Have you just set up a gleaming new home entertainment system with a cinematic full HD 3D TV as its centerpiece? Did you just put the finishing touches on an immersive surround sound system? Or have you just finished setting up a high-tech home office, with the latest in computers, printers, electronics, and connectivity components?
Before you pat yourself on the back for a job well done, take a peek behind whatever you’ve just installed. Have you just created a snake pit of cables? That can’t be fun. To help you get this eyesore off your new home system, we present this list of 5 secrets to getting rid of cable clutter.
Plan properly – and work with pros
It’s natural to get excited by your new toys. But don’t let the excitement get in the way of planning things properly. Avoid shortcuts: think carefully instead about how you’re going to be able to tame those tangles before they’re even plugged in. It’s recommended that you work with home installation professionals so that you can design a home office, home audio, or home entertainment system that you’re comfortable with using on a daily basis.
Hide ‘em
By “hiding” we don’t mean leaving those cables behind the plasma TV or the 27-in. cinema-display monitor. We mean running cables under your baseboards or through your walls: out of your sight, certainly. Not only does this preserve the aesthetics of your home theater or home office; it also minimizes all kinds of cable-related hazards that present themselves whenever cable clutter is left on the floor.
Create a charging station
Your cell phone, iPod, iPad, laptop, camera, remote control, and other consumer electronics all likely came with their own separate chargers. Why not save a piece of living room or home office real estate so that you can put them all in one place? That’s right: your own charging station. It’s a great way of getting those cables under control.
Bundle up
Rubber bands, twisty ties, zip ties, and Velcro ties all make a world of difference. Use them to tie up your computer, audio, and video cables up together. That way, you’re able to track which is going where – and save yourself the future inconvenience of locating the wires or cables of an old component that needs replacing. The best part? They’re very cheap for something that does plenty of cable management wonders.
Go wireless
Want to eliminate cables altogether? Go wireless. The Hooked Up Installs team of installation professionals knows a thing or two about that; in fact, we specialize in wireless audio installation, video installation, custom remote programming, and media management system installation. Going wireless enables you to connect your systems and components together and enjoy all the benefits of wireless networking. Now, that’s what you call a hassle-free – or snake-pit-free – setup.
