When space is at a premium in the home or office, building a computer workstation into an unused or underused closet can be a great solution. Assembly of a functional and attractive custom built-in computer desk is possible with only a few power tools and inexpensive materials available at home improvement stores. However, while the construction methods used are important, planning is even more important in order to achieve an efficient workstation.
Instructions
1. Determine optimum dimensions. Set up your computer on an open table. Adjust the placement and spacing of the keyboard, mouse and monitor to determine the best placement for your typing and mouse needs. Measure this layout for width and depth, as well as the height. Place your computer tower and any printer to the left and right of your monitor. You won't want to install your tower or your printer above or below the desk level because these locations are inconvenient, especially when you need access to the back of the tower or to add paper to the printer. Measure all the equipment together to derive the overall "best" dimensions for your primary equipment.
2. Remove any closet doors. Measure the closet dimensions and compare these dimensions to your "best case" plans for width and depth of your workstation. You may need to increase or decrease the width of your workstation to accommodate the reality of the closet space. Remember that you can extend the workstation desk level outside of the boundaries of the closet slightly if necessary to pick up needed depth. Shelves should remain inside the closet, however.
3. Find any wall studs inside the closet. Take 2x2 or 2x4 lumber and cut it to the width and depth of the closet area. Using wall studs, or bolts and anchors, firmly attach these wooden "cleats" to the walls, both at the sides of the closet and along the back. Make sure they are level. These cleats form the supports for the desk surface and any shelves. Account for the thickness of the desk or shelf material when spacing the cleats vertically.
4. Cut ¾-inch furniture grade plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF) to form the desk surface. Cut a notch or 1-inch diameter hole through the desktop for any cables leading to other devices. Screw the desk top onto the cleats, from the bottom edge of the cleat up and partially into the desktop material, using a counter sink or long screws. Make shelves slightly narrower than the desk width for head clearance and screw these to the cleats above the desktop. For very deep desk tops you may need to add inverted "L" shaped support brackets underneath to give the desktop added strength through a cantilever.
5. Plan provide power or telephone and Ethernet cables to the closet. If you cannot install a proper electrical outlet inside the closet, drill a hole through the sidewall or back of the closet near the baseboard to access electricity from a nearby outlet, using an extension cord. Paint or finish the workstation to suit. Replace the closet doors if possible or desired.
Tags: dimensions your, inside closet, width depth, closet doors, desk level, desk surface
