Cable management buying guide

Cable management can be used to protect your cables if they need to be routed around an obstacle or guided over the floor. Alternatively, you might just need to keep your cables in order or make your space look a bit tidier. Either way, there are various forms of cable management so you're sure to find a system to meet your needs.

Television stands and desks are often cluttered with cables but the right type of cable management can help to get tangled cords under control. A desk grommet can be used to route your cables through a desk or any other item of furniture. Make sure you choose a grommet that can accommodate the cables you need to hide and ensure your appliance plugs can fit through the hole.

To install a grommet, you'll need to start by drilling a hole using the appropriate drill bit or hole saw. The hole should measure about 3 to 4 cm but this will vary depending on the size of your grommet. You can then insert the grommet into the hole. Grommets help to mask the edges of the hole and stop your cables from wearing as they rub against the rough edge of the cut material. Once you have fed the plug and cables through the hole, you can fit a twist cap over the top. Turn the cap just enough so that your cables fit snugly without leaving a large gap on show.

Another option is to use plastic or metal cable ties. Cable ties are usually fitted beneath the desk and help to avoid your cables trailing on the floor.

Floor cables present a trip hazard and can start to wear over time. In this case, a cable cover or protector can help to keep your cables in check. These covers come in a range of designs from semi-flexible covers with clip-on tops to fully flexible covers supplied in rolls. D-line cable covers feature a D-shaped profile to prevent tripping and are often equipped with fluorescent tops for extra visibility; these models are perfect for the workshop.

Some heavy-duty floor cable covers can even withstand vehicles making them ideal for use around the garage. But before you make your choice, be sure to check the length of the cable cover as well as the size of its channels to ensure your floor cables will fit neatly inside.

More hardwearing than a desk grommet, cable grommets can be round or oval in shape and look a bit like a bloated washer! These grommets feature a groove all the way around their circumference which can be used to wedge the cable grommet into tough materials like sheet metal. Designed to prevent damage to cords and stop cables from getting disconnected, these cable protectors are often used in cars to feed electric cables through the body of the car to the engine. When looking for the best cable grommet, it's always a good idea to invest a multipack to prepare for any eventuality!

Flexible conduits are traditionally used to route and secure wiring while still allowing for a bit of movement. For example, they are often used to secure gate cables and help to prevent the cables from getting pulled out or pinched. Conduits are easy to spot as they look a bit like a shower hose. Once again, be sure to check that the inner diameter of the conduit is large enough to accommodate your cables and that the system is long enough to run to your power source.

Flex outlets are designed to wire larger appliances (such as dishwashers or water heaters) instead of running them to a socket. These outlets are equipped with terminals allowing a fixed appliance to be connected to the wiring of your building. Used to keep circuits separate and reduce the risk of your cables getting disconnected, flex outlets may be surface- or flush-mounted.

For extra protection, a cable clip can be installed near the cable hole to keep everything in place and prevent your cords from getting pulled out. Flex outlets are made by various companies so you can shop around to find an outlet to match your existing sockets and switches. But remember: no matter what you use the outlet for, it should always be installed with the hole facing downwards.