Strike a Cord

I’ve asked this before. Why oh, why? Why do cords, lamp- and otherwise have to be so black an ugly?

 

Clear is so much better. Goes with everything.

 

Ok, I can breathe now.

Comments

[Catherine]

I agree wholeheartedly! Cords, on the whole, need some redesigning work. They are rarely the right length or colour and never seem to have the switch in a convenient location. There is a design challenge for someone...

[Claire]

I generally position floor lamps next to furniture and hide the cord as much as possible.
We have a new table lamp in our hall (John Lewis' 'Sofia' in orange)and it has an orange cord to match the shade - I'm still getting used to it, but its better than black!

[April]

Is it easy to replace? Do you have to take it to a shop and have it done for you?

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

I did it myself with a kit from the hardware store. I didn't change it all the way up to where the bulb is but to just under the base. If you're not familiar with how it's done you should ask for help though as electrics are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

I keep this one by the wall but pull it out in between the armchairs when I need a reading light.

[Leena]

I think anything except black is good, so you made an excellent job here. I don't get why the cords are always black, no one has a black floor or walls, so the cord would be invisible. Why did the first appliance maker choose black??

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

Some do actually have black walls nowadays and I guess they're upset with white cords :)

[Anna]

My white Nordlux lamps for the nightstands came with white cords ^__^ Scandinavian way of thinking, perhaps?

[Nicola]

So agree: clear cords are best (and they don't show the dust like black...) maybe if everyone emailed the manufacturers when they bought a new fitting they would start to listen? x

[MelD]

Definitely agree; this is an area of design that could do with some work - perhaps more retractable options, too, as the length is never right...
I've noticed quite a lot of Ikea lamps have clear cords, and my Laura Ashley perspex lamps have white cords. A Tchibo lamp I have has a grey cord, so it's obviously a matter of taste and cost!!
Good idea to sell kits to change cords if they dont' suit, never seen those before.

[Die Rabenfrau]

Hey, I need black cords in my livingroom! But in the other areas I would like clear cords, but I have never seen those on lamps before. Kits would really be a good thing!
Ursel

[Filipa]

heheh I completely agree with you!

Filipa
www.welc-home.blogspot.pt

[20 State]

I'm hearing you, so hard to hide but so necessary. I'm glad someone else is a little OCD about cords ;)

[Charm White]

I bought lamps for the bedroom recently that have cloth cords the same colour teal as the shade. I love them!

[Zosia]

From what I am hearing (reading) above, human kind needs a variety of cords (black, white, clear, perhaps even other colours), so why not go on STRIKE over the CORDS (strike a cord) and demand a consumer choice. Who is willing to start a world-wide petition? :-)

[jja]

Much better indeed!

[Sara]

I've read that you replace the black cord with a white one but then I asked myself: could we just use a white spray on it??

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

You might be able to but since the cord needs to be flexible in this case (God knows I've painted over cords that have been fixed to the wall in the past to disguise them) the paint might crack.

[Anna]

Nordlux make cloth cords in seven different colours and they sell them by the lenght (they call it coloured cable). The problem, I think, is you need to find a matching coloured plug and switch...

[icicle]

That would be us -- well not black walls, but log and wood so anything white sticks out like a sore thumb. It might be a Euro/USA issue as all the cords I get on this side of the Atlantic seem to be white unless we buy from Ikea! Swap ya', Benita!

[Mickey@EuroAmericanHome]

I would have never ever ever thought of that :)

[tracy]

hmm. i have a friend who washi-taped her cord...quite unique...

[Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists]

Wouldn't it be great if cords were always clear AND retractable? So only the amount needed to reach the outlet would be visible.

[Kate]

This is really unrelated but what do you use for coasters? Any ideas for making some white ones? Thanks

Kate

[Anna, Sydney]

I loathe cords too. Why isn't everything wireless these days?! In the meantime, some cord art for you:
http://pinterest.com/pin/223702306460311062/
http://pinterest.com/pin/270356783850655610/

[Jenni]

I had to laugh I say the same with white cords, why cant they be black, for me the white sands out like a spotlight and the black disappears against my black walls!

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

I don't use coasters. I sometimes use those little paper napkins that are for coffe and tea. There are so many fun ones available and I like to bring them out when I have guests but for everyday, I don't really need coasters.

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

Yeah, those are fun :)

[Tineke]

I have a similar issue with lamps...only it is with brass. I don't understand why fittings have to be brass, it is seriously ugly to me. Maybe it is an electrical thing, but I went to find a kit to rewire an old lamp and could only find brass. Looks like some careful spray painting is in order! Love what you did with the cord! The clear looks much better!

[Sara]

Thanks for your tip. Never crossed my mind but you're right, the paint might crack!

[Emma J]

I have had a particular cord gripe recently. We bought a new Asko washer and dryer (all the way from your side of the world Benita :-) and the washer has a white cord, the dryer a black one! The power point is above them on the wall so it's super visible. For the record, the majority of cords here in New Zealand seem to be white.

[elisa]

aha! i have to rewire all my english lamps for canada next - i shall be very careful to get clear ones. well done!

[Cussot]

And why don't they redesign the plugs, too? Make all of them so that they don't poke out so far!

Sometimes I wrap my cords with white hockey tape and paint them. The hockey tape is handy because it's cloth, so it absorbs paint well. It's cheap and plentiful in Canada ;)

[Luna]

I absolutely agree with you! I had yet another thought about this y'day when I was untangling all the cables and cords my Fiance left around the computer table. Why?! Scream. After binding them with twists, I hang our phone chargers on 3M hooks which are lovely and white, but the cords are black, argh. Might move them inside a cupboard door.