Alright, let me tell you about my recent “research desk plate up” – basically, how I tricked out my workspace to be a bit more inspiring. I’m no Martha Stewart, but I needed a change, and this is what I did.
First thing’s first, I cleared everything off. I mean everything. Monitor, keyboard, the pile of papers I was totally going to get to… gone. It was surprisingly liberating. Then, I gave the desk a good wipe down. Found some crumbs I’d rather forget about. Eww.
Next up, the foundation. I’m a sucker for good lighting, so I added a small desk lamp with a warm, adjustable bulb. Makes a huge difference when you’re staring at a screen all day. Then, I put down a large desk mat. Not only does it protect the surface, but it also defines the space and adds a bit of color.
Now for the fun part: the organization. I grabbed a couple of desk organizers – one for pens, pencils, and whatnot, and another for papers and notebooks. I actually sorted through the papers this time. Shocking, I know! Threw out the junk, filed the important stuff. Felt like a new man.
To keep my monitor at the right height, I used a monitor stand, and guess what? More storage underneath! I shoved my keyboard in there when I wasn’t using it. Keeps things tidy.
Plants! Gotta have ’em. I added a small succulent. Low maintenance, and it adds a bit of life to the space. Plus, it’s scientifically proven (probably) to make you less stressed.
For a bit of personalization, I put up a few small framed prints of things I like – a band poster, a cool illustration. Nothing too distracting, just something to catch my eye every now and then.
Finally, I cable managed as best as I could. Zip ties are your friend. It’s not perfect, but it’s a heck of a lot better than the rat’s nest I had going on before.
The result? A workspace that’s cleaner, more organized, and a little bit more inspiring. It’s not a massive change, but it’s made a real difference in my day-to-day work. Now, if only I could keep it this way…
