An armoire originated in home décor circa the mid 1500’s, and is still regarded as a classically designed furniture piece to add elegance and a clean appearance to a living space. Armoires utilize doors and shelves to hide the contents of the furniture when not in use; as such utilizing a desk armoire is the ideal method for individuals seeking to have storage space and reduce clutter within their environment.
Most commonly used as a computer workstation to the modern user, the desk armoire will likely be constructed of solid wood available in many different finishes. The normal construction will offer a pull-out drawer for the keyboard and mouse, storage drawers, large opening for monitor, pull out areas for CPU and printer, and adjustable shelving above the monitor area. Some advanced options include cork boards on the inside of the doors used to conceal the workstation when not in use, task lighting, and drawer organizers for any built in components.
Depending on where the desk armoire is purchased, it may be available to ship fully assembled or may require home assembly and installation. For example, the Kathy Ireland Computer Armoire available at nationalbusinessfurniture.com is delivered ready to use, but at $2500 including shipping, is substantially more expensive than the Amazon.com South Shore Furniture Gascony Collection Computer Armoire available for $360.00. However, the Amazon option is made from recycled wood pieces rather than solid first-use wood available from the Kathy Ireland piece and also requires assembly. The consumer at Amazon may save additional cost by subscribing a member shipping policy that qualifies the items for free shipping, reducing the cost to $245.00
When purchasing a computer armoire, it is important to note the dimensions of the piece itself as well as the space required for the doors to open. Most doors open outwards at an angle of 180 to 250 degrees, and having ample room to the sides to navigate the opening is very important to reduce damage to other furnishings. For those with limited space, other armoires offer doors that rise upwards into the furnishing itself. Another consideration is to use hardwood, recycled wood, or particleboard. The quality and strength of the wood will go a long way towards ensuring the longevity and load bearing capacity of the piece. The solid wood will keep a finish for more years than the alternatives, whereas particle board is lighter in construction and will be easier to move.
The user should also check the measurements of the monitor, CPU and printer versus the standard components of the armoire. For example, a user with a 22 inch monitor may not be able to use some armoires as they only accommodate a monitor up to 19 inches. The owner will also need to ensure there is ample opening in the back for any necessary cord arrangement.
An armoire is a great way to conceal the clutter of life, while still keeping a computer workstation fully functional and ready to use at all time. By finding the correct shade of wood for your home décor, pairing the appropriate accent pieces, and ensuring the appropriate functionality, a home user will come to love this simple, understated design.