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Workplace Inspiration

15 Must-Have Essentials for Developers & Programmers 2024

Q: What do I need for a developer & programmer desk setup?

Basically, you should have an ergonomic chair , a standing desk , a dual monitor or laptop with a stand at the perfect angle, a headphone, a keyboard and mouse, and great lighting to make your workspace feel more bright and cheerful.

Ethan Johnson|Oct 20, 2022

102,107 Views

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7 Common Desk Setup Styles for Developers
Essentials For Coding Setups
FAQs
Conclusion

Are you a developer? Then you must agree that it is the toughest job because sitting for long hours in front of the screen to solve the errors in the lines of code is frustrating at times. To support your tough schedule job, you require a perfect programmer setup which can at least help you to reduce the load from your shoulders.

7 Common Desk Setup Styles for Developers

Traditional Desk Setup: This style includes a standard desk and chair setup with a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It may also include additional accessories such as speakers, a webcam, and a desk lamp.

Standing Desk Setup: A standing desk setup includes a desk that can be raised and lowered to accommodate standing or sitting. It may also include a mat to cushion feet while standing and a stool or chair for sitting.

L-Shaped Desk Setup: An L-shaped desk setup is a popular option for developers who need more desk space. It includes an L-shaped desk that can be used for multiple monitors, printers, and other accessories.

Dual Monitor Desk Setup: A dual monitor desk setup includes two computer monitors that are set up side by side. This allows for increased productivity and multitasking.

Minimalist Desk Setup: A minimalist desk setup includes only the essentials, such as a laptop or computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It is designed to reduce clutter and distractions.

Ergonomic Desk Setup: An ergonomic desk setup is designed to provide comfort and support to the user. It may include features such as an adjustable chair, a monitor stand, and a keyboard tray.

Multi-Purpose Desk Setup: A multi-purpose desk setup includes a desk that can be used for both work and leisure activities. It may include features such as built-in speakers or a gaming console.

It is not only a desk that will help to ease the workload but also it is the workspace where you can uplift your skills and career to new heights. It is the ultimate gold sack mine which can help you earn millions of dollars by combining your skill set with the desk setup.

So let’s discuss some collections of items, accessories and other things that experts recommend making the best desk setup for developers.

Essentials For Coding Setups

Coding is a difficult job. Sitting in front of a computer for long hours, writing, and then going through line after line of codes is bound to get tiring at some point. Are you looking for ways to make your working experience more pleasant? Well, you need to look no further because today, we bring you a list of essentials you can add to your coding setup to make work more bearable.

1. A great ergonomic chair

It may sound familiar and obvious that a developer coding setup requires a chair, every desk setup requires a chair so what’s special with this. In this case, the scenario is a bit different. You might have observed that the chair used in the reception area is different in comparison to the chair used by a developer. The reason is simple the reception girl or guy stands again and again to greet the customers, but it is entirely different in case of the developer.

On the other hand, the IT guys have to sit for long hours to solve the technicalities in the code which takes hours and their mind is focused just on the works. Therefore, this is the reason why they require a good chair for programming because they don’t take short breaks in the duration of their work.

So having a good ergonomic office chair is an essential element of the desk setup.

ErgoChair Pro

Dimensions	29”L x 29”W x 46” - 50”H
Seat height	18” - 20”
Materials	Polyester fabric with molded foam interior and durable nylon plastic frame; PU handrest pads
Colors	Cool Gray, Evergreen, All Black Red Apple, Black & White, Baby Blue
Weight capacity	300 lbs
Warranty	2 years

ErgoChair Plus

Dimensions	28”L x 28”W x 40” - 44”H
Seat height	17” - 21”
Materials	Naked TPE version: 100% TPE upholstery with ABS plastic frame. Mesh version: 100% TPE and polyester fabric upholstery with ABS plastic frame.
Colors	Black Frame, Naked Black TPE Black Frame, Naked Grey TPE White Frame, Naked Grey TPE Grey TPE with Blue Mesh Grey TPE with Grey Mesh Black TPE with Black Mesh
Weight capacity	300 lbs
Warranty	5 years

2. Personalize for the best coding desk setup

Most of us like to personalize the desk with cool goodies like photos, favorite superhero poster and a lot of other stuff, and this gives a sense of feeling that you own this place just like your bedroom. But have you ever thought of bringing a real-life companion to personalize the desk? Like a dog or cat or any other living animal because it can really help to work with more enthusiasm and passion. You might have observed that when you are working alongside a friend, you feel more motivated and passionate and therefore help to double your productivity.

Moreover, having a pet sitting beside you will throw positive vibes and reduce the stress of work. You might be thinking is it a kind of joke but believe it or not, this actually works not only for developer coding setup but also other cases.

3. Dual monitors with monitor arms

Working on two screens side by side make you feel like a professional working to build something that will revolutionaries the world and solves the most significant problems faced by society. The benefits of having a dual monitor are unexplainable and are something which is considered the biggest necessity in professional developer life.

The developers have a lot of load on their head and to achieve the deadlines they need to multitask and make side by side comparison with other programs which is not possible with single screen monitors. In this case, dual monitors turn out to be a great option and an excellent tool for achieving the task efficiently.

Thus, a developer desk is incomplete without a dual monitor, so if you are planning to have the best desk setup for your development skills, then a dual monitor should be just standing on your desk.

4. Headphones

If you are a coder, then working with music on is something you won’t deny because coding without music is something not believable. Nothing increases your focusing power more than putting the headphones on away from distraction and focusing on the code to remove bugs and make it error free.

However, the desk setup for developers is incomplete if there is no space for a good piece of headphones. These can turn out to be a good sound canceling tool when the noise around you disturbs you from working.

So don’t forget to have a really nice set of headphones because a developer’s life is incomplete without headphones.

5. Monitor stand

Sitting in front of a screen for a long time will take its toll on you. It can cause back, neck, and shoulder pains. A monitor stand for desks is a platform where you can place your monitor to adjust the height and angle of the screen. You can use it better to control the distance between your eyes and the screen. This will help you maintain your posture and will result in a reduction in neck and shoulder stiffness. The fact that it also helps with back pain makes it an important part of a programming setup.

You can also look at monitor arms for desks if you are looking for devices to make working on a monitor more comfortable.

Mount-It! Corner Desk Monitor Stand

Item weight	‎1.17 kg
Materials	Metal
Color	Black
Warranty	10 years

AOTHIA Large Dual Monitor Stand Riser

Dimensions	43"L x 9.4"W x 4"H
Material	‎12-ply superior composite hardwood plywood, Eco cork legs
Color	Walnut Black, Oak White
Warranty	1 month

6. Desk Pad

Desk pads are used to protect your desk from damage that can be caused by excessive use. As a programmer, you will almost always be at your desk. This will make it more prone to damage. Luckily, getting a desk pad can solve this problem for you. A desk pad can also be used to organize your desk, giving your coding desk setup a more elegant look. According to a study, people working from an aesthetically pleasing place are likely to be more productive.

Microfiber Vegan Leather Desk Pad

Dimensions	31.5"L x 15.7"W x 0.08"H
Materials	Microfiber vegan leather
Colors	Black, Brown
Warranty	1 year

DeltaHub Minimalist Desk Pad

>Dimensions	Large: 31.5” L x 17.7” W Medium: 35.4” L x 11.8” W Small: 24.8” L x 11” W
Materials	Anti-slip, anti-fray edges
Colors	Black

7. Ergonomic Wrist Rest

Typing for long hours can lead to wrist pain and strains. These can develop into more serious issues if not looked after at the right time. This is why an ergonomic wrist rest needs to be a part of a programming desk setup.

Wrist rests provide support to your wrist and hand while you type. This reduces the chances of wrist injury due to typing. Wrist rests allow your wrists to be in a relaxed position while you are typing.

Deltahub Carpio: Ergonomic Wrist Rest

Materials	Padding: Silicon Gliders: PTFE Teflon
Colors	Gray, Black, White
Size	Small, Large
Product type	Left hand, Right hand
Warranty	1 month

8. Back Supports

Working while sitting or standing too much causes back pain, making it difficult for anyone to continue working to the best of their abilities. This is why back support is a coding setup essential.

Back support helps improve your posture and support your back muscles. Furthermore, it helps in the healing of any earlier back injury.

ErgoActive Lumbar Support Pillow

Dimensions	15" x 12.75" x 4.25"
Materials	Memory foam
Colors	Gray
Warranty	10 years

ErgoFoam Lumbar Support Pillow

Dimensions	15.35”L x 3.75”W x 15”H
Materials	Memory foam
Colors	Black
Warranty	Lifetime

9. Desk Lamp

Working under insufficient light can make your eyes get tired more easily. This is because you will have to focus harder to work. This can lead to more errors and a reduction in your productivity level. Using a desk lamp would provide you with ample light to work comfortably. The best desk lamp should have a focused beam with minimal glare.

Light Bar

Dimensions	31.5”L x 1.8”W x 35.4”H x 12.56 lbs
Colors	Black
Materials	Die casting Aluminum & Metal
Input voltage	AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness	1200 lm
Light colors	3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k
Lamp lifetime	50,000 hours
Warranty	1 year

LED Desk Lamp

Dimensions	21”L x 3”W x 7.5”H x 18 lbs
Colors	Black
Materials	Die casting Aluminum & Metal
Input voltage	AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness	600 lm
Light colors	3000k, 4000k, 5000k, 6000k
Lamp lifetime	50,000 hours
Warranty	1 year

Stella Lighting Wireless LED Task Lamp

Dimensions	11"W x 9.25"D x 5.5 lbs
Colors	White
Materials	Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Silicone, Plastic, Rubber
Input voltage	12V DC, 1.5A
Light colors	Warm White (2800K) Pure White (4500K) Cool White (5500K)
Lamp lifetime	50,000 hours
Warranty	2 years

Lumicharge LED Lamp with Wireless Charger

Dimensions	8"L x 8"W x 15.8"H x 3.75 lbs
Colors	Black, Silver
Materials	Aluminium + ABS
Input voltage	AC 100 - 240V 50/60Hz
Brightness	850 lumens
Light colors	Yellow 2800-3200k, Soft White 3750 k-4250K, Bright White 5500K -6000K
Lamp lifetime	50,000 hours
Warranty	6 months

10. CPU Holder

A CPU holder can be used to save desk space and hold your CPU in a fixed position. The holder can keep the CPU under the desk or mounted on a wall. They are usually adjustable and compatible with most CPUs.

Mount-It! Under Desk CPU Holder

Dimension	3.5” – 8”W x 11.8” – 21”H
Load capacity	22 lbs
Materials	Steel
Swivel	360°
Warranty	10 years

Uncaged Ergonomics Under-desk CPU Holder

Material	Steel
Color	Gray
Mounting plate	4.5" x 6.5"
Adjustable height range	13" - 21"
Adjustable width	3" - 5.75"
Warranty	3 months

11. Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse

Programmers type a lot. This is the reason why they are always at risk of wrist or hand strains. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to provide you with more space and comfort while you type. This is to reduce any risk of injury or strains. Ergonomic mice are designed to hold your wrist upright to protect your muscles from strains. Both the keyboard and mouse are aimed at providing comfort and support to the user and are the perfect programmer setup essential.

R-Go-Tools Ergonomic Compact Keyboard

Dimensions	11.22'' x 5.47" x 0.35"
Weight	10.93 oz
Keyboard layout	QWERTY (US)
Connection	Wired / Bluetooth
Compatibility	Windows, Linux, MAC
USB version	USB type C (including converter to USB type A)
Material	Aluminum
Color	Black
Warranty	1 year

Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Split Mechanical Keyboard

Dimensions	16.1’’ H x 9.9’’ W x 2’’ D x 4 lbs
Keys	91 keys
Switch style	CHERRY® MX (Brown)
Max separation width	8’’
Warranty	2 years

R-Go-Tools Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse

Hand	Right / Left
Length of hand	165-185mm(med), above 185mm (large)
Color	Black
Function	Buttons (5 buttons), scroll wheel
Resolution (DPI)	500 - 1500 - 1750
Connection	USB 2.0 Wireless - Plug and Play
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Linux
Warranty	2 years

12. Speaker

Most computers do not have a good sound system. They either produce very low-quality audio or produce audio with very low volume. Either way, these kinds of audio get very irritating. Especially if you have to work with them regularly, this is why we suggest you buy some speakers as a part of your coding setup.

TREBLAB FX100 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Dimensions	7” x 2.75” x 2.75”
Product weight	1.34 lbs
Wireless technology	Bluetooth 5.0
Playtime	Up to 35 hours on a single charge
Water resistance	IPX4
Charging port	Micro USB
Functions	Stereo, Microphone, USB Powerbank Charging
Warranty	1 year

13. Webcam

The camera usually attached to laptops or computers does not produce high-quality images. This is understandable because the purpose of a laptop is not really to capture pictures. But what if you need to present something? Your low-quality laptop camera won't be able to capture the pictures or videos they need to. This will lead to confusion and annoyance. Buying a webcam will solve this issue for you.

MEE Audio CL8A Webcam

Dimensions	5.7”L x 5.7”W x 3.2”H x 0.12 lbs
Frequency response	20 Hz to 20 kHz
Carrying case charging connector	USB-C
Includes	3 sets of eartips, charging case, USB-C charging cable
Warranty	1 year

14. Charger

Whether it is a power dock or a traditional charger that uses a cable, you must have a charger as a part of your programming desk setup. This is simply because getting up to find a charger every time you need to charge a device is going to lead to a lot of wasted time.

Moshi Otto Q Wireless Charging Pad

Dimensions	4.02"L x 4.02"W x 0.47"H
Capability	Supports wireless charging up to 15W
Package contents	Otto Q, USB-C to USB-C Cable
Warranty	10 years

Symbus Q Compact USB-C Dock

Dimensions	4.57"L X 2.83"W X 1.26"H
USB-C charging	Supports laptop charging up to 60 W
HDMI	Supports up to 4K/60Hz resolution
USB-A	Supports USB 3.1 Gen 1, 5 Gbps data transfer
Gigabit ethernet	Supports 1000 Mbps data rate
Warranty	10 years

15. Laptop Workstation

Laptop workstations are designed to do high-end computing functions. They are equipped with additional memory and more powerful CPUs. The job of a programmer is intense. To keep up with the extremely complicated codes, a programmer might consider a laptop workstation to be a worthwhile addition to a coding setup.

Lastly, you might also want to take a look at standing desk converters. These are designed to be placed on top of your desk to raise or lower your screen. This is so that you switch between working while standing and working while sitting. This switch will prevent your muscles from getting stiff and will also be beneficial for back and neck pains. These benefits make the standing desk converters the best addition to a programming setup.

Uncaged Ergonomics WorkEZ Light Laptop Stand

Dimensions	14”L x 10”W x 1.8 lbs
Height adjustment	0 - 12”
Material	‎Aluminum
Color	Black, Silver
Weight capacity	13 lbs
Warranty	3 months

Modernsolid Rolling Computer Cart: Height Adjustable

Dimensions	16.54”L x 19.61”W x 46.03” - 55.87”H
Material	‎Aluminum alloy
Laptop holder loading	Up to 11 lbs
Height adjustment	46.03” - 55.87”
Weight capacity	11 - 22 lbs
Monitor mount loading	up to 17.6 lbs
Warranty	3 years

Trio Supply House Laptop Cart

Dimensions	21”W x 16”D x 28” - 46”H
Material	‎MDF
Color	Wood Grain
Weight capacity	Max 20 lbs
Warranty	1 month

15. Standing Desk Setup

Autonomous SmartDesk Commercial designed to promote a healthier workplace, is now available at special bulk deals. This exceptional standing desk offers a seamless combination of functionality and convenience. Its whisper-quiet operation ensures a peaceful office environment.

Setting up your workspace is a breeze, thanks to the desk's effortless usability and straightforward assembly process. With built-in anti-collision technology, you can switch between sitting and standing worry-free, ensuring a safe and smooth transition. Moreover, you'll enjoy peace of mind with the impressive 10-year warranty that comes with this remarkable standing desk.

FAQs

What do I need for a developer & programming desk setup?

Basically, you should have an ergonomic chair, a standing desk, a dual monitor or laptop with a stand at the perfect angle, a headphone, a keyboard and mouse, and great lighting to make your workspace feel more bright and cheerful.

Should my programming desk be set up ergonomically?

Yes, your programming desk should definitely be ergonomic. An ergonomic workspace not only helps you avoid health problems but also increases your productivity.

Conclusion

Adding all or some of these accessories to your coding setup will likely increase your productivity and comfort. These accessories in developer coding setup add worth to the developer’s life and make it little simpler and relaxing by releasing the pain of removing the bugs and error in the lines of code. Therefore, the desk setup for programmers which has all the necessary accessories and some addition gadget as per the requirement are considered the best programming desk setup.

However, if you are planning to find accessories for your programmer setup, then Autonomous is the best online store which sells a premium quality product at a competitive price from an adjustable standing desk to smart office accessories.

Desk Setup Ideas for Designers and Producers Working from Home

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WRITTEN BYEthan Johnson

An ergonomic furniture innovator, skilled in merging comfort, functionality, and style to redefine the way you experience your living and working spaces.

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