With the proliferation of laptops, many people whose old desktops are wearing out are making laptops their next computer purchase. So what becomes of the old computer desks? No problem to toss a cheap one from Ikea, but if you've invested a significant amount of money in a high-grade computer armoire, you may want to put it to work somewhere else in your home as an attractive storage piece. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Convert Montior Area to Shelving
1. Many armoires are different, but all have large spaces for a monitor. To install a shelf in this space, take a measurement of the space, length, width and the thickness of the walls of the armoire.
2. Visit a hardware store and purchase a 2-inch thick board that will fit in the space and two 2-inch wide pieces that will be used as mounting pieces. Finally, purchase nails that are less than the thickness of the armoire plus two inches.
3. Determine where you want to install your shelf in the monitor area; many people might want to put it in the middle. If so, measure the height, and put a mark halfway up each side.
4. Install the mounting pieces. Place your small wood pieces against the side of the armoire so that the top of the wood meets your pencil mark, then hammer several nails into the wood to secure it. Do the same on the opposite side.
5. Set the shelf on top of the wood mounting brackets. If you wish, you can nail the shelf in place, but this isn't necessary.
Add a Closet Rod to Monitor Area
6. Perhaps you're looking to make the armoire more like an extra closet. In that case, purchase an adjustable closet rod from your local hardware store. Ensure you take a measurement of the area before you make your purchase.
7. Hold up the closet rod where you want it within the armoire exactly level. With your pencil, make marks through the screw-holes where they touch the wall.
8. Drill holes through each of your marks to create the screw holes for your bar. Don't drill too much, 1/4 inch will do.
9. Holding your bar up against the armoire, screw the bar in place. Resist the urge to over-tighten; you don't want to damage the armoire.
Other Conversions
10. If your armoire has a large space for a printer, you may wish to install a shelf in that space as well. Follow the instructions outlined in Section 1.
11. Try filling the space with wire shelves for a different kind of storage. Appropriate wire shelves can be purchased at most Home Depots or even Target or Wal-Mart. Another possibility is plastic drawers.
12. Remove the keyboard shelf. For most armoires, simply pull the shelf out as far as it can go, then lift it up and down while pulling; almost always, it will come out. If not, there may be a screw in the back you need to remove.
Tags: hardware store, install shelf, many people, mounting pieces, take measurement, that will, where want
