The sneaky thing about accessories is how they multiply. You buy a little bracket here, a sticky pad there, and suddenly you have a drawer full of “helpers” that cost more than the gadget they’re helping. 3D-printed mounts are one of the fastest ways to claw that money back, because they replace parts that companies love to mark up. If you already own a printer, you’re basically holding a small factory that specializes in oddly specific plastic.

Mount your power strip properly

Stop buying clamps, trays, and sticky pads

A power strip is rarely the problem, but where it lives, absolutely. Plenty of desks end up with a strip dangling from its own cable, taped to the underside, or balanced on a back leg like it’s auditioning for a circus act. A simple printed mount turns that chaos into a fixed, repeatable setup that does not rely on adhesive courage. It also replaces a whole category of accessory spending, such as under-desk cable trays, clamp-on brackets, and sticky mounting kits.

The best part is how customized it can be without turning into a design project that eats your weekend. Some mounts are basically rails that the strip slides into, while others use clip tabs that match the strip’s shape. You can print a version that keeps outlets facing outward for easy access, or one that tucks everything upward so cables vanish faster. Either way, it’s solving a real annoyance without shopping around for a “universal” solution that never quite fits.

This is also a mount that benefits from thinking about the daily reality of plugging and unplugging things. Leave room for the power switch, the reset breaker, and the chunky wall wart that always shows up uninvited. If you want it to feel solid, print in PETG or another tougher material so it flexes less over time. With the strip mounted cleanly, you stop buying little band-aid accessories because the big problem is already handled.

Put a small device behind the display

Replace pricey VESA cages and brackets

Small devices love to pile up where you can see them. Streaming boxes, USB hubs, mini routers, Raspberry Pi boards, and even compact mini PCs tend to end up on the desk because the default accessories assume you want a neat stack of rectangles. A printed VESA-friendly mount tucks the device behind a monitor or under a shelf, where it stays accessible without becoming visual clutter. It’s a direct substitute for the expensive brackets and cages that tend to cost more than they should.

This kind of mount can be as minimal or as protective as you need. You can print a simple tray with strap slots, a cage that wraps around the device, or a plate that adapts a weird mounting pattern to standard VESA spacing. The real win is that you can match your setup rather than accept whatever a manufacturer thinks “most people” do. If your device runs warm, prioritize ventilation and airflow to avoid accidentally building a tiny plastic oven.

Durability matters here because the mount is doing real work, even if the device is light. You want enough wall thickness to resist flexing, and you want screw holes or slots that do not split when tightened. If the device has cables that stick straight out, the mount should give them enough room so they don’t bend at angry angles. Once it’s in place, you can skip the branded bracket, the universal cage, and the set of adapters that always seems to require one more adapter.

Wall-mount your router and hubs

Skip shelves, stands, and decorative brackets

Networking gear is often sold as if it belongs on a shelf, but that’s rarely the best place for it. Routers, mesh nodes, and smart home hubs tend to work better when they are off the floor, away from clutter, and not jammed behind a TV like a forgotten paperback. A printed wall mount lets you place gear where it performs well, and it replaces the stands, shelves, and “aesthetic” brackets that add cost without adding much function. It also clears up desk and entertainment center space, which is its own kind of upgrade.

A good wall mount is really a cable management tool in disguise. It keeps the device stable, provides the cables with a predictable route, and prevents the whole thing from sliding around when you touch one wire. You can also choose a mount style that matches how the device needs to breathe, like open sides for airflow or a cradle that keeps vents unobstructed. If you have multiple small boxes, you can even mount them as a tidy row instead of stacking them like a wobbly tower.

This is the one where fit matters, because routers come in every shape except “standard.” Measure the device’s widest points, watch for curved surfaces, and plan for the power button and indicator lights so you can still use them without performing hand yoga. Print strength matters too, especially for mounts that depend on clips, because the plastic needs to flex without snapping. Once it’s mounted cleanly, you stop buying little shelves and risers to compensate for a device that simply needed a better home.

Your 3D-printed mounts don't need to end here

Other devices could benefit from your 3D printing hobby

Of course, there are a ton of home lab (and just plain old home) accessories that can reap the benefits of your 3D printing hobby. Perusing the household section on MakerWorld will help you find many more options for around-the-house mounts. Here are just a few more examples of items you can find 3D-printable mounts for.

• A webcam mounted above a monitor or on a shelf edge, so it stops living on a tiny tripod that constantly drifts. You can print a clip-on bracket that grips the bezel or a shelf lip without wobble. It’s also an easy way to get a better angle without stacking books. Bonus points if you include a little cable channel so the USB lead behaves.
• A tablet mount for a nightstand or kitchen cabinet, so it becomes a dedicated recipe screen or smart home panel. A printed cradle can hold it at a readable angle without needing a pricey stand. You can design it to leave the charging port accessible and keep the speakers unobstructed. It also helps keep the tablet off wet counters and away from flour explosions.
• A game controller mount under a desk or on the side of an entertainment center, so controllers stop migrating into couch cushions. A simple hook-style holder works, but a contoured cradle feels nicer and keeps triggers from getting pressed. You can size it for one controller model or make a universal design with a strap slot. Either way, it replaces those padded stands that still manage to tip over.
• A headphone mount that clips to a desk edge or screws under a shelf, so your headphones are always in the same place. Printed mounts can be wide enough to protect the headband from a sharp bend, which a lot of cheap hooks ignore. You can add a little peg for a charging cable or a spot for a USB dongle. It’s a tiny print that removes a daily annoyance immediately.
• A wall mount for a handheld vacuum or its charging dock, so it stops being a floor ornament. Printing an adapter plate is especially useful when the stock hardware assumes you have a perfect wall surface and unlimited patience. You can also add a small basket or clip for the crevice tool and brush. The result looks cleaner and makes the vacuum easier to actually use.

Spend less by printing the boring hardware

When you add up the small accessory purchases, mounts are where a 3D printer quietly earns its keep. They replace the things you buy out of frustration, not the things you buy because you genuinely enjoy shopping for them.

A smart mount also tends to improve your setup in ways that feel bigger than the price tag, like keeping cables in check and keeping surfaces clear. Print a few that solve real daily annoyances, and the $50 worth of accessories disappears into a pile of plastic that actually earns its desk space.