With all the hoopla about the arrival of the new iPhones, I started thinking about the constant use of tech in our homes. Be it a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a desktop computer, we are rarely without some type of internet or computer access. But have you taken a look at many interior shots? How often do you see one of those items, especially in a carefully staged photo? I don’t know about you, but if all of my family is home, in our family room there might be 4 phones, 2 iPads, 3 laptops and a desktop computer down the hall. Thank goodness my sofa has wide flat arms! I’m longing for good ways to handle having all that equipment around the house without it looking like an electronic dumpsite.
One person I know used to keep her iPad in a shelving unit, plugged in and running a slideshow, so it became a photo frame. Another keeps hers on a stand in the kitchen. I tend to carry mine around from place to place, and it always ends up on a counter, table or sofa arm. One of our laptops stays on the ottoman all day long, while I keep mine inside a box on a mid-height shelf when not in use. There are lots of great options for desktop computers and laptops if you have a designated workspace. Any small table will really do. Sometimes the dining room table end becomes the default computer work area. While I was designing a house last week, the idea of a charging area came up. But that assumes you’re willing to park all your handheld devices away for a while. The nightstand that used to house a couple of books and a carafe of water is now comprised of cords and devices that recharge as we sleep.
(above) Corner Desk
Dining Table Desktop + Dedicated Office
Office Desk + Shelving Unit
Do you have any inspiring ways to handle tech clutter?
Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.
3 comments | Click here to reply
I’m so bad with leaving my various apple devices everywhere. As beautiful as a space may be, I don’t think I’d have the discipline to keep my devices where they belong. I guess that’s the beauty portability! Love the images though, the spaces are stunning!!!
Nicki TraikosSo true about the wide arm rests! I don’t know what I’d do without mine!
JanAnd my nightstand is also a charging space because that’s really the only time that I feel like I can set my phone aside.
I love the first space. I need that desk! I don’t have one right now, so my laptop moves from arm rest to dining table (for when things get serious, lol!).
We keep all of the electronics in one place. All the laptops, Iphones and whatever stay at our office. This way we try to keep the electronic clutter to a minimum. I really hate seeing electrical cords everywhere. Now I only have to see them at the office. At night we used to take our Iphones to the bedrooms but starting last week we banned them from our bedroom. No more instagramming in bed.
Angela