Make Appliance Cords Less Of An Eyesore With One Clever Solution

There's nothing like finishing a great home redesign or remodeling project, glancing around your refreshed, organized space with satisfaction only to watch in horror as the devices move back in and black or white cables begin zig-zagging through your crisp, clean new look. For some die-hard DIYers, the ideal solution is physically moving the electric boxes. But for others, for whom phrases like "cut through the drywall" and "splice wiring" incite low-level panic, there are easier fixes.

The hard truth is that cables are just a part of our lives (at least for now), and the best we can do is embrace that fact and focus on how to work with them in our designs. Handy little devices like the Sleek Socket make that quest a whole lot easier. A cross between an extension cord and an outlet cover, it looks like a solid faceplate — the kind you would use to cover an unused electrical box — with a cable running out the bottom to a three (or more) outlet power strip. The gadget blends the face of your outlet into the wall while also giving you the option to cover it with furniture pushed up against the plate, effectively hiding your cords and extending their reach.

Being the definition of "plug and play," the Sleek Socket addresses a surprising number of design challenges: bookshelves or end tables that can't be pushed all the way back, the ugly and awkwardly placed socket in the middle of the wall or an outlet with an impossibly narrow shelf below it. For around $25 for the basic kit and almost no effort, you can essentially move your outlet. Moreover, because the faceplate covers the outlets completely, it's useful in homes with little fingers or paws. Plug it in and run the cable up the wall or into a secure cabinet or drawer. It's also a great solution to keep the cords in order in kitchens and bathrooms where electricity may come dangerously close to wet zones. You could also consider going for a more DIY-based approach and hiding cord chaos with books, flex tubing, or cleverly positioning art over the offending outlet.

It's important to bear in mind that if you're planning to use the Sleek Socket for TV or computer cables, you'd be well advised to go for Sleek Socket's 6-Outlet Surge Protector that can handle powering multiple appliances and devices at once. Since it's currently only available in white, it may throw a wrench in the look of dark-colored walls. Additionally, this is–obviously–another device that comes with a cord. However, the company's kit comes with adhesive strips and cord clips to help you keep the one cord you now have discreetly running along furniture or baseboards for a sleek look.