Productive Desk Setup of a Writer

Name: Ross Robinson

Location: Kailua, Hawaii

Occupation: Writer and Interior Designer

Room size: 11,2 m² (121 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$3,7K

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a content writer with an interior design background.

I use my experience to write design-related content for architects, interior designers, product manufacturers, and design publications.

In addition to providing writing services, I run Rosstopia.com, a website focused on home office productivity and design.

A home office setup featuring a standing desk with a dual-monitor arrangement, a keyboard and mouse on a cork mat, a mug, a notebook, a spherical lamp, and a monstera plant

Prior to writing, I worked as an interior designer and spent many years working in home furnishings with top-tier brands and high-profile clientele.

I also worked as a marketing manager for a top-tier, mid-century-styled furniture brand in Los Angeles.

I continue to use my interior design and product design experience to help others design their home offices.

Take us through your setup

Item	Model
Monitor	Dell S2721HS Full HD 1920 x 1080p
Monitor mount	VIVO Articulating Single Arm in White (STAND-V101OW)
Laptop	Lenovo Yoga 9i - 14ITLS model number PF9XB111234
Laptop stand	Macally Aluminum Laptop Riser Stand
Desk shelf	IKEA MALM
Keyboard	Logitech MX Keys Mini
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3S
Wrist rest	Logitech MX Palm Rest for MX Keys
Desk mat	Aelfox Cork & Cork Desk Pad
Chair	Herman Miller Aeron Chair Size B
Charging dock	Oakywood Triple Dock & Charger
Desk	Flexispot Desk EN 55″ in white
Filing cabinet	DEVAISE Locking File Cabinet
Desk lamp	Target Threshold desk lamp with USB ports

This desk is designed to give me everything I need in a minimalist aesthetic.

I minimised colours to three:

Black to coordinate with my monitor, iPad, and smartphone
White to blend with my white walls for a minimalistic look and to warmly contrast the wood flooring. (The white walls help maximise the available natural light from my windows.)
Light brown to bring a natural look and warm balance to the black and white. I also value natural products, so the light brown helps me incorporate wood into the setup (white oak, bamboo, and cork)

A home office setup with a monstera plant, a glowing orb lamp, and a framed landscape picture on the wall

I love the setup because I can access all go-to items easily, like my notebook, pen, phone, tablet, and laptop.

All less-vital products sit in the white filing cabinet that also matches the white desk and walls for a clean overall look.

A close-up view of a white office drawer unit next to a standing desk with a portion of a monstera plant visible on the left

I’m more productive with this setup than with prior versions.

It puts most of what I need close at hand while minimising clutter, which helps me think better.

Each item has an engaging home that is well within reach, encouraging me to return it to its original location after use.

A well-arranged workstation with a large monitor, a laptop on a stand, a black mug, a wireless keyboard and mouse on a cork mat, as well as a tablet and smartphone on a wooden Oakywood charging dock

Grouping items together also helps minimise visual mess. The resulting clean look makes my desk a place I want to be, keeping me there longer to improve my productivity.

The total time for creating this setup was about a month once I decided on the colours.

The only challenge was small but worth mentioning.

The charging station by Oakywood is designed to work with iPhone products.

Since my phone is Android-based, I needed to sand the hole to make it fit the Android plug.

Still, the station is solid wood, so sanding was easy.

The Aeron chair is typically expensive but came to me at a discount thanks to my prior employment with Design Within Reach.

I think any black or dark grey Aeron-like chair would look just as good.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

My favourite item is the charging station.

There are endless charging options, but setting my devices on natural wood balances out the feeling of tech for a more calm, almost zen work experience.

A triple charging dock from Oakywood, designed to hold and charge multiple devices simultaneously

Since everything charges in one spot, I also have one clean area of my desk place to access all my electronics.

The design looks fantastic in person as well.

It was expensive ($90), but this is a long-term investment since it is solid wood, good-looking, and allows me to replace cords as new devices enter the market.

What apps or tools do you use to get things done?

As a writer, many of my clients are pushing for AI content.

I use AI-based writing tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Frase, and Jasper.

For SEO content, I use Surfer SEO, Ahrefs, and KeySearch. I also edit my work using Grammarly and Hemingway Editor.

As a solopreneur, my favourite software is Google-based.

Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail, Tasks app, and Calendar work seamlessly together.

A side view of a thin monitor attached to a white articulated arm mount, with a power strip button visible, against a white wall, and a framed picture in the background

I can create my own systems for organising my work. Google provides all I need in one location at little cost (just a few dollars per month).

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

I am a fan of BGE, a blogging course that is helping me grow my business.

I also follow Marques Brownlee on YouTube. He covers tech topics extremely well.

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

I think the most critical aspect of working from home is ensuring you stay productive.

I recommend using this goal as a guidepost when planning desk setups.

Keep your most important tools close at hand to minimise arm movements, and place items in intuitive locations so that you always return them to their original homes.

A close-up image of a black Logitech keyboard with illuminated keys, placed on a cork surface with a wooden pen holder behind it

That way, you never think about where they are.

You can still choose products and design treatments you love, but the functionality of your workspace is what leads to success.

What does your typical day look like?

I get up at 6:30 am to meditate, stretch, and check emails.

I live in Hawaii, and most of my work comes from the mainland, so I check emails early to ensure my clients have timely responses.

I then have a relaxing breakfast and return to my desk to start my day at around 9 am.

I have a set of Big 3 tasks, each prioritised, and have all To-Do’s organised the night before, which allows me to start working immediately.

A minimal home office desk setup with a monstera plant

I check Upwork for new orders and Amazon to see what affiliate income came from my blogging business overnight. Then I’m off and running with my Big 3s.

I head to the gym at noon, eat lunch at 1 pm, and work until 6 or 7 pm.

I work a seven or eight-hour day.

I use Pomodoros throughout the day to take needed breaks and check off tasks.

At the end of the day, I water the plants and head out to play tennis or visit an art meetup group.

I have followed this framework on and off since beginning my WFH journey five years ago.

Your tips for working from home?

As I said before, productivity is the name of the game when working from home, so make sure you have all the tools you need and a setup you love using.

You will work there longer to get more done.

Also, work/life balance can be tricky, but it’s important.

An open lined notebook with a metallic pen resting on the right page, placed on a white surface next to a cork desk mat

Mix in motion by using a walking pad with a standup desk, walking around the block, exercising, or doing yoga.

Stretching each day also combats aches and pains.

Along the way, drink plenty of water.

Pre-organising homemade meals saves a massive amount of time, helping you get more done.

Batch cooking also encourages you to eat what you cooked, keeping you healthy.

Finally, mix in fun!

At the end of the day, shut your workspace down, walk away, and enjoy time with friends and family.

You will give yourself a mental break from work and improve the quality of your sleep.

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