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| Home office cupboard |
| Shirl transforms an old cast-out cupboard into a functional home office. |
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Today, more and more people are choosing to work from home. But the home office requires a lot of equipment and this can cause problems for people living in units or small homes. Shirl's solution is to transform an old cast-out cupboard into a functional home office. At the end of the day you can simply close the cupboard doors.
There are many advantages to having your desk in a cupboard. An untidy desk can be concealed, and your office will be mobile, allowing you to change rooms whenever you like. Best of all, once the doors are closed your workspace is clearly distinguished from your home space.
If you don't have an old cupboard to devote to this project, you can pick one up at a garage sale or a second-hand furniture store where prices start from around $30. We purchased our cupboard from the Salvation Army for $80.
Cupboard size depends on your needs, just make sure it will hold all your computer equipment and home office supplies. Our cupboard measures 830mm long x 1330mm wide x 435mm deep.
1 Remove the carcass from the inside of the cupboard with a hammer or mallet.
2 Sand the cupboard.
3 Design and customise the shelving. The key to maintaining an organised office is to follow the old saying: a place for everything and everything in its place. It is therefore a good idea to design your shelving around everything you plan to put in the cupboard. Allow space and storage for files, computer equipment and stationary. The desk height for both the computer and the fold down bench should be ergonomic (around 720mm-750mm). This will help you to sit comfortably and avoid needless pressure on the back.
4 Cut plywood to size and screw shelving into place.
A hole drilled in the back wall of the cupboard will allow computer cords to be fed through to a power outlet.
5 A keyboard tray (purchased from a specialty store) is easily attached and can simply be slid away under the desktop. It is easier to use a ready made keyboard tray than it is to make one.
6 Attach the fold-out-desk to the cupboard door. This forms additional work space. The fold-out table is secured to the cupboard with hinges, and when not in use is held securely in place with a bolt that runs through its block (see diagrams, below).
7 An old cupboard can be transformed with a coat of paint. Choose a colour that will fit with the décor of the house or room it will be placed in. The use of a pale colour will create a feeling of space making the inside of the cupboard seem bigger and more open.
8 To finish the cupboard off, attach stylish handles.
If the only light in your room is a central fitting in the ceiling, remember to leave room in your cupboard for a lamp. If the cupboard is placed near a window, you can take advantage of the natural light.
Diagrams
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Materials
A suitable cupboard from which existing inside shelves and hanging rails can be removed.
15mm plywood
Hinges
Sliding mechanism for keyboard
Nails
Paint
Handles
Screws
Keyboard tray
Tools
Hammer
Drill
Mallet
Saw
Tape measure
Screwdriver
Sandpaper
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Total Cost
The total cost for our home office was approximately $160.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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