How to add cable management to a basic office desk

Wireless technology is evolving at a rapid rate, which is helping to reduce the amount of wires necessary in our offices. That said, it will be some time before we have completely wireless offices.

In the meantime though, there are several ways in which an existing office desk can be upgraded or altered to accommodate new equipment and cables. It just depends on how far you want to take it and how much you want to spend.

We’ve created a step by step guide to desk cable management, so you can get your office in check and avoid the tangled cables that can lead to a whole host of issues during your working day. So, if you’re looking to control your cables, you’re in the right place.

What are the advantages of a cable management system?

Controlling cables is important in any workplace, but especially at a working desk. Unorganised cables are not only highly distracting, they can also take up a lot of space and even have an impact on productivity. Simple cable tidies can make all the difference.

Organised cables also look far more professional than tangled ones without any kind of visible cable system.

3 way cable trunking in silver

Where to start

Whether you’re working with a new cable management set-up or altering an existing set-up, it’s important that you disconnect everything before you begin. It’s vital that you make your workspace safe before tackling your cables and making any changes.

Simple clip for USB cable

Make sure you buy the correct cable length

Many people fall at the first hurdle by buying incorrect cable lengths. For example, if the cables are too long, they will hang off the desk and tangle up, causing a potential trip hazard. On the other hand, if they are too short, you will have to re-organise or even move your whole desk space to get your devices connected.

How to use cable management

If the desk you’re working on doesn’t have any access through the surface to the underside, then cable ports can be positioned virtually anywhere on the desk to allow cables to pass through. Cable ports aren’t very expensive, but you’ll need to make a hole in the surface that’s exactly the right size.

Once the cables can pass through the desktop, they may need to travel horizontally under the top to either a wall mounted socket or computer processor unit. Steel cable baskets can be fixed anywhere under the desktop and are available in various standard lengths. Power blocks with extension leads can be laid in the horizontal cable basket and can be easily accessed from the underside of the office desk.

Another great option is to create a hole immediately behind each monitor for your cable to route through. This will help to reduce the visible length of the cable.

Laptop cable management

If you’re using a laptop and constantly need to disconnect it from your desk to use your it in another location, then you could consider using a desk mounted power/data module.

These units are situated above the desk, making it much easier to access the power and data sockets, rather than getting under the desk whenever you need to reconnect or remove your laptop. The other (more expensive) option is to use a pop-up power module, which takes up the same amount of space as a normal cable port and looks less obtrusive when not in use. There are many power and data tidy solutions worth considering.

A laptop on a desk with no wires

Keeping your cables neat and tidy

To keep cables tidy as they drop down vertically to the floor or the processor unit, try attaching a flexible cable spine to the underside of the desktop or clamping it to the edge of the desk instead. This are life savers when it comes to optimising the organisation of your workspace.

Using a spine to tidy cables

Use a cable tray under your desk to hide the cables

If you’re not able to create holes in your desk or you don’t want to damage it, consider investing in a cable tray, which can be positioned directly under your desk to hide the cables.

Some desks even come complete with built in cable management systems, such as those with a cable tray already in place.

Using your computer processor unit off the floor

If you want to raise your computer processor unit off the floor, you can use one of a variety of under desk mounted CPU holders.

These are usually adjustable in both height and width in order to accommodate most processor units, or they may be floor standing with castors for flexible repositioning.

Why choose BT Office furniture?

Since our formation in 1994, BT Office has become a leading UK office furniture supplier.

We use our own fleet of vehicles and a team of specialist fitters to ensure your modern, executive office furniture arrives undamaged and is installed by people who are familiar with the products.

Get in touch today to find out how we can enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your office environment.