Bundle multiple wires.
A single thick tube looks better than a dozen scraggly cords, so bundle cables wherever possible.
RS Picks: For lots of thick cords, nothing beats the Cable Zipper ($15, www.containerstore.com), a kit that includes everything you need to wrap cables, apply identifying labels, and affix the eight-foot-long black or white plastic tube to the wall. The tube itself is not so different from others out there, but the ingenious Zip Clip makes stuffing the cables inside quick work instead of pure tedium.
If you’re wrapping only a few wires, pick up some plastic spiral cable wrap for a few dollars in the electrical section of most any hardware store. The 3/8-inch-diameter size is perfect for thin wires, like keyboard and mouse cords.

Conceal wires running along walls or baseboards.
For situations where your desk can’t sit next to an outlet. (Remember, though: It may be possible and worthwhile to have an electrician install one wherever you like. Cost: $100 and up.)
RS Picks: Wiremold 5-Foot CordMate ($13.25 for five feet, www.wiremold.com for store locations). This semicircular plastic tube for small-diameter wires is backed with self-adhesive tape to stick to walls. It can be painted or stained to match your decor and cut to fit with an X-Acto knife.
For more or fatter wires, go with the Belkin Hideaway Cord Concealer ($20 for eight feet, www.belkin.com for stores), boxy plastic tubing that cuts easily with scissors, is self-adhesive, and can be painted.

Run wiring across a floor to an outlet.
When your desk isn’t adjacent to a wall with an outlet — or a wall you can run cords along — you need a way to keep office-equipment wires from tripping you up.
RS Pick: First of all, as tempting as it may be, never run a cord under a rug — it’s a major fire hazard. But you shouldn’t leave a wire loose, either: Besides sending you sprawling, it could be frayed by traffic and again be a fire hazard. To be safe (especially in a bedroom office), plug all your office equipment’s cords into a power strip, then cover its cable with the Wiremold Corduct ($12 for five feet; $32.50 for 15 feet: www.wiremold.com for store locations). This flat, rubbery strip adheres to bare floors and the top of all but the shaggiest carpets with double-sided tape (included). If you’re lucky, your floor or rug will blend with one of the cord protector’s three available colors: ivory, brown, and gray. If not, at least you’re safe.