Top 7 Trading Desk Items that You Need for Your Desk Setup

Trading is all about using the tools at your disposal. Analyzing information is how you make the decisions that make you money. Your performance isn't just connected to graphs and charts, though.

Your performance as a trader is influenced by your environment just as much as your online dashboard. If you have a cramped and messy desk, you're going to struggle to keep a clear mind. 

It's perfectly possible to make a profit with a non-optimal desk setup, but it is much more difficult. 

That's why we're going to talk about the top seven trading desk items that are going to let you reach your money-making potential. 

Pros and Cons of Investing in Your Desk Setup

• It looks good
• It improves your efficiency
• It can help with organization

• It costs money
• You have to set it all up correctly

7 trading desk items

1. A Good Chair

Out of all the trading desk essential items, none is more important than having a good chair. While the trading desk accessories that we've talked about can help productivity, cleanliness, or something in between, a chair does it all. 

Having a good chair helps your health; it keeps your posture upright. At a glance, this isn't all that great. However, the advantages of a good chair are far deeper than that.

You're going to be kept at attention. This means you have more energy. Having more energy means you make sharper decisions.

If you really want to maximize your performance through your trading desk essential accessories, then this isn't something you can overlook. 

There are plenty of chairs out there, but make sure you're getting one that is ergonomic. Don't just head down to the local furniture store and spend $100 dollars on one that isn't specialized. 

2. A Cable Tray

Cable management is an aspect of a trader's desk setup that is usually overlooked. People think that making sure cables are organized and hidden is seen as something reserved for complicated gaming setups. 

Even traders need to be doing this, though. Otherwise, you're going to have wires lying around everywhere. If you've ever had a setup like this, then you know that the clutter becomes extremely distracting. 

If you want a clear and sharp mind, you need to look after those cables. The easiest way to do this is with a cable tray. 

There are a few different models out there, but all of them share the same basic function. You attach one to the bottom of your desk, and you can then run all of your wires through it. This keeps them together and stops a mind-numbing mess from developing.

3. Desk Lamp

Not to be Mr. Obvious, but you need to have a desk lamp as a part of your trader desk item setup. 

Even if you get plenty of light, a desk lamp is a necessity that you need. If you're pulling a late-night trading session, or if you're doing a bit of research and study. Then, a concentrated light is going to maximize your concentration. 

You might want to do a bit of reading, writing, or anything in between. Either way, a lamp is one of those staple items that you need as a part of your desk.

4. Filing Cabinet

When it comes to trading desk accessories, there is nothing more important to you than a filing cabinet. If you're the type of trader that prefers digital files, then you can get some use out of a filing cabinet. If you're more of a physical records person, then a cabinet is absolutely crucial. 

If you're maximizing your trading efficiency, then you should have a lot of paperwork. You obviously need a way to organize and store this paperwork, which is where a filing cabinet comes in. 

You could use the likes of a folder, for example, but that lacks organization. You want to be able to access any document you need, easily; a cabinet with dividers accommodates situations like that. 

Getting one on wheels with a flat top essentially turns it into a moveable coffee table. If you need extra desk space, that can come in handy. 

5. Desk Drawer

The biggest cause of clutter on any desk is stationary—pens, pencils, containers, jars, tape, markers, and so on. 

Some desks come with a drawer, in which case, lucky you! For those of us that don't have that luxury, we need to develop another solution. 

The swivel desk drawer is a small compartment that connects to the bottom of your desk, turning itself into a hidden compartment. 

It can extend and close, meaning it doesn't look out of place or take up and extra space. There are plenty of dividers in it, too, so there's plenty of room for any and all stationary. 

There are even mousepad variations on the drawer if that's something that you would be interested in. 

6. Monitor Arm

Speaking of desk space, monitors take up a lot of it. You can't just get rid of it, of course. Your monitor is essentially your data command center. It's how you interface with your trading platform and the medium through which all technical information is presented to you. 

A monitor arm solves the space issue without getting rid of the monitor altogether. Rather than having your monitor sat on your desk, you have it mounted, meaning it's off your desk's surface.

It's one of the more powerful trading desk items, given that it also allows you to have mobile two/three monitor setups. 

Not all monitors are suitable for mounting, but those that are should be hooked up to an arm. 

7. Note Taking

As you trade, you should be taking notes on the various bits of information you come across. There are plenty of ways to do this. 

You can use some old-fashioned pen and paper. In which case, all you need are some A4 notebooks. However, there is a more convenient solution. 

There are a handful of digital note taking devices out there, with the technology continuing to evolve every so often. 

Typically, you're going to be looking at a paper-thin tablet that is designed specifically for word processing. You can use special software and a smart pen. This lets you write on the tablet as if it was paper, without all of the clutter. 

By having all of your notes in one place, you save space, clear clutter, and help to strengthen your trading data center.

Conclusion

Most people think that traders have it easy. That couldn't be further from the truth. Trading full time is a difficult and tiring job, not to mention the stress that you're under. 

Sure, there is plenty of money to be made, but there is also a lot of money to lose. Nine to fivers have the safety and security of a stable salary. Traders have no such thing. 

This is why it's so important that you maximize your performance through trading desk accessories. You need to take every advantage that you can get. 

If this article has piqued your interest, we have plenty of other pieces on our blog. We want to help you get the most out of your desk setup, so never hesitate to ask us questions. 

We have all kinds of specialized desk setup equipment, too. Thus, if you feel like your workstation is lacking, come and see what we have on offer.