7/28/2011

How to Hide Lamp Cords

I get all kinds of questions from readers - mostly about sourcing and paint - but I also get some that are more utilitarian. One that I get pretty often is in regards to hiding cords. The question is usually spurred by this vignette...


To hide the lamps cords in this scenario (and many others) I used 3M Command Decorating Clips:


To get the cords to stay tucked out of sight, I place hooks along the back side of the console legs. I position the hooks in an alternating pattern in terms of what direction the clip opening faces because this seems to keep the cord straighter.

The end result is the closest thing I can get to cordless lamps!

If you have a trickier situation that requires lamp cords to be more conspicuous, it might be worth upgrading the cord to a swankier cloth-covered wire. It's more charming that the typical plastic-covered ones and slightly more discreet as well. Sundial Wire has lots of color options and be sure to check your local lamp shop about what they keep in stock too.

25 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing - just yesterday I was struggling with how to hide a lamp cord on a new side table. I will pick up a pack of these hooks ASAP. :)

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  2. THANK YOU! This is my number one design pet peeve.

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  3. OMG!! Thanks for sharing! You are fabulous! I would love to feature you on my blog soon! Will shoot you an email!

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  4. Great tips...will def. put those 3M clips on my shopping list! xoxo

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  5. Lola is ALMOST crawling...so this would be a great idea for childproofing as well ! Thanks Kyle!

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  6. Where are the lamps actually plugged into? A floor outlet? I have a very similar situation in my house (sofa table with 2 lamps) and they are plugged into a floor outlet that sits under the table. I can tuck the cords behind the legs no problem, but where you can see them is where they plug into the floor outlet under the table. I am assuming you have a floor outlet, but it's under the couch?

    Just curious. Thanks!

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  7. so clever - thanks Kyle!

    -so loving your blog. your home is to.die.for! and I just love the outside, too. hoping to stop by more often

    Bethany
    www.realhousewivesofpwcounty.com

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  8. Nice post. This is a great help in hiding the cords. I think I need to buy that. I'm gonna do a lot of hiding at home.

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  9. What a great solution. It is going on my list of things to do. I hate cords...I wish they would come up with cordless everything...until then, thanks for the tip.

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  10. Such a good idea because I hate when lamp cords show. This is a big pet peeve of mine.

    www.idesignlove.com

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  11. Great tip...I have a console table behind my sofa too...and two very visible cords!

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  12. Using those clips is a really great idea! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  13. Such a great post! Where is your beautiful console table from?

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  14. So glad you shared this great advice with everyone. I hate those pesky cords too, and I am so happy there is finally a solution,

    Cheers,

    Claudia

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  15. Where are the cords plugged in? If you have a plug in the floor, did you have an electrician install it as floor plugs are not common if existent in older homes.

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  16. Love your decor but the dead orchid has to go. When they are past prime throw.

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  17. I love when a solution is so simple and cost effective. Thanks for sharing this great tip!

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  18. Great tip, now if only could solve the dilemma of how to address lighting when you have floating furniture and no outlet in the floor (and it's impossible to add one.)

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  19. A big thanks for sharing this. I am really excited to have this to make my room a little organized.

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  20. but what about the outlet? What if you have this look in the center of a very large living room? i dont want extension cords everywhere. Solution?

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