In this article
The desk in the command position
Place your desk so that you face the door without being in line with it, with a solid wall behind you. This avoids sitting with your back to the room, which many people find distracting. If you cannot see the door, a small mirror next to the screen helps.
Facing a blank wall is not recommended either; leave about a metre between you and it, or hang a calm picture. A window to the side is ideal.
Light and screen
Natural light from the side reduces glare. Add a desk lamp on the side of your non-writing hand. Keep the monitor at arm's length, the top of the screen around eye level.
Avoid a bright window directly behind or in front of the screen. Blinds or sheer curtains give flexibility during the day.
Clutter and cables
A good rule: only what you need today lives on the desk. Papers go into trays, supplies into drawers. Spend five minutes at the end of each day returning things to their place.
Tame cables with clips or a cable box. Dust and tangled wires are an easy target for a quick weekly clean.
Chair, support and comfort
A chair with a high back gives symbolic support, and an adjustable one gives real support. Make sure your feet touch the floor and your elbows rest at about desk height.
If back pain is a problem, an ergonomic assessment or a doctor can help more than any placement rule.
Working in a shared room
Many of us work in living rooms or bedrooms. Use a screen, a cupboard or a cloth to hide the desk at the end of the day, so the room can go back to rest. In a bedroom, avoid working in bed.
A clear end-of-work routine, such as closing the laptop and covering it, helps your mind switch off. See the bedroom page for related advice.
Colours, plants and symbols
Focus often benefits from white, light wood and a touch of green or blue. See colours. A plant such as a lucky bamboo or a snake plant fits an office, as long as it has some light.
A small object with personal meaning is plenty. Some people place a jade plant or a jade stone at the desk as a nod to prosperity. It is a symbol, not a guarantee.
Breaks, air and daily rhythm
Stand up every hour or so, open a window and look at something distant. Sitting still in a stuffy room undermines any layout, however careful. A glass of water on the desk and a short walk at lunch cost nothing.
Finish the day with a three-point reset: clear the surface, write tomorrow's first task on a sticky note and switch off the lamp. Many people find this ritual more helpful than any object placed on the desk, and it works in a corner of a bedroom as well as in a proper study.
Questions people ask
Is it bad to sit with my back to the door?
Tradition says so; a mirror or a rotated desk helps. If you cannot move it, tidy and light the space.
Can I put a plant on the desk?
Yes, a small one. Keep it healthy; a dying plant is worse than none.
Does this improve productivity?
A tidy, well-lit desk often helps you concentrate. Nothing here is a guaranteed result.