An inviting home office setup in Leitz Cosy colours of warm yellow and calm blue. A desk is populated with Leitz accessories including a laptop riser, desk mat, pen pot and scissors. Various Leitz storage solutions are displayed on shelves in the background in bright shades of yellow and blue.

10.06.2025

A Guide to Inspiring Creativity with Your Desk Setup

Some of the best ideas arrive when you’re not looking for them—while reaching for a pen, waiting for a file to download, or daydreaming out the window. But those small moments of creative spark are far more likely to happen in a space that’s been designed to encourage them. Your desk isn’t just where work gets done—it’s where ideas take shape. So how do you design a desk setup that not only supports creativity but actively inspires it? With a few well-chosen accessories, the sky really is your limit.

Your desk isn’t just where work gets done—it’s where ideas take shape. So how do you design a desk setup that not only supports creativity but actively inspires it? With a few well-chosen accessories, the sky really is your limit.

Creating Space for Ideas to Land

It’s hard to think freely when your desk is full. Visual clutter competes for attention, making it harder for ideas to surface. A clear, well-organised space doesn’t just look good—it sets the stage for creative thinking.

Begin with a reset. Clear everything off your desk and only return the tools and objects that genuinely support your process. Be intentional about what earns a place on your workspace—if it doesn’t serve a purpose or spark inspiration, it can live elsewhere.

Smart storage solutions can help keep your creative essentials close at hand but out of sight. The Leitz Cosy Drawer Cabinet is a great place to start for tucking away those surplus sketchbooks, loose paper, paints, camera cables—anything that tends to sprawl. The goal isn’t to have an empty space—it’s to have an inviting one.

At the heart of it all, let one thing remain: the notebook. More than just pages bound together, it’s the quiet epicentre of any creative’s desk. A trusted space for capturing flickers of inspiration before they fade, mapping out your day, reflecting on progress, or sketching out that half-formed idea that might just become your next big thing. While your desk may evolve with trends and tools, your notebook is a timeless essential.

Our recommendation

Leitz Cosy Drawer Cabinet

Drawer cabinet for keeping documents and smaller items tidy and organised at your desk
One small and one large drawer for storing items such as pens, notebooks and cables

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Set the Tone with Light and Colour

The right lighting is critical to helping your mind stay alert, focused and engaged. Natural light is a proven creativity and mood booster, so, if possible, position your desk near a window; a view of the outdoors gives your brain a break and prevents that boxed-in feeling.

If natural light is limited, use layered lighting—a combination of ambient and task lighting. A well-placed desk lamp can sharpen your attention, while soft warm toned desk accessories like those from the Leitz Cosy range can soften the workspace and make it more inviting.

In smaller or darker spaces, mirrors or light-filtering curtains in uplifting tones like warm ochre or sage green can help bounce light and improve the mood of the room. Colour psychology plays a larger role than you’d think. Choosing the right tones can shift the entire feel of your workspace. Soft neutrals bring calm. Bright accents bring energy. Greens and blues create a sense of balance and tranquillity.

The key is intentional use. Choose desk accessories in colours that support the kind of thinking your creative projects demand—whether that’s bold and dynamic or slow and thoughtful. The Leitz WOW range, with its vibrant hues, is perfect for adding colour without overwhelming your workspace.

Move Your Way into New Ideas

When your body moves, your thinking does too. Whether you’re designing on a laptop, sketching by hand or jotting in a journal, staying physically static for hours can dull your energy and narrow your thinking. Start with posture-friendly design. A supportive chair and the right desk height are essential, whether you're typing or working with your hands. If you do use a screen, raise it to eye level to avoid strain.

Incorporate motion into your creative process. Try changing position throughout the day—alternate between sitting and standing or shift from one desk zone to another (perhaps a surface for digital work and another for sketching or layout).

Micro-movements matter. Even tapping your foot, shifting in your seat, or fidgeting with a tactile object can nudge your brain out of a rut and into a more open, flexible state. Consider accessories that encourage small adjustments—like a footrest, wobble cushion, or sit-stand stool—as subtle ways to stay alert and responsive.

Above all, don’t feel guilty for getting up. Creativity often arrives when you walk away from the task—literally. A short stroll, a stretch, or a tea break are often what unlocks the solution or next idea. Your desk is a base—but your body is part of the process too.

Make It Personal, But Purposeful

Creativity is deeply personal, and your environment should reflect your style and creative passions. A pinboard or inspiration wall filled with sketches, postcards and clippings can keep inspiration front and centre. The Leitz Cosy Magnetic Glass Boards are perfect for curating a mood board or jotting down genius ideas.

Consider incorporating plants into your setup. As well as offering aesthetic value, a trailing pothos, a string of pearls or a tiny succulent, can reduce stress, purify the air and energise your mind.

Our recommendation

Leitz Cosy Magnetic Glass Whiteboard 450x450mm

Compact, 450 x 450mm dry erase board ideal for note taking and reminders
Write or stick your notes directly onto the magnetic, glass whiteboard surface
Surface is made from tempered safety glass with ultra-erasability and a high resistance to ink stains, pen marks, scratches and dents
Frameless design maximises the writing space
Easy to install with the concealed 4 corner mounting system and fitting kit included (2 screws and 2 wall plugs)
Comes with microfibre cleaning cloth for easy cleaning
Comes with a dry erase marker that has a built-in eraser on the cap

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Bringing It All Together

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for a creative workspace. The best desk setups are those that feel uniquely yours—spaces where you can focus, daydream, and create without distraction. Whether your vibe is earthy and eclectic or clean and contemporary, the key is in designing intentionally for what you wish to achieve. With the right mix of functionality, comfort, and visual inspiration, your desk can shift from “where you work” to “where great ideas begin”.

Explore the full Leitz range of desk accessories and ergonomic solutions to build a workspace that fuels your thinking, supports your wellbeing, and lets creativity thrive.

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