I’m happy to be partnering with Autonomous for this post!
With bar exam studying right around the corner, I’m giving my home office a much-needed refresh. Since I’ll be spending long days in this room for schoolwork, blogging, and bar exam prep, I want the space to feel bright, comfortable, and functional.
I’ll finish law school in May 2021, which used to sound so far away and now somehow feels like it is almost here. Soon after graduation, I’ll begin studying for the bar exam, and it is wild to think that around this time next year, I’ll be a lawyer.
Before that happens, I still have a few more months of law school to complete. Then comes bar exam prep, which is a huge commitment, followed by the actual exam itself.
It is common to study for the bar exam all summer as if it were a full-time job, often for 40 or more hours each week. Because of that, I know I’ll need to plan a few fun breaks and small things to look forward to throughout the summer.
For now, my focus is on creating a better workspace. I want a home office that is practical enough for long study sessions but still pretty enough to feel inviting every day. So far, I’ve made two updates: improved lighting and a new adjustable standing desk. Even with just those changes, the room already feels brighter, more productive, and much easier to use.
First Up: New Lighting
The first update was simple, but it made a surprisingly big difference. I replaced the warm yellow bulbs in the room with cooler, brighter bulbs.
This room is very shaded and does not get much natural light during the day. Before the switch, the space always felt a little dark, and the lighting on my Zoom calls looked dim and yellow, even when I opened the curtains and blinds.
Now that the room has whiter, brighter light bulbs, it feels much more cheerful and energizing. Good lighting really does change the entire mood of a workspace. I wish I had made this easy home office upgrade much sooner.
The details: We replaced 40-watt soft white traditional incandescent bulbs with 60-watt daylight CFL bulbs. The daylight bulbs create a whiter tone, and the increased wattage made the room brighter. Another option would be to use an LED bulb or a CFL bulb with a higher light output.
A New Standing Desk
I have been thinking about getting a standing desk for years, so I was very excited to set up my new Autonomous adjustable standing desk.
In the past, when I needed a break from sitting, I would place my laptop on top of my dresser and stand there to work. It was better than nothing, but this new setup is much more comfortable. Being able to raise the desk to the right height helps me avoid naturally slumping forward over my laptop.
After four years of undergrad and three years of law school, nonstop laptop use has definitely started to affect my neck and back. I’m trying to be more intentional about my posture, and I’m hopeful that having a standing desk will help me build better habits while I study and work from home.
I’m also the type of person who feels most productive in a clean, pretty space with a cute planner and a good drink nearby. This desk helps complete the home office setup I’ve been picturing for long study days.
My new desk is the SmartDesk 2 Premium from Autonomous. Here are my honest thoughts on the desk itself, including the features I like most and a few things to keep in mind.
Pros:
Customizable – I really like that you can customize both the desktop and the legs. I personally love the white and light wood style, and the natural bamboo top option is beautiful. The Autonomous website currently offers three frame colors: white, black, and gray. There are also several desktop options. By selecting “Customize” on the product page, you can mix and match the frame and top to create the combination that works best for your office style.
Easy assembly – I assembled the desk with my very sweet, very helpful dad, and it took us about 70 minutes. I think one person could probably put it together, but having two people made the process easier. The assembly was straightforward, and the instructions were relatively easy to follow.
On a related note, I recently learned about TaskRabbit, which lets you hire someone in your city for different errands and tasks, including furniture assembly. For larger furniture projects in the future, especially if I am assembling something on my own, I would definitely consider that option.
Easy to hide the cords – The desk has a few cords, but it comes with small adhesive pieces that help secure them to the underside of the desk. This keeps most of the cords tucked away and out of sight. As you can see in the first and second photos, my nearest outlet is low on the wall, so one cord is still visible. If anyone has a good solution for hiding that, I would love to hear it.
The size – I wanted a small computer desk that still gave me enough room to spread out a couple of drinks, a snack, a few textbooks, and my computer. This desk fits that need really well. It also seems spacious enough for double monitors.
Even though the surface feels roomy, the desk does not overwhelm the small guest room I’m using as my office. That makes it a great standing desk option for a smaller workspace. My SmartDesk 2 Premium dimensions are 53″L x 29″W x 1″H, and some tabletop options are also available in an XL size.
Performance and presets – I appreciate that the control panel lets you save up to four preset desk heights. This makes it easy to switch between sitting and standing without having to adjust the height manually every time. In terms of performance, the desk feels sturdy, even when raised to standing height, and it moves up and down quickly. A friend has a similar standing desk with a crank, and I have to say, I really love that this one has a motor.
The price – I think this is a relatively affordable adjustable standing desk, especially since it is fully automated. You can also save 10% by using the code 26HEALTHYLIV.
Cons:
Shipping – Although shipping is free, Autonomous was transparent in letting me know that they were experiencing some delays with FedEx and UPS. They also mentioned a high surge in orders due to increased demand from people working at home. If you need a new desk within just a few days, this may not be the best option.
Comes in two parts – The desk ships in two parts, so if one piece is back-ordered or delayed, you may receive only half of the desk at first. I received one half of my desk several weeks before the other half. Thankfully, it was not a major issue for me, but it could be frustrating if you are on a tight timeline or need your desk immediately.
To learn more about Autonomous desks, you can check out this Autonomous video. Overall, I love the look of my desk, the easy assembly, and how smoothly it performs. If you are looking for a standing desk for a home office, study room, or small workspace, this has been a great upgrade for me. You can save 10% by using 26HEALTHYLIV as a promo code at checkout.
One more update I would still like to make is adding a desk chair. I want something that is functional and comfortable for sitting breaks, but still cute enough to work with the style of this desk. If you have any chair ideas that would pair well with a white and light wood standing desk, I would love suggestions.