If you don’t have a desk facing a wall, the back of your monitor can become a real eyesore. This is very common for folks that have a desk at the center of their room.
Fortunately, this eyesore is pretty easily corrected though through a few methods we’ll cover today.
First, we’ll talk about ways to effectively hide your monitor. Then we’re going to touch on another approach which is how to improve the backside of your desk and monitor altogether!
7 Creative Ways To Hide The Back of Your Monitor
Here’s how you can effectively cover up the back of your computer monitor. The ideas below can be used as heavily or as lightly as you see fit.
Somtimes all you need is to cover up the worst part of the back of your monitor. That alone should be able to make a difference in some cases. This just depends on your setup and your end goals.
Just keep in mind you can be flexible with the recommendations below.
Use a Clamp-on Privacy Panel
If you want a straightforward way to cover up the back of your monitor, consider a simple privacy panel.
These are typically used in office environments as a more collaborative-friendly alternative to cubicles. They are essentially an aesthetically pleasing panel that sits at the back of your desk.
These panels can reduce noise, hide monitors, and enhance privacy, with a clamp-on, height-adjustable design that's easy to set up. They have a high sound absorbency rating and can accommodate desktops up to 1.3" thick.
They can be a functional addition to your workspace too! You can attach notes or calendars to that back surface and they actually cut down on the noise that reaches you.
It’s a pretty plain and simple way to cover the back of your monitor. The panels have brackets that clamp onto your desk.
There are also full-size versions that replicate a cubicle wall if that is something that interests you.
If you don’t like boring colors, you can add your favorite fabric with a more attractive pattern to avoid the corporate office look.
For example, the botanical fabric below would result in a super attractive custom privacy panel.
Plants Can Conceal Monitors & Boost Aesthetics
This next recommendation is a personal favorite. I love a room with a bunch of greenery and nature. That’s why I keep a snake plant on my desk.
Covering the back of your monitor with plants not only hides the monitor but can add a huge boost to your room’s aesthetics. Just one or two plants here can make a big difference.
It could get a little scary watering plants that are right next to your precious computer and electronics though.
I highly recommend getting an indoor watering can. They have long and narrow water spouts so the water can be more targeted.
This way you can point the spout directly into your plant’s soil and avoid any mess. Here’s a good example below.
This 30 oz watering has precise control and is easy to use, with a wooden handle and lightweight design. It's modern design and warm color make it a chic decoration for any interior in your house.
If you don’t want to worry about keeping plants alive, or you are too worried about getting water on your computer, fake or faux plants are a good alternative.
You don’t have to worry about keeping them happy, and they will be green all the same. They may not have the same exact color and texture as real plants, but they will be close enough.
Faux plants are so easy and can be ordered online worry-free. Combine plants with your favorite pots that match your workspace!
These artificial plants look natural and are made of harmless plastic leaves and eco-friendly paper pulp pots. They come in 2 packs and are perfect decoration for any room in your home or office.
Seriously consider covering up the back of your monitor with plants. Real or fake, they will add vibrance to your workspace and cover that monitor up.
You can even just focus on covering the worst part of the back of your computer, such as all the cable connections. This will remove most of the eyesores with the minimum amount of plants.
You will need a bit of desk space behind your monitor if you want to fit larger plants, so keep that in mind.
Add Artwork Behind Your Monitor
Another item that can match your monitor’s size and conceal it well is a nicely framed photo or other artwork. Frames come in a huge variety of sizes which means you can cover as little or as much as you want.
Instead of seeing the ugly backside of your monitor, you get to see some artwork or a favorite photo. Pair a picture with a complimentary frame, and you can hide that monitor very effectively.
This might need a bit more desk space because you have to place the frame somewhere.
Bring the serene outdoors home with this Foggy Forest Wooden Wall Art. Captivating misty forest scenes, crafted in durable rustic frames, add timeless elegance. Multiple sizes available, effortless hanging, and easy maintenance.
Use A Folding Screen as a Monitor Concealer
Folding screens are commonly used for changing areas, decoration, room division, or concealing unsightly areas. That last function is why folding screens make this list, they can cover up the unsightly backside of your monitor.
Many folding screens are tall and can cover up a lot more than just your monitor. That might be a bit more coverage than what you are looking for.
Fortunately for us, short folding screens are very popular! They can be placed on the floor, or on your desk depending on their height.
If you place the folding screen on your desk you want one that is 1 – 2 feet tall. If you place the folding screen on the floor, you will need one 3 – 4 feet tall.
Elevate your space with our elegant Japanese-inspired folding screens. Available in multiple panels and finishes, including honey, natural, and more. Crafted from premium kiln-dried spruce for lasting quality. Effortlessly conceal or decorate your room with versatile 2-way hinges.
Here is a DIY canvas folding screen that you can actually decorate yourself! Give your desk a touch of your own creativity and style while covering up your monitor.
Unleash your creativity with our DIY Blank Canvas Folding Screen! Crafted from durable wood and canvas, this room divider is perfect for artistic expression. Easy setup, flexible double-hinged panels, and lightweight design make it a versatile and functional addition to your space.
Decorate The Back of Your Monitor
If you love a good DIY project, hiding the back of your monitor could be a great opportunity. In the example below, they gave a window shutter a rustic paint job and added a handmade wreath as the centerpiece!
This is a creative way this user hid the backside of their computer monitor. Think about some extra panels you have around your house or stuffed in the garage.
You might be able to re-purpose it and have a completely custom monitor hiding solution! This is where your desk setup can become truly one of a kind.
Add a Bookshelf That Compliments Your Desk
If you have some room for an additional piece of furniture, a medium-height bookshelf can be a great way to cover up the back of your monitor.
Because we are adding furniture, we have to make sure it compliments our desk. That means matching the colors, styles, or sizes so the two pieces fit together naturally.
Efficiently display and organize items with this 8-Cube Bookcase featuring various-sized cubes. This versatile 3-tier cabinet complements multiple spaces, showcasing modern style. Sturdy build, non-slip feet protect floors, and assembly is straightforward. Simplify maintenance with a smooth surface, elevating both functionality and aesthetics.
If you don’t want to add a whole other piece of furniture, consider moving your monitor forward, and adding a desktop bookshelf instead. Here’s an example of a bookshelf that sits on your desk.
Upgrade your organization with the versatile WPC Desktop Organizer. Adjustable dimensions accommodate various items. Easy assembly, multiple designs for neat desks. Precise cuts and integrated design enhance aesthetics while providing ample storage space for a range of items.
Add a couple of books on this desk shelf, and you have a cost-effective way to cover the back of your monitor.
Rearrange Furniture for a Natural Visual Barrier
If you have other furniture in your home office, you might be able to conceal the back of your monitor by just rearranging your furniture.
You might already have a midsized bookshelf that could be placed on the front side of your desk. It just has to be a piece of furniture that compliments your desk at is a bit taller than your desk to cover up the worst part of the monitor.
This could be a couch, a dresser, a credenza, etc. If you have furniture that fits the description, this is a simple zero-cost way to hide the back of your monitor.
Improve the Back Of Your Computer Monitor & Desk
What if instead of hiding the back of your computer monitor, we instead just make it look cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing?
There might be other reasons why you feel like you need to cover up the backside of your computer monitor. We can improve the way the back of your monitor looks without necessarily covering it up.
Clean Up Wiring
First and foremost, tidying up the cables behind your monitor can make a huge improvement. This is one of the major reasons people want to cover up the back of their monitor.
We have a dedicated article on how to hide monitor cables. Here’s what the back of my monitor looks like after I manage all the cables:
Today’s monitors have display cables, power cables, USB cables, and sometimes even audio cables. It looks very busy if you let them all just hang there.
As you can see from the image above, I use split cable sleeving to group all of my monitor’s cables into a nice thick braided sleeve. These collect all of the cables that come out of my monitor and keep them in one tidy bunch with a much more attractive cover.
This black wire loom is split and easy to load wires. They come in a large range of diameters and lengths depending on how many cables you need to manage. It groups your individual cables and wraps them in this aesthetically pleasing mesh wrap.
Grouping those cables and organizing them into a single bunch can make the back of your monitor much more bearable to look at.
Check out more cable management tips in our dedicated articles below:
Minimize & Organize Your Desk
When you see the back side of your desk, you don’t just see a monitor. You also see all the little things on your desk if you have clutter.
Improving the look of your desk from behind can actually involve keeping your desk very organized altogether. I also recommend minimizing what you have on your desk.
Check out our ultimate guide to minimal desk setups. Here we cover how you can just stick to the bare minimum which gives you an unbeatable and clean desk setup.
Here’s what my desk looked like at the peak of my minimal desk setup. You can imagine the back of this desk setup is not going to be nearly as busy as other desks.
Get An Aftermarket Monitor Mount
Most factory monitor mounts that come with your monitor are fine, but they don’t usually put a ton of effort into making the back look attractive. I don’t blame them, that side of the monitor is usually against a wall for most desks.
If you like a specific monitor, you are pretty much stuck with what the back side looks like. However, we can improve what the stand itself looks like. Also, aftermarket monitor arms have a ton of benefits.
I’ve always used one, take a look at my monitor mounts below I’ve used for two different monitors. You can instantly tell they are not using the factory monitor stand.
Swapping the monitor stand for aesthetics is more effective if your monitor has VESA mounting holes. This is basically a square pattern of threaded screw holes behind your monitor. Usually spaced 75 mm or 100mm apart.
If your monitor doesn’t have VESA mounting holes, check out our article on how to mount a monitor that doesn’t have VESA holes.
Once you know that your monitor is VESA compatible, browse Amazon for some affordable aftermarket monitor mounts. A lot of these mounts also have cable management solutions built in.
Ergotron is the go-to monitor mount for those with expensive monitors or anyone who wants the best monitor mount money can buy. This mount fits single screens up to 34 inches diagonal and between 7 to 25 pounds.
- Comes in three colors to match your workspace
- Clamps desks up to 2.4 inches thick
- Can be used with LX Extension for more reach
- Expensive
If you combine the cable management of a dedicated monitor mount with the sleeves that we talked about before, the back of your monitor will look better than 90% of the monitor backs out there.
If your monitor stand is part of the aesthetic issue, definitely consider changing your monitor stand to a desk clamping monitor arm.
Blend Your Monitor In
This last method is a little bit wild. It involves actually painting the back panel of your monitor to match your workspace and have it blend in!
The color of your monitor can do a lot to the aesthetics of your setup. Especially the back of the monitor where you usually have a huge panel of solid color.
The most affordable way to make your monitor blend in with the surroundings is to actually remove the back plastic panel of your monitor and paint it the desired color. It’s a pretty intensive process that requires you to disassemble your monitor so you can remove the back panel.
I would not recommend this method if you are not great with electronic device disassembly, or if your monitor is still within the warranty period. This could void the warranty.
Here is a great step-by-step process by Linus Tech Tips! He covers pretty much everything you need to know.
Use a Monitor With An Attractive Backside
The most expensive solution to this problem is to buy a new monitor that actually has a backside that looks good and matches your workspace. The cost of this option is pretty high, which is why it’s last on our list.
Check out the monitors below that have great-looking backsides.
Not a bad alternative to trying to manually hide the back of a monitor.