Though we love our computers in today’s world, not all of us like the look of a bulky computer tower. Hiding your computer tower can give you back more desk space and improve the look of your workspace overall.
There are more reasons to hide your desktop tower than just looks. Even in the case of a break-in, hiding your valuable computer can mean seeing it another day. It’s a little darker of a perspective, but hey, it has the aesthetic benefits too!
For whichever reason you are trying to hide your computer tower, we are going to cover 7 ways you can keep it out of sight. If you’re a laptop user, we have a dedicated article on hiding laptops as well.
Here are the before and after images of me hiding my computer tower.
Things To Keep In Mind
There are a few things you need to keep in mind before hiding your computer. We all want our computers to still be fully functional!
Make sure you are thinking of the following as you decide where to hide your computer tower.
Ventilation
Computers can generate a lot of heat, especially under high workloads. One of the best ways to take care of a computer is to give it good ventilation.
If you want to maximize your computer’s performance, providing good ventilation is especially important. Computer towers have fans that force cool air into your computer and exhaust the hot air through perforated panels.
Blocking the intake fans or the perforated panels can impact your computer’s performance. Place your computer tower somewhere where the inlets and exhausts are not blocked.
Port Access
Though we are hiding our computers, we will still want some access. Try to keep your computer somewhere that is easy to access.
I always need to plug in the occasional flash drive, external hard drive, and even headphones. Not to mention we need access to the power button itself!
If you want some ports to be conveniently at your desk, I would highly recommend a USB hub or a docking station that is compatible with your computer.
That way, you can have a hub of common ports right at your desk even though your computer tower is hidden.
This Thunderbolt 3 dock offers big port expansion with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, 2 USB-C ports, 4 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, SD/microSD card slots, and a 3.5 mm AUX port. It provides unparalleled charging options and supports dual displays with high resolutions.
Here is an article by PC Mag on how to choose the right docking station.
This USB 3.0 to HDMI dual monitor docking station is ideal for laptops, turning a single port into 2 HDMI and 3 USB 2.0 ports. It allows you to extend your laptop display to multiple monitors with a clean single cable connection.
Cable Access
When hiding a computer, we still need to be able to route cables. This includes display cables, speaker cables, power cables, and so on.
I highly recommend using a wireless keyboard and mouse to minimize the wires that you need to route.
Keep in mind that you will need room for those cables to route to their destinations. If you want to route cables very cleanly, check out our article on pro cable management tips.
Maintenance Access
If you care about computer longevity, make sure you can easily access your computer for the occasional cleaning.
HP recommends cleaning your computer once a year. If you need help, here is HP’s guide on how to clean your computer.
The occasional cleaning will keep your computer running fast for longer. The longer your computer lasts the less you will spend on computers in the long run!
So when hiding your computer, don’t bury it in the wall or the floor. Avoid keeping it anywhere that’s hard to occasionally access for an annual cleaning.
How To Hide Your Computer Tower
Now that we got all that out of the way, we are ready to hide our computer tower! Here are seven ways you can keep your computer out of sight.
1) Use Under Desk PC Mounts
First up, we have under-desk mounts. This does not entirely hide your PC but it definitely gets it out of the way. It is essentially hidden when you are working at your desk.
You do have to screw this mount into your desk. You don’t want your precious computer hanging off of some double-sided tape.
It is also safer than placing your computer on top of your desk. If you bump your desk or if there is an earthquake, your computer will be held securely in place. We touch on this method in our article on how to secure your PC on your desk.
- Supports up to 22 lbs.
- Swivels for easy backside port access
- PC width range: 3.5 to 7.8 inches
- PC height range: 11.5 to 20.5 inches
- Does not support small form factor computers
- PC can interfere with standing desk frame
Most of these desk mounts have an adaptable size so they fit a large variety of computer tower sizes. Before you buy, measure your computer tower and ensure it meets the size range.
I’ve used the above mount and installed it onto my new FlexiSpot standing desk. My computer ended up colliding with the standing desk frame, so it wasn’t a good fit.
If you have a small form factor (SFF) PC tower, most of the general computer mounts won’t fit your PC. There are other options specifically for you, like the product below.
This adjustable under-desk computer mount bracket fits most small form factor PCs and devices with a width from 1.75" to 8" and a perimeter between 24" and 48". It supports PCs with two sets of straps and includes rubber padding to prevent scratches on your device's exterior.
2) Hide Computer Behind Desk Drawers
If your desk has a cabinet or a set of drawers, you might be able to find some room behind them. This is exactly what I did to hide my computer under my ALEX drawer desk.
You will need a desk that has some space between the wall, or at least a table top that has a gap from the wall.
This is where we literally hide our computer tower. When you have your PC obscured behind your desk features, it is completely out of sight.
It’s not a great idea to leave a computer directly on the floor. You can use the under-table mount we talked about earlier so it is elevated, or you can use the simple PC stand that I personally used below.
This durable metal shelf raises devices by 3.9, 4.7, or 5.5 inches off your desk or floor. It has a maximum support weight of up to 44 lbs, features anti-skid rubber pads, and prevents overheating with vented holes.
3) Place PC Inside of a Computer Tower Cabinet
Do you have room inside one of your computer desk compartments?
Most drawers will be too small unless you have a small computer tower. Drawers also may not be a well-ventilated area unless you make some modifications. Like drilling a bunch of vent holes.
Cabinets under your desk are a great option on the other hand. Many computer desks have a tall cabinet on one side specifically for storing a computer tower.
This versatile desk is made of MDF with a gray finish and features two storage drawers and one hanging file cabinet. It also includes a side CPU/storage cabinet with a removable shelf providing versatile storage options while keeping your computer hidden.
Cabinets are also pretty roomy which means airflow will not be a huge issue. You will still want ventilation to dispose of the hot air.
If you do find heat being an issue in a cabinet and don’t want to make some holes in the cabinet wall, simply open the cabinet.
It doesn’t have to be open at all times. Only when you are doing that heavy lifting on the computer.
This desk linked above is a great example of a desk with a cabinet. It has a shelf that is removable and an open-back design for great ventilation!
4) Use Dedicated PC Tower Furniture
If your desk doesn’t have a cabinet but you have room for a small piece of furniture, it’s worth considering a dedicated cabinet.
This is a great way to conceal a computer. You can be sneaky and hide your PC in a cabinet that is not made for computer towers. Nobody would suspect a computer lives in there at all.
With this option, you can add a very attractive piece of furniture to your room.
Take the item above for example. This is a cabinet that is large enough for a full-size computer.
A computer would not take up the entire space, so you would be able to add even more items here. Perhaps all computer-related items so you have a dedicated computer cabinet!
You would just have to make a small hole in the backside of this cabinet to allow cables to pass through. The backboard on these cabinets is very thin, so that is a pretty easy job.
Another piece of furniture that you can add to keep your PC off of your desk is a dedicated computer tower stand. These are great because you get a usable shelf on top of your computer.
This Height Adjustable Tower Stand is a multi-functional, sturdy design with a 2-tier structure. It has a manual height adjustment range from 23 1/4'' to 33 1/4'' and can support most computer cases on the market. The bottom shelf stores the PC tower, while the top shelf holds printers, plants, documents, and more.
5) Place on or Within Neighboring Furniture
Do you have any neighboring furniture that can hold a computer? Neighboring furniture can be a great option to hide your computer amongst other things.
Because I recently switched to a standing desk, I am too nervous to keep my PC on the floor. The cables can snag when I put the desk in the standing position.
Instead, I placed my computer next to my desk on top of my 3D printer! I still get all the desk space, and my computer is out of my view.
6) Use a Hidden Storage Box
If you want to hide your computer the same way James Bond would, we have an option for you.
Behold, the hidden storage book box!
![Covogoods CovoBox v2 Hidden Storage Secret Book Box Electronics Hider | Hide Router, Cable, Modem, Cords, Plugs, Outlets, Money, Docs, Jewelry | Made with Real Used Hardcover Books [Tops ON]](https://theworkspacehero.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/511KbsmuL0L._SL500_.webp)
This is a wood fixture surrounded by facades of books. On the front you have faux book spines, at the top, you have continued book tops, and book covers on either side.
This is a legit hiding fixture! It is also custom-made to the dimensions you require. Coming in at under $60, this is actually a great deal for a custom concealing solution.
This has an open back so you can have all your cables routed very easily and ventilation will be no problem.
7) Place In Next Room Over
If you really want that computer out of sight, you can literally put it in another room.
This solution is a little outrageous, but people definitely do it. The only wire you need to route to your desk is your display cord.
A wireless mouse and keyboard would be necessary here, and you probably should test the connection quality from a distance before trying this.
The MK345 keyboard and mouse combo features a full-size keyboard layout with a generous palm rest, spill-resistant design, and easy-access media keys, as well as a comfortable right-handed mouse. Its 2.4 GHz wireless connection provides reliable and fast connectivity up to 33 ft away. Additionally, the combo has an extended battery life of up to 3 years for the keyboard and 18 months for the mouse.
Wireless connections suffer between walls. You can however get a little USB extension cable for your wireless adapter if that is the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put A Computer Tower In A Cabinet?
I only recommend people place their computer tower in a cabinet if the cabinet has access to fresh air. If your cabinet is completely enclosed, your computer won’t be able to take cool air in, and it won’t have a place to exhaust the hot air.
If you want to place your computer in a cabinet, provide it with some ventilation. You can do this by removing the backboard of the cabinet.
When you give your PC access to fresh air, it won’t choke on its own hot exhaust. The result will be a happy computer that runs well.
Can You Put A Computer Tower On Its Side?
The only reason you should not place a computer on its side is if you block a ventilated side panel. If your computer has a perforated side panel, it is there to help ventilate your PC.
Blocking a venting panel could result in reduced performance and overheating of your computer.
If you have a solid side panel on your computer with no air access, you will likely be fine placing your PC on its side.
Before You Go
If you’re wondering why you shouldn’t keep your PC on the floor, check out this video by Paul’s Hardware:
Now that you have your computer tower hidden away, let’s talk about how you can hide the back of your computer monitor for those central desk setups.
If you are wondering where you should keep your PC in the first place, check out our full guide on PC placement ideas.
