My Workstation Setup

A Little Backstory

Before COVID, I was living in Kathmandu, working from a proper office environment for years since my bachelor’s days.

When COVID hit, everything changed.

We shifted to Work from Home at ThemeGrill, and I moved back to Pokhara to live with my parents — something I always wanted deep down.
Funny how one of the only good things that came out of COVID was this opportunity to return home permanently.

But home was… different.

Our old house was built decades ago, and now with more family members, it felt small.
There was no dedicated workstation.

For four years (2020–2023), I worked wherever I could — in bed, on the living room sofa, or at the kitchen dining table.
At that time, it felt comfortable enough, and I genuinely thought it wasn’t affecting my creativity or productivity.

About a year ago, I moved into a rented apartment, about 10 minutes’ walking distance from my parents’ house.
Finally, I had the space and the opportunity to create a dedicated working room — and that’s how my current workstation started to take shape.

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My Workstation Setup

Everything here is either available easily in Nepal or made locally.
Some items were chosen after deep research; others were picked as practical/budget options.

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Core Setup

1. Sit-Stand Desk – Fantech WS414

• Price: Approx. $270 USD
• Motorized sit-stand desk that fits well into my workflow.
• Originally came with a black top and smaller size — but black isn’t my thing.
  I feel black tops dull my mind and hinder my creativity.
• So, I replaced it with a custom larger white top (6×2.6 ft) made locally.
• Standing about 2 hours daily now (used to do 4 hours, aiming to build back the habit).

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2. Chair – Sihoo Doro C300

• Price: Approx. $410 USD
• Super solid chair that supports good posture.
• Been using it for 8 months — no issues at all.
• Would easily rebuy if needed.
• (If you are looking for a cheaper alternative: Sihoo M18 around $200 USD.)
• Available only in black in Nepal — would have preferred a lighter color for better vibes.

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3. Wooden Monitor Riser

• Custom made along with the custom table top (total for both around $115 USD).
• Helps elevate the monitor to eye level.
• Also gives me extra space underneath to store remotes, books, and other accessories.

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Screens and Devices

4. Monitor – Gigabyte G34WQC (34″ Curved Ultrawide)

• Price: Approx. $450 USD
• 21:9 screen ratio — comfortably fits 2–3 windows side-by-side.
• Since a lot of my work involves research, decision-making, and checking multiple browsers at once, this monitor has made a huge difference in how efficiently I can work.
• I also use the Rectangle app to quickly arrange windows into layouts that suit me.

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5. MacBook Pro 14″ M2 (2023)

• My main work machine.
• I primarily use it for team chat apps and quick-check tasks, while my main work flows through the external monitor.

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6. iPad Air 13″ M2 + Apple Pencil Pro

• Magical replacement for traditional paper and pen for me.
• I use it to quickly jot down random ideas, plans, calculations — anything that sparks while working.
• It feels as natural as writing on paper, and the best part is everything stays organized and synced across devices.
• I use a Ugreen stand (Approx. $12 USD) to keep the iPad at a comfortable viewing and writing angle.
• It’s used purely for handwritten notes — no distractions.

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7. AirPods 3

• Light, seamless, and convenient for my daily calls and meetings.
• Easy to switch between Mac and iPad when needed without much hassle.

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Ergonomics and Inputs

8. Logitech MX Keys Mini + MX Master 3S Mouse

• Bought these mainly because using the built-in Mac keyboard and trackpad while managing multiple screens wasn’t practical for me.
• Keeping the Mac at a distance while having a proper keyboard and mouse near me improved my workflow a lot.
• Interestingly, I was always a trackpad guy — rarely used a mouse before.
• But now, after getting used to it, the mouse feels much better for me.
• Also, this mouse works great when I play Dota on weekends, sometimes with my friends.

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Connectivity and Accessories

9. Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1)

• A single cable to my Mac handles wired internet, monitor connection, laptop charging, and additional USB ports.
• Keeps the desk setup super clean and minimal.

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10. 3-in-1 Charger (Remax Brand)

• Charges my phone, AirPods, and optionally Apple Watch (though I don’t use Apple Watch).
• Helps reduce cable clutter significantly.
• Doubles as a phone stand, which is a bonus for me when working.

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11. Prolink UPS

• Price: Approx. $30 USD
• My apartment has generator backup, but there’s a 10-second power cut during switchovers.
• This UPS keeps my monitor and Wi-Fi router running smoothly during those gaps.

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12. Nettv Box

• Whenever my son occupies the main TV, I can switch my monitor to TV mode and watch live football matches without missing out.

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13. Water Bottle System

• I fill 4 bottles each morning (one on my main desk, three backups) and make sure to finish them during my workday.
• It’s a small but effective trick to stay properly hydrated.

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14. Under-Table Cable Management

• Took me about an hour to organize the cables under my desk properly.
• Planning to upgrade to a larger metallic cable tray so I can also move the UPS, Wi-Fi router, and TV box underneath — creating more clean white space.
• Clean space, for me, directly impacts my ability to think clearly and work creatively.

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Upgrades I’m Thinking About Next

• Big portable speaker — to blast my favorite songs during work breaks when I’m alone.
• Bigger metallic cable tray — to improve under-table organization and hide all gadgets properly.
• Footrest — to improve my leg comfort during long working hours.
• Sleek 1-hour Sand Timer —
  • I love working in 1-hour sprints: either finishing tasks within an hour or breaking them down into multiple sessions.
  • Small breaks between sprints help me reset.
  • Still looking for a clean, minimalist 1-hour sandglass — haven’t found the right one yet locally.
• Indoor Table Plant (maybe) —
  • Thinking about adding a small plant to bring some natural calmness into the space.

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Final Thoughts

Some parts of my setup were carefully researched investments; others were practical, budget-friendly choices.
Each piece plays a small but important role in how I work every day.

Building this workstation hasn’t just made things look cleaner — it has significantly increased my efficiency.
Tasks feel smoother, switching between work feels easier, and I can focus longer without distractions.

If you’re thinking of building your own workstation —
Start simple.
Upgrade slowly.
Make it yours.

Hope this was useful if you’re planning your own setup!