How to Use a Hoosier Cabinet As a Computer Desk

Hoosier cabinets were prevalent in the 1900s through 1930s before built-in kitchen cabinets became widely used in American homes. The cabinet is full of different compartments and drawers, and many have a slide-out shelf to provide an extra work surface in the kitchen area. It is not difficult to transform this type of handy cabinet into a computer desk using the correct tools.

Power drill with a wood auger bit or hole saw
Hand-held vacuum or vacuum cleaner with attachments
Power strip

Instructions

- 1
  Pick the areas for the different parts of your computer system. For instance, the modem should fit in a bottom cabinet for quick access. Doing this before installing the system allows you to drill the holes. This is necessary to allow the wiring to slide back behind the Hoosier cabinet.
- 2
  Attach a wood auger bit or wood saw to your power drill. Depending on the size of your wires, use a bit or hole saw that cuts a hole no larger than 3 inches in diameter. Cut the holes in any areas that require electrical cords to go through the back of the Hoosier cabinet. Ideally, the holes should be near the base of each compartment to hide the holes with the equipment.
- 3
  Clean up the sawdust with a hand-held vacuum or a vacuum cleaner with attachments.
- 4
  Position the computer equipment in convenient areas. Place the computer screen and keyboard in the main compartment of the Hoosier cabinet. If it has a slide-out shelf you can put the keyboard on it while working. Depending on how often you use the printer, place it in a compartment where it can be reached quickly and that allows you to refill the paper or open the lid when necessary.
- 5
  Push all the electrical cords through the holes you cut. Plug the cords into a power strip.

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