Where do you keep your computer?

[monkeywrangler71]

For those with a desktop and/or have a dedicated workspace, where in your house do you keep it?

Are you lucky enough to have an office? Or have you found a way to combine workspace with living space? Has anyone come up with a way to keep their computer in a public area of the home, without looking cluttered or out of place?

I would love to see pictures of workspaces, especially those which have made creative use of limited space.

[NewLeaf]

We have our computer desk in the dining room (ugh!) I hate the way it looks in there, but it is a central location and we can keep an eye on the little guy using it. I think a laptop would have worked better for us. That way we wouldn't have this ugly big corner computer desk taking up all the space.

My 15 yr old son has his own computer in his room. He was smart and chose a small desk.

[MomToTwoBoys]

We have two rooms with computers in them at the moment. Once we move, hopefully we can keep them down in the basement.

The large computer desk downstairs in the basement harbours the kids' computer. It's also in the same room with the kids' toys and TV.

The smaller computer desk upstairs is in the living room (tucked against the far wall from the TV). We have the modem, the router, the printer, the laptop and the desktop on this desk. It's really hard to keep it from looking cluttered since we do all of our work up here. But this is what I found works:

Keep all of the paperwork filed away in accordian-style file folders. Keep the power surge protectors and other plugs behind the large monitor. Add in a couple of pictures of the kids (I have two of my oldest son and some of his art projects around my monitor. I clean off the desk every night and put away the non-essentials.

The computer desk is also part of a three-piece furniture set. It matches the entertainment centre and the two-desk side table, so it doesn't stick out of place.

[lparker]

Got one in the "office" and one in the dining room...haven't mastered the uncluttered look and probably never will

[TigerGirl1226]

We don't have a desktop, but if we did we'd do what my friend did, she turned a closet into a computer noon. When she isn't using it, she can close the doors and it is gone from view.

[Darlene]

2 in the livingroom. One is in a corner and the other up on the balcony in another corner. We can see tv & fireplace from both places and interact with whomever is here.

[danni]

We have a built in desk in a corner of the living room for the desk top. The laptops are stored on one of the shelves but are used mostly at the dining room table. I like the kids using them in the main area of the house so we can keep an eye on what they are doing. It is safer for them that way.

I am always looking for ways to keep the clutter down and am getting better but still have not conquered it. Maybe someday. LOL!

[YankeeMom]

We have an actual office with three desks and three desktops...dh's, mine, and one the kiddos share.

[dancemommy]

Which one- lol? We have way too many computers in our house. I have a laptop that usually floats around the family room couch. My husband has a laptop and a desktop in his office- actual office with doors. One child has a desktop in their room (no internet). Oldest child has a laptop. Basement has another desktop for kids to use for projects, etc. We basically have 2 official offices and then an area in the corner of the family room where I hide all of my papers in an old picnic basket and use my laptop so I can be in the middle of everything with the kids. If we ever build a new house I'd love to have a computer area in the kitchen and one in a loft space with kids bedrooms off of it- and of course I'd definitely keep at least one home office if not 2.

[shoiji]

I have a small piece of furniture that is just the right size for my computer and office supplies. It is in the bedroom. I keep the door open so when I am in the bed I cannot see the computer and can easily forget that it is there.

[stinkbug]

We have a designated office with a desktop, which we rarely use. But that is where the budgeting/bill paying/filing is done, and it is my domain and I keep it clean and tidy (OCD anyone?) When not in use, the desk closes completely and nothing is visable. Just clean desk space. I use my laptop at the kitchen table.....so I can look out the back windows. I hate clutter, especially paper, so I clean up/sort as it comes into the house.

[freebs]

mine are in the living room, clutter and all!

[nodmicks]

We have a big landing upstairs. My desk sits there with all the computer equipment. It is a cold area in the winter but nice and quiet. I drag the little netbook all over the house.

[Momto5RN]

family room - i can watch the kids watch TV - turn my chair around see out theback door and watch whats happening in the yard - turn a little more and see up the 4 steps into the main house and into the kitchen - can basically see anyone going into basement or going into the upstairs bedrooms as the stairs are in the back of the family room .

use to have 2 in here - -mine and the kids puter - kids puter died and since the oldest 3 all have laptops i just share this one with the 3 younger kids - .sometimes older dd if she forgets to charge her laptop .

I use to work from my home computer when i worked for blue cross and when i did ebay and when i worked as a contract RN for a company that had me doing calls to do health assessments for a managed medicare company - so i needed it in a place that could be quiet if needed -but that i could also see what is happening around me.

[MaryCarney]

Our desktop is in the upstairs loft area, opens up to the living room below so we can hear and monitor the teens. My laptop is usually beside my recliner - or being hauled to and from my homecare jobs that have wireless access.