DIY A Chic Wooden Power Strip Box To Hide Unsightly Cord Clutter

Whether you are looking at a desk, table, or floor, nothing ruins the clean and stylish look of a space quite like messy cords. Sure, power strips are meant to be practical, but they can also be an opportunity to add a tasteful piece of decor to a room. If you are looking to hide an unsightly power strip, try out this easy, beginner-friendly wooden box that can be endlessly customized to fit your style.

In her TikTok, user @tohomeplace hides her cord clutter with this simple DIY. She measures and cuts a wood block base to fit the length and width of a power strip and then attaches wood dowels around the perimeter to form a perfectly sized box. This project is relatively affordable–everything can be found online, at a craft store, or even in your own home from past or abandoned projects. 

In addition to a wooden plank, like one of Cherokee Wood Projects' Unfinished Solid Hardwood boards and some Rclxl wood dowels, you will also need a hot glue gun or, for more durability, wood glue. If you don't have woodcutting tools to shape your base, you can buy your wood from a hardware store, trace your desired shape onto the board, and bring it back for them to cut, depending on the store. To calculate how many dowels you will need, take the total length of the perimeter of your base divided by a dowel's diameter. This will provide a good estimate and help you avoid purchasing excess materials. After construction, you can personalize your box in a few ways — however, you will need a few more supplies.

There are many ways to make this DIY box your own. You might create a different look for the wooden block base. A round shape can be very trendy, but a shape with sharper corners is classic. The height of the half dowels can also alter the look of the box; cut them shorter for a lower profile. Another easy modification is to change the color of the wood, and there are tons of paint and stain color combinations to try. You can use wood stain for a natural look, paint the wood a neutral white, or add a fun twist with patterns.

If you prefer your box to have a lid, you can add one by cutting another piece of wood that's identical to the base and attaching it to the half dowels with hinges or simply setting it on top. Just make sure that the wooden lid is not too heavy, and remember to leave an opening between two dowels large enough for all of your cords to exit.

If you like this DIY idea, there are countless others you can use to hide cords with different looks and take inspiration from, too. If you like the boho look, try this macramé cord DIY. The macramé cord would also enhance the boho style of the DIY wood dowel box. To hide cords without any woodworking, you can repurpose a breadbox, and if you want an even simpler and more elegant DIY, try hiding cords behind some decor.