Four tips for organizing electronics
As technology continues to advance, so does the number of electronics we accumulate in our homes. This can be especially true right after the holidays! From smartphones to laptops, televisions, gaming consoles, and more, finding a way to store them can be a challenge. Here are some clever ways to keep your electronics organized and easily accessible.
Declutter your current electronics
One of the best ways to organize your electronics is to have less of them to organize! Most households tend to have a stack of old phones or laptops lying around gathering dust. Schedule a chunk of time on your calendar to grab that stack of old devices and take them to your local e-recylcer! A lot of reputable electronics recycling locations will destroy the saved information on your devices to help with your privacy. They either then take those devices apart and reuse the components, or they can refurbish them for resale. They also recycle the individual parts fo the devices in a responsible way. DO a quick Google search for an e-recylcing place near you and then load up your car and make a trip!
This is also a good time to declutter all the excess charging cords you have accumulated. Believe me, you don’t need 15 USB-C charging cables! Keep a few of different lengths and then donate the rest!
Cord control
Speaking of cords…creating a system to store the cords you do keep, is crucial for having organized electronics. Individually storing cables in small boxes, plastic bags, or other cord dividers can help you know what you have and prevent them from getting damaged.
Labeling the stored cables, and the ones that are in use, is also a great way to really know what you have. Below are some ideas on how you can store your cables.
You can also decrease the visual clutter caused by electronics by using products that help to conceal the cords while they are plugged in.
Creative storage methods
Get creative with how you store all of your electronics. You don’t need to leave all of your electronics out on flat surfaces when not in use. A wall-mounted shelf is a great way to store your electronics without taking up too much space. You can also use it to display your devices and keep them within arm's reach. Storage baskets are a great way to keep your electronics organized and out of sight. You can label the baskets for easy identification and stack them on shelves or in cabinets. Old furniture can be repurposed to create storage solutions for your electronics. For example, an old dresser can be used to store your gaming consoles, DVDs, and other electronics.
Charging station
Investing in a charging station can help you keep all your devices in one place while charging them simultaneously. You can buy one or make one yourself using a shoebox, power strips, and some cable management tools. Pick a location in your household that is convenient and easy to access. It is also recommended that you use a power cord with a surge protector to help protect your devices while they are charging.
What about the boxes?
Boxes from tech items can easily start to accumulate. In general, my suggestion is that you should toss the box! There are only a few circumstances where I would recommend keeping it. First, if you think there is a chance you will need to return it in the short term. Second, if it is a more expensive item with a warranty, you may want to hold onto the box while you have the warranty. There could also be an argument to keep boxes when you still have parts/components of the item you did not use, but need to keep. If the box is small enough, it might be worth keeping so that you can store those remaining items in an easy to recognize box.
By using these clever storage solutions, you can keep your electronics organized and easily accessible while also keeping your home clutter-free.
Happy Sprucing!
