9 Desk Essentials for Creatives
Enhance your space with tools that make life a little easier!
Hours are spent at your desk. It’s where you work and create, ultimately making goals a reality.
Why not enhance your space with tools that make life a little easier?
Here are 9 desk essentials for creatives:
Laptop Stand
Save your neck and buy a laptop stand. If it’s adjustable, that's even better! Elevating your screen(s) to an optimal eye level improves posture and reduces tension in your shoulders and back.
Second Monitor
For years, I only used one laptop screen for every project. It worked in the beginning. However, as the number of projects increased, I needed more and more space*. A second monitor with an extended display was the answer. It has changed my workflow (and life) for the better!
*I’m one of those people who have at least 10 tabs open at one time. Bookmarking my favorite websites and organizing them into folders saves precious time.
Multiport Adapter
Do you pursue several creative endeavors? Me too! As you might know, I enjoy design, illustration, photography, and filmmaking. Many of these passions require me to plug in more than one device at a time (e.g., hard drives or SD cards). I bought this multiport adapter, so I could simultaneously connect an Ethernet cable and upload large video files to a solid-state drive.
Important reminder: While exploring your options, you’ll want to consider the following:
For extended displays: Maximum supported resolution + maximum supported refresh rate
For connecting multiple devices: Types and total number of ports
For compatibility: Maximum data speed (e.g., 5000. megabits per second)
Keyboard + Mouse
If you primarily work from a laptop, you may wonder: what’s the use of a separate keyboard and mouse*?
Wrist/hand pain is reduced or eliminated, especially with mechanical keyboards.
Also, if you’ve opted to lift your laptop to eye level, it’s much more uncomfortable to type at a high angle. No one wants to look like a velociraptor at work…
Dangerous spills are less likely! You can also counteract the buildup of dirt and dust on your precious laptop.
The keys are sometimes customizable. Mine has swappable emojis!
A wireless keyboard is portable! And, the fewer cables, the better.
I’m obsessed with this wireless mechanical keyboard and mouse duo from Logitech. They make fantastic products!
*There’s nothing like typing on a mechanical keyboard. Is it essential? No, but it makes me happy! Plus, I found a mouse that matches which ties in with the dreamy aesthetic.
Desk Mat
Dirt on your desk is inevitable. Especially if, like me, you must snack and stay hydrated throughout your work day. The good news is you can reduce grime and protect your desk’s surface with a waterproof desk mat. If you can find one that acts as a mouse pad, that’s even better!
Electronics Cleaning Brushes
Electronics cleaning brushes are must-haves to keep your devices tidy. I have two cats who regularly lounge on my desk, so you can only imagine the hair.
Utensil Organizers
My obsession with writing utensils* first began in elementary school. It’s still going strong, so I need all the organizational help I can get.
*I’m always on the hunt for the best pen. If you have any recommendations, please drop them in the comments below!
Desk Organizers
When my important notes and papers are organized, I can breathe a sigh of relief. Peace leads to clarity, opening the way for new ideas and productivity.
I bought this desk organizer from Amazon, and it’s a solid choice! With two separate monitors, my desk is easily cluttered. However, I enjoy keeping every asset in a central place. Plus, the drawers with multiple compartments for miscellaneous objects are extremely useful.
Headphones + Speakers
For those days when your office is filled with unending distractions, put on noise-canceling headphones. They are worth every penny! Even if you’re working remotely at a coffee shop, they represent a polite way of saying: “Please do not disturb! Creative juices are flowing…”
When I need to get out of my head and loosen up, I turn on my speakers. My favorite background noise includes music, podcasts, historical documentaries, and YouTube vlogs/tutorials.
What is your ideal work environment?
