Bottom line
A cable tray under the desk plus cable sleeves and clips covers 90% of desks for under $30 total[1].
Cable management sounds fussy, but the payoff is real: a clean workspace is calmer to sit at, easier to clean, and less prone to accidental unplugs. And it's cheap.
The three tools you need
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cable tray | Holds power strips under the desk | $15 |
| Cable sleeves | Bundle visible runs into one tidy line | $10 |
| Adhesive clips | Route cables along desk edges | $8 |
How to do it in 15 minutes
- Mount the power strip in a tray under the desk.
- Bundle monitor, keyboard, and peripheral cables into sleeves.
- Clip the bundled runs along the desk's back edge or legs.
The verdict
For about $30 and 15 minutes, you can eliminate the visual clutter under your desk. It's the cheapest meaningful upgrade to any setup.