5 tips to set up your desk for success

What does your desk look like? Is it messy? Is it organized? Does it get enough light? Does it face the window, or is it facing a wall?

You may not think it’s important, but how you set up your desk can actually affect your productivity, concentration, and even performance. Setting up your desk isn’t just about the aesthetics and making it look good, but it’s about making it less cluttered and a much more enjoyable space for you to do work at.

Photo by Denys Striyeshyn on Unsplash

1. Lookout for your posture

Sitting at your desk for long periods of time can take a real toll on your body. It can lead you to slouch and your joints can suffer from doing repetitive tasks for too long (like typing).

Setting up your chair and your desk at the perfect height and angle can help keep your body posture in alignment, which in turn can help you stay focused for longer periods of time.

Here are some tips:

• Set your chair height so that your elbows bend at a 90-degree angle while typing

• If you are using a mouse, make sure that both your keyboard and mouse are close to each other (and to you), so you don’t have to stretch to reach them

• The top of your monitor should be at eye-level

• Your monitor screen should be around 50cm away

• Try to sit up straight

  • If you find yourself slouching over time, then sit up straight again

• Try to take breaks, get up, and walk around every 30 minutes

2. Find a workflow that makes sense

We all like to have things a certain way and do our tasks in a certain order. So set up your desk to make doing those tasks easier.

Maybe you work with physical papers and notebooks, you can try putting your work that still needs to be done on your left, and your completed pile on your right.

Maybe you need a cup of water (tea, coffee, etc.) while you work. Then make sure you have a designated spot for your cup on your desk, so it doesn’t get in the way of your other work materials.

If you’re right-handed, then try putting all your writing utensils on your right, so they’re easier to reach and access. If you’re left-handed, then try putting them on the left.

3. Keep it organized

It goes without saying that a room that is clean and organized can make you feel more relaxed. It’s the same with your desk. So try to keep it as uncluttered as possible. Work and studying is already stressful enough, so why not make your desk an enjoyable space to do your work at. When your desk is clear and organized, it’s like starting with a clean slate—a clear sense of mind.

Try cleaning your desk each time you’re done working or studying. Put things back to where they were, so you’re ready to start again tomorrow. You don’t want to spend time cleaning up your desk every time before you study!

💡 Make sure each item on your desk has a “home” — every item has a designated place. Don’t leave pens and highlighters lying around. Not only will it help you find things easily, but it will help keep you organized.

4. Keep it bright

Working in a dark room is one of the worst things you can do for yourself. Not only will it strain your eyes, but it can make you feel sleepy and unmotivated to study or do your work.

Make sure there is enough light so that you can comfortably see everything you need to work on. This can be natural light (by placing your desk near a window), or artificial light (by adding a desk lamp in addition to your room lights).

5. Make it enjoyable

Your desk is the place you do homework and study, but it doesn’t have to be all work and no fun.

You can incorporate photos, quotes that keep you motivated, or even a little desk plant. Anything that keeps you smile and makes you enjoy being at your desk.

Find something that when you get tired and stressed, you can look at it on or from your desk, and it can motivate you to keep going.