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Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
41–50 of 82 posts
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#42I did something like this recently, and it turned out okay; going into it I already expected there would be multiple iterations before I was really happy with it.
My idea was to have the smallest actual desk surface possible for my needs, maximizing the number of screens/pixels in my field of view. I got the heaviest duty electric standing desk frame and built on top of that. The desk surface is about 16” deep, which allows me to have smaller monitors that extend below the surface of the desk (but still within view) mounted beneath my bigger monitors. I also set up rails (2x6) at two different heights to accommodate monitors at eye level and below, and at above eye level, so basically three rows of monitors. All of my monitors are on arms, which in retrospect was maybe not the right choice, since I don’t actually need them to move, and the arms make them wobble a bit when I bump the desk.
I have my work and personal laptops each on a monitor arm (with a laptop tray). Laptops on arms are actually the best thing ever, since I can use them sitting or standing without adjusting the desk height, and I can have a laptop positioned over my mousepad. Got one of those aluminum mstand things collecting dust.
If I had to start again, I would get a second standing desk frame just for my desk surface and laptop arms. I would cut out all the monitor arms and build a sort of parabolic-shaped frame on top of the heavy duty standing desk frame to hold my monitors infixed positions relative to each other. With two standing desk frames I could easily adjust my desk height vs monitor height.
I also have a drivers seat from a PT Cruiser mounted to a gas cylinder chair base. This is mostly great, but I think it would be better without wheels, or at least with stiffer wheels. If you go this route be on the lookout for car seats with built-in heat; not sure why all desk chairs don’t have this feature.
I guess I have a lot of thoughts on this lol.
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#43Earlier quoted context omitted.
The downsides are pretty large: you're betting on using those plugs forever. With USB-C that is a better bet than USB-A, but...yeah. Better is the modular/drop-in approach and using through-panel connectors. Cable hiding is cool, but even with a full wood shop I just attach raceways to things or at most route out a channel that I can attach silicone catches over top of, because the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
Periodically I clean up my cabling including pulling out all the "cables to nowhere" that seem to accumulate over time. My stereo system is worse. I periodically look at the rats nest of wiring and cables in the back--at least some of it to components that aren't in the rack any more--thinking to do something about it. But I then lie down until the feeling goes away. I know I would break stuff and it will end up bein…
I definitely feel that. Buying a 3D printer helped a lot with this, for me (and also building custom furniture with the aforementioned cable tracks). I've been able to (for not a lot of money) print raceways and cable ports that keeps my basement rack a lot easier to deal with.
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#44As someone who learned industrial design think the most important thing is to have the desk match your use. There isn't any specific advice I could give as my desks are extremely tuned to my own needs (5.1 audio production, electronics, etc.).
The most important thing is to get the width and depth right and to figure out where everything goes. Don't be afraid to add multiple levels either going up or down to add what you need. Don't limit your thinking to the desk, think also about storage of desk stuff, what accumulates on the desk, what you need to see, what not, etc.
Although "designers" (if they don't think a lot about functionality I prefer to call them stylists) love them I'd avoid minimalist desk ideas, unless that is how you use desks (most people I have ever known have a ton of shit lying on their desks). Don't design for a shiny product picture, design for your own daily use.
The best thing I ever did for my desk had nothing to do with my desk: I added a ton of small-stuff storage in the form of office cabinets for my electronics needs and label them properly. This makes it easy to clean up accumulated stuff and find it later. This improved the way I could use the desk more than any desk design could have done, ever.
That means if you want a good desk design you have to analyze your own usage patterns before and try to draw the right conclusions.
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
Periodically I clean up my cabling including pulling out all the "cables to nowhere" that seem to accumulate over time. My stereo system is worse. I periodically look at the rats nest of wiring and cables in the back--at least some of it to components that aren't in the rack any more--thinking to do something about it. But I then lie down until the feeling goes away. I know I would break stuff and it will end up bein…
I definitely feel that. Buying a 3D printer helped a lot with this, for me (and also building custom furniture with the aforementioned cable tracks). I've been able to (for not a lot of money) print raceways and cable ports that keeps my basement rack a lot easier to deal with.
My stereo system is also in a little "TV room." So I don't feel any particular urgency in making it presentable for company. :-)
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#46I made a quick and dirty desk when I started working from home during COVID. Plywood with some quick finish on some legs I got from Amazon. I didn’t spend too much time on it because I wasn’t sure how long I’d be working from home. Some things I added:
* Integrated cable management: I attached the power strip and the LAN switch under the desk. I’ve got cats that get curious.
* usb hub on the side
* Boom arm for my microphone.
I’m working on building a new desk right now. Some things I want to add: * Better cable management. I’d love a little cabinet under the desk that all the cables go through and stay hidden.
* Some sort of bag or box on the side so I can sweep my desk clean
* built in wireless charging.
* integrated KVM switch. Preferably a button under the desk I can press to switch between computers.
* built in hardware mute switch/press to talk for my microphone.
* some sort of rail mounting system for monitors, camera boom, and microphone.
* foot hammock
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#47I was at Home Depot to get a 6 foot butcher block countertop for this purpose, but then a 12 foot butcher block countertop caught my eye... and that's how I ended up with a 12 foot desk. Huge pain to transport. Takes up too much room. I have no regrets. If you get a butcher block countertop from a big box home improvement store, make sure to finish[1] it right away, since they are moisture sensitive and the plastic w…
What sort of finish do you recommend for a desk? I used some sort of polyurethane for my current desk and it’s gotten gummy and gross from my hands and wrists (I’m assuming).
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#48Do you move much? I had two of those solid wood Ikea desks in an L shape and I eventually got rid of them because they were absolutely miserable to move. I don't remember the exact weight but I think they were something like 80lbs each and I'd have to drag them up stairs on their sides alone. I miss that desk set up but I move every year or two since I rent and I just couldn't deal with them anymore. Now I've got a f…
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Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#49Are we talking ultimate dream desk that definitely won't ever be built or something more approachable? This is weirdly one of the things I daydream about.
In the latter case there's a few things I'd do, but in general simpler is better. I like clean desk surfaces, so starting with a nice piece of wood is great but entirely optional (and wouldn't do on first version). Most important thing to me would be to start with an adjustable height desk. Preferably a standing desk[0] but at minimum adjusting while I sit because I like to move around. The next thing is about ensuring a clean desk. The far side of the desk should have the apron inset so you can get vesa mounts on easily.
Now for extra bonuses. Back end of the table has slats so wires can be passed through. Only to be thick enough for the cable because the end is open (I hate wrangling port shapes through awkwardly sized holes, just go around). Front apron and back surface would be nice to have small usb pass-through. Back for things like mouse and keyboard so they don't have to reach wherever the desktop is. Then just simple LED underlighting because I like to work at night and don't want to always have the full lights on so I can fall asleep sooner. Thing that I probably wouldn't actually do but could always be added later: insets for wireless things like locations to put your phone to wirelessly charge without needing to dock.
But if I were actually to do this, I'd probably just get a butcher block like Blamazon and pre-built adjustable height legs.
Re: Ask HN: What cool desk ideas do you have for a home office?
#50As you'd would expect, Wolfram has a post about his home setup, including a custom built desk [0]. Also as one would expect, the post is as lengthy as it is insightful
0: https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2019/02/seeking-the-prod...