How to mount a power strip (and power bricks) under your desk

I was tired of looking at the nasty tangle of power cables and power strip under my desk. So after much deliberation I decided to mount as much as I could to the bottom of the desk. In a nutshell I found a regular wire basket, attached it to the bottom of my desk, and placed the powerstrip inside facing down so the outlets were still accessible along with all the power bricks I could get in there.

Below is a little before and after, I'm quite pleased with the results. Also, just for clarification, that big box under my desk is the subwoofer for my speakers.

DISCLAIMER: Use these instructions at your own risk. There is a risk of fire, electric shock, injury, and damage to your hardware. Be really careful.

Step 1 Shop for Parts

The parts you'll need are pretty modest.

1) A basket to contain all the power junk ($8-$12)
2) At least 4 mirror hangers or hooks ($2)
3) One screw for each hanger. ($1)

The Basket
- Make sure you get a basket that's big enough so that everything will fit with plenty of space on all sides. Make a list (with dimensions!) of all the stuff you want to get into the basket.
- Get a basket that's fairly open so that it's easy to pass wires through and it's easy to modify.
- I recommend a plastic basket that's sturdy but thin enough to cut with a sharp razor blade.
- I went with this little paper tray from The Container Store which was just the right size. However, I don't recommend using a metal basket. It's too easy for a plug to come into contact with the basket and risk an electric shock.

Mirror Hangers or Hooks
- Depending on the design of the basket mirror hangers or hooks should work really well for most people. Both make removing the basket pretty easy. With mirror hangers you can just rotate it out of the way, and hooks can be unhooked.
- 4 mirror hangers was enough for me, but if you go with a big basket, 6 or 8 might be better. The mirror hangers are really easy to install and make removing the basket really easy.
- Hooks are nice too because you can hang the basket easily. Also check out marcss method using hooks and chains to enable the basket to hinge open. Basket (Open), Basket (closed).

Comments

[chr]

You can also buy a power strip with mounting holes on it. Nice instructable though :)

[pfred2]

I've never seen a power strip without some provisions for mounting it. I must own about a dozen different ones too. They usually have slot holes in the back of them.

[getgreg]

I responded to pretty much the same comment before (from "Flea" below). Just mounting the power strip to your desk doesn't give you a place to stash the power bricks or cables.

[EnergyHandyman]

I did it, but i had some wire shelving fasteners and just screwed them directly to the bottom of my 1" thick plywood desk. I tried my best to make the layout so i could easily switch the power brick of to save energy. according to my watts-up-meter switching it off for the whole year would save me only $20 bucks, so i think i will only switch it off when i am on vacation.

[jeremyreger]

I've gotta glass desk... have a solution for that?? :D I'm freekin' impressed.

[EnergyHandyman]

SUGRU the basket to the bottom of the desk, you'll need to prop the basket for about 20 hours before romoving the prop and weighting it with all your cords and what not.

[marcss]

I was inspired by this article, but I made a couple modifications: I opted for a larger basket and placed the power strip facing up. Second, I did not use mirror hangers for mounting the basket. In truth, I couldn't find the right kind right away, so I gave up and went with hooks. This gave me the idea to use some chains on the one side to allow the basket to swing open for access. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Images linked: Basket (Open)
Basket (Closed)

[getgreg]

Nicely done! Those hook and chains are really a fantastic idea! That makes it so much easier to arrange all the pieces inside. Also, I love that you were able to get your broadband modem (or is that a router?) in there. Great job all around!

[marcss]

Thank you! That is my broadband modem. My wireless router is strapped to the bottom. Also, I forgot to mention that the basket I'm using is a dish rack I picked up at a local store.

Thanks again for a great article!

[Tiggler]

Brilliant both of you...  thank you!!

[Hycro]

All my cords are behind my printer, computer, monitor, tuner, and amp for my mid-high range speakers, but they are a big mess behind my monitor, where they all connect to the power bar.

[clemmonsm]

Here is another great option

[samssf]

Hi getgreg, would you mind sharing which desk you have and where you bought it? I've been searching my entire city for anything that's similar to yours... Mostly I just want a solid, 1"+ thick, light colored tabletop that I can use with some legs from Ikea. I know they have some decent desks, but I don't have an Ikea around here and shipping is too costly. Plus, most of their desks only have 3/4" tops I believe.

[getgreg]

Hi Samssf, My desk is actually an Aalto desk made by Artek. They're not so easy to find, and I don't think you can buy the top without the legs. You might look at a home improvement store (home depot, lowes) and just by a simple door. That works really well and they're plenty thick. Searching for "door desk" on google gave me lots of instructions and info.

[alt_bob]

In "Make your own remote power switches by iwilltry on Aug 12, 2007in home & tech" it appears to be great way to get control of my printer, my zip drive, my etc. devices on a power strip up under desk separate from my battery - backup power supply that mostly just take power 20 plus hours per day. With the on/off light can hide the power strip and all the transformers and wires in basket as described in article "How to mount a power strip (and power bricks) under your desk by getgregon Nov 13, 2007in home."

Not fond of concept of taking control of individual outlets on a strip and agree with some of comments on settings, etc. for some units. But is a small step to be politically correct "green" and help get by until you youngster's out there start electing real representatives to take care of the country and not to just get re-elected and say things that make you feel good. Running the country takes hard decision that most likely will make at least half the people angry at first. But, you are the tide, I have to wait for the next ebb tide.

[maowenjie]

power cordi thik is cool.

[coronate]

This is only unsafe if you're completely careless (and soaking wet), which is true with EVERYTHING you handle that uses electricity.

[glitteringsky]

This is a great simple instructable. I'm going to do this! Thanks getgreg!

[evvo]

Regarding Glass Desks: I have seen kitchen organizer racks that, instead of sitting on a shelf or screwing onto a cabinet, slip over a shelf and provide hooks or storage below the shelf. A side view of the rack is a very uneven S shape. The top is deep but only about 3/4" tall so it fits snugly around a shelf. The bottom part of the S is the 'new' storage space. Regarding the Last Cable Visible in the picture: 3M makes some very nice cord clips in their "Command" product line that would do the job.

[Crashmaxx]

This is a really nice idea and would be perfect for my desk right now. But it isn't my desk so I can't just drill holes in it, but the back has cork board and my monitor is so big if this was behind it you wouldn't see it. I have no idea how to attach this much weight to cork board though. So does anyone have any ideas how to attach this without wrecking the cork board?

[krapnek]

I get your point of putting the bottom of the bricks against the desk, but since they're upside down, and hot air rises up, the heat has no natural way to dissipate.

[getgreg]

Good point. I'll make some changes to the instructable.

[ddschmitt]

it occurred to me when looking at your before and after that you should have gotten a bigger basket and put the sub-woofer in there too. but seriously - a much better solution. I hate the tangle of cords under my desk. it's a nightmare. I tried using sticky velcro to attach power strips to the underside of my desk and it worked for a while - then the tape started to let go. and every so often, they'd crash down and pull a peripheral with them. not a good solution. sigh. perhaps I'll try this?

[MasamuneX]

Simple and clean. Nice. My problem is I have a couple of huge power bricks.

[getgreg]

How huge? There's a link on step 1 to elfa baskets which come in lots of sizes.

[MasamuneX]

Actually what I meant is that I have the AC adapters that plug straight into the wall. So I guess I would have to get a small extension cord so I can place it on the side like you did yours. Your setup made a world of a difference. It looks great.

[Mr.Cire]

I have those speakers!

[DeadlyDad]

I've seen versions using perf board, but I like the elegance of yours. I don't have any wire baskets, but I do have an old oven rack, some long cable ties, and cable tie mounts. Hmmmmm.....

[chefmichel]

Great idea ! But who said "a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind"

[getgreg]

I don't know, but I bet whoever it was had a ridiculously clean desk. :)

[luisrobles]

Very nice pal. Great work, and cheap too.

[omnibot]

Amazing .. I have a tray like that sitting right next to me from my old fridge, was gonna throw it out. If I could only find a desk ..

[jtcatchenco]

Awesome!

[Mosselman]

Great instructable, very clear and the idea just speaks for itself basically. Although I think you didn't have a problem speaking for it either.

[scottredd]

Very elegant. Nice work.

[Darkshot]

does this hit your leg when you put your legs under the desk? cuz i dont like that sorta stuff..

[willyjoeshow]

Great Idea, I think I am going to try it since I have the worlds largest ball of spaghetti under my desk. Thanks

[Doctor What]

Thanx for a great way to get rid of that tangled web. I'm gonna make one of these for my computer and my tv.

[binary]

so simple, yet so effective. i think that i might actually put this instructable to use. thanks.

[mattone]

you did such a great job hiding all the other cords. is there a way to attach the last remaining cord around the rear left table leg to get it out of sight? congrats! v. col. matt