Modern Minimalist Desk Setup in Malaysia

Name: Rosdi Annuar

Location: Selangor, Malaysia

Occupation: Project Accountant

Room size: 13 m² (140 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$5K

Social media: Instagram

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

Hello, my name is Rosdi, and I’m a Chartered Accountant based in Selangor, Malaysia, working remotely for a multinational IT company.

My role involves handling and managing the accounting aspects of projects for the IT services provided by the company to some of the world’s largest companies.

I’m also a husband and father to two beautiful daughters.

In my free time, I’m a hobbyist content creator, sharing my desk setup journey and reviewing products, ranging from tech to lifestyle items, primarily on Instagram and occasionally on TikTok and Threads.

My desk setup journey began in November 2019, but it wasn’t until December 2020 that I started sharing my setup after moving into my current house.

Since then, content creation has been rewarding, allowing me to move my desk to a spare room, transform it into my office/studio, and upgrade my setup to what it is today.

It has also connected me with many other creators who share the same interests, enabling me to exchange knowledge and work with some of my favourite brands.

Take us through your setup

I want my desk setup to reflect my personal style and taste for modern minimalism while maintaining simplicity and functionality.

I tend to lean towards basic, neutral colours — mainly black, wood, and white/grey.

I’m also selective about the items I keep on my desk; everything serves a purpose and is within easy reach.

I apply the same mindset to my office/studio, where I have separate areas for work, lounging, storage, and content creation.

Unlike my desk, however, my office/studio is dominated by white and grey furniture.

This is because I want my desk to be the focal point of the space.

This setup was by no means an overnight success.

Before I even had a desk, I worked on an ironing board for several months, which I still keep as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

I started with a basic IKEA desk and dining chair, and it took me four years to reach the current setup.

Fortunately, I haven’t faced too many financial challenges, as most of the items I have were either things I already owned or received through brand collaborations, for which I’m very grateful.

Before moving into this room, my desk was in the family hall upstairs, which had plenty of natural light — something I miss in my current room.

The challenge was investing in a studio light to replicate that natural light and learning how to use it effectively.

It took me a while to understand how lighting works, and I’m still learning to this day.

Some items I’d like to improve or add include more storage to keep larger products and boxes out of sight, a better and simpler speaker (I recently sold the previous one due to limitations), and downsizing my PC from ATX to ITX, as I’m a huge fan of the ITX aesthetic.

[Editor’s note: ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) and ITX (Information Technology Extended) refer to different sizes of computer cases, with ATX being standard-sized and ITX being more compact, often preferred for minimalist setups.]

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

It’s really difficult to choose a favourite item from my setup, especially since I’m particular about what I put on my desk.

If I had to choose one that’s really important for my workflow, it would be the MX Master 3. Since I work with large spreadsheets, the thumb wheel is invaluable for boosting productivity.

It’s comfortable, and I’ve never had any issues with it, like wrist pain. It’s popular among desk setup enthusiasts for a reason.

Another favourite is the newly added JSAUX Portable Monitor. The screen can be used either horizontally or vertically, with one or two screens, and it’s easy to bring along whenever I work remotely.

I received it as part of a brand collaboration with JSAUX, who sent it over for content creation.

It’s definitely one of my favourite products from a collaboration.

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

For my day job as an accountant, you really can’t go wrong with Microsoft Excel for working files and SAP for bookkeeping, generating reports, and working sheets.

I even have the Advanced Excel certification, and when used to its full potential, you can create wonders with Excel — even coding.

These two tools are crucial for what I do.

For content creation, I still create content using my iPhone, so having apps on it really streamlines my process.

I record my videos with the Blackmagic app, then edit them using CapCut for videos and Lightroom for photos.

I believe CapCut is more than sufficient for my type of videos, while I opted for the Pro version of Lightroom, which works wonders for editing my photos.

For productivity, I still prefer using physical notebooks and task cards.

I avoid digital tools as I can easily get distracted by other apps.

The task cards help me plan my tasks for both my day job and content creation; they’re versatile and always in front of me.

Plus, the wooden stand they came with really complements my setup.

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

My source of desk setup inspiration was definitely Instagram, where I was introduced to many people with similar hobbies, as well as blogs like Maker Stations, which showcases a lot of cool desk setups.

YouTube also helps, especially for gaining a deeper understanding of setups, such as the process and reasoning behind them.

These platforms not only provide inspiration for desk setups but also for content creation.

Lately, I’m really into architecture and interior design, so I’ve been following related pages and collecting Design Anthology magazines.

I really like their style, showcasing places with unique architecture and designs.

The photos are so good that they even inspire me to try to mimic their photography style.

And when the magazines aren’t in use, they act as excellent props or coffee table books.

As for podcasts, my interests vary between content creation, business, and religion.

I don’t have a specific channel, as I tend to listen based on the topics discussed.

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

There are many ways to improve our setups, but the best and safest way, in my humble opinion, is to invest in good quality products — especially the staples like a desk, chair, and monitors, as these tend to take up the biggest chunk of the desk setup cost.

Although it might be expensive, a good quality product can last a long time, and you’ll definitely get a return on your investment.

Of course, you don’t need to get everything immediately; it’s always wise to save up, wait for sales, or look for more affordable alternatives.

Don’t get caught up in trends or flashy products, as they can be expensive and impractical for your type of work or style.

Buy only the things that you need, not what you want.

Another approach is to surround yourself with items that make you happy, which can be quite easy if you already have some of them — like plants, meaningful art, or figurines.

The goal is to make the space yours and to create an environment that helps you relax and/or be productive.

Planning and measuring are key to getting it right, so don’t rush the process.

DIY Desk Setup Tours

From custom-built desks and shelving to handmade storage solutions.

Maker StationsMakers

What does your typical day look like?

Just to recap, I’m a full-time Chartered Accountant, husband, and father of two kids.

I start my day by waking up around 6 am, getting ready to send my kids to religious school, and then having breakfast with my wife.

I start working at 9 am and stop at 10:30 am to pick up my kids from school.

Then, at lunchtime, I send them to primary school and have my lunch.

After that, I work until 5 pm before going out to pick my kids up from school.

From there, quite a portion of my contractual hours are taken up by father duties.

So, as a responsible adult, I cover those hours after the kids are asleep.

This works well since I’m also dealing with international customers in different time zones.

During this period, or whenever I have free time, I focus on content creation.

I try not to focus too much on it, as I still treat it as a hobby, not a job.

The reason for this schedule is that I’ve been working from home since a few months before the pandemic.

Everything is done remotely, and so far I have no issues with working from home, although I do have a unique schedule.

Having understanding colleagues who respect my schedule helps a lot as well.

Sometimes I wish I could have a hybrid working environment to interact physically with people, but for now, I prefer seeing my kids grow up in front of me.

When I’m not working, I like to play games on my phone like FIFA, catch up on some shows on Netflix, and scroll through social media for ideas and inspiration.

Your tips for working from home?

I’m blessed to work in a flexible company and to be surrounded by awesome colleagues, but of course, I don’t take it for granted.

Although I’m able to handle my kids during working hours, outside of that I’m fully focused on my job.

This is because I’m dealing with large multinational customers, and expectations are high, so keeping everything in order is crucial.

I track my work by having a monthly plan, which I break down on a weekly basis.

I prefer to plan ahead weekly rather than daily.

I don’t have a specific technique to stay focused, as I believe I’m naturally disciplined and don’t like delaying things.

Just the thought of work piling up is enough to make me worried.

I guess the habit of not delaying things helps a lot.

If I could give advice to those who have just started working from home, it would be to have a separate space for work and to stay disciplined.

A proper space just for work sets your mind so that when you enter that area, you focus on your work and stay productive.

I tried working in my bedroom, kitchen, and even living room, but I got distracted by my surroundings.

Having a dedicated workspace makes it easier to stay disciplined because you don’t see the comfy bed, the shows playing on the TV, or even the food on the kitchen countertop while working.

Plus, when you’re in your workspace, other family members will immediately understand that you’re working, so they will keep interactions minimal — but I always keep my doors open for them.

11 Books on Balancing Family and Work Responsibilities While WFH

Discover the top 11 books that offer practical tips and strategies to help you balance family and work responsibilities while working from home.

Maker StationsMakers

^{We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.}