Hide and Seek: Cabinetry to Keep Your Computers Hidden

When is an office not an office? When it’s well camouflaged. Computer stations disguised as fine furniture allow you to work from home without needing an extra room. Available in sophisticated designs and rich finishes, these new furniture styles ensure that organization doesn’t disrupt dÃ?©cor.

According to Wendy Wetherington of Rooms 2 Go, the work-from-home trend has spurred new products just for telecommuters. The company offers computer armoires on their website for home delivery.

Workstations provide space for all of your computer equipment and office material, and hide them away when you’re not working. Space-conserving, corner workstations are easy additions to dens and guest rooms. Silhouettes are generally modern. Designs can include: adjustable shelves, a pull-out keyboard tray, a deep drawer for drop files, and spots for the CPU and printer. Veneered doors cover component compartments, with open shelving for books and inspiring objets d’art. Seek exotic doors, like rush and woven bamboo, to keep the unit from seeming to stark.

Computer Armoires also provide refined all-in-one workspaces. Silhouettes are generally traditional. With the doors closed, the units appear to be elegant antiques. Doors open to a complete home office. In addition to dedicated shelving and a slide-out work surface, an armoire may also include an interior door corkboard or dry erase board for memos, a CD-ROM rack, and locking doors. Look for distinctive details like bronze hardware and quality wood: cherry, maple, distressed pine. Wraparound doors with raised panels and double pull-out trays increase usable space.

The Aurora Computer Armoire from Rooms 2 Go is a particularly good find. It’s generous work area, maple finish, and satin nickel pulls, make for a functional and stylish secret office. A matching wall mirror, cheval mirror, and nightstand are also available from Rooms 2 Go – so the workspace can look tied in to bedroom furnishings.

If you’d like to convert an existing wardrobe or entertainment armoire into a work area, carefully install a pull-out keyboard tray. The desk depth needs to support arms and wrists. Ensure adequate space for the monitor, and allow it to be arms length away from your eyes.

Bureaus and mail centers with drop down fronts will serve if you don’t need a computer (or use only a slim laptop). Hutch-style add-on units provide closed supplementary shelves.

Drawers and storage units on casters provide mobile storage, and are available in veneers to match every workstation.

A traditional office chair may be comfy, but will seem out of place with the rest of your design scheme. A carved deco chair with a padded back and seat makes a better match. Soft upholstery, such as micro suede, adds to comfort.

Thanks to new clandestine offices, work is kept out of sight and out of mind.