A Cozy Desk Setup You Can (Probably) Afford
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No matter how nice of an aesthetic working on a laptop is,
sometimes you just want an actual workstation to get things done.
So you browse online for inspiration, but everyone's got a standing desk for over a thousand dollars.
I do like it, but this setup isn't meant for me.
If you've been on the channel before, you know my preference is dark and moody.
This is the complete opposite.
This is Rosie, and she uses her setup primarily for work.
So the aim of the space was to be bright, cozy and inviting with minimal items on the desk.
Let's talk features for the FlexiSpot E7.
It comes with four saveable presets for any height, as well as a safety feature.
The E7 legs are stronger than the rest on the market at 161 kilos weight capacity,
and out of the top brands, it's the most affordable at its configuration.
The bamboo top has a matte finish and feels durable,
and out of all the desks I've tried in the past from Omnidesk to Desky,
FlexiSpot has by far given me the smoothest build experience.
For cable management, I simply drilled a powerbolt to the underside of the table,
but you can also opt for a cable management tray on FlexiSpot's site,
which would look much nicer.
If you're interested in picking up a high quality desk for under a thousand Australian dollars,
you can use my code LUDAE7 to receive an additional $60 off your order.
For the monitor, Rosie is using the Dell U3421WE,
an ultrawide monitor that also serves as a docking station.
So all the peripherals are connected to the monitor,
and all she needs to worry about is one thunderbolt cable,
allowing her to switch between her work and personal devices seamlessly.
Her personal workstation is the M1 MacBook Pro.
It's a couple years old now, but still as powerful as ever,
and when docked in, all of her devices sit on top of a laptop stand from Amazon in a similar finish.
For sound, she has the Edifier MR4s in white,
sitting on top of the Kanto speaker stands to tilt the speakers for a clearer listening experience.
The MR4s have a balanced sound profile,
and have the option of being used as studio monitors if your setup requires it.
A unique addition to this setup is a desk mat from Journey.
This is the Ulti Wireless Charging Desk Mat.
It has both a vegan leather and felt side,
and is designed to hold any miscellaneous paper inside,
useful for note-taking during meetings, or keeping track of receipts for tax time.
But the highlight is the wireless charging pad on the side for your phone and airpods,
removing the need for a standalone charging stand.
Sitting on top is the same old MX Master 3S mouse that most people online use in the pale grey colourway.
Not much needed to say here, but what's more interesting is the keyboard,
the Jairus 65.
With Osamay keycaps in the Little Ghost colourway,
it's a mechanical Bluetooth and hotswap keyboard that Rosie purchased from a group buy about a year ago.
Unfortunately, this exact keyboard is not available for purchase,
but should you want one, take a look at the custom keyboard scene to stay updated.
Again, lighting is a key component of what makes a setup look and feel cosy.
Ambient lighting and task lighting.
The ambient lighting is achieved by a Nanoleaf LED strip to create a soft glow behind the desk,
and two Ikea mushroom lamps which add more warmth from the sides.
Having these lights be diffused creates soft shadows and makes the space feel more inviting.
The task light is achieved with a Xiaomi light bar,
something I've covered on this channel multiple times before.
For convenience, everything here is set up on the Apple HomeKit system,
so it can be controlled with a single tap.
But the setup wouldn't feel personal without some decorations.
Greenery elevates the space to the next level.
I'm sure you've also noticed the gouache paintings on the wall,
each being hand painted by Rosie,
as well as some other decorative items that she either made by hand or built from Legos.
To display these items, we place the bamboo shelving unit and a drawer on either side of the desk.
Having furniture placed around the setup creates a visual balance that expands the space,
while increasing the storage capacity for miscellaneous items.
Finally, the chair for the setup is also from Ikea.
Like everything else, I'm not going to try and pronounce it,
but the fabric is comfortable and the chair allows for a synchronised tilt mechanism.
I haven't covered every single nook and cranny of the setup,
mainly because I don't think it's that interesting,
but if you have any questions, have a look in the description or leave me a comment.