How to Untie Ethernet Cables on Your Router and Keep Them Tidy

Cable ties are great for keeping multiple cables tied together and making handling easier. You probably already have a bunch, but you can buy a pack of 60 ($7) reusables for less.

Cable sleeves are even better, as they provide a mesh cover for the bulk of the cables, making it easy to remove or add cables.

Label Your Cables

If you have more than one cable, be sure to label them. This can save you a lot of trouble later. Choosing a different color for your Ethernet cables (or at least not black, white, or gray) can help you quickly distinguish them from other types of cables, which is especially useful if you’re running them behind or under walls.

How to Hide Ethernet Cables

There are several ways to hide Ethernet cables, and some are more robust and invasive than others.

Using an Ethernet cable on your baseboard or skirting board would be great, and easy to do. Depending on your style of baseboard, there may be a suitable channel or break, and you can use cable clips with nails or adhesives. The tricky part is dealing with doors and transitions between rooms. If you’re lucky, there may be enough space under your door, although it may be cleaner and safer to drill a hole in the wall to get the cable from one room to another.

Perhaps the easiest way to hide cables is to put them under your rugs. It is best to stay firmly on the boards to minimize the risk of anyone standing on the cable. If you have carpet grippers on the edges, you can run the cords on both sides to keep them out of the way. Just be sure to avoid high-traffic areas, and if you must run the cable through the door, get a proper cable guard.

ID-Line

6 Wire Cable Cover

If you don’t want visible cables, but you can go in or under the wall, cable runs or trunking may be the answer. You can get trunking kits of various lengths with angled turns to run your cable. The best trunking can be painted to match your baseboard or walls, which really helps it blend in.

Maybe your cable runs could be an excuse to upgrade your rooms with crown molding or cove. Crown molding that wraps around the top of the room, where the wall meets the ceiling, is easy to fit in and can add bold decor and hide paint work. It may also contain a channel with an Ethernet cable inside, although you’ll still need a clean solution to route the cable in and out.

For the perfect finish, you can’t beat the cable that runs behind your wall or under the floor, but this is also the most difficult way to do it. You need a variety of tools, and it can be a messy job, with potential hazards including electrical wires and plumbing. If you are up for the challenge and your home is suitable, here are a few things that can help you do a good job.

Boeray Fiberglass Flexible Snake Rods ($19): These flexible, flexible rods make it easy to run cables from point A to point B with limited access.