Computer Component Corral

 

In my nearly 22 years of living with the man, my husband and I have a major impasse:  my need for serene, wire-free surroundings, and his insistence that these ugly things must be easily accessible, and therefore in plain site. I was not in any way happy with this corner of my workspace, but stashing them on the bookcase with that tangle running out the back was not up for discussion. What to do?

Recycling to the rescue! For this project, you'll need:

1. Three or more sturdy cardboard boxes. Capris Sun cartons would work as well. I just happened to have a few days weeks worth of wine boxes on hand.

2. Hot glue

3. Spray paint

4. A straight edge

5. Marker

6. Ribbon

7. An exacto knife

First, choose a front and a back and line your boxes up.

 

Draw a straight line down all of the boxes about 1 inch from the sides.

 

Since this is my front, I also drew a line across the length of each box about 1/2 inch from the edge.

Repeat the lines on the back of the boxes 1 inch from the sides. Do not do the 1/2 inch lines.

Now, we're going to cut within the lines very carefully. Not opening up the sides completely will give your boxes stability and added strength. Think of it as load bearing cardboard.

Be as precise as possible, but don't worry about the rough edges. I have you covered there.

Stack them and check your work.

Perfect.

Grab your color choice and let's head outside.

 

With the backs up, give your boxes three light coats inside and out, then flip them over and do the fronts. Allow to dry completely.

Fire up the glue gun and stack your boxes, using a liberal amount of glue so they're firmly together.

I used aqua grosgrain ribbon for this in two widths. Hot glue a length of the thicker ribbon across the seams where the boxes are joined.

The thinner ribbon went across the final lip at the top.

Now wrap and glue ribbon around the stack on both sides, covering the raw ends.

And you're done!

Adequate ventilation for him, organization and hidden cords for me. Once again proving that wine solves everything.

Or in some cases, Capris Sun.
And it does look good with the mousepad and the coaster.