8 Ways to Keep Tech Under Control
Stop devices taking over every surface with these neat ideas
Fed up with the tentacle-like spread of leads sprawling across the kitchen worktop, dining table, and even the sofa? Sick of the sight of ugly devices in every room?
There’s no escape from technology in our lives today, but there are ways to put it in its place. Have a look at the IT solutions here to see if any could work in your home.
There’s no escape from technology in our lives today, but there are ways to put it in its place. Have a look at the IT solutions here to see if any could work in your home.
2. Be shallow
Most devices these days are pretty slimline, so tailor your storage to suit. Instead of giving over a deep cupboard, see if you have slim space, such as at the end of a run of units, to slot in a shallow design like this, with narrow shelves to prop the devices on.
Most devices these days are pretty slimline, so tailor your storage to suit. Instead of giving over a deep cupboard, see if you have slim space, such as at the end of a run of units, to slot in a shallow design like this, with narrow shelves to prop the devices on.
3. Cut a hole
A smart solution to the problem of trailing charger wires, this worktop has a special hole cut out of it so the charging lead can run down to a plug socket beneath the counter.
With tech so prevalent in our lives these days, it’s worth thinking ahead about solutions like this if you’re planning a kitchen renovation.
10 tech tricks to smarten up your kitchen
A smart solution to the problem of trailing charger wires, this worktop has a special hole cut out of it so the charging lead can run down to a plug socket beneath the counter.
With tech so prevalent in our lives these days, it’s worth thinking ahead about solutions like this if you’re planning a kitchen renovation.
10 tech tricks to smarten up your kitchen
4. Rise up
Pop-up sockets are another neat idea to incorporate into a worktop. When not in use, simply push back down so they’re out of sight. Or try a socket hidden inside a wall cupboard, with space to store devices, too.
Pop-up sockets are another neat idea to incorporate into a worktop. When not in use, simply push back down so they’re out of sight. Or try a socket hidden inside a wall cupboard, with space to store devices, too.
5. Disguise a TV
Love to curl up in bed to watch TV, but don’t like the idea of an ugly screen on the wall? There are lots of ways to disguise a late-night Netflix habit, from putting the TV in a cupboard to hanging a picture over the top.
This clever mirror TV is hiding in plain sight, only revealing its true self when it’s switched on.
Love to curl up in bed to watch TV, but don’t like the idea of an ugly screen on the wall? There are lots of ways to disguise a late-night Netflix habit, from putting the TV in a cupboard to hanging a picture over the top.
This clever mirror TV is hiding in plain sight, only revealing its true self when it’s switched on.
6. Hide behind doors
There’s no getting away from the fact that all the paraphernalia that comes with tech is not pretty. In a busy family house with games consoles, set-top boxes, DVDs etc, sometimes the best solution is a straightforward cupboard under the TV that can hide a multitude of gadgetry.
The important thing is to keep on top of clutter with frequent culls, making sure that any devices that are broken or no longer used are disposed of (sold on, given away or recycled), along with the chargers, leads and other bits and bobs that go with them.
Installing a multi-point socket inside the cupboard is another good idea, so switching things on and off doesn’t require the skills of a contortionist.
There’s no getting away from the fact that all the paraphernalia that comes with tech is not pretty. In a busy family house with games consoles, set-top boxes, DVDs etc, sometimes the best solution is a straightforward cupboard under the TV that can hide a multitude of gadgetry.
The important thing is to keep on top of clutter with frequent culls, making sure that any devices that are broken or no longer used are disposed of (sold on, given away or recycled), along with the chargers, leads and other bits and bobs that go with them.
Installing a multi-point socket inside the cupboard is another good idea, so switching things on and off doesn’t require the skills of a contortionist.
7. Designate a drawer
Don’t just go for a chuck-it-all-in drawer of randomness – this design has an in-built power supply to charge multiple devices neatly out of sight.
However, even without the power option, a dedicated kitchen drawer is a good place to store devices – use a divider or wire basket in a deep drawer to keep everything neat and tidy.
Don’t just go for a chuck-it-all-in drawer of randomness – this design has an in-built power supply to charge multiple devices neatly out of sight.
However, even without the power option, a dedicated kitchen drawer is a good place to store devices – use a divider or wire basket in a deep drawer to keep everything neat and tidy.
8. Shut it down
A desk in a cupboard provides the ideal spot to keep devices out of sight. Add in shelves and boxes to store techy essentials, then shut the doors to hide everything away.
TELL US
How do you keep tech tidy in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
A desk in a cupboard provides the ideal spot to keep devices out of sight. Add in shelves and boxes to store techy essentials, then shut the doors to hide everything away.
TELL US
How do you keep tech tidy in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Multiple cables, chargers, leads – all the paraphernalia that comes with a device has to go somewhere, and stylish baskets on a shelf are a nicely low-tech solution to a high-tech problem.
Maybe designate one for each type of device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc) or sort by family member, so you have an easy answer to the familiar, “Has anyone seen my charger?” refrain.
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