A big part of creating the ultimate desk setup centers around displaying your technology in a way that helps you study better, work better, or game better. How would you set your desk up? Today I experimented with my setup and tried a dark and moody vibe. Continue reading to see how it turned out.
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Dark and Moody Desk Setup Links
- Inspiration
- Bringing Wood Paneling to Life
- Unique Rug Prints
- Seating in the Office Space
- Much Needed Greenery and Accessories
- Rode PSA1 Microphone Arm
- Govee Floor Lamp
- Added Peripherals
1. Inspiration
I started out by looking at other people’s setups to get some ideas and inspiration. I wanted to have a mid-century feel, so I found some things around the office that made sense to use. I wanted some modern technology with this setup as well. Once I gathered my ideas, I went to photoshop to do a mockup and bring my ideas to life. If you don’t have photoshop skills, there’s always the option of creating an idea board and pasting some pictures together in a folder.
2. Bringing Wood Paneling to Life
An interesting idea that I have come across is wood slab paneling. I thought this would be something cool to try. It sets a specific mood for the room which I liked so I went ahead and ordered some samples. The desk that I planned to use is the New Heights S Series Electric Standing Desk. This desk has a solid hardwood surface that I wanted to make sure paired well with the wood panels.
My mom has been a wood crafter for over 40 years, so I’ve learned a thing or 2 from her. I wanted my wood panels to be different tones and not match exactly so I used the skills from her to make this happen. I chose a walnut finish for the panels with a blue gray finish for the surface. I wanted to also add a nice rug that would complement well with the colors and tones of the panels.
3. Unique Rug Prints
I found some different designs on Amazon and decided to make a purchase. At first, I went with the mid-century modern feel. This would include an aqua rug that would be large enough to fit under my desk and fill up my whole space. I went with an ocean theme because the washed-out panels reminded me of a boardwalk and the rug was like the Carribean. I came across some ocean pictures that could hang on the wall as well to bring it all together.
4. Seating in My Office Space
I decided to add a loveseat in my office space for a few reasons. The first one being to just switch it up from sitting in an office chair all day. It’s a good place to simply relax for a moment. I found this loveseat on Amazon at an affordable price. It ships in 2 huge boxes and in pieces. I ended up painting the legs of the couch black because I wanted my wood tones to go together nicely. To round out my space, I ordered a few more decorations that I thought were necessary. A small side table to go next to the couch made sense for conveniently setting things on like cups or notepads.
5. Much Needed Greenery and Accessories
Furthermore, I wanted to add some greenery to my styled office space, so I bought a 5-foot plant. This was a plant that had to be assembled because it was impossible to have a real plant in the room with no sunlight. I then thought I needed some technology accessories with my setup. I went with the HumanScale M8 Monitor Arm. We have tested many of these heavy-duty arms at btod.com, but this one is my favorite. It has the ability to hold my large 49-inch Samsung Odyssey monitor and has a sleek look to it.
The monitor has the right amount of curve to it for viewing in multiple angles. This makes for a comfortable work environment and easy multitasking. I appreciate the uninterrupted space that it has to offer because it’s essentially one long monitor. On top of my monitor, I attached a BenQ screen light bar. Personally, I think this one is the best out there.
6. Rode PSA1 Microphone Arm
My main job at this desk setup is content creation which includes recording audio, so I bought the Rode PSA1 arm. It extends to get the mic right where you need it and holds its position well. The mic itself is the Shure M7, it’s not necessarily the top mic, but I found it to be a good value for the price and super easy to use.
7. Govee Floor Lamp
Since my setup is dark and moody, the moody aspect really needed to come into play. This is why I chose to go with a Govee floor lamp. It’s a slim and sleek pole that lights up with the touch of a remote or an app. It offers different scenes and color settings to make any mood come to life. I like the warm white light option, but everyone has their own taste.
8. Added Peripherals
Lastly, I added my peripherals to my desk. I’ve been using the Logitech MX Vertical Mouse for a while and I also have the 96% Keychron K4 keyboard with custom keys. I wanted some retro looking off white keycaps, so I purchased some off Epomaker. The final product for my desk was of course the Steelcase Leap V2 office chair. This is such a great chair giving you tons of flexibility in both the back and the seat. There are also tons of adjustments for the ultimate comfort. I chose black because I wanted the chair to blend in with the setup.
Bottom Line
Overall, I am happy with how the whole setup came together. The early stages of planning really helped out to visually see the end result. I hope I was able to give you some ideas for your own setup.
