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Everything that makes my home office desk setup an enjoyable and productive place to work.
I know that a lot of people complain about having to sit and work at a desk all day. I can understand that. I’m lucky, I suppose, because of the fact that I get to work in many different ways and in many different places.
We film videos in the studio. We drive around and take pictures out in the wild. I travel all over the place to attend events and work on cool brand campaigns.
That said, I’d wager that probably close to 80-85% of the work I do takes place sitting at the desk in my office. And you know what? I absolutely love my desk! And I love sitting and working at it too and not just because I have a beautiful view of our backyard and woods after years of no windows.
Having realized over the years that the majority of my work takes place at a desk, I’ve always been very thoughtful and intentional about that space. If I’m going to be spending so much time there, I’d better enjoy it, right?
Function and performance are important to me, for sure, but so is design. In other words, I don’t just want something practical, it’s got to match my style and my office’s style as well. The reason is that I’ve found that if I enjoy the space I’m working in — both functionally and aesthetically — I’m much more productive.
So here’s a look at my desk setup.
Uplift Desk
Since we’re talking about my desk setup, starting with my actual desk seems apropos. I have an Uplift sit-stand desk. It’s the 80” version. That’s just about the perfect amount of space for me to not feel cramped and to also begin little piles here and there. I utilize the stand feature every day and really love that you’re able to program up to four different heights.
Leather Desk Blotter
With a desk this size, a desk mat (or blotter) is a must. Without it, the desk would feel a bit too expansive. I like how this defines my work area and provides some contrast — a nice design element — with the desk surface.
Desk Shelf
The desktop stand that I personally own is actually by Grovemade. However, it’s a brand that I really cannot recommend. The original stand I ordered came damaged and the customer service team acted like a bunch of pretentious hipsters. Add to that the fact that I think their product is extremely overpriced for what it is. Interestingly, I found pretty much the exact same product on Amazon for half of what Grovemade charges.
Desk Drawer
This little desk drawer fits very nicely underneath the desk and monitor stand. In case you couldn’t tell, I prefer to keep my desktop neat and orderly and this allows me to store a variety of smaller things without having to see them.
Edifier Speakers
Although I’m a musician, I’m not a crazy audiophile. I want good sound, but I don’t need stupid expensive speakers for my desktop. These Edifier bluetooth speakers are great. Not only do they sound (and look) pretty darn good, but they’re very affordable as well.
Apple MacBook Pro M3
I use my computers until they run into the ground. That was what happened with my eight year old Mac Mini that I’d maxed out the memory on. It simply couldn’t handle what I was throwing at it anymore. So whenever I upgrade my machine, I go all out since I’m not in the habit of getting something new every other year. The MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip is my current machine of choice on my desktop and on the road.
Apple Studio Display
To be honest, I didn’t really want to spend a lot on a monitor. Prior to this one, I was using a pretty nice LG. However, Rob and I were having a lot of disagreements over color in our photos and we determined that the only way we were going to be seeing the same thing was to have the same monitor and to calibrate them the same way. Thus, I have the Apple Studio Display.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro
I have to say that this BenQ screen bar is absolutely amazing. Far from being distracting, it really helps to focus your eyes and attention towards the monitor. And I really love the mood and depth it creates when I’m working, especially at night.
CalDigit Thunderbolt Dock
There was a time when I had a bunch of little dongles to connect all my peripherals. No more! This CalDigit thunderbolt dock is basically and all-in-one device. Coupled with the Studio Display and it’s built in ports, it’s really a one stop shop. And as an added bonus, it’s got a built-in SD card reader. Very handy.
Cable Management Clips
If you haven’t already gleaned, I like to keep things neat and tidy, which is especially difficult when you’re dealing with a sit-stand desk. Cable management is so important. Looking at my desk and monitor from the front, you don’t see anything but that’s only thanks to these little guys keeping every little cable neatly tucked into where it can’t be seen…from the front, at least.
Cable Management Tray
You’ve got a couple options in terms of under desk cable management when you have a sit-stand desk. You can either meticulously route and attach all cables to the underside of the desktop or you can do what I did and get a little shelf that easily screws in. You’ll still need to do some strategizing, but it’s a much cleaner look once you’ve finished.
Wireless Phone Charger
You know if a brand does me wrong, I can’t support or recommend them. Once again, the phone stand on my desk is by Grovemade, but I honestly think the one I’ve chosen for this post is better because it’s wireless.
Logitech MX Master 3
The Logitech MX Master 3 is the best mouse I have ever used. I’m kind of a moderate Apple fanboy and used to really like the Magic Mouse, but after using the MX Master 3 and going back to the Magic Mouse, it honestly feels horrible. Although I love how ergonomic this mouse is, my favorite feature is that you’re able to map various buttons on it however you like. This can save you so much time! I’m such a believer in it, I’ve bought them for my entire team.
Pen Rest
My pen rest is one of the very first products we had in the HSS Shop when we launched the shop in 2017. Which is to say, it’s sold out and not going to be back in stock any time soon. This version is quite handsome as well.
Desk Pad
Another of the first HSS Shop products that is still available. I get a lot of requests for what my little desk pad is, so here you go! The best part is that it’s refillable.
Apple Magic Keyboard
I mean, not much to say here. I love my Apple Magic Keyboard!
Wooden Keyboard Tray
It’s pretty amazing what the difference of just a few millimeters makes when you’re typing. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to it, but if I try to use my keyboard without this little tray, it just doesn’t feel right. And the fact that it also coordinates with the rest of the wood items on my desktop checks the design box for me too.
Desk Chair
I don’t have a fancy chair. In fact, there’s not even a brand name on it. But a quick search reveals this one to be pretty much exactly the chair I have. It’s comfortable, adjustable, and looks pretty nice too!
The Bottom Line
For me, having a simple, minimal, well-organized and thoughtfully designed desk setup significantly improves my productivity and enjoyment while working. Every item on my desk serves a purpose and has a design aesthetic that makes me happy. And when work is fun and enjoyable, it doesn’t feel like work at all.
Thanks for reading.