How do I hide my wall-mounted computer display?
April 14, 2024 9:39 AM Subscribe
I'm in a small apartment and want to combine my dining table and work space together in the living room. Need some help on hiding the computer display when not in-use.
I'd like the table easily clear when not working, the idea is to have the display on a moveable arm mounted to the wall. Seems a compromise to have a easily cleared table, and an ergonomic display.
The question is - once it's mounted on is there an easy / nice way to hide it. The simplest idea is to have a cabinet over it like this or this but these are too shallow, the depth of the monitor, with the arm even when folded in is "deeper" than these cabinets. Seeing some other ideas here but all seem like very custom solutions. Not opposed to spending a bit of money to make this work but it's a rental. So I guess question is if this plan makes sense, any other suggestions, or actual products to buy to hide this. I haven't mounted the display yet so open to other approaches.
I'd like the table easily clear when not working, the idea is to have the display on a moveable arm mounted to the wall. Seems a compromise to have a easily cleared table, and an ergonomic display.
The question is - once it's mounted on is there an easy / nice way to hide it. The simplest idea is to have a cabinet over it like this or this but these are too shallow, the depth of the monitor, with the arm even when folded in is "deeper" than these cabinets. Seeing some other ideas here but all seem like very custom solutions. Not opposed to spending a bit of money to make this work but it's a rental. So I guess question is if this plan makes sense, any other suggestions, or actual products to buy to hide this. I haven't mounted the display yet so open to other approaches.
The easiest thing might be a decorative monitor dust cover. I bet you could get someone on Etsy to make a custom one.
Something like these.
Here’s a really expensive cover on a motorized roller.
posted by Kriesa at 10:03 AM on April 14, 2024 [2 favorites]
Something like these.
Here’s a really expensive cover on a motorized roller.
posted by Kriesa at 10:03 AM on April 14, 2024 [2 favorites]
Kriesa has it. Depending on your style, you could use a velvet curtain or a colorful oilcloth or a very light folksy quilt to drape over what you need to hide. Think about how horror movies always show the dust covers on furniture, or a bird cage cover, and adjust for something that will cover the work stuff.
You might even put a hook in the ceiling and fashion something like a round mosquito net so you could gather the fabric underneath and tie it with a bow, or a latigo strap, or whatever best matches the fabric choice. (I understand it's against the wall so you cannot encircle the whole thing, should work, though.)
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:11 AM on April 14, 2024
You might even put a hook in the ceiling and fashion something like a round mosquito net so you could gather the fabric underneath and tie it with a bow, or a latigo strap, or whatever best matches the fabric choice. (I understand it's against the wall so you cannot encircle the whole thing, should work, though.)
posted by Lesser Shrew at 10:11 AM on April 14, 2024
Or, use the monitor on a stand, build a deep shelf under the table, put it on the shelf when not in use, covered with a piece of nice fabric.
posted by theora55 at 10:21 AM on April 14, 2024
posted by theora55 at 10:21 AM on April 14, 2024
Is there an option to just have a really great screen saver so that it functions as an art when it is not in use? Or a rotating photo display? I suppose it would need to be connected to a computer to drive it - I have not idea if this would be fun use for something like raspberry pi?
posted by metahawk at 11:12 AM on April 14, 2024 [4 favorites]
posted by metahawk at 11:12 AM on April 14, 2024 [4 favorites]
Best answer: The simplest would be to hang a curtain rod on the wall. There are ones with different depths from the wall. This IKEA one with brackets extends farther out and is adjustable. I’d install it at the height of nearby doorways or windows to look more intentional and make it wider so that whatever curtain or wall hanging you use can be easily pushed to the side. I’d say curtains because those are already split down the middle, and floor length.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:14 AM on April 14, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:14 AM on April 14, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You need a deeper cabinet. Maybe find a small pre-built kitchen or bathroom cabinet of the appropriate size and depth and remove the back, so that you just have the shell and the doors. Search Ikea, Home Depot, your local kitchen cabinet shop for small wall cabinets.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:20 PM on April 14, 2024
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:20 PM on April 14, 2024
Best answer: The West Elm cabinet in your second link is 60"w x 7"d x 35"h; how far does your proposed setup protrude from the wall, and what size is your monitor? Maybe a stock cabinet sans shelves has the right dimensions.
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:28 PM on April 14, 2024
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:28 PM on April 14, 2024
I'm in favour of a fishtank screensaver or similar myself, but have you considered an artful tapestry or painting you can hook over it?
posted by gible at 7:33 PM on April 14, 2024
posted by gible at 7:33 PM on April 14, 2024
Best answer: An over toilet cabinet may work, depending on the width of the screen. If you need it deeper than that, then a kitchen cabinet.
posted by kjs4 at 7:53 PM on April 14, 2024
posted by kjs4 at 7:53 PM on April 14, 2024
What’s your budget?
https://ca.transformertable.com/products/transformer-x-stella-artois-table-desk
posted by zdravo at 12:07 AM on April 15, 2024 [3 favorites]
https://ca.transformertable.com/products/transformer-x-stella-artois-table-desk
posted by zdravo at 12:07 AM on April 15, 2024 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: I saw that Transformer table but looking at the angles the monitor is fixed lower than ideal height and I spend a lot of time on the display and want an ergonomic setup.
It's between 2 windows so I think the curtain idea is great as a start, and long term I'll look to find other normal cabinets that can be easily shelf-removed and put into place. Thanks so much, would've never thought of any of this.
posted by artificialard at 7:47 PM on April 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
It's between 2 windows so I think the curtain idea is great as a start, and long term I'll look to find other normal cabinets that can be easily shelf-removed and put into place. Thanks so much, would've never thought of any of this.
posted by artificialard at 7:47 PM on April 19, 2024 [1 favorite]
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this TV mount.
posted by agentofselection at 10:03 AM on April 14, 2024