Behind almost every TV stand, desk and nightstand lives a jungle of cords. Chargers, power strips, HDMI cables and mystery wires pile up until unplugging one thing feels like defusing a bomb. And with new gadgets about to arrive for the holidays, the tangle is only going to grow.

The good news is that you don’t need expensive gear to fix it. These nine lifehacks will help you get your cables organized, labeled and out of sight.

1. Start with a cord audit

Unplug everything in one area and lay the cables out. You’ll almost certainly find cords for devices you no longer own, duplicate chargers and cables that don’t work. Recycle the dead ones at an electronics drop-off and store spares in one labeled bin.

It’s easier to organize five cords than fifteen.

2. Label both ends

Before plugging anything back in, label each cord near the plug. Bread bag clips are a classic free option: write “TV,” “router” or “lamp” on each one and clip it on. Masking tape folded into a little flag works just as well.

Next time you need to unplug something, you’ll know exactly which cord to pull.

3. Use binder clips as cable holders

Clip a few medium binder clips to the back edge of your desk and thread charging cables through the metal handles. The cables stay put instead of sliding to the floor every time you unplug your phone.

4. Bundle with what you have

Velcro strips are ideal for bundling cords because they’re easy to adjust and reuse. If you don’t have any, twist ties from bread bags, hair ties or the plastic ties that come with new electronics all work. Bundle cables that run in the same direction so they act like one neat cord.

Avoid tight zip ties around cables you might need to move, since you’ll have to cut them off.

5. Coil cords the right way

When storing extra cables, wrap them loosely in a loop rather than wrapping them tightly around your hand or elbow, which can strain the wires over time. Secure each coil with a Velcro strip or twist tie.

6. Store cords in toilet paper tubes

Empty cardboard tubes are perfect for storing coiled cables in a drawer or bin. Fold the coil in half, slide it into a tube and write what it is on the outside. No more digging through a knot to find one charger.

7. Hide the power strip

Power strips are often the messiest part of the setup. Mount one to the underside of your desk or the back of your TV stand with strong double-sided mounting tape or screws, so the cords plug in out of sight. A shoebox with holes cut in the sides can also hide a power strip on the floor, as long as it has room for air to circulate.

8. Create a charging station

Pick one spot, such as a drawer, a basket or a corner of the kitchen counter, to be the home for phones, tablets and earbuds overnight. Run a single power strip there and leave the right cables in place. Devices stop wandering, and so do their chargers.

9. Run cords along edges

Cords that cross open floor are a tripping hazard. Run them along walls, baseboards and the backs of furniture instead. Adhesive cable clips or raceways keep them tidy and out of the way, and many can be painted to match the wall.

A quick safety note

Organizing cords is a great time to check them for damage. Replace anything with frayed insulation, exposed wires or a cracked plug, and avoid running cords under rugs, where heat can build up and damage can go unnoticed. Don’t overload power strips or chain several together.

The takeaway

A tidy cord setup comes down to a few simple habits: get rid of what you don’t need, label what you keep, bundle and hide the rest, and give your devices one home for charging. Spend an afternoon on it now, and those new holiday gadgets will slide right into a system that works.

Image: Tangled leads by No machine-readable author provided. Esteffect assumed (base via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain Mark 1.0