in permanent black marker and are in a basket on a high shelf in my office area. I am loving what you have done and I just happen to have an empty media box that is screaming for an inside makeover!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

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  15. I really need to do this. My husband has a ridiculous amount of cords (he's a DJ and does recording/mixing so... yeah). But I have to figure it out on a larger scale. And probably in plastic bins. Hmm...

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    Replies
    1. How about those plastic bins for Christmas Ornaments? Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Stack-Seasonal-Ornament-Square-Layer/dp/B005PQAJIC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331326700&sr=8-2

      Just a thought! :)

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    2. I have a DJ hubby too One recycling solution we used was to hold on to all the cardboard tubes from TP and paper towels. The tubes slip easily over most of the cords and are easily labeled. Then they are easily sorted into appropriate boxes that fit his sense of organization. :o) (We have different ideas on that subject) They could easily be color coded in cute scrapbook paper, even though my hubby didn't care for this option.

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  16. I swear I heard a harp when I read this post! It makes me so happy! Thanks for sharing :)

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    Replies
    1. LOL! A harp! I am so with you on this.

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    2. Love it! (I actually DO have a CD of harp music playing right now)

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  17. I keep mine in individual Ziploc bags with their labels on them. It actually saved us once - we were moving and somehow the cord box got vegetable oil spilled into it (don't ask!). It wasn't pretty, but we were able to salvage the cords! Definitely a system I will keep.

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  18. What a great idea with those cardboard dividers, between me and my husband with camera and other digital devices I really need to do this project sooner then later.
    Thankyou for the idea.

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  19. This is SOOO much better than the system I had with clear shoeboxes. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  20. Lol... this is great... I thought my cords were organized because they were contained in a shoe box.

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  21. By the way, did you just free-hand those cardboard dividers, or did you already have some cardboard that had slits in them? I hope to use the same media boxes so if by chance there's a template..... :)

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  22. I love what you did, awesome idea.

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  23. LOVE the colorful diy bins!!! I use clear plastic show boxes and label them the same way! It makes life wayyyyyy easier!! =)

    Have a great weekend chica! <3

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  24. ps: you're totally making me want those martha stewart labels now!!!!!! ahhh love them!

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  25. Such a great solution for the "charger problem"!!

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  26. Love this! I actually have the same scrapbook paper pack! I'm tackling my office right now (including a big closet full of my husband's many cords) so I might have to recreate this!

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  27. I used to store mine in a divided tray but now they are in the shoe organizer I hung on the inside of my office closet door. Scroll down in this post and you'll see it: http://athomewithh.blogspot.com/2012/02/closet-cleaningorganizing.html

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  28. So Smart annnnnnd C-U-T-E! Thanks for always inspiring me to de-clutter in a fashionable way!
    ~Stacy

    http://creativemrssmith.blogspot.com/

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  29. I love this idea! I am working on organizing my husband and my office right now, and sometime soon the cords will have to be dealt with. My sister gave me this great idea to use the little containers Crystal Light come in {like these only without the wrapper: http://www.kraftbrands.com/crystallight/Pages/default.aspx#/mocktails/mojito}
    The containers will be great for things like headphones and cables but some of our chargers are large and boxy and won't fit. I'll have to keep your method in mind! Thanks!

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  30. Wow, your ability to come up with easy, stylish, inexpensive solutions to store stuff never ceases to amaze me. This is a great idea and much better than my "put them all in one box and hope for the best" approach.

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  31. This is just what I need! Now if you could come up with a way to hide the cords that are plugged in under the computer...

    sandy

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    Replies
    1. My hubby and I are both geeks, so we have lots of cables under our computer desk. 1. If you have the budget, make cable management at the top of your list when looking for a new desk (or designing one). You can find them where you feed the cables through troughs to hide them. 2. if you don't have the budget (and who does anymore?), wrap groupings of cables in velcro. Like monitor cables in one group and keyboard/mouse in another. Them you can use cup hooks screwed into the bottom and sides of your desk and hook the groups behind those.

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  32. This is definitely something that is on my to-do list. We have so many cords in several different locations in our house (even in the garage) and it is starting to get on my nerves. I never know where a cord is when I am looking for it. I have thought and thought and thought and still haven't came up with the best solution for us, but this is a great solution that I plan on considering. Great job once again!!! ;)

    Kristin
    theocdlifestyle.blogspot.com

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  33. Pretty scrapbook paper makes everything cuter! Love this idea, thanks for sharing!

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  34. I love this idea! The little basket that I keep on my desk for cords and such is getting a wee too small. Your blog is LOVELY! I'm following through bloglovin'

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  35. There is a way to keep cords wound without twist ties or velcro or other hot ideas. This is how we do it. Put the two ends together and hold them in your dominate hand with the ends at the bottom edge of your palm. Wrap the remaining cable around your hand several times. Once you have just a little bit left, take the loop off your hand and wrap the rest of it horizontally around your loop. Take the last bit of tail and put it through the top loop and pull tight. It's hard to describe in writting. But it won't come undone unless you push the tail back through the top loop. This works well when you have something bulky on one end...like a keyboard, mouse or old style game controller.

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  36. Oh, I love this!!! I have a drawer full of cords...
    I did wise up, and when I bought my newest digital camera, also purchased a small plastic bin large enough to hold the tutorial disc, all cords, and the small pocket-size camera itself, so that everything is all together. But that clear plastic bin isn't nearly so pretty as your dividers! You DO plan to begin manufacturing Cord Storage Boxes, right? :)

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  37. Jen - this is amazing. I, too am inspired just like everyone else. I will say I LOVE the idea of combo-ing the toilet paper tube/pretty paper cover idea, and the only thing I would add is labeling each cord with a label maker so no matter where it ends up, you always know which spot it goes in. THANK YOU! I can't wait to organize my cords (which currently look exactly like your before pic, minus the pretty backdrop!).

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  38. I keep all my cords wrapped up in a pretty basket but I label each cord separately. They don't take up as much space and if they come out of their "nook" that you've made, you still know what they go to!

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  39. We've also found that a clear plastic over the door shoe organizer that is labeled and hung inside a closet door works great for cords and chargers!

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  40. Brilliant! Great idea. I think everyone has the mangle-of-chords box!

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  41. I use a clear over the door shoe organizer for these cords, we have sooo many. Label th pockets and everyone knows where to get them and where to put them back.

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  42. What a great Idea. I took the time last year to use my label maker and label every cord I could find in the house. It really helps! But love having the divided box on the shelf for those lessor used cables

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  43. This is super helpful! I never would have thought about it!

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  44. I use my label maker to label the cords themselves. I print a label with the word all the way to the left or right with extra space either before or after the word. I remove the adhesive backing, and stick the sticky sides together around the cord. This way I always know which cord is which and the labels stay on very well and are easy to read! :)

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  45. Great idea... Got me thinking. How about using a cardboard bottle carrier that you get when you purchase bottles in stores like Tesco, Marks and Soencer. They hold six bottles and I think you could probably decorate with pretty papers and labels quite easily. It might be an easier alternative to creating dividers for a box.
    You can let me know what you think!
    Just found your site and it is so helpful. I have already started getting some things much better organised. My next major project is my craft room.

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  46. Bless you Jen! This post is a God send! I currenly use a clear, plastic shoe box for our chargers. Over the years, the box has gotten full and tangled. The only good thing is that the cords are all in the same place. But now I am going to make the dividers and I was thinking about using Martha Stewart's Elastinote bands. That project will get done soon! Thanks so much and take care!

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  47. your ideas are always so fantastic!! I love that you took plain ole cardboard and made it into little dividers (and I love even more that you prettied them up!) That was so cost effective. I have been following your blog since fall of 2011 and this weekend will be my first time since following that I get to hit up a Target and IKEA...I am sooo giddy!!! Thanks for all the great inspiration Jen!

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  48. Love the idea. Mostly though I'm super jealous you have a Neat Desk Scanner - I so want one of those!

    www.RobynDeHart.com

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  49. Love your cord organizer as well as the ideas others mentioned! Gonna have to do something and this is the perfect motivation!

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  50. you. are a genius.

    I am so pinning this. :)

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  51. This is such a great idea. We've got all of our cords thrown in a cute wicker basket and while it looks pretty up on the shelf, it takes me FOREVER to find a cord when I need it (in fact, it two me 3 hours to locate my camera cord just last week). So cool!

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  52. Great post. Now if I could only remember what most of our cables do in order to label them...

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  53. I haven't commented before (although I did buy some printAbles from Etsy!) but I couldn't pass by this one without commenting on such a fantastic idea! I am definitely going to do this!! Thanks :)

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  54. Love the pretty storage of the cords. We have a gazillion cords too. Most of them I keep in individual ziploc bags with a label on the front, then stored in a slim ( ziploc size!) drawer.The two main chargers are in a basket on my mail softer and I labelled the actual chargers ( phone & kindle). I,m going to redoubt my ziploc drawer and make it pretty like yours :)

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  55. What a good idea!!! Thank you!!!

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  56. Very cute solution, I use toilet rolls to neaten my cords & a basket with a divider (made like yours from cardboard) to keep them all in one place.

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  57. Hi Jen:) WOW!! what lovely way to keep all those cords!! I'm off to Ikea for a few things to get organizing! You have totally inspired me to get started on some areas of my home. 1st. on my list my son's room with those legos:) Love your blog and will visit every day!!
    Hugs,
    Norma

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  58. I like the result you got from clever thinking and recycling what you had. Thanks!

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  59. I keep mine in the exact same media boxes you have (Ikea, right?) and unfortunately, they look like your before picture. I'm going to make those dividers and use this idea. Love it!!

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  60. I am SO new to craft projects, it's embarrassing. Here goes. How did you apply the scrap paper to the dividers? Adhesive spray paint, or is it like contact paper where it is already sticky? And, where do you get the colorful scrap paper? Sorry for asking, but I just needed to know. What a great idea . . . one of many. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Hello!

      I find the colorful paper at craft stores or Archivers. You can either purchase in a "pack" or single sheets.

      For this project, I just used some spray adhesive to get the most coverage quickly.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  61. Come on! that is brilliant. I love the look of the jazzy dividers {not sure jazzy is a word but it seemed appropriate here}. So wonderful as usual. Happy weekend to you!

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  62. Hey Jen,
    Not sure if you know this, but Martha Stewart has those same labels in a bigger pack (each paper is a different colour) that actually go right through the printer!!! Check them out!
    Such a great post - definitely going to go home and pretty-up a box of my own :)

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  63. Such a great idea! Quick question: what is the name of the label maker you use?

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  64. Oh my gosh I am disturbingly excited about this post! I often think of our tangled mess of cords in the big drawer with a great deal of shame. I can't wait to do this thank you!

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  65. Could you please come live at my house? What a brilliant idea! I use the Ikea boxes for electronics for all of my Organizing clients. Such a simple addition and, voila! Thanks for sharing.

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  66. I've got mine in all tagged in a box but they still get tangled so thanks for the tip...I also have a problem with the cords when things are being charged, unfortunately our power points are above waist height so i've been racking my brains trying to think of how to make that look good, any ideas?? xx Jayne

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  67. Oh. My. Goodness. I'm definitely pinning this so that I can do this. We have two big boxes of wild cords that I don't know what to do with--not I do! I have tons of scrapbook paper AND two cardboard boxes in my car that I was just about to throw away. It's kismet! Thanks so much for this!

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  68. Seriously a great idea!! I was just thinking about all of these crazy cords in my desk drawer!

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  69. You missed a label opportunity. I print a tiny label on an index card with the name of the item the cord goes to (e.g. ASUS Computer, Gateway computer, vacuum cleaner, coffee maker, etc) cut it out, fold it gently (think over a pencil) around the cord and then tape it to make it permanent. I always know what that cord goes to no matter what pile it gets placed in.

    The cords for the stereo, dvd player/recorder, tv, also have a note regarding what end goes where (as in does the cable go to the TV or the DVD recorder?) Get it right once and never guess again.

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  70. Hi Jen! Awesome tutorial as always! Quick question, where do you find all your fabrics, wallpapers and scrapbook papers? You always have such beautiful, yet simple papers. I love the paper or is it fabric you placed under the plexiglass on your desk, as well as the blue paper under the boxes you created to house your cords. Please share where you find them. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Margot!

      I find them all over the place, however, my favorite "go to" places are fabric.com {98% all of my fabric is from there} and JoAnn/Michaels for scrapbook paper packs or Archivers for single sheets of scrapbook paper.

      Hope that helps a bit!

      Thank you so much!
      Jen

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  71. Love this idea! I just reorganized my kitchen office space and put in a few baskets for cords, but they are already a knotted mess! Where did you find the cardboard inserts? That is exactly what I need, but have no boxes to speak of at home... Your blog is such an inspiration! Thanks for the wonderful ideas!

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  72. I just had in the past for a quick simple cheap way to tame the cord monsters was take the ziplock baggies wrote on the white area where it says contents and put them in rubbermaids then when I needed the cord I would get it out.

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  73. I noticed that you have a Neat Desk Scanner. I had looked into one but I can't seem to justify the price. To me the software is where the expense is coming in. What do you think of the scanner and the software? Do you like it and think they are worth the price?

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  74. Great idea, definitely going to come in use for my scattered cords. Always love your posts!
    Sending love, Dalila <3

    http://girlwiththedandelion.blogspot.com/

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  75. I am actually looking forward to emptying out our (ginormous) drawer full of cords and old computer parts. Yes, it is MUCH (MUCH) worse than yours. I can't wait to make it all pretty!

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  76. I LOVED this post. I have a couple of questions I was hoping you might answer. First, did you come across cords that you had no idea what they went to, but were afraid of tossing for fear the next day you would need them? (that would be me!) And, if so, what did you do?

    Secondly, do you have an actual charging station, like the ones they sell in PB or do you just call the place where you plug the chargers in you charging station?

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    Replies
    1. I found some old cell phone chargers, but I had no problem retiring them since my kiddos play with the old phones and I knew they no longer had a use. Other than that, I typically donate/sell items with the cords, so we didn't have too many extras that we did not need. Maybe keep a temporary cord box for those that don't have a match, and if you don't use any of them in the next month or two, you know you can say goodbye.

      Yep, we use actual charging stations to wrangle and hide the other cords that we keep plugged in continuously.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  77. www.matkainastolatka.blog.onet.plMarch 12, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    Hi Jen:)Could you please help me again?:)Have you got any idea how to make a desk/table for teenager girl?I'm not looking for something expensive

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    Replies
    1. www.matkainastolatka.blog.onet.plMarch 12, 2012 at 10:24 AM

      Thanks again.

      Delete
  78. I took this concept and applied it to batteries in our hall closet. It seems like I was always rummaging through the bucket to find new batteries, and I never knew which ones we were running low on. I will buy AA's at the store, but needed to buy AAA's! This takes out the guess work. Thanks!

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  79. My family has a huge amount of technological stuff so we have a lot of cords. I keep everything organized in gallon ziploc bags organized by the purpose of the cords - so there are bags for camera stuff, GPS stuff, mini-USB cords, etc. They're not the prettiest solution in the world, but it's really easy to find everything and I just keep all the bags in a desk drawer so they're hidden away. I also just use rubber bands to keep the cords tidy.

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    Replies
    1. me too but putting them in a file is a plus...

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  80. Oh my goodness--you're organizing skills never cease to amaze me! Only you could get cords looking that pretty. Love it!

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  81. Brilliant!!! I am so going to do this! Thank u!!!!

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  82. great idea! must do this - power chords drive me nuts!!
    thanks for sharing this.
    cheryl xox.

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  83. By the looks of it, I'm not the only one this just makes crazy!!I can't wait to do this, I hope mine turn out like yours, my projects never turn out like they should but I'm working on it.

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  84. Great Idea...and I save all the little black and colored little wire things that come off of everything.. use those to wrap your wires.. I have all sizes.. cheap is not even the word.

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  85. Um, what can I say! This whole post is fabulous!! Seriously swoon worthy. I just discovered your blog, and I'm so happy that I did! I did a post on organizing in January and it did make me want to step it up a notch (http://flutterflutter.ca/2012/01/19/a-place-for-everything/) but it falls to the wayside so quickly when things get busy! Nice to "meet" you! Rosa

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  86. I really love the little dividers you made! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  87. love love this idea! But love the scrapbook paper to make it pretty even more...consider it pinned :)

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  88. Hi Jen! Love this idea! But where doI find media boxes ?

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    Replies
    1. I found mine at IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90115469/?query=901.154.69

      Two for $5 is a super deal, but you can also find them at Target, Walmart or the Container Store if you don't have an IKEA nearby.

      xoxo,
      Jen

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    2. Could you provide the approx measurements of the media boxes you used? The link isn't working for me and there are a few sizes.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  89. I LOVE this! I just wish I had seen it before I went to IKEA a few weeks ago. Now I think I have an excuse to go back :)

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  90. What kind of label maker do you have? I have one and the font isn't nearly as pretty as the one your label maker made!

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  91. Hello!

    I actually used a DYMO label maker I found at Target a few years ago... ironically it died during this particular project right at the end, lol. I just picked up the Epson LabelWorks LW-400 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J7Y6GS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=iheaorga-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J7Y6GS It looks like it has a lot of different printing options and has great reviews. I haven't personally played with yet, but I am quite excited about it.

    Thanks so much!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  92. Thanks for the post. Just finishing up my own project for organizing cables and batteries. I have copied your ideas completely! Just need to print the labels and I'm done!

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  93. I was so inspired by this post that I did the same thing! I posted it here on my blog!

    http://www.mylifeasadomesticdiva.com/2012/03/diy-cord-storage-project.html

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  94. This is such a late comment, but i thought someone might find it helpful. In lieu of twist ties or cable ties or rubber bands, my mom taught me to use the ponytail holders with the plastic balls on either end (found a picture - http://www.totallyfashiontrendy.com/Stretch_Hair_Balls_Girls_Ponytail_Holder_p/gphbe-0001.htm) You can color-code if you want to, and they keep things neat and don't break like twist ties can. I use them for things like curling irons and kitchen appliances as well as random cords. Just a tip!

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  95. Hello,
    What do your charging stations look like?

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  96. Hey Jen! You inspired me to tackle my cords! Just wrote my post up today!
    http://thehomesihavemade.blogspot.com/2012/06/organize-your-cords-using-ornament-box.html
    Thanks for the ideas!!!

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  97. After my new cat ate through the iron cord (unplugged, no harm to the cat), I cut both ends of a plastic water bottle and then wrapped the cord and pushed it inside. It stays put nicely and now the cat couldn't care less about the cord. Problem solved!

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  98. Wow that is great. I use a really neat product I seen http://www.greatusefulstuff.com/2-sided-cord-pouch-p/ofc01125gykrsd.htm.

    My biggest problem is I don't remember what cord is for what so I have a bunch of the same cords grouped together. One day I will sort out the cords and label them all correctly.

    The other thing I do is my most used cords that will not fit in my charging station - I have a 3 slot charging station. I wrap them and put tie around them open the lid for my charging station and store my cords in there. I still know where they are even if I don't charge them on the station.

    Tracy G.

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  99. I Love this suggestion!!!
    sincerely a great idea!! I was just thinking about all of these unwise cords in my desk drawer! And advice with all friend this idea.

    CSP Trailing Multicore Rubber Cable

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  100. Hi Jen!

    I was wondering where you got the media boxes from? Thank you! Great post :)

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  101. Nevermind, I didn't see the other comment. Thanks!

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  102. Love it. I'm just moving the a new apartment & have my cords all in a box which don't know if still need or not. This is a great way to put them away. I actually started to label the one we using now so if need to disconnect we know which one it is.

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  103. I am so happy I found your site! Everyday I find something great! I was wondering what the size of the boxes were? Thanks!

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  104. Amazinz blog. Cant believe there are such creative people out there.

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  105. Great post! I'm always looking for ways to organize my cords and cables - they seem to multiple over the years

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  106. Messy cords are the worst! Good for you for tackling them. I especially love how you used the pretty craft paper to make the storage extra sweet!

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  107. I simply used my label maker set to a small font and with a clear plastic tape, I made a label for each charger. I put the label directly on each charger. We have loved it! I have 5 children ages 9 and up, so we have many, many chargers for phones, kindles, cameras, ipads, electric razors, etc... (Wish there was one that could recharge me!) Anyway, I never hear the dreaded, "what is this charger for?" question anymore! I also keep the cords of most of the chargers bundled up leaving just enough out to reach the outlet. As for a charging station for the bedroom...I have been in the market for one for some time now. Any that you recommend? I hate seeing cords, period. Wish I could make them go away.

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    1. I do that, too! As soon as we purchase a new "gadget", my first move b/4 reading instructions or putting anything together is to label every single cord, accessory, & part! (And put our contact info on the gadget, so that it can be returned if left behind! That's saved us several times!)

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  108. Great idea. I used to do that, but my new method is as follows. 1.) Buy Command metal hooks (b/c they're big enough and deep enough to hold cords). 2.) Install hooks inside cabinet door (ours are in laundry room cabinet doors) in rows. 3.) Each row gets a label: "Kindle," "Camera," "iPad," "Headphones," etc. 4.) Hang rolled-up cords on hooks. I love this b/c it's easily accessible, takes advantage of unused space, & is hidden from view. For our larger cords (TV cables, chargers, etc.), I have a shoe bag w/ labeled pockets.

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  109. I am searching for a cute box I can do this with at this very moment. THANK YOU so much for the great idea! I hate cords.

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  110. Thank you so much for sharing your idea. I'm now going to the basement and gather the materials.

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  111. Jen! I LOVE this idea! I have a ton of those little Ikea boxes. I'll definitely have to recreate these for my 'cord box'.

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  112. What a lovely idea! I absolutely love it. I also have a ton of these IKEA boxes floating around, all of them are a ridiculous mess. Creating dividers is such a great idea.

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  113. How did you figure out what each cord went with? That's my biggest problem. If you had any tips on how to figure that part out I would love to hear them.

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  114. This is a great idea! Now, to find out where all of my cords are... :)

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  115. Hi Jen! Would it be alright if I included one picture from this post (linking back to you, of course) in a post I'm writing about cord organization on my blog?
    Thanks!
    Kim
    http://pinspiredhome.blogspot.com/

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    1. Of course Kim! Thank you for checking and being sure to source back. :)

      xo!

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    2. Thank you! Here is a link to the post.
      http://pinspiredhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/containing-cord-clutter.html

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  116. If you are on a budget, you can also wrap them up and put them in old toilet paper or paper towel rolls (no tangled mess and you can label them!)

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  117. Just wanted to let you know that when I search 'organize cords' in pinterest, your photo was one of the first to pop up. However, the link did not go to your blog. Instead it went here http://www.homedit.com/the-best-way-to-organize-cords/
    They used several of your photos in their post and even though they included a {found on iheartorganizing} link at the end of the post, the link is broken and does not link to this post or your blog at all.

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  118. Hi Jen
    I'm planning on posting a different way to organize my cords, but thought it'd be nice to show your version. Would it be okay to have a link to your post? Thanks for your attention. jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    jodie@jtouchofstyle.com

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  119. I keep mine in one of those hanging canvas shoe organisers. One day I'll get round to making a charging station to go with it ;)

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  120. I need to do this soon! This is so helpful as we have a million cords we have no idea where they go to!

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  121. Where did you purchase your charging station for those items that stay plugged in all the time? Or did you build one? I can't find one I like anywhere!

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  122. I have used ziploc bags, labelled.

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  123. What a great idea! Maybe I'll tackle my own tangled box of cords now.

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