Hang Extension Cords Securely Under Desk with Binder Clips (No Drilling Needed)
Tangled cords. Messy cables. Power strips lying on the floor, collecting dust. If your workspace looks like a spaghetti factory exploded under your desk, you’re not alone.
Many of us struggle to keep extension cords, power bricks, and long charging cables organized — especially under desks where there’s little space and no built-in cable management. But what if you could fix all that with just a few binder clips?
This super simple, non-damaging DIY trick helps you hang extension cords securely under your desk using nothing but standard binder clips — no tools, no drilling, and no extra purchases.
🧠 Why It Works
Binder clips are strong, cheap, and perfectly designed to grip cables without damaging them. Thanks to their metal arms, they can be hooked onto desk edges, cable bars, or even screwed surfaces — and hold power strips and cords in place, off the floor and out of sight.
Unlike cable trays or plastic clips, this method requires no installation or commitment. It’s flexible, removable, and ideal for rented spaces.
✅ What You’ll Need
This might be the simplest tool list ever:
- 3 to 5 large binder clips (32mm or bigger)
- Zip ties (optional, for extra support)
- Extension cord / power strip
- Desk with a wooden or solid edge
That’s it.
🔍 Tip: Most dollar stores sell packs of binder clips. No need to spend on cable trays.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Guide
🔹 Step 1: Choose Your Location
Look under your desk and identify where you want the cords to run. You can either:
- Attach the cord to the back edge of the desk, keeping it hidden
- Or run it along the underside, fully lifted off the ground
You want to find a flat edge or surface that the binder clips can clamp onto.
🔹 Step 2: Open the Binder Clips
Open a large binder clip, and clamp it onto the edge of your desk, underside table frame, or any exposed wooden part that’s at least 1/4 inch thick.
Make sure it grips tightly and doesn’t slip. If it does, try a larger clip or clamp it sideways.
🔹 Step 3: Thread the Cord
Gently thread your extension cord through the metal arms of the binder clip. Most cords will sit securely in the “V” shape of the clip’s handles without being pinched or bent.
If you want more support, use a zip tie around the handles and the cable.
Repeat this with more binder clips spaced 6–12 inches apart, depending on how long your cable is.
🔹 Step 4: Add the Power Strip (Optional)
If you’re also hanging a power strip, here’s a trick:
- Use two binder clips side-by-side
- Rest the power strip between them
- Use the strip’s built-in holes or mounting tabs to zip tie or rest it onto the clips
You can even remove the metal arms, screw them into wood (optional), and slide the power strip on top.
🧩 This is great for hiding bulky adapters, chargers, and bricks behind your desk.
🔹 Step 5: Manage Slack
If your cord has extra slack, loop it neatly and use a small binder clip to hold the loop under the desk or along a desk leg. It keeps the cord from dragging or catching your feet.
📸 Visual Example
Image Suggestion (for featured image):
A desk underside showing a binder clip gripping an extension cord with metal arms holding it up. Optional: small zip tie securing a power strip using binder clips.
Would you like me to generate this image now?
🧩 Variations and Ideas
🔌 Use on Wall Shelves or Nightstands
This method isn’t just for desks. Try it on:
- Kitchen counters (for hanging chargers)
- Nightstands (for USB cables)
- Bookshelves (for powering LED strips)
- TV cabinets (to hide media player power cords)
🔗 Add Label Tags
Use small sticky tags or paper labels on the cords or clips to identify:
- Laptop charger
- Monitor cable
- Phone USB
- Lamp switch
Clean setup + faster access.
♻️ Go Eco-Friendly
Reusing office binder clips this way gives them a second life and reduces the need for new plastic organizers.
🧼 Clean Setup, Zero Mess
Compare this with typical solutions:
| Method | Cost | Needs Tools? | Reversible? | Rent-Safe? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binder Clips | $0–$3 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Screw-In Cable Tray | $10–$20 | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Sticky Cable Clips | $5–$15 | ❌ No | ❓ Maybe | ✅ Yes |
| Tape or Glue | Cheap | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Binder clips win for being the most flexible, cheapest, and non-damaging option.
💬 Comments from Real Users
👤 Saif A.
“I always tripped over my charger — now it’s clipped up behind the desk. Love how easy this was.”
👤 Maria L.
“This is genius. I even used clips to hang my headphone cable so it’s not dragging anymore.”
👤 Jamal Z.
“I live in a rental and can’t drill into furniture — this saved me.”
📎 Related DIY Articles
💡 Final Thoughts
It’s amazing how such a small thing — like messy cords — can create daily frustration. But even more amazing is how such a simple fix can solve it.
Binder clips aren’t just for paper. They’re small tools with big power, and using them to hang extension cords is one of the smartest DIY solutions out there. Clean up your space, protect your cables, and keep your setup looking tidy — all with items you already own.
