Laptop/Monitor/Keyboard etc hideaway storage box

[LeMarchand]

 

Like many people, Mme LeMarchand is working from home and it's looking like an ongoing thing. Set up is much as above, but cheaper and with less RGB, on the dining room table as it's the only place with enough space.

 

Unfortunately this is getting her down as her work desk is permanently "there". She's currently considering moving stuff around so that some of the shelving in the dining room can be used to move the stuff to outside of work hours, but I can see this being weekends only and it's all still visible. I've had a look, and "hideaway" computer stuff seems to be aimed at desktop setups and wouldn't work anyway as we don't have anywhere with enough space for a chair to go in front.

 

Surely this must be a common problem these days, and I can't believe that there isn't an affordable solution. I have in my mind's eye something along the lines of the sort of thing you used to see in WW2 POW movies where a couple of flips would hide the escape plans from the guards. Some sort of box with the monitor mounted on the inside of the lid, so it would be facing the user when locked open, and the other three sides would hinge flat onto the surface so the keyboard, mouse and laptop + stand could just be taken out of the box and quickly put in place. Even something less fancy, just a narrow box that would fit a monitor and the other bits would do (w56cm x h40cm x d25cm approx) - but my Google Fu is failing me. Best I could find were bathroom/linen boxes (too small) and narrow planters (too wide or too expensive).

 

Edit: Altering the orientation of the monitor gives a slightly more useful w35cm x h60cm x d25cm approx.

 

Anyone got any ideas, or shall I patent a prototype?

Edited November 21, 2020 by LeMarchand

[Steve21]

Do you mean an actual desk in that sense? Or something that's on the desk? Bit confused as 3 lines of your description I read into it differently.

 

Like one is a box on top that hides it away, but is easily open to be able to use (without moving items), but this would still sit on top of the table

 

The other is one where it flips up "from" the table so it's entirely flat on top when you aren't using it (Like the pop-up desks you get in music suites often)

 

Steve

[LeMarchand]

Sorry, not an actual desk - no room.

 

Ideally something that stores everything, gets put on the dining room table, flips open and everything is pretty much ready to use (as Mme LeMarchand used to be a teacher and is a bit technophobic) and then can get quickly packed away and lifted off the table for hiding out of sight.

 

Otherwise, something of suitable size that's just a storage box. Plenty of boxes available, but they tend to be much bigger in at least one dimension than needed.

[Koldov]

My OH is in the same situation with 2 x 24" monitors, keyboard, mouse, USB C hub and a laptop!!

 

Never looked at anything like this though as I have a full desktop set-up (on an actual desk) in both the living room and my music room - the 'desk' in the living room is a small-ish black faux-antique dressing table though!

 

https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-324206991.aspx?dim1=3&dim2=1&mkwid=s_dc|pcrid|442402191342|pkw||pmt||slid||pgrid|104202832938|ptaid|pla-923914476711|productid|32420699100030001873220&omniturecode=Google-Shopping-PPC-Shopping+Home+%26+Furniture+%3E+Bedroom-Home+%26+Furniture+%3E+Bedroom+%3E+Dressing+Tables&gclid=CjwKCAiA2O39BRBjEiwApB2IkitJm3zPpbY7McxFiJPtDS5KQ3zOgTQ5EKCrpQJ50q9iaEh0mYFqFxoCZDEQAvD_BwE

 

Like that, but without the mirror!

 

I can't imagine anything substantial enough to hide everything inside, but still be small enough to be portable.

 

The only thing I've ever seen is something like the 'Lessonbox' briefcase (holds everything in the picture).

 

https://www.lessonbox.co.uk/

 

Not very practical to do any amount of work at though...

Edited November 23, 2020 by Koldov

[LeMarchand]

I've tried to convince Mme LeMarchand to use my desk (as I'm at work). I could clear the work surface to hold her laptop and put in some splitters etc to make it easy for her to plug in, but she didn't like that idea. (Off topic, her work provided a no-brand USB hub that is fine for USB, but HDMI doesn't work - would've meant only one thing to plug into her laptop if it did!)

 

The other idea we had was an antique style TV cabinet from when they were cupboard like, but they're too big/solid or expensive.

 

I got as far as drawing up a plan, but neither have the time nor skills to construct. I reckon an easier option would be something with a drawer to store laptop, keyboard, mouse/pad (lift out, position and close the drawer that has a lead gap in use) and above it the sort of "cupboard" where the front and sides hinge back, or maybe the top lifts off like a old sewing machine or some flight cases for the monitor. Size wise would be around the size of a medium suitcase. (Though larger and more complex for your 2 monitors).

[SamanthaD]

I think there's some off the shelf products in the entertainment world - my head went to lighting desk flight cases such as this one, but quite pricey!

[LeMarchand]

I think there's some off the shelf products in the entertainment world - my head went to lighting desk flight cases such as this one, but quite pricey!

 

Yeah - for that sort of price we could probably replace the dining room table with a foldable one and put in a wall-mounted type hideaway one. Also, IIRC from my days working in clubs, they're usually a bit heavy for my wife to lift onto the table. Pretty indestructible, though.

[Koldov]

It does look like home space-saving offices haven't come very far to fit into houses that are already furnished, so get designing and cash in!

 

Some good flip/fold desks about, but most seem a bit office/industrial and therefore come with the relevant price tag.

 

Furniture wise something like this (but it's another desk/piece of furniture in the house)!

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redstone-Coffee-Table-Walnut-Storage/dp/B01LVTVLSL/ref=asc_df_B01LVTVLSL/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=226526944970&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8728266047256261639&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006687&hvtargid=pla-421781251568&psc=1

 

Bit shallow to store the monitor in unfortunately (and a bit hazardous as you know it will get smashed at some point lifting it in and out), but along those lines maybe?

 

A monitor lift at the back would be good, if you are ok at DIY (doesn't even need to be motorised - possibly fit some runners that click into place at the top).

 

Actually some good ideas here, some silly or maybe impractical...

 

https://www.millarwest.co.uk/media/tiny-workspace-10-space-saving-desks/

[LeMarchand]

All extra furniture though .

 

Slide together halves might be easier/sturdier than hinges though...

[SamanthaD]

My oddball thinking suddenly came up with a decorated dartboard cabinet - bit too skinny and small for the dimensions you've given though!

[jmak]

I was thinking flight cases too - the kind that takes two 12" decks (old man terminology) came to mind, but I think anything to take that much kit is going to be large, heavy and quite difficult to hide.

 

What about moving all of your stuff out of your office and redecorating to your wife's preferences. It sounds like priorities have changed and she works at home more than you now.

 

She might not want to work in your space, but if it's her space it might be more appealing. And if you're really good, she might let you use it occasionally!

[LeMarchand]

What about moving all of your stuff out of your office and redecorating to your wife's preferences. It sounds like priorities have changed and she works at home more than you now.

 

She might not want to work in your space, but if it's her space it might be more appealing. And if you're really good, she might let you use it occasionally!

 

Office? How much do you think I'm on? I have a computer desk near the stairs in the living room! If I hadn't been working during Lockdown #1 I may have had time to make some space in the garage/future Man Cave, which should also have been cold enough for her.

[LeMarchand]

Revisited this idea again over Easter. this topic was the first result for an image search for

hideaway storage laptop monitor

!

 

Didn't find anything that matched what I was really after but, if anyone is looking for something to stash away such kit, take a look at laundry cabinets/chests/storage. I know I mentioned these in the first post, but some may just be big enough.

 

 

I got one of these for £42 from eBay (search Priano Laundry Cabinet). The monitor does have to be angled diagonally but everything fits in, the box isn't too big and looks OK. Obviously, I saw a similar one that would have been wide enough for the monitor (though maybe not tall enough) in B&M for £35 a couple of days later.

 

I did try to convince Mme LeMarchand to put it on the table and use it as a "standing" laptop stand (she only tends to use that screen for Teams meetings) but that was a change too far.