Is your desk helping or secretly sabotaging your workday? When it comes to your freelancer desk essentials, it’s easy to think you need all the right tools and aesthetics to be productive. From hydration and snacks to a second screen and a Stream Deck, these are simple, practical essentials that can genuinely make your workday easier.
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
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I’m here to gently de-influence you from buying all the things you think you should have for your freelance desk setup. Because if you’ve spent any time online, it’s very easy to believe you need the perfect aesthetic setup. The matching stationery. The expensive tech. The Pinterest-worthy workspace. And yet… as I’m recording this, my desk is a complete mess.
There are multiple cups of tea, a mix of work and life scattered across it, and it definitely wouldn’t make it onto Instagram. But I’ve also been freelancing for over 16 years now, and I’ve learned that when it comes to your freelance desk setup, most of those “must-haves” aren’t actually what makes the difference. So instead, I wanted to share what does.
The Desk Essentials That Actually Support Your Work
Over time, I’ve found there are just a few things in my freelance desk setup that genuinely make a difference to how I work day-to-day.
1. A Water Bottle You’ll Actually Use
This might sound basic, but it matters.
It’s very easy to forget to drink water when you’re working, especially if you’re in the middle of something. You don’t need an expensive or trending bottle. You just need one that you’ll reach for without thinking.
If you’re going to invest in anything, start here. Hydration makes more difference than you think.
2. A Second Screen
This is probably the most “technical” recommendation, but also one of the most useful parts of my freelance desk setup.
Having a second screen reduces overwhelm massively. You can have one thing open on one screen, and something else on the other, rather than constantly switching tabs.
For me, it means I can:
- Record a podcast on one screen
- Keep notes or prompts visible on the other
It just makes everything feel calmer and more manageable.
And again, this doesn’t have to be fancy. You can build up to it over time.
3. Desk Snacks (and Actually Taking a Lunch Break)
Having something nearby to eat is genuinely helpful, especially when you’re deep in work.
I usually have something simple like:
- Trail mix
- Grapes
- A protein bar
But equally important is stepping away and having a proper lunch.
One thing I’ve started doing recently is making my lunch the night before. It sounds small, but it means I actually stop and eat, rather than getting to the point where I’m starving and grabbing whatever’s easiest.
4. A Stream Deck (or Simple Shortcuts)
This is probably the only “extra” tool I’d really recommend if you want to improve your workflow.
A stream deck is essentially a set of buttons you can customise to create shortcuts for things you do all the time.
For example:
- Muting on Zoom
- Moving emails into folders
- Triggering actions in different apps
It saves time, reduces friction, and makes repetitive tasks feel easier.
But again, you don’t need to spend money straight away. You can try the app version first and see if it works for you.
What You Don’t Actually Need in Your Freelance Desk Setup
You don’t need:
- A perfectly aesthetic desk
- Expensive, trending tech
- A full setup before you “start properly”
I worked for years on very basic laptops. You can build things up gradually.
The real goal with your freelance desk setup is to:
- Reduce overwhelm
- Make your work easier
- Support your energy and focus
Not to create something that looks good online.
A Simpler Way to Think About Your Desk
If there’s one way to frame this, it’s this:
Treat your brain like a plant.
- Keep it hydrated
- Keep it fed
- Don’t overload it
- Make your environment support how you actually work
That matters far more than what your desk looks like.
What Actually Makes a Difference as a Freelancer
When you strip it back, the freelancer desk essentials that help most are surprisingly simple:
- A water bottle
- Snacks and proper meals
- A second screen
- Simple tools that reduce friction
Everything else is optional.
A good freelance desk setup isn’t about having more. It’s about having what works.
What Are Your Freelancer Desk Essentials?
I’d love to know what’s on your desk that you genuinely rely on.
Come and share in the Facebook group or on Discord. Both are full of lovely freelancers and it’s a great place to swap ideas.
And if nothing else, this might be your sign to spend five minutes tidying your desk.
I definitely need to go and do that now.
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