If Marie Kondo were to focus on tech-related tidying up, there is no doubt in my mind she’d want to tackle cord clutter first. It’s a tech-related home issue that can be seriously infuriating (and unfortunately cannot be solved via smarter folding or throwing out charging cables that don’t bring you joy).
Every device you’ve got comes with a cord that needs an outlet, and when it’s time to plug things in, counters and desks inevitably become a mess of tangled wires. The toaster cord next to the iPad next to your phone next to the Fitbit…and no space left on the counter to make breakfast. And if you happen to have a partner and kids? Multiply all that by 4, 5… the cables seem to mate and reproduce when you’re not looking.
To try to deal with the challenge, I’ve tried a bunch of products that promise to banish cord clutter, and some work pretty well.
Products like PlugHub can streamline cords behind a desk, for instance, while CableBin provides a container-based solution: It basically looks like a mini garbage can that hides a bunch of your cords.
My new favorite solution to cord clutter, however fulfills a fantasy I’ve had for a while: Charging things out of view inside a drawer.
Docking Drawer makes in-drawer electrical outlets that can be installed all over the house—in kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom drawers.
The outlets are smartly positioned at the back of the drawer and don’t interfere with how it functions (AKA pulling it in and out). There are options designed specifically for charging (AC adapters, USB-A or USB-C ports that use low voltage) and ones for powering hair dryers, curling irons, or anything requiring up to 20 amps of current. (These outlets will cut power in the event that the temperature around them exceeds 120˚F— a great safety feature if you’re prone to leaving the curling iron on).
Obviously the biggest drawback is that it’s the kind of organizational solution that requires some planning, and likely a visit from your electrician and a handyman. These require installation, and ideally you’d even design your drawers with the outlets in mind, for optimum cord clutter-eliminating.
So, think of it as something to keep in mind for your next remodel, or read “Will it fit in my drawer?” section at the bottom of each product page to see if you can make it happen with what you have now.
I saw it many years ago and seriously just love it as a smart way to organize your tech and get clutter off counters. The more design and tech can complement each other from the get-go, the better, right?
