Field note / 001

A guide to an insane desk setup

Hello reader! First of all, welcome to my very first blog post. I’m Soham a.k.a skun. I’m really nervous / excited as I type this, but hope you won’t mind some rookie mistakes here and there (this is my personal diary and I promise to not use LLMs to write out my thoughts✌️)

Desk setups! I’ve a love-hate relation with the concept.

The satisfaction of a specific orientation of the table or a collection of the perfect lights (for the moment) lasts less than a month for me. I honestly get tired pretty easily and after a month or so, get back on my trusty bed! But there has been a change in the recent times. I don’t remember the last time I slouched on my bed with my laptop with an awkward spine.

It feels like I’ve finally cracked the formula and surprise, surprise… I’m sharing this one with you ;)

Let’s treat this as a problem…

Problem Statement: “I want to setup the most insane desk setup”

I want you to pause here and actually think about a rough image of the space you want to create. Trust me, this will help.

Now to the Perfect Solution. The best part about the perfect solution is that it’s going to be personal to you! But I will give you the grounds to build on top off! I’ve thought about this for quite a while and with a fair amount of research, here’s the breakdown…

The Formula

Requirements of a good desk setup:

  • Ergonomics
  • Reflection of your personality
  • The Magnetic Effect (BEST PART)

This is the 3 step framework for you! We will combine this with the mental image you had made a few moments ago…

Ergonomics

This is the simplest to understand but the toughest to settle on out of all the three.

Simple? Coz it literally involves only two things:

  • The desk
  • The chair

But here’s where everyone goes wrong! They DON'T think a lot about this step… But don’t worry, I’ve it all figured out. Remember, this is the foundational step.

Chair Meme

And trust me on this, never go stingy on the foundations. Do your research. Don’t hold back on buying or arranging for the best when it comes to these two. You can afford a standing desk, go for it… an elite ergonomic chair with a seat warmer and massager, go for it…

I will make this simpler for you, keep ATLEAST 75% of your desk setup budget for this step (Budget doesn’t include your laptop / PC / PS5)

Here are some tips…

Don’t go for a gaming chair if you want to replace this place with your bed. The best desk setups are the ones that are cozy and a gaming chair… well, tldr; go for a good ergonomic chair

Also, get your hands on a table that’s large. Don’t go for the ones that are small and tight. You’ll thank me later! If you have two small tables, join them and put a cloth on top of them to make it one large table

Reflection of your personality

This is the fun part. Your desk setup has a surrounding, an environment where it lives. Treat it like a living being. Treat it like a reflection of yours. It should include everything that you love in the vicinity of it…

Typing? Keep the thocciest keyboard with the best typing sounds and insane rgb…

Gaming? Have a setup where your console is connected with your main setup…

Gardening? Have a plant to water beside your PC…

Music? Have good speakers on either side of the table… A guitar as a wall decor beside it

A good desk setup isn’t born with the best monitor arm, best laptop stand or the brightest desk lamp. It’s these small things that make your setup feel personal. But remember to do it tastefully or you will cram up your desk space with distractions.

Go for the 40 30 30 rule (made up but works)…

  • 40% space for monitor + laptop / pc (basically work related stuff)
  • 30% space for personal stuff
  • 30% space -> NEGATIVE… empty. Let your space breath! Will make it look clean

The Magnetic Effect

Well… this is the part you have been waiting for. If you get this step wrong, no matter how expensive of a setup you have, you will prefer your couch over the chair.

LIGHTS…

99% of the desk setup is done. Nailing the ergonomics and the personal touch is all there is to a desk setup. That’s the practical part… the scientific side. Lights… well they belong to the ART SIDE. The magic…

RGB meme

Having good lights is the most difficult part. But as always, I’ve got your back. Here’s the list you have to keep in mind when setting up light (in order of MAX -> MIN priority):

  • Natural Lights
    • Keep your desk closest to the largest source of natural light possible for you. A large window, white diffusing curtains, either in front of the desk or beside the desks (Prefer natural light straight ahead).
    • Never keep your desk opposite to the natural light source
  • Focus Light
    • The light that puts focus on the most importants parts of your desk.
    • Get a light bar if majority of your time goes staring at the screen
    • Get a good bright lamp that throws light on to the desk if you write a lot
    • Keeping your eyes healthy should be your priority. Natural lights + good Focus lights cover that for you
  • Small lights 👑
    • Decor lamps, strip lights, cute light emitting panda… this is the MAGNETIC PULL for your setup.
    • Ideas… Get smart ones
    • Get the ones that react to sound
    • Endless possibilities…

The rule with strip lights

Have them bounce off a surface. Diffused lights are the way to go. They should never be directly visible through your eyes. Back of the monitor, desk or an extended portion of the wall that keeps it hidden are good spots for strip lights.

As you can see, I have not mentioned tubelights or wall bulbs. You don’t need them. Big lights are a big no no for me. You will never prefer them for desk sessions once you setup like I asked you to.

Conclusion

That’s all you need. The framework is simple:

  • Focus on the ergonomics first, make it more comfortable than your sofa
  • Add personal touch. Don’t leave it boring and unwelcoming
  • Add brilliant lights

Expand from here. Get Amazon Echo speakers and setup your lights to be voice controlled. Get a lava lamp that reacts to sounds from the speakers (I don’t even know if they exist). Get a cool looking digital clock.

Don’t over do it

Bonus Section

Micro-ergonomics

Boost your ergonomics by keeping these things in mind / buying specific products:

  • Ergonomic mouse
  • Arm length space on the table to rest them while typing
  • Wrist rests
  • Keep chair arms at height so that your hands can fall perpendicular to your bicep
  • Leg rest

My setup

Essentials

Devices and Personal touch

Stubs

  • Fake succulent plants
  • Books that I don’t read but make me look professional
  • Couple of photo sheets with my friends.