Computer Armoire Styles

Buying a Computer Armoire for your Home

Like televisions, computers can be intrusive by creating a sense of clutter with all of their different components and wires. Particularly when it’s necessary to put one in a bedroom, living room or family room, a computer armoire will conveniently hide everything out of sight, while maintaining the existing decorative flow of the room. Computer armoires are also a compact, space-saving way to create a convenient work space when you can’t dedicate a whole room to a home office. They range in price and style from the economical like a Sauder computer armoire to the high-end American Drew computer armoire. To decide which one is right for your home, here are a few tips.

Size and Location of your Computer Armoire Computer armoires add organization and functionality to almost any room in your home. Decide where the armoire will go. Once you know in which room the wooden computer armoire is going, measure the area. Because computer armoires are available in such a wide range of sizes, you want to be sure that it will fit the intended space. Who is the computer armoire for? If you are buying a computer armoire for a child’s room it will typically be smaller in size and require different features than one that is to be used in a family room or guest bedroom. Don’t have much space to work with? Consider purchasing a corner computer armoire. Most types of computer armoires will comfortably accommodate monitors up to 30 inches.

Common Computer Armoire Features

Designed to house all things computer related, computer armoires typically include a number of features meant to increase its style and functionality. Before making a final purchase, consider what features you would like your new computer armoire to have. Since computer armoires are available in a variety of configurations, make sure you find the one that will perfectly fill all of your requirements.

The most common features of a Kathy Ireland computer armoire or a Sauder computer armoire are a pull-out keyboard tray, adjustable shelving and compartments for the CPU, printer and monitor.

Many types of computer armoires might incorporate organizational elements such as cubbies, a CD holder or a cork/white board.

A computer armoire should include some kind of wire management system so that you can leave everything plugged in when you close the doors.

What kind of drawers do you want your computer armoire to have? For the most versatility, look for one that has a combination of drawer types such as file, pencil and/or multipurpose drawers.

Check the manufacturer’s product information to ensure that the doors will open to 270 degrees, so they won’t be in the way whey you’re working at the computer.

Computer Armoire Design

If you enjoy the look of furniture that is impressive in scale, has a formal appearance and possesses intricate, decorative detail, then a traditional style cherry computer armoire will probably be appealing to you. There are many different traditional sub styles, typically named for the historical periods from which they emerged.

If you like the idea of traditional furniture but not the busy decorative detail, transitional style might interest you. While lines and profiles are more linear and geometric, they are softened and given distinction with decoration that emulates traditional style but is simpler in design and less ornate. Transitional style armoires, like a Home Styles computer armoire, are typically made of wood, with medium to dark finishes that are generally smooth or lustrous rather than distressed.

Merging the bare essential feel of modern with the warmth of traditional, contemporary style tends to have geometric profiles, rectilinear shapes and angular lines softened by rounded corners, emphasizing function and comfort. Contemporary style computer armoires are typically made from lighter woods, with smooth or textured finishes.

Country style computer armoires can share many of the same decorative details as traditional style furniture, but design and decoration are not as formal. Country computer armoires are characterized by a homey feel and appearance created by softly curved lines, milk-painted or whitewashed finishes in pastel or primary colors, warm wood finishes such as oak, maple or pine and decorative detail with a lighter touch.

Computer Armoire Styles Not sure what style of computer armoire will work well with your existing décor? To avoid purchasing an armoire that won’t match your current furnishings, here’s a quick decorating tip to keep in mind. Select a computer armoire in a light to medium finish for a contemporary look but one with a dark lustrous finish for a more traditional feel. A traditional style computer armoire has a stately and graceful appearance that is timeless. Traditional furniture is typically made of wood. Common characteristics of traditional computer armoires and home office armoires are crown molding, scroll, acanthus leaf and shell motifs, rich finishes that can be satin or distressed and intricately carved, decorative accents.   Contemporary style computer armoires emphasize form and function. While they can include decorative detail, it is pared down and kept to a minimum. Contemporary style computer armoires can be visually interesting with their use of different textures like leather, wood and metal hardware, in the same furniture piece. Lines are straight and clean, use of geometric shape is common and edges are sharp.

Country style computer armoires are charming, rustic or casually sophisticated. Decorative detail can include beadboard insets, distressed finishes, scalloped aprons and skirts, turned legs and simple hardware, especially round drawer pulls made of wood. While country style uses many traditional style decorative accents such as moldings, scrolls and motifs, lines and curves are relaxed, resulting in furniture that is casual, unpretentious and inviting.

A Mission style computer armoire possesses an ageless simplicity. Profiles are angular, lines clean and straight and decorative detail is very simple with no carved, embossed or engraved elements. Because Mission and Shaker styles resemble each other so closely, they are often used interchangeably, even thoughMission emerged around the early 1900s while Shaker first appeared during the 1700s. The most distinguishing feature of Mission style is its slatted wood detailing paired with a warm wood finish.

It could be said of transitional style that it is traditional style simplified. It is blend of both traditional and contemporary designs and decorative elements. A transitional computer armoire has refined decoration, softly flowing lines and tapered table edges and legs. A popular finish for transitional furniture is espresso, while maple, mahogany and walnut are commonly used woods. Cymax has a great selection of computer armoires for every space.