Unboxing Productivity: My UPLIFT Desk Setup

I am excited to share the insights about my UPLIFT Desk installation and experience within my updated workspace. If you did not see my last blog post discussing the selection and customization process with the UPLIFT Desk product, you can read it here. After selecting and ordering my UPLIFT Desk products, the free delivery was super smooth by FedEx (even though I am in a rural Airbnb with an address that is not even recognized by the USPS)! There were about six boxes that arrived containing the large desktop, the frame components, an adjustable stool, and some accessories. The next step was to unbox and begin the assembly of the desk. 

Luckily, there is a perfectly sized area rug for the workspace that I allocated for the desk setup, which I used during the assembly process to protect both the desktop and the flooring. While there are a few steps and pieces for the frame assembly, the instructions are straightforward and easy to follow. It is best to attach and connect the electronic components and wire management trays while the desktop is upside down on the floor. Conceivably, you could work on these things after the desk is standing, but you would have to be crouched under the desk looking up, so I found it best to accomplish these components before flipping the desk over. The wiring is pretty simple; you just want to be conscious of which side things are connecting since the desk will be upside down during this part of assembly. Overall, I could do everything myself – up until it came time to flip the desk over to its upright position. Because I ordered the 60”x30” desktop it was too large for me to manage flipping on my own and I enlisted the help of one other person.

After flipping the desk into its upright position, a few other accessories could be added to the desk. Adding the grommet covers was easy as they pop right into the grommet openings. You need to attach the operating keypad that you ordered for your desk – I added mine to the right-hand side of my desk since I planned my cords to run out from the right side. One thing I learned about the connection of the main power cord for the desk is that it works best when connected directly to a wall outlet and not to a power bank. Connecting to a power bank can tend to cause errors in the operating keypad functions for some reason. So, make sure you have a dedicated wall outlet for your UPLIFT Desk in the space you will be using it. I connected one power strip to the underside of my desk as well to allow for computers and other electronics to be powered without additional cords running across the floor. There are some excellent zipper-bags that bundle and conceal the cords along the legs of the desk – I highly recommend making use of these! I am a fanatic for cord management and creating minimalist aesthetics in the home office.

Right now, I use two distinct laptops and one desktop computer with a large standing screen. I ordered one of the screen arm attachments that could theoretically be used to support one of the laptop tray accessories. But when I tried this combination, it didn’t work out for me due to the weight of the laptop pulling down on the attachment arm. So, for now, I am using my UPLIFT Desk with laptops on the surface but will soon make purchase of a laptop stand to attain the proper eye-level height for the screen and camera angle during my video calls. For filming, I can set up my ring light and video camera on tripods at the appropriate distance from the desk to obtain a nice viewing window for the content. I also selected the space for the desk that will give a neutral wall backdrop for my content filming to eliminate distractions in the background.

I don’t have a decent office chair at this Airbnb location, but the UPLIFT Desk adjustable stool is a nice addition for sitting at the desk. It is comfortable but does require you to maintain your posture by engaging your core and keeping your shoulders relaxed since there is no back support to facilitate this. The important thing is that I get to mostly use this desk in its standing position (since the other desks in my home office are sitting position only). I selected a balance board accessory for a standing alternative – allowing me to create a little movement while working by shifting my weight side to side while each knee bends in an alternating fashion kind of like walking stairs. The balance board also engages the core muscles while you keep subtle movement in your legs. Having some physical activity while working at a desk is a new practice for me, so I don’t yet have a fixed amount of time per day that I might endure these various positions and actions.

I love the generous size of this work surface and am already using it as a primary planning space for design projects! It is great to get the workday beverage off the desktop and into a cupholder accessory that attaches to the side. I also enjoy having an air filter next to any regularly running electronics – and because I can sometimes be using up to three computers simultaneously (renderings running on one, meetings running on another, and admin activities on a third), it is even more important to pull any emissions out of the workspace air. The UPLIFT Desk air purifier seems to be a fantastic addition for my respiratory health – I will be sharing some future content comparing how clean my workspace air is with and without the filter operating (I use real-time air quality sensor data to measure these differences) so stay tuned!

I also appreciate the new home for my larger noise-cancelling headphones, which used to either be returned into their case every day (time-consuming!) or set onto the PowerMac stand (too hot actually and degraded some of the headphone material). Although because this accessory is a little bulky and takes up both physical and visual space, I think I am going to place it on a different desktop where it will blend in better and where the headphones are more useful for the given activities.

I indicated in the prior blog post how the UPLIFT Desk will be ideally suited for the video calls and content creation filming in my open home office area since there are other desks that already provide some basic functionality. Having the option for standing when presenting on video makes a world of difference with your energy and projection. But I will need to assess how the overall workflow is going on a longer-term use and adjust from there. I love having a desk that is large (as noted earlier) with a wall behind it and facing the room – this creates a sense of control and command (so important for entrepreneurial activities). It is the recommended position of the desk in the office to achieve business success according to feng shui principles. So, there is a good chance I will be transitioning most of my daily work activities to the UPLIFT Desk. I am also planning to create and make a custom design piece for the wall as a branded backdrop that also enhances acoustic performance during videos. Stay tuned for that design and workspace upgrade!

If you are interested in receiving some guidance on selecting the best standing desk for your home office, reach out to AIDA, LLC today for a consultation. In addition, you can always find more information and healthy home resources at Aletheia Ida Design and Architecture, LLC (AIDA, LLC) at www.aletheiaida.com.