unclutter with a norrebo unit
erik from sweden found the norrebo shelving unit perfect for hiding computer cables and wires.
erik writes: "i needed a way to manage a cluster of wires and cables from computer items and modified an ikea norrebo shelving unit to do the job. first, i drilled holes into the top of the unit for ventilation.
then, i drilled four large holes using a door lock drill bit to pass the wires in and out.
i added a power strip to the back using black tie wraps.
it neatens and still makes everything readily accessible."
update! ryan's version using the norrebo drawer unit.
"i saw the 'unclutter with a norrebo unit' post, and thought it was a great idea. then i saw ikea has another version of the cube with drawers instead of the front flap thing. so i did about the same thing as the original poster, minus the 'vents' in the top. it worked out perfectly. the bottom drawer now houses our wireless router and the cable modem, and the top drawer has magazines we used to keep in a basket beside our couch. as an added bonus, we now also have some place to put the remotes so they are not sitting on the coffee table all the time.
directions:
i used 1-3/4 inch door lock drill bit to drill the 3 cable holes, and then used a smaller bit for the zip ties. you have to make sure the cable holes are between the top of the rear end of the bottom drawer, and the bottom of the rear end of the top drawer. the third hole is really there just to give it a bit more air.
also, i had to make sure that the 'zipper' part of the zip ties were on the inside and rotated to the top to make it a little more refined and so that the top drawer would close completely.
and last, make sure you are using a corded drill or a fully charged cordless version. mine was running out of juice, and make a small mess of the 'white' side of the back piece; the 'paint' flaked off a bit around the holes."
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10 comments:
Is there any noticable signal strength decline due to putting your wireless router in the box?
Those pictures are not from anyone in Sweden ;) The electrical outlets are US grounded ones. (Wikipedia article)
That's so great! The only thing I'd do differently is to shove that power bar and charger thing inside the well-ventilated box. There's room and that would allow the whole deal to be shoved flush against the wall. No one can see in there anyway so why not?
I like the idea, but I don't like the look of all those ventilation holes on top. And are they really necessary? Afterall, you have four large cable holes in the back.
I can vouch for the fact that this works very well. I've had my DSL modem, wireless router, Vonage box, and power bars hidden in one of these in our living room for almost a year. It sits on one of the shelves of our Norebo shelving unit and almost looks like it belongs there.
:)
Btw, the one I have has the door on the front. The door has several slits in it, so it's not necessary to drill additional holes in it for ventilation, IMO (there's also the hand-made hole I made in the corner of the back to run the power cable to the plug socket and the DSL cable to the phone jack). I keep a thermometer in there to monitor temperatures and they've never risen above room temperature.
Also, I haven't noticed any impact on wireless signal strength by having the router inside the box. I would think there's more interference from the fact that my cordless phones sit right next to the box but, nevertheless, I get a strong enough signal throughout the house.
Who in his right mind would bother to hide a Linksys Router away?
I am the original poster, yes it is in the USA. I am however from Luleå, Sweden. Ikea is almost my only source for groceries from home. No problem with the wireless.
My thoughts on putting the ventilation holes in the top is due to the nature of heat rising. I have this box under a desk, so the ventilation holes are not readily visible.
I am the original poster, and yes the pictures are from US, I am however from Luleå, Sweden. Ikea is my only source for groceries from home.
I have no interference problems with the box and wireless. I perhaps was overly cautious with the ventilation holes in the top, but it gives the heat the first chance to escape, due to the nature of heat rising.
Bombur, why don't you ask SWMBO?
And, it's not just the router. This is all driven by where the phone/DSL jack is located. In our case, it's in the living room. So, the DSL modem must be there, too (the cable to the DSL jack is only so long). Then, the wireless router, Vonage box, and cordless phones must be near the DSL modem. All of this with the associated cables and plugs (and extra power strips) isn't the most attractive gaggle of stuff. The Norebo box is a great way to hide the mess.
I am glad Magnus said something, no self-respecting Swede would have wall-to-wall carpet!
Tore, have you been heading over to the Tornedalen a lot lately?
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