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Good Questions: De-cluttering the computer desk

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Hi AT:SF-

I'm on my computer all the time, so I want to keep it in the living room. The only thing is - I hate the look of a desk there. It takes up too much space, clutters up the room, and is just kind of ugly. I use a laptop, so all I have is the keyboard, mouse, laptop docking station and monitor. Is there a way to de-clutter this? Maybe mount the monitor somehow and get rid of the desk?

Thanks!
Gayle

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Gayle,

Yes, by all means, get rid of the desk!

1. Mount your monitor on the wall using a flexible arm.
2. Install a ventilated wall-mounted cabinet underneath the monitor for the docking station. If possible, choose a spot near a power outlet so that your power cord doesn't have to snake around the room.
3. Go wireless with your keyboard and mouse. Without wires you will be able to work anywhere in the room from which you can still read your monitor.
4. Buy or make a laptop desk for your keyboard and mouse so that you can take advantage of your new mobility. Here are a few ideas:

$
PB Teen's Adjust-Table, $79 (available here)

$$
Levenger's Laptop Scooter, $398

$$$
Little Friend Adjustable Height Table, $1,088

Anyone else?

Comments (7)

ok, fine but, can't you sue that huge TV as a monitor? plug your lap top to it somehow? that way you could get rid of the desk all together.
btw, great wall color... ever thought ot taking it a little bit higher up the wall? it might make your ceiling look higher..

posted by chris_94131 on 2007-07-26 14:58:09
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Virtually all LCD/Liquid Plasma TV's have the requisite ports to allow one to connect one's computer to if they so choose if I'm not mistaken and if you want a station of some sort, how about a small wardrobe to hold desk supplies, the mouse, keyboard and monitor and when not in use, close the doors and it's now out of site.

Just a thought.

posted by ciddyguy on 2007-07-26 15:16:49
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Get rid of that desk and get one of those West Elm Parsons desks.

posted by labchick on 2007-07-26 15:43:21
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Sell you computer and get an iMac. I know, I know.... but I love mine and it looks nice and minimal on my desk.

posted by kyle on 2007-07-26 15:50:55
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We have a 37" Westinghouse 1080p LCD monitor in our living room. It's permanently hooked up to my boyfriend's laptop via a VGA cable (it takes DVI inputs too, but the laptop's too old to have one).

It's a beautiful setup- we sit about two to three feet away whenever we're doing graphic/3d modeling/other important stuff that takes screen real estate, running it at it's native resolution of 1920x1080. For more casual web surfing, we sit farther away on the couch and run it at 1280x720. We also use a wireless keyboard and mouse for more freedom.

Is nixing the monitor and using your television exclusively a possibility? If not, mounting the monitor and switching to a wireless setup sounds like the best way to go. For the docking station and storage of peripherals.... perhaps a small console table where the desk is?

posted by Jenny in SF on 2007-07-26 16:13:05
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There are definitely monitor mounting kits, if you want to go that route, but I would be careful. With flat panel TV and monitors it may just look like you have two TV's in the living room. If that is a look your ok with then go for it, but for me it would make the room feel clutter with TV's.

Opting to use the TV screen is a great choice, however, if you live with some else who may like to watch it while you spend long hours on the computer it might not work out.

Why not get something like a Secretaire, or fashions a wall cabinet to house your computer? Something that closes up the clutter or the PC and looks like a lovely piece of furniture when you are not using it.

Wogg21 has translucent glass doors.
http://mocoloco.com/archives/wogg21_secretaire_feb_04.jpg

Or Ligne Roset Hyannis Port Secretaire.
http://www.ligne-roset-usa.com/?sec=products&pid=25&cid=26&rid=287&page=0

posted by Gravity's Rainbow on 2007-07-26 17:27:48
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You may want to consider getting an office armoire. When you're not using it, it looks like a piece of furniture, hides clutter from office chaos, and adds extra storage for files and whatnot.

Not sure what your budget is, but here's an example from Ikea:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103679

BTW, you may want to buy a some sort of open container to hide that mess of cables near your TV. ;)

posted by ChibiRobo on 2007-07-26 17:43:56
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