The Best Desk Grommet

Buying Guide

Strictly speaking, a grommet is an edged ring that is inserted into a hole in material, which makes it easier to thread something through. You’ve likely seen grommets on shower curtains, shoes and clothing. They are also used on desks so cords and wires can pass through.

Desk grommets are made from plastic, rubber or metal and come in a variety of different sizes. They are great for keeping wires out of your way; they make more room for other things like keyboards, coffee mugs and paper. They also declutter your work surface. To use them, you simply put a wire in the grommet hole, run the cord through and snap on the cover.

Some work desks already come with appropriately-sized grommet holes. If not, you will need to drill the holes yourself. While you could just run the cords through a cutout hole, grommets cover the remaining sharp edges and protect the wires.

When shopping, look at the product descriptions to see what size the grommets are and what size holes they will fit in. In most cases, you can use a 35-millimeter drill to make the holes needed for a grommet cover. Some grommets have “lips” to hold them in place, and these generally sit up slightly higher than the desk surface.

Desk grommets may have removable covers to make things look neater, but you can take these off if you want to fit in more cords. Just be considerate of electrical safety and do not overload your outlets.

If you don’t want a traditional round black desk grommet, they are also sold in many other materials, colors and finishes. Some have more oblong or rectangular shapes to them if that’s what you prefer.

• If your desk doesn’t have built-in holes for grommets, you’ll need to drill them yourself. Think about the most unobtrusive place to make the holes before you start drilling. A back corner nearest the outlet is usually a good choice.
• You’ll also want to place the holes where they’ll be of the most utility to you. Where is your computer or monitor going to be located? What other items will sit upon the desk, and where will the cords go?
• Basic black plastic and rubber are the least expensive and simplest grommet options.
• Brass, silver and gold finishes look sleeker and more polished.
• Some grommets are made differently with built-in outlets and USB ports, but these are typically more expensive.
• You can also find flush-mounted grommets, ones made from wood and larger grommets that work well for trash disposal.