Style Spotlight: Home Office Edition

Does this compute? When a desk becomes a fashionable décor accent
 
With mobile phones pushing landlines aside, and the art of handwriting becoming all but antiquated, it’s time to confront this very basic fact: it’s a digital world. Consumer research entities report an exploding number of computer devices per American household, meaning we are moving quickly toward a fully electronic sphere.

How does this work in to home décor? Easily. Designers are finding new and creative ways to accommodate electrical devices and computers into the fold of basic home furnishings. The obvious first step is surfaces that make room for laptop or desktop configurations. Not exactly a new thing, yet one that improves with every redesign.
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For those who cringe at the idea of an office theme permeating fashionable living spaces, don’t fret. There are plenty of desks that are designed to look more like a console table, and have stealth attributes making computing easy. 

This beauty from Sauder is one I’d choose in a heartbeat. Compact enough to not be a space hog, it offers plenty of surface space for a laptop or even desktop computer. And wonder of all wonders, it offers my favorite all-time feature: a keyboard tray.

Ergonomically superior to uni-level computing, the keyboard tray reduces strain on wrists and forearms. It also stashes the telltale keyboard out of sight when it’s not in use.

Having shopped second-hand for desks each time I’ve moved – and believe me, that has been frequently – I’ve faced a harrowing shortage of appropriate units. Many have pullout center drawers, which is fabulous for storage. But maybe one out of 10 delivered the wrist-saving goods and featured a separate, spacious slide-out tray that holds and hides a keyboard.

Sounds picky, maybe. But stay with me on this. Not having to continually assemble a computer configuration so you can maintain a stylish look in a main living space is awesome.

This Sauder model has it all: a respectably sized pull-out keyboard tray, and a petite storage drawer right next door, where stashing pens, calculators and the like is a big bonus. It also has a rather elegant look that combines Shaker impressionism with a hint of industrial fare in its iron trim. The warm cherry finish is gorgeous, as well.

At this price point, offered through Hayneedle.com, it’s hard to find anything better. But if your overall interior scheme is more upscale, there are possibilities at more high-end furniture manufacturers. Just be sure to include “keyboard tray” in your search terms if you’re perusing online. A big plus is any mention of “cord management,” which essentially carves out holes to make electrical and USB cords accessible without draping over the desk’s sides.
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You can see how it’s a win-win to offer a convenient place to compute and still maintain the aesthetic beauty of a kitchen, living room, or home office setting. This unit from Sauder is sufficiently stylish to appear as a console table when not in use. Narrow down your search for the finish of your choice in the style motif you thirst for, find a price range that’s comfortable for your budget, and enjoy the dual purpose of a beautiful table and a functional computer desk.