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kitchen desk designs

16 years ago

Does anyone have a kitchen desk or "mom's desk" design/photo they would be willing to share? We have planned a small space for one in the house we are building, but I need inspiration for the design! We will probably use it for bill-paying, organizing mail, storing mailing supplies, etc. The cordless phone will charge there as well. Any tips will be much appreciated! Thanks!

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Comments (5)

rosie
16 years ago
There was a very long thread on this some time ago. Many many kitchen desks ended up not being used at all and just being clutter collectors, with all work taken to the nearest table. That typical desk unit tucked into a leftover spot by the wall ovens as a builder's amenity typically didn't seem to work out well, although a few are great successes.

So my suggestion is to try to create for yourself a place you'd genuinely enjoy relaxing at with a cup of coffee to exchange e-mails with friends and browse recipes; if you'll enjoy sitting there when you don't have to, you'll probably use it.

BTW, when we downsized my wonderful deluxe work nook out of existence on our building plans, I ended up with a new plan of a small old mahogany desk in our little sitting room off the kitchen. I have a view out several windows while sitting at it, and with a swivel I'm chatting with whoever's dropped in to visit. It's bright and pretty and the sort of nice place to be I'm suggesting, even if not actually in my kitchen.
mnhockeymom
16 years ago
If done right, a kitchen or "mom's" desk can be fabulous and used frequently. I'm sitting at mine right now and would never want it anywhere than where it is - it gets tons of use from me, DH and the kids - we also have desks in the kids' rooms, one has a computer, plus we have two laptops elsewhere in the house -- despite all that, the most use it in the kitchen!
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Yowzers, your desk setup sounds a lot like mine!! We did it in espresso which is different from the perimeter white cabinets, the opposite of what you're doing. Our ceilings are 8 feet. To answer some of your questions... - We based the distance from the desktop to the bottom of the uppers on our monitor size, because we're mounting the monitor on the wall. - Can't answer your question about distance from crown to upper since I'm not sure what your question is...is it that you're not putting the cabs all the way to the ceiling, and wondering what the gap should be? We put our crown all the way up to the ceiling because it makes our 8' ceilings look taller. Here are our plans: Here's the part I'm really proud of. DH had the contractor put a tube in the wall so all our wires and computers stuff are hidden! Here's how... View of the desk, with the floor to ceiling pantry to the right. I love the open shelf to store some decorative stuff or piled books. As I mentioned, the monitor will be wall mounted. The drawers drop down for a wireless keyboard, and mouse (one small shelf on either side depending on a right-handed or left-handed user): See this hole? THis is where the monitor wire will go which fishes into the pantry. This is the bottom drawer of the pantry which will hold a computer, potentially a printer but that will probably go in another room, and wireless modem. We actually have another shelf that sits on top of the bottom drawer of the pantry, it's just not in yet. Hope this helps!
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Went to Houzz. Searched for "Hidden Desk Kitchen", some ideas: [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Boston Kitchen And Bath Rob Kane - Kitchen Interiors Inc. [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Boston Kitchen And Bath Divine Kitchens LLC same cabinet as above, but closed--see on right? [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Boston Kitchen And Bath Divine Kitchens LLC [Contemporary Dining Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-dining-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_722~s_2103) by San Francisco Interior Designer Mark Newman Design The "cabinet front" pulls out to reveal a bench (probably with storage) [Modern Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by minday.com [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Vancouver Interior Designer The Sky is the Limit Design [Traditional Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by New York Interior Designer AMI Designs
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Comments (29)
Are you still planning on counter height? With kids that small I personally would not. We have a kitchen desk that is similar to what you have now. It is not a dumping ground. If kids do their homework there then they need it for the next day, and take it with them. If it gets a bit cluttered and company is coming then that is the best time to clean. The most important thing is to have places for everything so stuff doesn't just get moved around. Maybe a large drawer for each kid? Since you have the room that desk posted above is great. Ours is almost that wide, and we constantly bring a wooden stool next to it for more room. It will also be very hard to help a child if they are in that space. There will be no where to put your legs if you sit with them. We sat together at the bar or table. Once they didn't need help they did most of their work in their rooms at their own desks. I think anything bigger than just a simple desk is only going to draw more attention to the area and cost you $$$. I guess we are odd since kitchen desks get such a bad rap around here but I spend most of my day here. Our desktop computer is always charged, I know where it is, and everything I need is right here. We all use it every day. Good luck!
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Comments (15)
To hide cords, consider adding the equivalent of a "backsplash" to the desk but with a space between desk top and cords to disappear into so they can reach a multiple electrical outlet attached to the back of the desk. One plug from the multiple outlet will need to reach an outlet. Cords from desk top items will still be seen behind the items between those items and the "backsplash" They'll still be visible. If you drill holes in a solid "backsplash" board, you'd hide more of the cords. I've also seen basic desks with holes in the top of the desk at the back edge and the outlet hidden beneath the desk ... as this one appears to have: https://www.madisonliquidators.com/item/l-shaped-desk/4888/?adid=514792310094&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiPO61aui8gIVFfjICh1t1QTwEAQYByABEgJt_PD_BwE Such desks usually have rolling filing cabinets or drawer/file units with shelves and/or drawers to set beneath the desktop by each side wall of the desk. https://www.harperoffice.com/onyx-mesh-open-mobile-file-two-drawers-15-3-4w-x-17d-x-27h-black--2?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImJysmKyi8gIVWsDICh2DzADJEAQYAyABEgIx9PD_BwE Others have storage built in as a part of the desk. https://www.wayfair.com/17-Stories--Sproul-LShape-Executive-Desk-X114267104-L32-K~W003156093.html?refid=GX528945859912-W003156093&device=c&ptid=910691620078&network=g&targetid=pla-910691620078&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=113112265&fdid=1817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiPO61aui8gIVFfjICh1t1QTwEAkYBiABEgIYMvD_BwE
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User
16 years ago
I have a small desk area at the end of my hutch. I like and use it a lot.

Here is a link that might be useful: Desk
hollylh
16 years ago
here is the recent thread

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen desk thread
bahansen
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all for the pics and comments - mnhockeymom, I love your compact desk layout. What a great use of space! Thanks also rosie, for your insight into desk placement.

I wouldn't want to build a house without gardenweb.

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