I’ve spent a lot of time (and I mean a LOT of time) thinking about optimizing my workspace now that I’m 97% remote, and it appears that things will remain that way even post-Covid. Previously, my home office basically served as dumping ground for household mail, hobby supplies, and whatever the dogs had dragged upstairs while I was at work. Now? It’s arguably a much more pleasant and productive place than my “real office” ever was. Most of this has involved basic decluttering and purchasing more functional shelving and storage, but I’ve also consolidated a lot of my desk accessories and office supplies, clearing some out and purchasing more functional replacements. I’m still working on bigger issues (such as choosing a better chair and hardwiring my home Wifi to ensure better speeds through the house), but I’m pleased with where things stand.
Continuing my prior discussions of home-based work, today’s post contains a mix of “gear recommendations” and discussion of general office layout choices that have worked for me. By way of background, my job involves approximately 80% writing, so my setup focuses on creating spaces conducive to reading, writing, and research, and having the tools I need for that readily at hand. Since everyone has different job requirements, these recommendations may or may not be on-point for you, but I do hope you find them helpful. So, with that in mind, what do I consider “essential”?
WASD “Code” Mechanical Keyboard. Even though I work extensively by hand, the keyboard is still my primary input device. A mechanical keyboard, which features a mechanical switch for each key rather than a rubber dome or membrane, increases my typing accuracy and is much easier on my hands and wrists over longer sessions in front of a screen. Though I’ve owned multiple mechanical keyboards over the years, I’ve sold nearly all of them off in favor of WASD’s “Code” Keyboard, which combines understated basic black design with rock-solid durability. Since I prefer stiff, clicky keys, I use the version with Cherry MX Green switches.
Landscape-Style Desk Pad. For years now, I’ve used a landscape-style desk pad or notebook on my desk beneath my keyboard for impromptu checklists, quick calculations, and drafting by hand. Typically, for notes that don’t get saved, I love the Baron Fig Mastermind desk pad. Lately, I’ve also used the Write Notepads lndscape-orientation spiral notebook, which is lined and therefore nice for drafting.
Compact Pen or Tool Holder. Who would’ve thought that it’s distracting to have dozens of pens and pencils scattered all over your desk? I’ve tested out lots of pen holders, and my favorite remains my “Divide” from Dudek Modern goods, which holds a dozen pens and pencils in addition to pocket notebooks. That said, Mike only makes these in occasional batches, so you should also consider Galen Leather’s ToolComb, which I recently reviewed. I currently use both.
Notepad or Tablet Stand. As a proponent of handwriting your first draft of pretty much anything, I do a lot of typing from hardcopy. While I’ve used more expensive aluminum tablet stands to hold notebooks and legal pads upright while I transcribe handwritten drafts, I discovered these simple and inexpensive folding metal book stands that are not only adjustable but fold flat for storage if you need to temporarily reclaim the desk space.
Standing Desk. Moving around during the day is key to my own personal productivity (and it’s also healthier). My primary workspace is an extremely large, 1970s-era wooden desk (referred to in our house as “the battleship”) that I inherited from my grandfather, which allows me to spread out but will never win any awards for ergonomics or design. When I need a break, I use a podium-style adjustable desk from Levenger that is big enough to pull triple duty as a writing desk, laptop stand, and even a shipping station when I’m packing orders for the store. I love this thing so much that I’ve actually purchased two of them over the years, with a second currently sitting unused at my downtown office.
Lap Desk or Clipboard. Another thing I’ve learned about myself is that I can’t go an entire day without going outside, though it’s easy to find yourself in that situation working from home if you don’t need to leave to get lunch, etc. I make an effort to go out on the porch or patio and work for at least an hour to get some air. I’ve experimented with a variety of lap desks, but I keep coming back to clipboards. I have a black canvas version I picked up years ago at Papier Plus in Paris, which I don’t believe they sell anymore. I recently found these Penco fiberboard versions in A4 size that also make a great mobile work surface.
Dedicated Work/Personal Notebooks. Prior to 2020, I had started using a single large notebook for all of my notes to reduce the weight and bulk of what I had to carry back and forth between home and office. Now, I’m back to using three to four different notebooks to better separate my work life from my personal life (which is hard to do when worlds collide).
Desktop Pencil Sharpener. I’ve found myself using more and more graphite for work purposes. While I still use my fountain pens to journal and when I’m otherwise writing for my own enjoyment, pencil can be less distracting since I find myself focusing on the actual work as opposed to the ink, paper, nib, etc. My go-to all-purpose pencil sharpener remains the Carl Angel-5/Classroom Friendly pencil sharpener, with the handheld M+R Brass Bullet taking on an increasingly prominent role when I’m working on the porch.
Whiteboard/Chalkboard. For planning and sketching out ideas free-form, and for making running lists of tasks in a place where I can see them, sometimes there’s nothing better than a wall board. I say “wall board” because I’m seriously considering moving away from a whiteboard to a traditional chalkboard. It can be hard to clean a whiteboard, and even the “low odor” markers give me a headache. Plus, if I really want to go all “mad scientist,” I could paint an entire wall of my office in chalkboard paint and…. well, you get the idea.
Annotation/Highlighter Pencils. I dislike liquid ink highlighters, especially for marking up handwritten notes. They smear everything from ink to pencils. I much prefer highlighter pencils, and for years I’ve used these Caran d’Ache Graphicolor highlighter/graphite combination pencils. I also enjoy the Graphicolor red/graphite annotation pencils, which form a key part of my reading and journaling kit.
What home office items do you find indispensable to your daily work? I’m interested to hear! Please feel free to leave a comment or message me directly using the “Contact” link!
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