So this little clutter of cords lives near my front door: a floor lamp (for humans) and two heat lamps (for a reptile) share a power strip.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/28/4f6eadb0f7b8e04760bc920c2c9adcc9.jpg
I am hereby soliciting ideas from the smartest people I know to help me make this corner look less crappy. Anyone have pinterest type links? Homemade cheap solutions? Funny, practical, pretty, spartan, whimsical. . . Bring 'em all!
Most of the clutter looks like the (white) extension cable. Can you not just cut it down to the bare minimum you need and then wire the plug back on to the now-shortened cable?
Assumed electrician-type skills not in evidence.
Getting a power strip with a shorter cord would be my advice. Or, if you have slack in the heat lamp cords, get something like one of these and cut the power strip out of the equation altogether.
Coil up the cords as much as you can then secure them in place with some Zipr Ties.
After that, get a potted plants and set it between the window and table to hide your neatly bundled cords. (Example)
It’s generally not the best idea to tie up cords or to bundle cords together; normal house movements will cause the cords to rub together, abrading the insulation. It will also generate heat, although probably minor. Granted, it’s not anywhere as dangerous as placing a carpet over electric cords.
coil, in about an 8 inch col, both the power strip and the floor lamp cords. tie at 2, 3 or 4 locations to hold the coils together. tie with some ribbon and they become decorations.
That was my first thought too. “What’s with the power strip?”. But it looks like the heat lamp cords may not be long enough.
Eh. Plug the human lamp right into the wall outlet, and slide the power strip under the table next to the wall.
That’s not going to happen. The amount of rubbing you would need to wear through the outer cord is well beyond the rubbing (if any) that would happen with a bundle of cords laying on a floor. Heck, even if you had a piece of sand paper and deliberately tried to rub through to the wire, I bet you couldn’t do it with out breaking a sweat first.
I’ve been bundling cords like that since my college days with out issue. And I’ve got chew happy dogs and cats to worry about.
Hit the antique/consignment stores and get some cute little bench for the spot. Then put more plants on and in front of the bench.
ETA: added benefit of getting the plants off the table and closer to the window.
EETA: category: Feng shui
A shoe box with holes cut in both ends. Or split paper towel or toilet paper cardboard rolls. All can be painted.
I agree, plug the lamp into the wall outlet directly. Coil the excess lamp cord around the lamp post in an eight inch coil. Let it lay on its black base, it will blend in well.
Move the power cord under the table. Is the powercord rated with enough amperage to power both of the heaters at the same time? Please check.
Unless you need the switch on the powercord, I would replace it with a shorter, heavy duty extension cord. Heaters take some amperage. The extension cord should be heavy enough to carry that load, plus an added margine for safety sake. Get one with at least two female outlets on the end. Do not use one into two adapters with the heaters. http://www.lowes.com/pd_618050-66906-UTAD50702_4294542238__?productId=50244779&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1%26page%3D3&facetInfo=
I would attach the excess wires & powercord to the underside of the table. Of course, if the table is to be moved, you would have to detatch the cords & the power cord. Maybe secure the cords & power strip to the underside of the table with Velcro strips or clips? Secure the Velcro strips or clips to the table with short screws or doublesided tape.
IHTH, 48.
Do not do this. Heaters cords can get warm if the heater fails. Surrounding them with cardboard or other combustable material is not a good idea.
Move.
You have a power strip with 6 outlets for just three things. Replace it with a power adapter that plugs directly into the wall, and plug everything into that or the socket directly. You only need to get an adapter that has 2 outlets, since something can go into the other wall socket.
Also, it may be unnerving, but shortening a power cable is probably a lot easier than you think. You don’t need to be an electrician to do it.
If you think that’s a clutter, you don’t want to see what’s under my computer table.
The OP has already admitted to not having electrical skills. Given that, I don’t think it’s a good idea to suggest that he/she modify a power strip (presumably one that’s correctly manufactured and is UL approved). It’s entirely possible that the modifications will make the power strip more dangerous. Better to get one of those multi-outlet adapters like Silophant linked to, or to get a power strip with an extremely short cord.
You can tell who the guys are in this thread. 
At first I was thinking a decorative box with the back and/or bottom cut out, but there’s the heat issue. So what about a small, decorative folding screen? Like a miniature room divider? There are some on Etsy, but if you took a little time you could make one. Or what about a small bookcase to place in front of the mess?
Buy a small cabinet from Ikea and stuff all the cables and power board behind it.
May I suggest tucking a decorative cat litter box against the tangle? I’ve seen this trick in many homes and it truly does take the eyes away from the cords.
