Desk Setup Upgrades That REALLY Matter

Are you looking to upgrade your desk setup but feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there? If so, you’re not alone. With so many products and gadgets available, it can be difficult to determine what upgrades will truly make a difference in your workspace. That’s why we’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll be discussing desk setup upgrades that really matter. From ergonomic chairs to dual monitor setups, we’ll explore the most important upgrades that can enhance your productivity and overall comfort while working. So if you’re ready to take your desk setup to the next level, keep reading for some valuable tips and recommendations.

Desk Setup Upgrades That REALLY Matter

I’ve made a lot of desk setups. Longtime subscribers will know that I am obsessed with trying to get the perfect setup. I’ve shared quite a few videos on this channel sharing a number of those different setups. I’ve been working from home since before that was even a thing. It’s been 13 years now that I’ve had a dedicated desk set up at every home that I’ve lived in and at every office that I’ve rented. I’ve bought and used a ton of different desks, chairs, monitors, and all sorts of other desk accessories. I like to think I know which desk upgrades actually matter and what it takes to make a good setup that’s both ergonomic and not a waste of money.

Finding the Perfect Desk

When setting up a new desk, the first thing I do is look for the perfect desk for that specific space. However, there is one important factor that I feel like a lot of people don’t think about enough when choosing a desk, and that is the actual depth of the desk itself. Having a deep desk is important if you’re going to be there for hours at a time, as you’ll need room to rest your arms on it when typing. If your arms aren’t either resting on the armrest of your chair or the desk, you’ll quickly start getting aching pains in your trapezius muscles. The muscles that are here and here. I’ve noticed if I don’t have anything resting, like if I’m not resting my elbows anywhere over time because you’re sort of slouching and your arms are sort of like this, you end up just getting uncomfortable aching pains in those muscles. Because my office is quite roomy, I’ve gone with a large 180 cm wide and 80 cm deep desk. I’ve then put it on a frame that gives me the option to turn it into a standing desk. I bought them both separately as I was looking for this specific color combination. With a desk this big, I have room for everything I need within arms reach. When it comes to desk recommendations, I actually don’t think the brand matters that much. Price will simply vary depending on the features and materials. All that matters is getting a desk that fits your specific purpose and has standing functionality. But for those wondering, I’ll of course leave links to the tabletop and the frame that I’m using down in the description below.

Choosing the Right Chair

The next part of the setup and probably the most important is the chair. A lot of people will simply use a chair they already have, like a dining table chair, or buy a chair they feel like they think looks good. They haven’t actually thought about the ergonomics of the chair itself. A general rule that I like to apply to my life, that I’ve got it from somewhere else but I can’t actually remember exactly where, is that whatever is separating yourself from the floor I think is worth spending money on. So things like an office chair, a good mattress, a good pair of shoes, these sorts of things are separating you from the hardness of the floor that I feel like it’s just worth spending a little bit of money to make sure you get a sufficient level of comfort. Please do not buy a gaming chair. I don’t even understand why gaming chairs are popular. They’re not ergonomic, they don’t look good, and they’re just going to end up giving you back problems later in life. Please avoid gaming chairs if you can. The specific chair I’m using is the Herman Miller Aeron, which is known as the goat when it comes to office chairs. It has an absolute ton of adjustability and is especially designed to be as ergonomic as possible. However, this chair is not cheap at over $1,000 new, so the two cheaper alternatives I would recommend are the Ikea Markus chair or one from Secretlab. I think it’s called. The main requirements I think you should consider when choosing an office chair is height adjustability and armrest adjustability. The height needs to be at a position where your feet can rest flat on the floor, and the armrest height needs to be in line with your desk so that you can rest your arms on there. The desk and the chair are important to get right from the beginning, as they will most likely be the two things you keep the longest in your desk setup, so you want to make sure they last.

Choosing the Right Monitor

When it comes to monitors, I feel like they are very highly preference-based, so I’m not going to be recommending any specific monitors. But I did want to share what I think you should be considering when choosing a monitor for your setup. The first thing, of course, is how many monitors. I think many people go through the phase of thinking they need multiple monitors to be ultra-productive. I’m not going to lie, I was definitely one of those people. I used to think that I needed like three or four or five different monitors to be super productive, and yeah, I kind of just realized that isn’t the case. I just much prefer having one large monitor. What I’ve noticed as well is that if I do need an extra secondary monitor, I can just use the monitor on my MacBook. But even then, I’ve rarely ever actually used the monitor on my MacBook. My personal monitor that I have in this specific setup is the Apple Pro Display XDR. It is ideal for my workflow. The Pro Display XDR specifically is 6K resolution. That resolution gives me a ton of screen state, but it’s also still very sharp. I primarily do design work, video editing, and photo editing, so for design work, especially, the resolution and screen estate is very important. It also only requires one cable to connect to my MacBook, so it’s quick and easy to get going when I get into the office in the mornings.

When setting up my development environment for making a website, I need to open up Visual Studio Code, Figma for the design, Safari, and I might even have a relevant music playlist to help me stay focused. Workspaces makes it super easy to set up different apps, files, folders, emails, and a bunch more. All you have to do is run a workspace, and it opens up everything for you.

What desk setup upgrades really matter?

1. Ergonomic Chair

An ergonomic chair provides proper support for your back and posture, making it essential for long hours at your desk.

2. Adjustable Desk

An adjustable desk allows you to change positions, promoting better circulation and reducing strain on your body.

3. Monitor Stand

A monitor stand helps to elevate your screen to eye level, reducing neck and back strain.

4. Cable Management

Keeping cables organized and out of the way can create a cleaner and more efficient workspace.

5. Lighting

Adequate and adjustable lighting is crucial for reducing eye strain and creating a comfortable work environment.

6. Organization Tools

Investing in organization tools such as trays, bins, and drawers can help keep your desk clutter-free and improve productivity.

I hope you find useful my article Desk Setup Upgrades That REALLY Matter, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog.

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