Tech note...
With many of us still working from home – at least some of the time, LIZ CONNOR has some tips for keeping clutter-free
TECHNOLOGY makes modern life easier in so many ways – but it can also be a real eyesore when it accumulates in the home.
Here are some step-by-step tips for getting your home tech tidy...
1. Go through everything
Hands up if you’ve got a box full of random cables that you’re too scared to throw away, but you’re not exactly sure what they’re for.
Don’t hold onto gadgets or chargers that are no longer useful. Gather your essential devices and spend an hour or two matching everything up. Anything without an obvious use should be put in a separate pile to responsibly get rid of.
2. Recycle the surplus
Old tech should never just be chucked in the general waste bin; electrical equipment often contains toxic substances that impact both the environment and human health.
If you’ve got a pile of old phones gathering dust, check out ecoATM – the recycling company has kiosks across England, Scotland and Wales, and will pay you for handing in your unused units. Meanwhile, Currys PC World offers a free recycling programme in store, where you can drop off everything from old toasters to broken vacuum cleaners, whether you bought it from them or not.
WeeeCharity is your new best friend when it comes to ditching deadweight chargers – book a slot on their website and they’ll collect them right from your doorstep.
3. Get some cable kit
If the sight of tentacle-like wires sprouting from your plug sockets is bringing you down, it might be time to invest in some reusable gear ties – we like Nite Ize’s Cordable Twist Ties (£5.99 for a pack of two, niteize.com).
Box cable organisers, like D-Line’s Cable Tidy Unit (from £10.45, homebase.com), hide jumbles of cables on the floor so you can tuck away any mess. We also like Peak Design’s Tech Pouch (£44.20, peakdesign.com) – a zipup bag with loads of handy pockets.
4. Stick it in a basket
Simply putting work-from-home items, like keyboards and laptops, into a designated box or basket that can be stored in a cupboard can help minimise mess. A tray basket in the living room can keep remote controls and iPads in one place, too.
5. Cut a hole
If you’ve got an old piece of furniture, like a dining table or desk, you could drill a circular grommet hole so you can run your cables through it. You’ll need a good level of DIY skill and some experience of safely using a drill and hole saw to give
this one a go, though.
6. Invest in some charging furniture
In recent years, designers have responded to our tech organisation woes with furniture solutions that do away with the need for loads of charging cables.
Ikea recently launched range of smart furniture that incorporates hidden smartphone charging pads.
The range includes desk lamps and side tables, and there’s a neat little charging pad that accommodates up to three devices at one time.