My husband is currently hooked up to a portable heart monitor. He's not attached to the monitoring system for a life-or-death reason, so I'll shamelessly admit to being fascinated by the device. He is intrigued, too, and has been fighting a desire to break it open with a screwdriver all afternoon:

Me: Do you think all those cords are necessary?
Him: They do seem excessive.
Me: Would you like me to wrap up some of the drooping ones with cable ties for you?
Him: No. I think I need the slack in the line so I don't accidentally rip one off.
Me: Right. Yeah. I hadn't thought of that.
Him: I have, and I would prefer not to have one ripped off.
Me: [taking another look at the monitor] It's obvious this device was created by someone who thought about an organized design, but just didn't get it right.
Him: Maybe you could draw up a diagram of a more uncluttered version and send it to the manufacturer?
Me: I can't tell if you're making fun of me or being serious?
Him: I was making fun of you, but now that I'm thinking about it, this really could be improved.
Me: I knew I married you for a reason.

This specific tangled web of wires is a temporary annoyance for my husband, but it's indicative of larger irritations caused by cables, wires, and cords. A peek under a desk or behind an entertainment center is the most obvious proof. Cables are too long, often not labeled, and look like squids. They're piled on the ground or suspended in mid-air, threatening almost certain disaster.

For cables that are too long, consider ordering custom length cords for your more-permanent electronics. There are dozens of places online that supply custom cables. I've had positive experiences working with MarkerTek for our sound system and Cables To Go for other electronics.

A label maker or a strip of masking tape make identifying cables an easy task. When you're uncomfortably crouched beneath your desk staring at a full surge protector, it's nice to immediately know which plug you're seeking.

In my home, we've also made charging stations for our portable devices. If you don't have a one-stop location for all of your devices, check out all of these links for inspiration: Charging stations on Unclutterer, on Lifehacker, and on Real Simple.

Additionally, I wrap large extension cords for lawn work with these grip twists (same with our garden hose), and I have two six-foot extension cords in the house I store in toilet paper tubes.

The list is seemingly endless for ways to handle cable clutter in your home and office. It is certainly a topic I will continue to discuss here and on Unclutterer in the future. Check out this article from the September 2005 issue of Real Simple magazine for terrific advice, too. Please feel welcome to share ideas in the comments, and good luck with your personal cable organization pursuits!