Use the cabinets to hide your technology. You can create a cubby for your printer and wireless router to hide in. Just be sure you build power outlets into the back of your cabinets. You’ll want them evenly distributed throughout. This will prevent you from having to run cables from one shelf to another.

2. Lighting Ideas for a Built-In Desk

Having the right lighting is vital to making your desk area a usable space. You’ll want to focus on creating task lighting. This is a bright, direct light that’s focused on where you plan to sit and do work.

You could create this illumination with recessed or track lighting in your ceiling. Or you could mount spot or LED lighting underneath the shelving. For a traditional look and additional light, you can place a tabletop lamp on your desk. Finally, don’t forget the beauty of natural lighting. You could put your desk under or near a window and enjoy the sun’s rays filtering in.

If your desk is a part of a larger shelving or cabinet unit, then add lighting to the rest of the unit. Put this on a separate control from your task lighting. This will allow you to create a visually appealing accent lighting effect. You can turn this lighting on to highlight the rest of the shelves on display and darken your work area by comparison. This will make a beautiful display and enhance a room’s ambiance if your desk is in a commonly used space.

When choosing your light bulbs, stick with energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs. These bulbs use less energy, last longer, and come in a wide range of color temperatures. Choose a light that is labeled white or daylight. It should be between 3500 and 5500 Kelvin. Anything above this and it will be too blue. Anything below this and it will be too yellow. This middle ground is the sweet spot for eye comfort and maximum productivity.