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Here are the products you need to hide cables in your home:
First, protect those appliances and outlets from getting fried from an electric surge! As The New York Times puts it, "surge protectors, which absorb common power surges that can damage electronics — are an inexpensive and safe way to add extra outlets in most circumstances." We live in a day where multiple outlets are needed to charge all of our electronics fully, so it is nice to have every outlet available in our space remain functional. My favorite surge protector is the Philips Surge Protector ($20 for a two-pack) because you can choose a six-outlet option or a three-outlet with two USB ports and have a uniform system throughout your space.
Gone are the days when we plug in our floor lighting directly into the outlet, exposing it to potentially getting crushed when we forcefully plop down on our couch after a long day of work to binge our favorite show. Also, sometimes furniture moves, resulting in a messed-up plug or dented upholstery. Instead, the surge protector I use behind my bed and behind my couch is the GE Pro 5-Outlet Extender ($29.99) which features two side access points; on one end, there are three outlets, and on the other, two outlets and two USB ports. The best part is that the front of the adapter has padded fabric, so there are no surprise dents on your furniture.
The good thing about having outlets behind furniture is that it is not an eyesore but what happens when you have multiple outlets in the same vicinity or need to run a cord to another area like a closet? This is when the outlet concealer/power strip combo works like a charm! You can instantly reroute the outlet to a more hidden area, and if the power strip portion is still visible, you can tuck it away in a cable management box.
Cable management boxes are useful in areas where multiple cords are needed, such as an office or a gaming room. Knowing where you will place the box is the first step, as they come in various looks— from a plain white box you can put on the floor to a book look-a-like that hides well on a shelf. There are a few things to remember when properly storing the cables. First, make sure you know what device each cable belongs to, and if you are dealing with more than a few, it's always a good practice to label them, just in case you need to rearrange them down the line. A zip tie/label combination helps keep the cords within the box while having a label component. The second tip is to invest in a cable holder for the surface of your work area to keep the cables straight, and once everything is in place, hide the wires within a corner cable concealer or a raceway kit.
There are instances, however, when you might want to cover up an outlet, so it is completely out of reach. Whether from a child or as a general safety precaution (yes, floor outlets exist!), sometimes an outlet cannot be saved and should be covered up. For those scenarios, purchasing a blank wall plate is the way to go, as they come in various colors and finishes while remaining very inexpensive.
Even though I had to go through various electrical annoyances, I still love my apartment. Many products out there can make a huge difference in functionality and aesthetics. Organization can feel like a big feat, especially with cables, but once you map out the problem, the solution is less of an undertaking than it once seemed.
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