Are you getting tired of your desktop's look and feel? Maybe you've collected some scratches and dings on your desk surface or perhaps you're an audiophile and want to minimize sound reflections from your work surface. Here's a fun DIY project with FLOR tiles that will create a new look and feel for your workspace.
What You'll Need:
1. FLOR tiles
2. Measuring tape
3. Marker/Sharpie
4. Stanley Carpet knife tool (or any other carpet knife)
5. Cutting mat or an extra FLOR tile (extra FLOR tiles work well)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
First, measure your desktop surface area to determine the correct amount of FLOR tiles needed for purchase. 1 layer of tiles on my desk came to about 4-5 tiles.
After measuring, use a Sharpie to mark (on the rubber side/bottom) any tiles that hang over your desktop. Use a Stanley carpet knife for triming your FLOR tiles. A cutting mat or a spare FLOR tile can be used for a safe cutting surface.
If you want to create a cut-out look with inlets for your laptop and keyboard, 2 layers of FLOR tiles should be used. Also, for audiophiles or those wanting to reduce sound reflections off hard surfaces (like your bare desktop), 2 layers of tiles are recommended.
This inlet was created by carefully measuring and cutting out the area for my keyboard and trackpad.
Now you have a felt dektop surface with clean recessed inlets for your laptop, wireless keyboard and trackpad. Using 4 rubber feet to raise your laptop off the felt will ensure that air circulates around your computer. If you need to do hand writing on your desktop, a writing pad will give you the hardness needed for pressing down with a pen or pencil.
Remember that FLOR tiles come in all kinds of colors and materials. I chose the felt for its sound absorption qualities, but you may want to pick different tiles. Which tiles would you use to transform your desktop?
(Images: Vahan Baladouni)
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I wonder how it feels to have carpet rubbing on your forearms. And when I clean my desk, would I need to bust out the vacuum cleaner?
It's a good idea, but you'll need to get something solid and smooth to write on a sheet of paper, although that might be a tad old fashioned of me ;-)
Interesting concept but I couldn't handle the dust. Plus, I'm old school and still hand write a lot of things.
An alternative would be to only do the center section in FLOR tiling, leaving the sides as a hard surface for writing (I only write these days to sign the occasional check or envelope).
Not a fan. My Library has a children's services desk with carpeting on the front -- because of scuffing and acoustics, I guess... even that's kind of ugly. And I write checks and other papers on my desk, too, so I need a hard surface. Not to mention that with a dark carpet as shown, in two days it would be covered with impossible to remove pet fur! Nope. Bad idea all around! (Your Mileage...)
I like the idea more for crafting than anything else. It would help the beads not to roll and fall off of the desk I work on when making jewlery.
If for an office, I do like the insert made for the keyboard.
I would probably do something like this in my office.. I don't do a lot of actual writing.. but is all flor products felt? I tried to load their website and it was really slow.
A admire what are surely the focused mind and fastidious habits of the person who came up with this idea!
I'm thinking of all the apple core stick, coffee splash, and general goo that would accumulate on my carpeted desk. I wipe mine down almost daily, and I'm appalled by what I find adheres to my slick surface.
Bowing down,
magoo
not to mention Flor isn't exactly cheap.. at least for what I'd be willing to spend to cover a desk.
I love this! Can't remember the last time I used a pen on my desk...
Laying your laptop on a surface like that can cause it to overheat... just saying. :P
What about static electricity build up?
I agree with chipmcd. The static charge it could build up would probably fry your laptop and give you a nasty shock as well.
Overall I think it's a great idea to give new life to an old surface. While I see the advantages of having cut outs for keyboards, etc I think that I'd used vinyl tiles as they'd be easier for me to keep clean, yes I am that messy.
I will be doing something similar with my MALM desk from Ikea but using faux leather and non-slip matting upholstered to a piece of thick cardboard so I can apply pressure and create an inlay for where the monitor and keyboard will go. If it works out I'll do the same to my bedside tables.
I have to agree with Mowgli - what about static. I have hardwood floors and a hardwood desk and I've shorted out my laptop and my cordless phone. I cannot image how much worse it would be with a carpet desk. Do you have that issue?
Hi all,
Thanks for all the comments everyone.
I use 4 rubber feet to lift my laptop off the felt- keeps it cool. And I use the wireless keyboard/trackpad.
So far I don't have any static problems, but that's a good point.
If I'm using the laptop for a long time I will use a mStand from Rain design.
Cool idea Adam - faux leather with indentations
I need to do something, because my lovely old desk has a seriously damaged top and I wasn't looking forward to sanding & painting. I like roberto's solution of rubber flooring.
I dont like the feel of a cold hard desktop so around a year ago I purchase a roll of neoprene. Neoprene is the material used in wet suits and mouse pads. Granted it ran me around $45.00 to cover the top of my desk but it has been so worth it. Its soft and never cold to the touch.
When I need to write something I have a desk blotter so its never a problem. Cleaning is a breeze and kinda fun. I use a lint roller, it works great and only takes a minute. Neoprene comes in so many colors too.
I think this is great inspiration to to cover an existing finish with something unexpected. I'm thinking dark cork would be warm and not as big a dust collector. Great job!
I see this and think CORK. Cork would be static free, it can be sealed for longevity and cleanliness and it has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly. Plus it comes in different thicknesses and shades, is paintable and stainable and forgiving of abuse.