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8 Tips for The Ultimate Desk Setup for Peak Productivity
As many of us adjust and reorient our lives to work remotely, we're often faced with challenging conditions and a lack of resources that those who work in corporate offices may take for granted. Managers, low-level employees, and top brass alike are wrestling with important questions regarding the future of work: can teams function remotely? Can we get our best work done without having access to the conveniences of a conventional corporate office space? Fortunately, there are some great solutions out there to help remote employees tackle these problems. It could very well be that we are on the cusp of a new frontier of productivity and peak performance, without having to do everything on-site!
There are many different desk setup styles, and the right one for you will depend on your personal preferences, work style, and the type of work you do. Here are some common desk setup styles and a brief description of each:
Traditional desk setup: This is the most common type of desk setup, with a large desk, chair, and a few essential items like a computer, phone, and notepad.
Dual monitor setup: With two computer monitors, you can increase productivity by allowing you to have multiple applications open at once. If you're a creative professional, a dual monitor setup can give you more space to work on large projects, such as editing photos or designing graphics. With a dual monitor setup, you can have one application open on one screen while using the other screen for another task, such as checking email or browsing the web.
Standing desk setup: This type of desk setup includes a desk that can be raised to standing height, allowing you to work while standing up. This can be a great option for people who want to avoid sitting for long periods of time.
Minimalist desk setup: A minimalist desk setup can help reduce distractions and allow you to focus on your work, which can be particularly important if you spend long hours in front of a computer. This type is characterized by a clean, uncluttered look, with only a few essential items on the desk. It can be a great option for people who prefer a simple, streamlined workspace.
Gaming desk setup: This one is designed specifically for gamers, with features like a large monitor, multiple screens, and specialized gaming peripherals like a gaming mouse and keyboard.
Home office desk setup: Home office is designed for people who work from home, with features like a comfortable chair, good lighting, and adequate storage for office supplies.
Collaborative desk setup: Whiteboards, corkboards, or other collaborative tools can be useful for brainstorming, sharing ideas, and working together on projects with a large desk and multiple chairs for group work.
Creative desk setup: This type of desk setup is designed for artists, writers, and other creative professionals, with features like a drafting table, art supplies, and a large bulletin board for inspiration.
Here are some crucial tips we've compiled based on extensive experience and customer feedback that can help you get your best work done, no matter where you choose to work.
1. Find your light
Whether it’s the crack of dawn, in the middle of the day, or way past your bedtime, having the correct lighting for a productive desk setup to support your workflow at home is extremely important. The right source of both natural light and artificial light are essential for building the best, most productive desk setup. If you can, try to position your desk in the brightest room within your home. Natural light is an excellent way to boost productivity and focus, as even just a few rays of warm, golden sunlight can instantly lift your mood and help save on those increasingly unaffordable electricity bills. Be sure to seek out the biggest, brightest window available, and see if your work desk is a good fit for that space.
Remember, different activities require very different forms of lighting. For example, lighting that works for a person who edits and color corrects video footage will not work as well for someone dealing with reading text or tedious spreadsheets full of numbers. So why not consider a desk lamp that gives you options? The Ultra Wide LED Desk Lamp from Autonomous provides four different color temperatures to suit a whole slew of activities. Or for more flexibility, consider the slightly smaller LED Desk Lamp with multiple color modes, brightness levels, and a moving hinged arm.
Light Bar
| Dimensions | 31.5”L x 1.8”W x 35.4”H x 12.56 lbs |
| Colors | Black |
| Materials | Die casting Aluminum & Metal |
| Input voltage | AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz |
| Brightness | 1200 lm |
| Light colors | 3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k |
| Lamp lifetime | 50,000 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year |
LED Desk Lamp
| Dimensions | 21”L x 3”W x 7.5”H x 18 lbs |
| Colors | Black |
| Materials | Die casting Aluminum & Metal |
| Input voltage | AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz |
| Brightness | 600 lm |
| Light colors | 3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k |
| Lamp lifetime | 50,000 hours |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp
| Dimensions | 11"W x 9.25"D x 5.5 lbs |
| Colors | White |
| Materials | Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Silicone, Plastic, Rubber |
| Input voltage | 12V DC, 1.5A |
| Light colors | Warm White (2800K) Pure White (4500K) Cool White (5500K) |
| Lamp lifetime | 50,000 hours |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger
| Dimensions | 8"L x 8"W x 15.8"H x 3.75 lbs |
| Colors | Black, Silver |
| Materials | Aluminium + ABS |
| Input voltage | AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz |
| Brightness | 850 lumens |
| Light colors | Yellow 2800-3200k, Soft White 3750 k-4250K, Bright White 5500K -6000K |
| Lamp lifetime | 50,000 hours |
| Warranty | 6 months |
2. Get up and move
Sitting in the same position, for hours on end, every day of the week, is enough to make anyone go a bit loopy. Avoid feeling stagnant and the frustration of hitting a productive wall by taking lots of short, quick breaks to gain a new perspective on whatever project or task you need to finish.
One surefire way to improve your blood flow and energy levels while working from home is investing in an adjustable standing desk. Medical professionals advise that ideally we should be standing for 15 - 20 minutes after every hour of seated work. A standing desk helps you meet your standing goals without having to interrupt your workflow.
Autonomous offers an impressive selection of standing desks for both the home and professional office, as well as various activities and team sizes. Move from the perfect seated height to standing with just the push of a button and enjoy continued focus and better posture when you need it most. An adjustable standing desk is definitely one of the most productive desk setup options out there. You can even perform some easy exercises at your standing desk when taking a short break for even more health benefits!
Of course, there are other ways to encourage movement throughout the workday. Place your printer, scanner, filing unit, and other miscellaneous work materials or tools on the other side of the room. Or even better, dedicate the time and set alarms within the day to schedule a quick sweat or stretch session.
SmartDesk Pro
| Top dimension | Small Top: 43"L x 24"W x 1"H Classic Top: 53"L x 29"W x 1"H XL Top: 70.5"L x 30"W x 1"H |
| Frame dimension | 27.5"W x 40" - 73"L |
| Height range | With top: 29.4" - 48" Without top: 28.4" - 47" |
| Materials | Top: Warp-proof, MDF wood, natural Bamboo Frame: SPCC steel |
| Colors | Top: White, Black, Walnut, White Oak, Bamboo Frame: White, Black, Grey |
| Weight capacity | 265 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years for frame 1 year for top |
EUREKA Ultra Long Standing Desk
| Desktop dimensions | 60”L x 27.55”W |
| Height range | 24.4” - 32.28” |
| Color | Black |
| Weight capacity | 165 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years |
SmartDesk Corner
| Top dimension | Full: 77”L x 64”W x 1”H Large Top: 77”L x 29”W x 1”H Small Top: 29”L x 35”W x 1”H |
| Frame dimension | 27.5”W x 42” - 71”L |
| Height range | With top: 29.4" - 48" Without top: 28.4" - 47" |
| Materials | Top: Warp-proof MDF wood Frame: SPCC steel |
| Colors | Top: White, Black Frame: White, Black |
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years for frame 1 year for top |
3. The perfect desk setup needs the perfect office chair
Wherever we work, we spend so much time in our office chairs. WIth less than ideal home office setups, back pain and neck cramps are a real issue when it comes to working from home and work productivity. In order to build the best productive desk setup for you, soucing a comfortable office chair is of paramount importance. A chair that causes discomfort to your back can lead to serious damage to your posture, interfering not only with your productivity but also your health and wellbeing in the long run.
When adjusting your chair for the most ergonomic and comfortable desk setup, it’s important to remember the following:
- The ideal chair height is one where your thighs are parallel to the ground while sitting, and your knees are at a 90-degree angle.
- Your elbows should form a 90-degree angle with your desktop or laptop so that you can type without affecting your wrist or arm muscles.
- The top of the monitor screen should line up with your eyes when you’re sitting straight up in your chair.
- Your monitor should also be at a distance where you can read without tilting your head or hunching forward.
- A posture-effective chair will help you to sit up straight to prevent back and neck pain.
Don’t underestimate a good ergonomic office chair. Although an ergonomic office chair may not fit within everyone’s design aesthetic, once you sit and work in one, you’ll immediately feel the world of difference. Autonomous offers a range of ergonomic office chairs in many different colors and materials, and at different price points to suit whatever your physical needs and personal taste may be.
ErgoChair Pro
| Dimensions | 29”L x 29”W x 46” - 50”H |
| Seat height | 18” - 20” |
| Materials | Polyester fabric with molded foam interior and durable nylon plastic frame; PU handrest pads |
| Colors | Cool Gray, Evergreen, All Black Red Apple, Black & White, Baby Blue |
| Weight capacity | 300 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Techni Mobili High Back Executive Office Chair
| Dimension | 26.5''L x 27''W x 47 - 50.75''H |
| Weight capacity | 220 lbs |
| Height adjustment | Pneumatic |
| Color | Brown & Black |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Skyline Decor High-Back Leather Chair
| Dimensions | 42"-46" x 22.5" W x 24.5" D |
| Materials | Back and seat: Leather Frame: Steel |
| Colors | Black, Brown, Gray, Navy Blue, Red, Tan, White |
| Warranty | 1 month |
4. Green is good
Fresh, vibrant greenery can breathe new life into any dull workspace. Our indoor working environments are often poorly ventilated and lack the invigorating stimulation that plants can bring both in appearance and in their actual impact on the surrounding environment. Asthmatics and those that suffer from dust allergies could particularly benefit from purchasing plants for a productive desk setup of the home office.
Introducing plants into the space improves the air quality by increasing oxygen levels, as well as filtering and reducing toxins found in the air such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene. Delightful aromatherapy benefits can also be enjoyed through many floral plant varieties. Plants have even been shown to have health-boosting effects such as lowering our blood pressure, energizing the mind, and promoting deeper, more rejuvenating sleeping patterns. Many scientific studies have even shown that plants are especially beneficial for those who are ill, greatly assisting in lowering stress levels among long-term patients.
Effective stress relievers and mood boosters, plants are amazing productivity boosters. Research from the University of Exeter found that simply enriching a plain and minimal office space with plants helped to increase work productivity from participants by 15%. Overall, green houses have also been found to house happier and more productive workers.
But how can you make a productive desk setup with plants? Experts make it look easy enough, but sometimes putting an idea into practice ends up being way more challenging than first expected, or completely the wrong idea for your space to begin with! Whether you’re a natural green thumb, or you can’t tell the difference between a succulent and a pesky weed. Follow our guide for a complete eco-friendly home office setup with many easy and effective tips.
5. Organize your mess!
This is a no brainer. How can you possibly be productive when you’re drowning in clutter and spend most of your time looking for that elusive phone charger? A disorganized desk hinders your productivity and excess, and unnecessary clutter can also be a contributing factor to your stress levels. In the grand scheme of things, the chaos of a messy desk can cause mental overload and make your habits of unproductive procrastination worse.
The key to an organized desk is creating a system. All of your work tools, stationery, and digital accessories need a designated home. Keep all of your important documents, bills, and paperwork labeled and stored in a simple filing cabinet (preferably one on wheels for easy transportation). For stationery and other small items that you use on the daily, consider some sort of concealed drawer storage that you can add to your existing work desk. And if you’re a tech head that uses multiple displays and need to keep all of your devices juiced up, a simple cable tray is an absolute godsend when it comes to cable management.
Cable Tray
| Dimensions | 35.4”L x 6.3”W x 2.5”H |
| Colors | Gray |
| Materials | Steel |
| Weight capacity | 35 lbs |
| Item weight | 4 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year |
When it comes to keeping things clean and organized for a productive desk setup, your desktop display is just as important as your work desk. A messy desktop filled with hundreds of files is likely to cause just as much headache as a stack of printed documents beside your keyboard. Take the time to develop a system of folders and sub folders and name all of your individual files appropriately for easy searching in the future. With this productivity desk setup tip, you’ll save yourself tons of time and headache knowing exactly where to find what you’re looking for.
6. Get a little personal
Your home. Your office. Your rules. Take advantage of working remotely from home and make your desk space your own! Sure, keeping things minimal makes sense, but studies have also shown that having the ability to personalize your work space helps you cope better with distractions and stress. It gives you the feeling of more control and establishes a more positive relationship between you identity and your workplace. Having your personal items on your work desk motivates you to work harder, as it lends a sense of identity to your workplace, rather than simply a cog in the corporate machine.
The most hilarious framed photograph of you and your friends is sure to boost your mood on a dreary Monday morning. An air diffuser with your favorite scent could help put you in the mood to settle in and knuckle down with work. However, it’s important to keep things balanced. Don’t make things too distracting. If you find yourself getting a bit too distracted by the row of bobblehead puppies or anime figurines, then you may want to pull things back a bit and decorate a bit more minimally.
Personalize your space in moderation and stick to personal items that will inspire you to be productive. A photograph of your children may help to keep you motivated, or simply setting your desktop screen display with an inspirational image can do the trick. What about a mood board with all of your travel goals, shopping wishlists, or that new car you’re working towards? A framed printout of your favorite motivational quote perhaps? Be creative and decorate your space with whatever inspires you.
The Office Oasis Magnetic Desk Organizer
| Dimensions | 13.5"L x 3.25"W x 3.75"H |
| Colors | Natural/ Brown/ Black |
| Materials | Bamboo base with N52 NiCuCi magnets ABS plastic organizing compartments Non-Slip Silicone Feet |
| Include | 2 Tall tray 1 Short tray 1 Phone stand 1 Medium tray 1 Post-it holder 1 Magnetic Grid |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Rose Gold Desk Organizer
| Dimensions | 8.7"W x 5.5"D x 5"H |
| Materials | Steel mesh with a solid base, soft foam grips |
| Color | Rose gold |
| Include | Paper & binder clips |
| Warranty | 5 years |
AOTHIA Magnetic Desk Organizer
| Dimensions | 15.7"L x 3.7"W x 3.5"H |
| Materials | Solid Beech and Eco ABS |
| Color | Black, White |
| Warranty | 1 month |
7. Stay hydrated
We’ve all heard it a thousand times over. Don’t forget the importance of drinking water! Studies have shown that a whopping 75% of working Americans do not drink the recommended ten cups of water per day. How many have you had today? There’s a strong link between your water intake levels and your level of productivity. Even the slightest bout of dehydration can make us feel tired and lethargic. Most of us are inclined to automatically reach for that seventh caffeine shot of the day, but beware, caffeine dehydrates us even more, pushing us towards that annoying cycle of perpetual fatigue and headache.
There are plenty of Hydration Apps available to remind us of how much water we should be drinking on the daily. Or invest in an attractive, eco-friendly, reusable water flask that will encourage you to drink more water. Keep your flask topped up and on your desk as a constant reminder and avoid fatigue whilst working remotely from home.
8. Block out the noise
Productivity and workflow throughout the day is dependent on how well we can stay focused during every working hour. Studies have shown that staying attentive at work is impaired most by background noise. Isolating yourself from any distracting background noise can help greatly with improving and maintaining your productivity levels. As part of a productive desk setup, it’s a good idea to invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones as part of your arsenal. As much as your favorite tune can lift your spirits and energy levels, sometimes we just need some clear white noise to help us focus and get the job done.
Autonomous WorkPod
| Dimension | 103”W x 142.5”L x 92” - 125.5”H |
| Material | Frame: Composite wood - Housewrap - Plywood - Honeycomb paper - Wooden frame - Plywood Basement: Steel, M300 cement |
| Include | SmartDesk Pro, ErgoChair Plus, Cable tray, Filing Cabinet, Dual Monitor Arm, Anti-fatigue Mat |
| Minimum wattage | 100W |
| Weight capacity | 2.9 tons |
| Color | Black, White |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Thinktanks Compact Office Pod
| Dimension | 7 x 7 x 7.5 ft |
| Material | Double laminated tempered glass, R200 aluminum |
| Color | Black, Green |
| Interior | Washable PET Felt |
| Standard outlet | 110-220V |
| Lighting | LED 140W |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Thinktanks Personal Pod
| Dimension | External size: 40"W x 37"D x 91"H Internal size: 33"W x 35"D x 84"H |
| Product weight | Gross weight: 279kg Net weight: 235kg |
| Power supply | 100-240V/50 - 60HZ |
| Natural lighting system | 4000K/421LM |
| Color | Black, White |
| Include | Motion sensor and switch control Multiple region electric sockets Emergency safety hammer Furniture as shown in pictures |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Thinktanks Quad Pod
| Dimension | 87"W x 61"D x 91"H |
| Product weight | 860 lbs |
| Power supply | 1100-240V/50 - 60HZ |
| Natural lighting system | 4000K/421LM |
| Color | Black, White |
| Warranty | 3 years |
FAQs
Does a good desk setup increase productivity?
Yes! The way a desk is set up can have a major impact on your work performance. Using a standing desk and ergonomic chair for your workspace setup not only reduces stress but can also help you combat obesity and weight gain due to prolonged hours of sitting at work.
How should I set my desk for productivity?
You need to consider your space first and then plan a reasonable budget to set up a productive working desk. You can read the above tips to get more information and advice for your desk setup idea.
What do you need for a productive desk setup?
Basically, you should have an office standing desk, a good office chair, a dual monitor or laptop with a stand at the perfect angle and other must have office desk accessories depending on your job.
In a nutshell
To build the perfect desk setup that allows for maximum productivity during this global wave of remote work, you need to create a space that is a joy to spend time in. Light your work desk correctly—the more natural light the better! Bring a bit of the outdoors in and introduce office plants into the space. If you’re terrible at keeping things alive, succulent plants are a great, easy, and affordable option to decorate your desk. Keep things organized and designate a home for each of your tools. Keep hydrated and active at work and switch things up at regular intervals. Most importantly, support your posture and overall health with ergonomic furniture and accessories that will keep you mentally focused and physically sound.
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WRITTEN BYJohn Mark Harrell
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