How to connect Ethernet cables to your router and keep them tidy

Cable ties are ideal for keeping multiple cables tied together and easy to manage. You probably already have a set, but you can buy a 60-piece reusable set for cheap.

Cable covers are better, because they provide a mesh cover for cable bundles, making it easier to remove or add cables.

Label your cables

If you have more than one cable, be sure to label them. This can save you a lot of trouble later. Choosing a different color for your Ethernet cables (or at least not black, white, or grey) can help you instantly distinguish them from other types of cables, especially if you’re installing them behind walls or under floors.

How to hide ethernet cables

There are several ways to hide Ethernet cables, some of which are tougher and more invasive than others.

Running an Ethernet cable along a baseboard or skirting board can be reasonably elegant, and it’s easy to do. Depending on the style of your baseboard, there may be a suitable channel or recess, and you can use cable clips with screws or adhesives. The difficult part is dealing with doors and transitions between rooms. If you’re lucky, there may be enough of a gap under your door, although it may be better and safer to drill a hole in the wall to run cable from room to room.

Probably the easiest way to hide cables is to stick them under carpets. It’s best to stay attached to the baseboards to reduce the risk of anyone standing on the cable. If you have carpet catchers around the edges, you may be able to run cables on either side of them to keep them out of the way. Just be sure to avoid crowded areas, and if you have to run a cable through the entrance, get a suitable cable protector.

D-line

6-foot ground wire cover

If you don’t want visible cables, but can’t get into or under the wall, cable or cable ducts may be the solution. You can get sets of different lengths of cable with angled turns to run your cable. The best cables can also be painted to match the baseboard or walls, which really helps them blend in.

Maybe running your cable is an excuse to upgrade your room with some crown molding or coving. Crown molding that runs around the top of the room, where the wall meets the ceiling, is easy to install and can add a decorative touch and hide paint. It can also have a channel with an Ethernet cable inside, though you’ll still need an elegant solution to run and insert the cable.

For the best finish, you can’t beat cable running behind a wall or underground, but this is also the most difficult way to do it. You need different tools, and it can be a messy job, with potential hazards including electrical cables and water pipes. If you’re up for the challenge and your home is a good fit, here are some things that can help you do a good job.

Boeray Flexible Fiberglass Snake Rods $19: These flexible, extendable rods make it easy to run cables from Point A to Point B with limited reach.