3 Things that Immediately Elevate Your Desk Setup

Guest Post Writer: Harrison Niap

When you start your quest for crafting the most productive desk setup, it quickly becomes an overwhelming endeavour — that is, if you don’t have a direction on how to start. 

Full breakdown at the bottom of the article.

Dive into this guide to as a first step towards elevating your desk setup into a haven of focus and productivity!

1. Embrace the Greenery — Real or Fake

Plants are a great way to make your space feel more organic and promote focus and productivity naturally. Imagine the serene backdrop of your home office adorned with the gentle presence of nature — how tranquil is it?

While real plants contribute to improved air quality and a connection to nature, high-quality fake plants have their own set of perks. They require minimal maintenance, are allergy-friendly, and offer a timeless green aesthetic without the need for a green thumb.

IKEA Fejkas are really popular desk setup staples that wouldn’t break the bank. Larger fake plants can be found on most e-commerce sites.

2. Set the Mood with Ambient Lighting

In the world of desk setups, lighting is a game-changer. 

Warm, soft glows create a cozy evening atmosphere, while cool hues infuse focus into your workspace. Beyond aesthetics, well-planned lighting can contribute to reducing eye strain and enhancing visual comfort, making your home office both visually appealing and health-conscious.

Monitor light bars like Minimal Desk Setup’s Light Bar Pro help reduce eye strain while you look at your monitor in a dimmer setting. RGB light strips, which are usually used to wrap around the back of a desk or behind monitors, are a popular choice for desk setup enthusiasts. You can also opt for desk lamps like the IKEA Tertial —and there are tons of unique designs out there— to help bring some extra lighting to the space.

In this setup, the industrial desk lamp with an exposed Edison bulb brings a unique touch to the ambience of the space.

3. Tame the Tangle – Master Cable Management

Enter the practical realm of desk setups – cable management. A well-organized setup not only enhances the visual appeal of your home office but also contributes to a clutter-free and stress-free work environment — and it transforms your desk into a sleek and organized workspace that can foster the most productive version of yourself.

Imagine a workspace where you can seamlessly focus on your tasks without the distraction of messy cables — that’s a dream come true, right?

Cable management always seem daunting at first, but take it one cable at a time and you will have a neat space in no time. The most common solution would be a cable management tray —like the IKEA Signum— installed underneath your table. Cable ties with stickers can direct your cables and help keep them hidden from plain sight. 

About me and my desk setup

Hello! My name is Harrison, a UIUX Designer working remotely from home, and a part-time desk setup creator on Instagram. 

My desk setup is four years in the making, and in that time, I’ve managed to come across many creators and new friends in the space — such as the lovely folks at Minimal Desk Setups! 

You can find my gear below. If you enjoy building your desk setup, drop by my Instagram and say hi!