Computer tables with shelves - features, designs, advantages

A well-designed work area is the main task of parents. If previously it was customary to do homework in the kitchen, now having a “corner office” in the house is in the order of things. To ensure that all school supplies and other necessary things can be accommodated, shelves and cabinets are installed above the table. Using design techniques, you can make the room stylish and spacious.

A spacious desk with a functional shelf for things creates a comfortable workspace for a student

Features and benefits of computer desks

Different types of surfaces are used to work with a computer: coffee tables, dining tables, desks, and even folding models that can be taken to bed. There are also special designs where the main feature is stands for the system unit, screen and other computer accessories. Shelves above the table provide functional storage space.

Advantages of these models:

• saving space in the room. A computer desk with shelves of various sizes becomes an ideal solution for small apartments. Having free space for storing documents and books allows you to avoid buying wall shelves and install them in different parts of the room.
• convenient arrangement of things. Everything you need for work is always at hand, and computer equipment is in its place and does not interfere with your writing. The wires often converge into special holes, which prevents unnecessary dust accumulation on the work surface.
• stylish design. Modern models perform not only a functional role, but act as a decoration for the room. Different color schemes and design designs will complement the interior both in the nursery and in the office.
• safety. Special computer tables are the optimal solution for long-term work, because their height is correctly calculated. The tabletop area is larger here or there is a stand for the screen to maintain an acceptable distance between the display and the human eyes.
• productive work. Getting the job done becomes easier when all the necessary materials are at hand. There is no need to be distracted or waste time searching for documentation, because all the shelves are in front of your eyes.

What is it and how does it work?

Decorative shelves for books and other items are perfectly placed in a niche above the table.
A shelf is a type of furniture without a front wall; a back wall may also be missing. This is a storage room for a child’s personal belongings, which include school supplies, cosmetics, a children’s library, and decorative items. They need to be installed near the desk so that everything is at hand. Hang at the height of the child to make it convenient to take objects.

Open shelves for books and toys in a children's room do not clutter up the space and are an excellent decorative element

Designers advise using open furniture. This will save space and improve visibility of things. Place a piece of furniture along the wall near the window. Windows will add natural light to the work area. The shelves are hung on fasteners, angles, or installed on the floor.

Mounting options for glass and other shelves

Wall shelf brackets

Shelves on a computer desk - location options and purpose

Shelves on a computer desk perform different functions and have their own characteristics depending on the role they perform. Often, structures above the writing surface are used to store documents, books, folders, and decorative elements. There are shelves for equipment: printer, monitor, system unit, speakers. Both types of elements can withstand significant weight.

Depending on the location, the shelves are divided into structures:

• above the table - used to locate computer equipment and office supplies. The element installed on the side is intended for installing the screen. The full-length extension is also suitable for this; the free space underneath is useful for storing small writing instruments. Shelves for papers have the form of a high rack or a small asymmetrical structure. Computer speakers, a printer, and other necessary equipment are often installed here.
• under the table - used to install the PC system unit. For good ventilation of the equipment, you need a shelf with one side wall. A small slide-out element under the tabletop is useful for a keyboard. Small writing utensils can also be stored under the table.

For working with a laptop, the ideal option would be a model without lower shelves. This option takes up less space, looks neater and does not accumulate excess dust.

Designs and shapes of computer desks with shelves

A computer desk will be useful for schoolchildren and adults. Stationary structures are designed for comfortable performance of written tasks at an elongated tabletop. Enough space for notebooks, as well as a comfortable position for the writer’s elbow, make this model very popular. The presence of a large number of shelves and drawers in hanging models allows you to store office supplies and paper products here. The absence of legs and the need for installation to the wall surface are the main features. An infrequent or short stay at the computer is possible with a more compact model - a transformer. Here the tabletop extends or reclines while working; when folded, it takes up little space.

According to their shape, tables can be divided into:

• corner ones are the best option for small rooms. The advantageous area is occupied, the structure does not interfere with the passage. Often the corners are rounded to avoid injury and create a more aesthetic appearance. Shelves on both walls add plenty of storage space.
• rectangular - classic models, widely distributed in all furniture stores. Designs with straight countertops are placed along the wall; they perfectly complement any design. If there are hanging shelves or racks, it is necessary to consider whether they will interfere with good lighting of the working surface.
• semicircular - a stylish solution for extraordinary personalities. Structurally, they are distinguished by a convex tabletop. The back part is a corner, so this model will not fit along the wall.

Maximalists will love the modular computer desk with shelves. This often includes a cabinet with drawers, a bookcase, and a side table. The advantage is the ability to rearrange these elements at any time.

Selection rules

When choosing desks with modified elements, you should be especially careful, since these products have a large number of items, you need to make sure they are of proper quality. What nuances should you pay attention to when purchasing furniture of this type:

• quality - all shelves, chests of drawers, niches, built-in shelves, drawers must be of high quality. If there are locks on the drawers, you need to make sure that they all work. The product must not have any defects, damage or scratches;
• material - wood should be natural, the furniture should have a characteristic smell of wood. If additional chemical odors are present, then the base is unnatural;
• check that all boxes are present;
• design - first of all, consider the interior style of your apartment; this furniture should be in perfect harmony with the overall design of the room;
• convenience - sit at this table, you should not feel tension, fatigue, your body should rest.

Manufacturing and finishing materials

The material determines the performance characteristics and availability of furniture. Modern manufacturers offer computer desks from:

• tree. Natural raw materials are expensive, but wood products look beautiful and luxurious, last a long time, and are not afraid of heat and moisture. The main advantage is safety for health, because the material is environmentally friendly;
• Chipboard, MDF. A table made of particle boards covered with veneer or plastic looks aesthetically attractive. The choice of design and design is very wide, the price is affordable. Disadvantages - due to moisture and heat, the product can change shape, swell, and deteriorate;
• glass. High-strength material will decorate an apartment decorated in a minimalist or loft style. This table looks decent, visually saves space, and the legs made of stainless metal are a reliable basis. The disadvantages are the fragility of the glass tabletop and the high cost of the product.

The edge of the table also varies. It is considered better quality not just glued trim tape, but sealed at the corners. Such an edge will not peel off and will not let moisture in.

What to consider when choosing a computer desk

Choosing a high-quality table that will serve as a comfortable place to work is a labor-intensive task. You can start from the manufacturing company, the material of the product, its price, but that’s not all.

The following parameters should also be taken into account:

• working surface size. A schoolchild needs a larger tabletop, because it is always difficult to place all the necessary notebooks, drafts, and aids near him. It is also necessary to take into account the location of small equipment: mouse, speakers, joysticks. It must be remembered that the smallest permissible table depth is 80 cm. Structurally, a corner model or a straight, but elongated one is suitable. The size of the working surface is not so important for those who work exclusively at the computer. In this case, you can save money and purchase a small table, for example, a wall-mounted one;
• table height. Incorrectly selected dimensions of work furniture can harm your health: lead to curvature of the spine and impaired vision. The optimal height of the table top from the floor is 70-80 cm. The chair is selected depending on the height of the person and the parameters of the computer desk;
• rules for placing equipment. The screen is placed at a distance of at least 40 cm from a person’s eyes or more. The system unit is not placed on the countertop; it takes up a lot of space. For such a large device there is a special shelf under the table. Speakers are also not needed on the work surface; the optimal location is at the top of the rack;
• features of the target activity. For a schoolchild, the best option would be MDF or chipboard under a decorative coating. There are a wide range of colors available here, and the price will be more affordable;
• additional accessories. Lamps built into the panel of the upper shelves are indispensable when there is insufficient natural or overhead lighting. Some models also come with a footrest for more comfortable sitting at the table.

If it is difficult to choose or the dimensions of the room are too limited, you can order furniture according to your measurements and sketches. The texture, material, and design are also determined by the customer. One minus is that such a table will be many times more expensive.

How to save money on a purchase - low-functional elements

It is important to purchase the best option for furniture without overpaying for unnecessary accessories. You need to choose a table only according to the individually required parameters. The well-known name of the manufacturer and the material of the product determine its quality; it is better not to skimp on this.

You can refuse:

• shelves for the keyboard. The travel element is not as convenient as people used to think about it. Its only advantage is saving space on the work surface. Since the shelf is located under the tabletop, the hands on the keyboard find themselves in an uncomfortable position, long-term work in which leads to back pain and curvature of the spine;
• screen add-ons. Regardless of its location: at its entire length or on the side, such a shelf will not fit the large screen of the old model. The flat display does not take up much space, so it is advisable to place it in the far corner of the table. Another disadvantage of add-ons is that their height interferes with normal work at the computer. It is especially difficult for children to keep their head in a tense position, looking up at the work surface all the time.

If necessary, you can save money by also abandoning side tables, modular complexes, and pencil cases. Transforming computer tables will also be expensive; if you have free space in the room, you don’t have to spend money on such a model.

A table with shelves is considered convenient for performing written tasks, working at a computer for adults and children. Different configurations and shapes allow you to choose a model to suit every taste: corner, straight, semicircular products made of wood, glass, MDF or chipboard. The rules for selecting dimensions and arranging equipment will help you decide on the right table model.

Which material is better

When choosing products of this type, of course, you should not forget the quality of the furniture base. The service life of these elements will depend on its structure.

Typically, only wood is used to make these tables. It should be a natural solid with good qualities.

What types of wood are used for the production of desks with various modifications:

• hardwood, exotic species - this range includes ironwood, Brazilian cherry (jatoba), amaranth, merabou, mahogany, soir and other varieties. Products made from this type of base are quite expensive, their cost is usually calculated per 1 square meter;
• medium hardness, domestic wood species - oak, beech, ash, cherry, larch, cherry walnut and so on. This base is highly durable. It is able to withstand various negative mechanical influences and retains its appearance for a long time. It is an excellent basis for desks of this type;
• wood with medium softness - this type includes birch, pine, spruce, cedar, alder, pear, maple and others. This material has a slightly worse structure than the previous two types of wood. But despite this, furniture made from these types of wood has good qualities, is wear-resistant and durable. Furniture made from these species is low in cost.