Cable Cradle is a general cable management solution that replaces your conventional electrical outlet faceplates. The dish-like shape allows you to wrap excess cable around the faceplate, this form hides the excess cable and keeps it from cluttering the floor. The concept is easily adaptable to other country's plug styles and can also act as a phone stand.

This project started by observing a cluttered countertop in the kitchen. Phone cables were laid out and getting in the way during meal prep. I then noticed that cables to the toaster and other small appliances were also adding to this problem. The conclusion drawn is extra cable length on all of our home products cause tripping hazards, make vacuuming and sweeping difficult, and generally clutter our living spaces/surfaces.

Various solutions were explored to try to help organize cables. A retractable outlet was investigated but was overly complicated and had many mechanical features that could fail. I moved onto a simpler solution that eventually brought me to the form factor presented here. Other simple shapes were tested out and modeled with foam core, but none of these hid the extra cable. I finalized on this shape because:

1. It hid the cable behind the product once raveled up.

2. The form is simple and aesthetically pleasing.

3. It performs the desired function while being as small as possible.

4. This product can be manufactured very efficiently and cost-effectively.

Another detail to note is the extra rib on the wall facing side of the product. One can tuck cable under the rib on the back, which helps keep the cable from unraveling. This rib can also be used to rest your phone up, keeping counter space clear.

American outlet covers have 2 styles. The older style has 2 holes in where the plugs go in and the newest style (illustrated in these renderings) has 1 rectangular hole that the 2 plugs go into. These two styles can be manufactured with the same injection mold by using a replaceable insert. The material would be a flame-retardant plastic that is UL an CSA certified.