5 Pieces of Gear for a More Productive Desk

A productive desk does not need a lot of equipment, just a few things in the right place. These are the five we always start with when setting up a new desk. First, a screen at eye level. If the top of the screen sits below your eyes, your neck bends all day without you noticing. A monitor arm or a simple riser lifts it to the right height and frees the space underneath. Second, a compact keyboard. A shorter board brings the mouse closer to your body, so you are not reaching out to the side with every movement, and that alone spares your shoulder by the end of the day. Third, a mouse that fits your hand. One that is too small strains the fingers; one that is too big tires the wrist. Choose a shape your whole hand rests on, ideally with silent clicks if you share a room. Fourth, light spread across the desk. Light that falls on one spot leaves the rest of the surface in shadow and tires the eyes. A lamp with a long bar lights papers and keyboard evenly. Fifth, a place for everything. A drawer close by for papers and chargers, and cables gathered under the desk, keep the surface clear, so you start work each morning without tidying first.