Back in April 2024 we moved house, which gave me the perfect opportunity to revamp my desk setup. Our previous house was much smaller, and so my desk space was quite cramped, so it was nice to expand it in this new house, and to create a space where I really enjoy spending time. 

My setup has actually gone through a few iterations since the move, but I’m finally happy with it, so I thought it would be fun to do a little desk tour blog post! My desk is far from a Pinterest-worthy, aesthetic dream, but it’s very functional, and very ‘me’ so I’m really happy with it!

So let’s start the tour! And please feel free to play ‘spot the cat’ in these images, as my cat Mona does appear in a couple!

I thought I’d start with a pulled out view of my desk, because I do have a bit of an unusual desk layout: my desk is actually two IKEA dining tables pushed together into an L-shape. I feel like this gives me a lot more space than a traditional desk!

Front and centre is my desk mat, which I think adds a nice splash of colour to the desk. It’s a Pokemon TCG playmat that I bought recently to replace the old one, which was stained with ink…and I immediately got this one covered in black ink too. Oops! Note to self: stop inking up pens on the desk mat!

To the right of the desk mat I keep my spiral bound Paperchase notebook that I use for jotting down miscellaneous notes, and behind it is a box file containing my three traveler’s notebooks. I keep the Penco clip attached to the front of it, as it’s useful for holding open my TNs when I’m writing in them. 

Beside that is the main event of my desk: my pen display box! I got this 23-pen display box from Amazon, and it’s where I keep most of my currently inked pens so they’re within easy reach. And if you’re wondering what the green thing is on the wall above it: it’s a sparkly 3D printed starfish my parents got me from a craft fair!

Next to the pen box is a mug where I keep a lot of my non-fountain pens, and some other desk essentials, like pencils, dips pens, a ruler, highlighters, scissors and glue pens.

I then have my laptop on a stand in the centre of the desk. I like this as it keeps the screen at eye level, and because it’s pushed back, I don’t feel like the bright screen is right in my face. When I use it, I just pull out the bluetooth keyboard and mouse underneath it and use it more like a desktop computer. 

Continuing left, I have my Toyo steel box where I keep a lot of loose stickers, and my main planner on top of it. I then have all my currently-in-use or commonly referenced notebooks and sketchbooks, plus my iPad tucked in the back of the box file.

In front of the notebooks I also have a pen tray where I keep some more pens, as well as a timer that I use for writing sprints, and a candle. My current candle is Pacific Wax Co Sweet Macaron, which smells amazing!

Then, on the far left of my desk I keep all my art supplies. I dip in and out of doing any kind of art, as I’m not a natural, but I have fun when I do take the time to paint or draw something. So I keep my most used pencils, markers and drawing pens in cases on my desk, along with the mug I use to hold water, with all my brushes and paint palettes stored inside. 

I then have a trolley next to my desk that holds a lot of my stationery supplies: mainly my fountain pen inks. 

The top layer is where I keep my daily use notebooks (my Hobonichi HON, my ‘good things’ notebook, and my line-a-day journal), along with my ink swatch rings and a couple of Rhodia notebooks. I then have three plastic storage boxes on this layer, one containing sticker sheets and ephemera, one full of washi tape, and a third (hidden underneath the washi tape box) holding all my 30ml Diamine ink bottles. 

On the second layer I have all my Waterman inks, a box with all my ink samples and small ink bottles in it, and a box full of all my stamps. I also keep my ink pads on this layer, and a 12 pen case holding some of my uninked pens. 

And finally, in the bottom of the trolley I have all my larger bottles of inks and boxed inks, as well as a tin pencil case full of various ink cartridges. I also have two sets of plastic drawers under my desk for more storage (but they’re far too messy to show!).

I still have some things I’d like to improve – such as putting some art on the wall above the desk – but on the whole I’m really happy with this setup. It might not be to everyone’s taste, as it’s quite a clash of colours and patterns, and a little chaotic, but I’m so happy with it, and I feel like it suits me! It’s nice to have a place to spend your creative time that makes you feel inspired and excited to sit down at the desk, and I know I’m very lucky to have this space.

So I’d love to know what your desk setup is like? Do you change it often, or have you already found what works for you?