Desk Setup Guide

Step 1: Assess Your Cable Situation

Before buying any products, take inventory of your cables. Count how many cables you have running from your desk: power cables, USB cables, monitor cables, charging cables, ethernet cables, and any peripherals. This helps you choose the right cable management solution for your needs.

Most desk setups have between 8-15 cables. If you have more than 15, consider consolidating devices or using a powered USB hub to reduce cable count.

Step 2: Route Cables Under Your Desk

The foundation of any clean desk setup is keeping cables hidden under the desk surface. The most effective solution is an under-desk cable management tray that catches and conceals all your cables in one place.

These trays come in two main styles:

• Metal mesh trays - Durable, breathable, and work with any desk style. Great for heavy cable loads. The metal mesh under-desk tray with clamp mount is popular because it requires no drilling.
• Fabric trays - Softer look, quieter operation, and often easier to access cables. Works well in home office environments.

Step 3: Use Cable Clips for Loose Wires

Even with an under-desk tray, you'll have cables that need to travel up to your desk surface - like your keyboard, mouse, or phone charger. Cable clips keep these cables organized and prevent them from falling off your desk.

There are several types of cable clips:

• Adhesive clips - Stick directly to your desk edge. Best for permanent setups. The multi-slot cable clips can hold 3-5 cables each.
• Spring clips - Flexible holders that grip cables of different thicknesses. Spring cable holder clips are easy to add or remove cables.
• Magnetic clips - Perfect for charging cables you frequently connect and disconnect. Magnetic cable clips let you grab cables with one hand.

Step 4: Bundle Cables Together

For cables that run the same path, bundling them together creates a cleaner look and makes the whole system easier to manage. You have several options:

• Cable sleeves - Fabric or neoprene tubes that bundle multiple cables into one clean line. The zipper cable management sleeve makes it easy to add or remove cables later.
• Split loom tubing - Rigid plastic tubing that protects and hides cables. Split loom cable sleeves are great for cables that run along walls or under desks.
• Velcro straps - The most flexible option. Easy to add more cables or reorganize. Often included in comprehensive cable management kits.

Step 5: Manage Power Strips

A power strip or surge protector is often the largest source of cable clutter. Mount yours under your desk to keep it hidden while maintaining easy access.

Look for power strips with built-in USB ports to reduce the number of wall adapters you need. Position the strip close to where most of your devices are located to minimize cable runs.

The Minimal Desk Philosophy

The cleanest desks have the fewest items on them. Before organizing, ask yourself what actually needs to be on your desk surface. Items you use daily belong on the desk. Everything else should be stored in drawers, shelves, or off the desk entirely.

A typical minimal desk has: monitor(s), keyboard, mouse, and perhaps one personal item. Everything else gets stored or mounted elsewhere.

Vertical Space Utilization

When desk surface is limited, think vertically. Monitor arms free up space under your screen while providing better ergonomic positioning. Wall-mounted shelves keep frequently used items within reach without cluttering your desk.

A monitor stand with drawer gives you extra storage while elevating your screen to a more comfortable height. The built-in drawers are perfect for pens, sticky notes, and small accessories.

Drawer Organization

If your desk has drawers, use dividers to create designated spots for different items. This prevents the dreaded "junk drawer" and helps you find things quickly. Small trays, dividers, and containers turn chaotic drawers into organized systems.

Categories that work well: writing instruments, sticky notes and paper, cables and adapters, personal items, and a catch-all section for miscellaneous items.

Desktop Accessories

For items that must stay on your desk, choose accessories that serve multiple purposes. A metal monitor stand with organizer drawer elevates your screen and provides storage. Pen holders with phone stands consolidate two functions into one footprint.

Single Monitor Setup

Position your monitor directly in front of you, about an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. This reduces neck strain and promotes good posture during long work sessions.

A monitor stand or arm helps achieve the right height while freeing up desk space underneath. The monitor stand with storage combines height adjustment with practical organization features.

Dual Monitor Setup

For dual monitors, position them so the inner edges meet in front of you, creating a gentle curve. If you use one monitor more than the other, center the primary monitor and position the secondary to the side.

A dual monitor stand riser keeps both screens at the same height and provides additional storage underneath. This is especially useful if your monitors have different stand heights.

Monitor Arm Benefits

Monitor arms offer the most flexibility in positioning. They free up all the space under your monitor, allow easy screen repositioning, and make it simple to switch between sitting and standing if you have an adjustable desk.

When choosing a monitor arm, check the VESA compatibility (most monitors use 75x75mm or 100x100mm patterns) and weight capacity (must exceed your monitor's weight).