Clean and Vibrant Desk Setup in Ontario, Canada

Name: Anthony

Location: Ontario, Canada

Occupation: Technical Engineer

Room size: 10 m² (110 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$4K

Social media: Instagram

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, I’m Anthony!

I was born and raised in Nigeria and relocated to Canada five years ago to study Computer Information Technology.

Currently, I work remotely as a Technical Engineer for an IT company, where I help organisations secure and maintain their IT infrastructure.

My passion for technology started in childhood, when I spent countless hours playing video games and tinkering with computers.

Today, I feel fortunate to have turned that passion into a career that not only excites me but also allows me the flexibility of working remotely.

Outside of work, I love giving back to my community through volunteering.

I also enjoy writing and reading technical articles on Medium, which help me stay up-to-date in the ever-evolving tech world.

Take us through your setup

I like to describe my workspace as peaceful and inspiring, with a black-and-white theme accented by pops of colour.

While I enjoy adding pops of colour, I make sure not to overdo it to keep the space from feeling overwhelming.

I usually stick to red, blue, and green.

Red, the official colour of my football club, Manchester United, adds a bold touch.

Blue is my favourite colour, and green brings a natural, earthy vibe that enhances any space.

By blending the bold red of my team with the calm of my favourite blue and the grounding effect of green, I’ve created a balanced, vibrant setup.

It took about two years to perfect this setup, and I’m proud of how it’s evolved.

Initially, just a desk, chair, and monitor were enough, but as I spent more time working from home, I realised the value of a space that fosters creativity and productivity.

What inspired my shift from a basic setup was realising that over time, I wasn’t feeling motivated to work in my office.

I noticed that whenever I had the chance to work from a café or a location with really cool decor, I looked forward to working much more than usual.

However, commuting to a café and buying coffee and toast multiple times a week started adding up.

So, I decided to create a space that truly resonates with me, allowing me to enjoy my own coffee and toast at home.

This not only saves me money but also time in the long run.

I love the natural light, and the room’s size — about 11×10 ft — allows for a daybed alongside my desk.

This flexibility lets me switch between sitting and lounging, depending on my task.

Of course, when I have back-to-back meetings or I’m working on time-sensitive tasks, I usually stay at my desk to stay focused and take advantage of the larger screen.

However, on slower days, I like to disconnect my laptop from the monitor and catch up on training or respond to emails from the daybed.

Since I’m in a rental, I’m careful about what I add, focusing on items that are both functional and easy to incorporate into a future, more permanent space.

For now, I’m content with my setup but plan to add a monitor stand and arm in the future.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

I really like every item on my desk.

But if I had to choose, it would be my MacBook Pro.

It’s not just because it’s the most expensive item, but because it’s my first MacBook and a gift I gave to myself for meeting my career goal.

I got it for around $2,600, and so far it’s worth every dollar.

Before this, I was always more inclined towards a PC or Windows setup.

I spent weeks checking reviews and going over my checklist to ensure I was making the right decision before buying it.

Since switching to macOS, I can’t see myself going back to Windows.

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

Notion is one of my favourite tools.

I use it every day to stay productive and focused on my goals.

It gives me a single, organised space to manage everything that’s important, offering a clear and open environment for thinking, writing, and planning.

With Notion, I can stay on track and make the most of each day.

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

I’ve been enjoying the audiobook The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.

With my recent hectic schedule, I’ve found that audiobooks are a great way to maintain my reading habit.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

It challenges you to rethink and re-strategise your approach to life, focusing on simple yet profound concepts that often go unnoticed.

Despite its simplicity, it’s incredibly impactful.

I’m also enjoying Ramit Sethi’s content on Spotify.

It’s definitely worth a listen if you want to improve your relationship with money.

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

Instead of rushing to buy every cool-looking item, ask yourself whether you actually need the item.

Take a moment to create a mood board for your setup using a tool like Canva.

This will help you visualise how well each item will fit into your workspace.

What does your typical day look like?

I’ve been working from home for three years now, and I’ve found a routine that really works for me.

I usually head to bed at 10 pm and wake up at 6 am, giving myself an hour before work starts.

During that time, I like to pray, scroll through Instagram, catch up on football news, pack my wife’s lunch and take a shower.

After reviewing my meetings and to-do list for the day, I grab breakfast — usually a cup of tea and some avocado toast — before settling in at my desk.

Throughout the day, I switch between sitting and standing at my adjustable desk, which helps keep me comfortable.

I typically don’t leave the house during my lunch break; instead, I use the time to handle household chores, post on Instagram, watch TV or work on a personal project.

After work, I like to hit the gym or go for a walk to clear my mind.

I enjoy the flexibility of working from home, but I’m also aware that things might shift to a hybrid model in the future.

I understand the value of in-person interaction and am open to that change when it comes.

Your tips for working from home?

My advice is to keep a to-do list and use time blocks to manage your day.

If you’re not mindful, it’s easy to have unproductive days due to distractions, especially from your mobile phone.

I personally use an Apple Watch, which allows me to leave my phone in another room without worry.

Additionally, using a fitness watch or a timer that reminds you to move and stay hydrated can be really helpful.

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