Cables don’t have to ruin a good setup. With a simple plan and a few affordable parts, you can route, hide, and label every wire so the desk looks clean from any angle—photos, streams, and day-to-day use included. This guide covers a fast 30-minute tidy and a full weekend makeover.

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1) Make a quick plan (5 minutes)

• List devices: monitor(s), PC/console, keyboard, mouse, mic, camera, speakers, hub/dock, lights.
• Note cable types/lengths needed (power, HDMI/DP, USB-C, USB-A, audio).
• Decide the home run: one central path where most cables travel (usually under the back edge to a mounted power strip).

Goal: all vertical drops happen once, not everywhere.

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2) Tools and parts you actually need

• Low-profile Velcro ties (reusable)
• Adhesive cable clips + under-desk raceway or cable tray
• Power strip with flat plug (mountable) or a cable management box
• Cable sleeves (neoprene or braided) or spiral wrap for visible runs
• 3M Command strips or wood screws for trays (depends on desk)
• Short right-angle adapters for HDMI/DP/USB where depth is tight
• Labels or a label maker (or painter’s tape + marker)

Optional upgrades: grommet hole, desk-mounted hub/dock, under-desk USB power, VESA monitor arm with cable channels.

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3) The 30-minute tidy (fast wins)

1. Unplug everything and wipe the desk.
2. Mount the power strip under the back edge (centered).
3. Create one trunk: stick a short raceway or tray under the desk and lead all power + data lines to it.
4. Bundle by destination: monitor bundle, PC bundle, peripheral bundle. Velcro every 10–15 cm.
5. Shorten extra length with loose figure-eight loops, Velcroed to the underside, not the leg.
6. Label at both ends (PSU, monitor, mic, cam). Future you will thank you.

Result: nothing hangs, nothing dangles, nothing touches the floor except one clean wall run.

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4) Full makeover (1–2 hours)

Route map

• Back edge: trays/raceways carry everything horizontally.
• Single drop: one vertical channel down the leg closest to the outlet. Use a floor channel if crossing to a wall.
• Monitor arm: use the arm’s built-in clips; right-angle connectors reduce stress and depth.

Mounting order

1. Power strip → 2) Tray/raceway → 3) PSU bricks in a cable box or on a small under-desk shelf → 4) Dock/hub mounted near the desk edge you use.

Visible runs

• Wrap PC-to-monitor cables in a single braided sleeve.
• For glass or open desks, use clear adhesive clips and slim black or white cables to match the background.

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5) Specialized tips for gamers

• High-speed DisplayPort/HDMI: avoid cheap extenders; buy correct length. Keep coils loose to prevent signal issues.
• USB mic/cam: route on the opposite side of power bricks to reduce interference.
• Headset & controller charging: add a small under-desk USB strip with individual switches.
• RGB strips: hide LED dots with aluminum diffuser channels; feed wires through the rear tray so no leads are visible.
• Mouse cable: use a bungee or low-friction sleeve if wired; otherwise go wireless and charge via a hidden dock.

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6) Aesthetic choices that photograph well

• Match colors: black cables on dark wood, white on light walls; avoid mixed colors.
• Right-angle plugs behind monitors make the screen sit closer to the wall.
• Symmetry: center the trunk and mirror left/right accessories for cleaner composition.
• No vertical spaghetti: any line heading down should travel inside a sleeve or a leg channel.

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7) Safety and reliability

• Don’t overload a single strip; plug high-draw devices (PC, heater) into a surge protector rated for the load.
• Keep power bricks ventilated; don’t wrap them in foam or stack tightly.
• Use strain relief: leave a little slack at each device to avoid port damage.

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8) Maintenance routine

• Monthly: dust the tray and fan intakes; re-tighten Velcro if it loosens.
• New gear rule: measure first, order correct-length cables, add labels before plugging in.

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9) Sample shopping list (under-desk setup)

• 1× metal cable tray (60–100 cm)
• 1× mountable surge protector, flat plug
• 12–24× Velcro ties
• 10–15× adhesive clips (corner + straight)
• 1× braided sleeve (1–2 m)
• 1× spiral wrap for leg drop
• 1× cable box for bricks
• Optional: dual monitor arm with cable channels; aluminum LED diffuser kit

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10) Photo checklist (for that “picture-perfect” shot)

• Turn off room lights; use bias light behind monitor + soft key light.
• Hide every wire in the frame; shift the desk 2–3 cm if needed to conceal the wall outlet.
• Wipe the desk, center the mouse pad, align the keyboard, square the monitor.
• Shoot slightly above desk height; keep verticals straight.