Over the past year, my home office has gone through quite a few changes. I’m still working as a product designer, and while all I technically need is a laptop, I’ve come to appreciate the value of building a space that inspires creativity, supports deep work, and just feels good to spend time in.

This isn’t just a collection of gear — it’s a workspace that’s evolved with me, piece by piece. In this post, I’m walking through my full setup, why I chose each item, and how everything fits together to support the way I work.

You can check out my Youtube video here: Watch the setup tour on YouTube

Ergonomics First: Desk and Chair

Let’s start with the base: the desk and chair. These two pieces define your posture, your comfort, and honestly, how long you can stay focused without feeling like you need to stretch every five minutes. My desk is the Herman Miller Jarvis standing desk in walnut and black — 60x28 inches. I’ve had it for around four years now and still love it. I originally used the standing feature all the time, but these days I mostly raise it when I’m stuck on a problem or need to change perspective. It’s programmable with four height presets, which helps a lot.. My desk is the Herman Miller Jarvis standing desk in walnut and black — 60x28 inches. I’ve had it for around four years now and still love it. I originally used the standing feature all the time, but these days I mostly raise it when I’m stuck on a problem or need to change perspective. It’s programmable with four height presets, which helps a lot.

This year, I upgraded my chair to a FlexiSpot ergonomic model. It has all the adjustments I need — armrest angles, seat height, headrest tilt, lumbar support — and the mesh back keeps things breathable. Together, the desk and chair make long workdays much more comfortable.

The Main Device: 2024 MacBook Pro

My main machine is the 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, 24GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. It replaced a 2019 model that was starting to lag behind — especially with design work in Figma, Adobe tools, and the occasional video edit. The M4 chip has been a noticeable boost in speed and responsiveness, especially when juggling multiple apps. I went with the matte black version, which I think looks great with the rest of my setup. with the M4 chip, 24GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. It replaced a 2019 model that was starting to lag behind — especially with video editing, design work, and running heavier apps. I went with the matte black version, which I think looks great with the rest of my setup.

I used to keep it open on a stand, but now I keep it closed and docked on my desk shelf for a cleaner workflow. If I ever need a second screen, I pull out the Native Union laptop stand.

Desk Shelf & Monitor

My MacBook lives on the Balolo Setup Cockpit — a beautifully modular desk shelf. It’s customizable with trays, shelves, and holders. I use their iPad holder (more on that in a bit), a laptop slot, and a few trays for things like pens and keycaps.

The main screen I use is a 32" Acer monitor that’s been with me for four years. It’s not 4K, but the color accuracy is solid, and the size is perfect for tools like Figma and Notion where you’re often working with large canvases or layered interfaces. I’ll likely upgrade it soon for higher resolution, but for now, it’s still doing the job well. that’s been with me for four years. It’s not 4K, but the color accuracy is solid, and it gives me plenty of real estate for design tools like Figma. I’ll likely upgrade it soon, but for now, it still gets the job done.

The Docking Station

A recent addition is the HiDock H1 — a docking station that not only connects everything with one cable, but also takes AI-powered meeting notes. It’s especially helpful when I’m multitasking or in fast-paced team calls where details can slip through the cracks. Instead of juggling multiple AI subscriptions, this hardware solution streamlines it all into one device. — a docking station that not only connects everything with one cable, but also takes AI-powered meeting notes. If you tend to zone out during meetings (no judgment), this thing makes sure nothing gets missed. It’s a cool all-in-one tool that saves me from juggling subscriptions to multiple note-taking services.

Note-Taking: Penstar E-Ink Tablet

While the HiDock handles meeting notes automatically, I still like to jot down ideas by hand — especially sketches or diagrams. Instead of using my iPad (which I now reserve for intentional distractions like watching videos during admin work), I use the Penstar E-Ink Tablet. It’s affordable, responsive, and doesn’t come with any subscription requirements. It’s a great alternative to more expensive e-ink options.

Keyboard & Mouse

My keyboard setup rotates between a few favorites:

• The Lofree Flow — slim and beautifully designed, great for typing.

• The Varmilo Minilo — super quiet, thanks to its silent switches.

• The Keychron K2 HE — a standout with magnetic switches that let you customize actuation points. It’s got a unique feel, great sound, and a clean black-and-wood look.

I pair any of those with my trusty MX Master 3 mouse. It’s the best I’ve used — comfortable, customizable, and perfect for scrolling horizontally through large design files or editing timelines in DaVinci Resolve.

Desk Mats & Texture

I like layering textures on the desk to add visual and tactile contrast. It breaks up the flatness of the workspace and makes it feel more dynamic. I stack two desk mats: the bottom one is from Native Union and the top is a wool felt mat from Grovemade. Together, they create contrast and make the setup feel a bit more refined. to add visual interest. I stack two desk mats: the bottom one is from Native Union and the top is a wool felt mat from Grovemade. Together, they create contrast and make the setup feel a bit more refined.

Webcam & Light Bar

For video calls and content creation, I use the Opal C1 webcam. It looks great and performs even better — but unfortunately, it only works on Macs. Since my new job issued me a Windows laptop, I now use my DSLR for calls on that device.

The light bar on top of the monitor is from BenQ. It’s not the sleekest looking, but it's super useful for working at night. It reduces eye strain by evening out the light around the monitor.

Audio & Decor

For music, I use Kanto YU speakers — solid sound and a bit bass-heavy, which I don’t mind. If you want more bass, there’s an optional subwoofer too.

I’ve also brought in a few plants (which now live in the office since our cats can’t reach them), some LEGO builds, a pegboard with mementos, and a few framed photos. It’s not hyper-minimalist, but it’s personal and it reflects what I like.

Final Thoughts

This space might not be the most minimal or expensive setup out there, but every piece has earned its place. Whether it’s through design, comfort, or functionality, everything here supports the way I like to work.

If you’re building or updating your own setup, I’d suggest starting with what you do most often — and then building around that. It doesn’t need to be perfect on day one. Mine certainly wasn’t.

And if you’re curious to see everything in motion, you can check out the full video tour here:

👉 Watch the setup tour on YouTube

Thanks for reading — and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about gear or setup ideas!