Since most of us are at home nowadays, I figured I’d throw my hat into the ring with my own personal work-from-home setup. The title denotes it as a coding desk area, but everything else from writing, podcasting, video editing, and business takes place right in this tiny office nook. To be clear, I am not paid or sponsored by any of the companies or products used in this article, but if you’d like me to review some of your office/tech products, please reach out via email at andrewlythedev@gmail.com and we can make something happen.
Onto the setup!
My daily driver is a standard 16-inch 2019 Apple MacBook Pro, the perfect machine for everything I need and more. It has great portability and a sterling reputation in longevity. I highly recommend for beginner and senior developers. To save space it is displayed behind the monitor on Twelve South laptop stand. The monitor is a 24-inch 4k LG monitor that also powers my machine via usb-c.
The actual desk itself is built from a combination of an IKEA veneer tabletop that sits on simple legs and a storage unit. It’s simple and clean, which helps me focus on what counts: work and writing. Even better, it’s very affordable and the entire build is under $200 USD.
The lamp is also from IKEA and was chosen in a light grey color to contrast the dark walls. Similarly, the white shelf was added for that same reason while giving me more space to personalize my office with miscellaneous items from my travels, hobbies, and other collectibles.
Every decent work station needs a keyboard and mouse. For myself I’ve chosen the Logitech MX Master, a wireless bluetooth mouse that has a sculpted design for maximum comfort for scrolling and clicking. Also, the ability to map different outputs is a handy way to to create a unique experience for whoever uses it.
The keyboard I use is the Logitech MX Keys and like my mouse, it is versatile in use while having a slim profile so my palms can rest upon the cushion of a large mousepad. In regards to my mousepad, I went with a black leather Satechi mousepad to protect the surface of my table while also providing a color break and contrast with the lighter table. The leather boasts an impressive quality that allows for me to switch gears and use it as a writing pad whenever I get the urge to engage in some traditional writing.
Occasionally I take spend breaks or wind down time to watch movies or YouTube clips, in which case a decent sound system is required to provide full immersion. There were many different options, but ultimately I went with the Logitech MX Sound speakers as they complemented my other Logitech products and still provide clear, crisp audio quality for a great price point. The design is also a nice touch as it adds some dimension to the sleek minimalist desk aesthetic. I especially enjoy the cloth materials they used to cover the speaker. Unfortunately these were harder to find online, but I recommend picking them up if you can.
The biggest update I’ve made was adding in a more ergonomic chair for the long periods of sitting and thinking. The original IKEA chair I purchased lasted me roughly a year before the signs of wear and tear started to affect me body. No longer could I sit for periods of time without suffering upper back pain. This is not a slight against the IKEA brand as many people swear by their chairs, but it just wasn’t for me. Some preventative action had to be taken in order to stay healthy in this industry.
After testing sitting chairs for several months, I finally narrowed my choice down to the Herman Miller x Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair and I’ve never been happier. Despite its name, this chair is built to be ergonomic for people who aren’t just gamers, but also regular office workers.
However, this chair is definitely not for everyone. It’s quite expensive and the design could be considered to be too futuristic, but since I am a tech/cyberpunk enthusiast it felt right at home among my other room set pieces. It also conforms and supports my body so I am able to go through an entire work day without feeling any pain. I can personally attest to the high quality of Herman Miller, so if this particular chair does not appeal to you or is out of your budget, I would recommend some of their less premium chairs in their catalogue as well.
Overall the addition of this new chair rounds out the rest of setup and though it was very expensive (definitely not for everyone), I believe the outcome justifies the purchase if your career revolves around you working on a computer for 8-10 hours a day. At the end of the day, you should purchase something that makes the best sense for you. That being said I am very satisfied with my current setup, but in the future I may switch to a standing desk to break up the monotony of sitting. When that time comes, you bet I will provide you all with that update.
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