We all love our high tech gadgets, but who wants to look at them all of the time? The devices, appliances and cables can make even the neatest home feel cluttered, but we can’t live without our time-saving tools. It’s a catch-22 that has challenged interior designers and decorators ever since electric lamp became a household staple. Here are a few suggestions for keeping your home looking great without sacrificing convenience.

 

Wires and Cables

Its one thing to keep your cords organized, but it’s harder to hide them entirely from view. Depending on your budget, you have a variety of options. Here are a few ideas:

• Use clips to secure your cords to the wall, then paint them (the cords and clips) the same color as your wall. It will become invisible.
• Tack or tape cables to furniture – along the backs of tables down the legs, along book shelves – to hide them from view.
• Get creative with hollow decorative molding and trim. Design and cut it to hide the wires, paint it the same color as your walls or an accent color, and then attach it with Velcro (so you can remove it quickly if you need access).
• Have an electrician install extra outlets directly behind your devices and appliances.
• Use drawers and cabinets to hide cables. Just drill a large hole in the back of the drawer and run the plugs through the back. You’ll never notice the wires, and can store your devices while they charge.

Appliances and Devices

We can’t live without washing machines and microwaves, but we don’t want to stare at them every day. Here are a few ways to hide them from view, as long as you use them safely:

• Use a piece of furniture in a different way. A large metal filing cabinet can house a paper shredder in one drawer, and a fax machine in another. Just drill holes in the back for cables and ventilation.
• Use nice floor to ceiling curtains to create a drama and hide what you don’t want people to see. Instead of getting a TV armoire, just mount the TV to the wall and hide it with curtains.
• Get a carpenter to build something useful to hide and utilize the space. Instead of buying a cabinet, build a counter top and doors to hide your appliances and equipment. You’ll have the functionality without losing the design elements.

Go Wireless

You used to be able to assume that wireless devices were more expensive, but that is no longer the case. Many products are being designed wirelessly in the first place.. LifeShield offers reliable wireless security systems with 24/7 police and fire monitoring, and you won’t have to worry about hiding any wires. Use wireless speakers for your TV and stereo, and if you are getting a new cell phone or tablet, consider getting a wireless Powermat to charge up the battery. You can get creative about not only hiding wires, but removing them too.

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