Small ideas to reclaim your desk space

We haven't just been imagining it - as far as technology goes, everything is getting smaller. The cutting-edge products on the market today, from mobile phones to Tablet PCs, are more compact and bijou than ever before.

Unfortunately, not all of us can afford to splash out on a tiny Tablet PC but this doesn't mean you have to settle for big, bulky products instead.

There are plenty of other ways to stop your PC paraphernalia taking up the last few inches of desk space. Here are some ways you can clear the clutter from your home office.

All-in-one solutions
Multifunction devices are a great way to simplify your life. Most models incorporate printing, scanning, copying and often fax functions into one device, saving you heaps of room.

When they first appeared on the market, multifunction devices were bulky, ugly affairs but even this was better than having three separate products taking over your desk.

More recently, manufacturers have responded to the increasing demand for compact and stylish models by producing multifunction devices that actually look good too.

The Lexmark X6150 is a good example of this with its trim size and sleek black finish. There are plenty to choose from.

All-in-one products might seem pricey, but you have to remember that buying a separate scanner, printer and copier would set you back a lot more.

Some multifunction devices offer additional frills too, such as memory card readers and screens in the control panel so you can manage your print jobs on the unit itself rather than through your PC.

Scaled down
If you don't need a scanner or fax machine and just have a bulky printer to contend with, why not try a smaller model?

The new Brother M-Print micro printer is the same size as a hardback book. It's not cheap at £250 but as it's compact and lightweight, it's easy to carry around and store away when not in use. The BJ-i70 from Canon offers similar features at a cheaper price.

If portable models are beyond your budget, there are still plenty of compact inkjet printers to choose from. A good example is the HP Photosmart 7260. At £89, it will help save you space without breaking the bank.

Computer furniture
If your home office is small or you have your computer tucked away in a corner of the living room or bedroom, there is a range of specialised computer furniture that helps you make the most of the space around you.

An American company called Microsphere has designed an advanced futuristic-looking computer workstation called the M1.

The M1 places you at the centre of an adjustable ergonomic space fitted to your personal requirements. It takes into account factors such as the position of your chair, monitor stand and keyboard area.

Set-ups like this can be expensive but there are always cheaper alternatives. Many suppliers of office furniture also design furniture for use specifically with a PC.

Suppliers such as Home Office Furniture, PC World and PC Table offer a good selection of space-saving workstations, which house all your peripherals in allocated areas to keep your main desk clutter-free.

Keyboards and mice
There are some peripherals you can't do without but just because they are essential, it doesn't mean you have to stick to traditional designs.

You might not think keyboards and mice can improve your working environment, but even these basic products are available in sleek designs with some fancy features.

Wireless keyboards and mice are a great way to banish messy cabling from your desk and will give you more freedom of movement at your workstation.

Some of the keyboards in Microsoft's latest range feature a scroll wheel, which means you won't need a separate mouse at all.

The Dinovo from Logitech is also impressive. It features built-in Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and a slim design, and the number section of the keyboard comes as a separate unit that you can put away when not in use.

Monitors
The most obvious way to save space with your monitor is to opt for a TFT model instead of a hefty, traditional CRT screen. TFT monitors are exceptionally slim and lightweight compared with CRT units and the space you will free up on your desk can be used for other peripherals.

TFT monitors are also a good option if you want to use two screens, as you can easily sit your second screen alongside your old monitor.

The bad news is that TFTs can much more expensive than a CRT monitor. The good news, though, is that they have come down in price considerably and are much more affordable than they once were.

To see what you can get for your money, refer to our TFT round-up. It might take some getting used to but if you are really struggling for space, mounting your screen on the wall can help you reclaim lots of room.

If you are considering this, make sure you buy a wall-mountable monitor. Some come with optional screws and brackets; just check before you buy.

PC towers
PCs today are not just getting faster and more powerful, they are also becoming more compact.

Manufacturers are increasingly churning out PC towers with svelte dimensions and stylish designs, but in most cases you will need to sacrifice a few upgrade options for a smaller system, so you need to weigh up what's important.

As well as saving space, small-form-factor PCs often feature innovative designs and with more and more PCs moving out of the home office and into the living room, this can be important.

Speakers
If you want to free up space with your speaker set-up, you first need to give some thought to what you use your sound system for. If you only need sound for office applications, lots of monitors come with built-in speakers so you won't need separate components at all.

If you do want to have a separate set of speakers, a set with a slim design will mean they take up hardly any space at all.

Creative's I-Trigue speakers have skinny satellite speakers and cost £130. Philips also has an Acoustic range of surround sound speakers with a stylishly thin design, priced between £60 and £180.

If you really want to go to town, Mission specialises in sleek home entertainment speakers that can be used with your PC, but they don't come cheap with some models costing up to £500. If you use your PC for games, music or films and enjoy surround sound, wall-mounting your satellite speakers is a good way to get the best of both worlds.

Lots of models come with the attachments necessary for this and as long as you don't need to move them in a hurry, it will mean you can get them off your desk completely.

Change for the better
Opting for a few well-designed peripherals can change not just the look of your office but the efficiency of your work too. Hopefully we have given you the impetus to rethink your home/office products and breathe a new lease of life into your working environment.

CONTACTS
Brother, 0870 830 5000
www.brother.co.uk

Canon, 0800 616 417
www.canon.co.uk

Creative, No UK number
www.creative.com

Home Office Furniture, 0800 389 5075
www.home-office-furniture.co.uk

Lexmark, 0870 444 0044
www.lexmark.co.uk

Logitech, 020 7309 0127
www.logitech.com

Microsoft, 0870 601 0100
www.microsoft.com

Microsphere, No UK number
www.microsphere.com

Mission, 01480 423 700
www.mission.co.uk

PC Table, 0800 622 489
www.pctable.com

PC World, 0845 601 4901
www.pcworld.co.uk

Philips, 0870 900 9070
www.philips.co.uk