It happens to the best of us: we get seduced by some sleek ultramodern furniture design and forget to factor in what it will look like when we add cables, cords and other peripherals that have become essential in this age of electronic and digital technology. This idea solves the problem from the other direction: rather than boasting an initially simple design, it relies on your actions after-the-fact to transform a messy desk into a brilliantly clean workspace.

Van Mardian may have been the first to publicize this simple DIY desk organizing idea on his now-defunct website, but many people have since (and likely before) come to the same conclusion: a simple piece of composite pegboard mounted underneath a work surface makes it easy to use wire, zip ties or whatever other fasteners you may have handy and attach all your necessary-but-ugly essentials so they are not seen from above.

His particular project, however, stands out from the pack for its adaptability: by using dowels instead of screws, the pegboard is easily released so that new things can be added (or old electronics subtracted) from the underside of the desk without having to make the changes upside down. Since he first built his version, Van has received many submissions and photographs of variant projects using the same basic tools, strategies and methods. All you really need is a screwdriver and some basics from the local hardware store – all cheap and easy to buy.

Via ApplianceVideoBlog:

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“In the matter of needing to move gadgets and wires around, Mardian suspended his pegboard with safety hasps and wooden dowels. So while he uses wire to secure his hard drives and such, it would be easy enough to move his setup around by being able to remove the pegboard with ease. The other consideration you have to keep in mind when mounting the pegboard is the drilling aspect; don’t drill too far through the top of your desk or too little (for the risk of cracking). A couple of Mardian’s readers suggest adding tape to your drill bit as a marker. While his tutorial shows wire being used to secure all of his wires and routers, you can easily get away with Velcro ties and zip ties that may simplify your organizing.”

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