CableNest & DeskBox: A Modular, Portable Desk System

This week I’m excited to share something that’s been simmering for a while — a pair of complementary designs that solve two parts of the same problem: messy workspaces and the scattered essentials that live on them.

Why I Built This

Between multiple monitors, phones, tablets, and all the adapters that come with them, my desk cable situation was out of control. And because I don’t always work at a dedicated desk — sometimes it’s the family table — I needed a solution that could contain it all and be easily moved. That’s where CableNest came from.

At the same time, all the small everyday desk stuff — pens, AirPods, scales, calipers, sticky notes — had no real home. So I built a companion: the DeskBox, with a tray that lifts up when opened so you can actually reach everything inside without fishing around.

Together, they form a modular desk system that can be used independently or stacked and scaled to fit your space.

CableNest — Organized Power

CableNest is a ventilated cable management box that contains power adapters and cables behind your screen — tidy, breathable, and portable. I designed multiple widths so you can choose what fits your setup best. Open hex walls let heat escape, and the entire unit can be lifted up and moved as needed.

• Multiple widths available
• Ventilated walls keep power bricks cool
• Cables route out cleanly either side
• Portable and tidy

Whether you’re on a single monitor or a triple display setup, CableNest meets you where you are.

DeskBox — Everyday Essentials Within Reach

DeskBox is a snap-together, fully 3D-printed organizer with a hinged tray that lifts up to give great access to whatever you keep inside.

• Daily desk items organized and accessible
• Upper tray for often-used items
• Lower compartment for bigger or less-frequently-used stuff
• Can be used alone or stacked on a CableNest

It’s not a traditional toolbox — it’s designed for everyday desk things: pens, earbuds, sticky notes, keys, AirPods, whatever you grab multiple times a day.

Modular by Design

Both CableNest and DeskBox come in a range of sizes — from small free starter models to larger versions for bigger setups. Each DeskBox pairs perfectly with a matching CableNest width so they sit securely when stacked, but each can also be used on its own.

Start with a small free version to try the system, or jump right in with the size that fits your workspace.

Print & Assembly

As with pretty much everything I publish:

• 100% 3D printable
• Snap-together design
• No hardware required
• Designed to be disassembled

I’ve included diagrams showing assembly, disassembly, and usage so you get up and printing with confidence.

What’s Next

I’ll be working on a video walkthrough showing the DeskBox + CableNest stack in action, and I’m thinking accessories — like and custom tray inserts — based on how people use them.

And as always, I’d love to hear what you make with them — especially if you’re adapting them for different workspaces!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve also posted the SLUK (Slim Logical Utility Knife), which is my favorite yet and also updated my Dog Treat Dispenser so it now accommodates slightly larger treats that Costco seems to be making, based on user feedback and real-world use in my own house.

Thank you all for the support and feedback — especially from the recent Dog Treat Dispenser updates and the SLUK. Keep the ideas coming! The more real-world problems you send my way, the more designs I get excited to explore.