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A power strip sitting on your desk is one of those things that sounds like a minor annoyance until you actually look at your setup and realize it's taking up six inches of surface space, has four cords radiating out of it in different directions, and is the first thing every person notices when they see your desk. The fix takes about 20 minutes and costs under $20. Here are the five methods that actually work.
This pairs well with our full cable management guide for small desks if you want to tackle the whole setup at once.
Method 1: Under-Desk Cable Tray (Best Overall)
Mount a cable management tray to the underside of your desk and put the power strip inside it. The tray holds everything out of sight, the outlet faces downward so cords drop straight to the floor, and the whole thing disappears when you're sitting at the desk.
What you need: An under-desk cable tray. The Cinati under-desk cable tray is the one we recommend — it mounts with either screws or strong adhesive (no-drill option), holds a full-size power strip, and has a cable exit slot at each end so the main cord and all device cables route cleanly.
How to do it:
- Mount the tray under the desk, toward the back edge near the wall outlet
- Set the power strip inside the tray
- Route device cables up through the front slot, down to the floor through the back slot
- Plug the strip's main cord straight into the wall — minimal cord length needed since it's already at the back
Result: Power strip completely out of sight. Cords have a clear, organized path. Works on any desk with a flat underside.
Method 2: Cable Management Box (No Mounting Required)
A cable management box is a vented enclosure that sits on the floor or on the desk. The power strip goes inside, all the messy cable connections happen inside the box, and only the single main cord exits through a slot in the back.
The D-Line cable management box is the right pick here — large enough to hold a standard power strip with some cord slack, vented on the sides so heat disperses, and has a clean rectangular shape that doesn't look like you're hiding something.
Best used: On the floor behind or beside the desk, or on the desk surface itself if you want everything in one place. No mounting, no drilling — just set it and route cables into it.
Method 3: Velcro Mount to Desk Underside
Most power strips have flat backs. Industrial velcro strips (the heavy-duty kind, not the craft store version) can hold a power strip directly against the underside of a desk without any hardware at all.
How to do it:
- Clean the underside of the desk where you want to mount
- Apply one side of the velcro to the desk, the other to the back of the power strip
- Press firmly and let it cure for an hour before hanging the strip
Best used: Lighter power strips (4-outlet, no surge protector brick). Heavier strips with large surge protectors can pull the velcro over time. Use heavy-duty velcro rated for at least 5 lbs.
Method 4: Adhesive Cable Clips Along the Desk Leg
If you can't mount under the desk but want the power strip off the surface, run it down the inside of a desk leg using adhesive cable clips. The strip ends up at floor level, the cords run up the leg cleanly, and the whole thing looks intentional instead of accidental.
Self-adhesive cable clips snap the cord against the leg and peel off cleanly when you move. Run one every 8–10 inches for a clean line.
Method 5: Monitor Stand with Built-In Power
Some monitor stands and risers have built-in USB hubs and power outlets on the side. If you're already in the market for a monitor stand, this eliminates the power strip entirely — the stand itself becomes the power source for your accessories.
This works well for desks where you mainly need to power a monitor, a lamp, and charge a phone. It doesn't replace a full power strip if you have multiple high-draw devices, but for a simple setup it's the cleanest solution because there's no separate power strip to hide at all.
See our best monitor stand with drawer and storage roundup — several of those picks include built-in outlets.
Which Method Is Right for You
| Method | Drilling? | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under-desk cable tray | Optional (adhesive available) | $15–25 | Best overall, any desk |
| Cable management box | No | $12–20 | Renters, no-modification setups |
| Velcro mount | No | $8–12 | Light power strips, flat-bottom desks |
| Adhesive cable clips on leg | No | $6–10 | Keeping strip at floor level |
| Monitor stand with power | No | $30–60 | Simple setups, replacing existing stand |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hide a power strip under a desk?
Mount a cable management tray to the underside of the desk with adhesive or screws, set the power strip inside, and route device cables through the tray's exit slots. The tray keeps everything in place and out of sight.
Can you put a power strip in a cable management box?
Yes. The strip goes inside, all the connections happen inside the box, and only the main cord exits through a slot in the back. Safe, clean, and no mounting required.
Is it safe to enclose a power strip?
Yes, as long as the enclosure is vented and you're not overloading the strip. Don't coil excess cord tightly — leave it loosely bundled so heat can dissipate. Don't use an airtight box.
The Bottom Line
For most setups, the under-desk cable tray is the best move — the power strip disappears completely and the whole system looks clean. If you're renting or don't want to touch the desk at all, a cable management box on the floor takes five minutes and costs under $20. Either way, getting the power strip off your desk surface is one of the highest-impact visual improvements you can make to a small workspace.