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There is plenty of space at this workstation for homework and home-office work.
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By Marcia Jedd
A watchful eye for kid's Internet activities and homework supervision drive a trend for locating today's home offices trend in kitchens. "Parents want to monitor kids without having to step away," says Gary Aulik, president of Aulik Companies, a St. Louis Park, Minn.-based design-build firm. "We're putting PC workstations in the most frequently used room in the house: in or near the kitchen."
Multi-tasking is another driver for the return to desk areas among the kitchen counters. "Families want to look up recipes, check e-mail and make appointments, all while cooking," says Marisa Panecki, CKD, an independent kitchen designer based in Newton, N.J. She says that while workstations sell themselves, design issues are important.
She offers a few tips for keeping kitchens as computer-friendly — and user-friendly — as possible:
Design elements. Start by determining electrical wiring needs, including low-voltage wiring, along with the type of equipment, whether laptop, flat panel monitor, CPUs (towers), etc. Panecki advises an absolute minimum width of 24 inches for the desk space; 42 to 48 inches is ideal. "Kids need space to spread out their homework or have friends around the PC." Aulik agrees, adding his firm typically builds 48-inch kitchen workstations.
Location. Placement of the workstation depends on the floor plan and traffic flow. Above all, keep desk areas out of the kitchen work triangle area and away from sources of water and heat. Typical locations include near in-kitchen dining and the dining areas of islands, Panecki says. "In some configurations, you can replace a small desk area by the tall cabinets next to the refrigerator."
Aulik notes that walk-in pantry and closet spaces located off the kitchen make great PC work areas because they can be closed off.
Desks and cabinetry. Underdesk cabinets, often customized, are likely places to store the printer and clunky tower. "Keep towers up underneath the work surface, with proper ventilation," Aulik says. However, he adds, standard desk heights (29 inches and 30 inches) may not allow enough space for a drawer within the desk space. The ability to store desk items, keyboard and mouse is essential to good design. Consider a dedicated slide-out keyboard-drawer or a drawer to stash the keyboard when not in use.
It's critical to hide wires under the desk with wire trenches, hollow plastic channels or customized cabinetry that permits ready access.
Above the work desk, allocate cabinet space to home-office files and supplies, Aulik says. Also add under-cabinet halogen task lighting.
Convertible looks are hot. Panecki says bi-fold doors in an armoire-style cabinet or cabinets mean that equipment can be hidden easily when guests come over.
Distinguish the desk and surfaces from the rest of the kitchen. Aulik says furniture looks such as carved wood looks and claw-footed desks are popular. In lieu of traditional countertops, Aulik builds many workstations with wood surfaces or a wooden frame to set off a glass inset top so families can display photos. "You want it to have a desk feel."
Space-saving technology. Flat-panel monitors and wireless technology help minimize equipment. But even with wireless set ups, used in homes with a few networked PCs or laptops, Panecki says to make considerations for router placement as necessary. High-tech is also good for easy stashing and portability: A recent project by Aulik's firm used a 27-inch flat screen monitor that doubles as a TV.
The convenience of having a computer in the kitchen is important to parents and kids alike. With a little planning, the computer can become as integral and natural to the space as the refrigerator.
Marcia Jedd is a Minneapolis-based freelancer who writes frequently about construction and interior design.
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