Perfect Work from Home Desk Setup: Part 10 – Clocks + Productivity Timers + Chairs

Back to some ‘decor’ pieces but I felt like they needed their own post. I also went down a rabbit hole trying to find clocks and options for my office that felt modern, fresh and/or aesthetic. I didn’t find much but here is what I managed to find…

Psst! If you have missed the first of the series, I fell down a literal rabbit hole a month ago, and am gathering all my insights into multiple part posts, with examples and actual product links, plus my take on them.

• Series: Cosy + Minimalist Aesthetic Desk Setups

I will give you what I see repeatedly pop up over and over again and what has endured through their hundreds of videos. I sometimes see paid partnerships or sponsorships from brands for certain things, but by the next video it is gone.

So I am also looking out for longevity in choice. I will also note afterwards, what I personally use / do and why.

——-

CLOCKS

I searched far and wide, and here is what I have come up with. (IT IS SO HARD TO FIND CUTE, SILENT CLOCKS).

Every time I think I have found one that says “NO NOISE” after 3 months, it starts ticking and making noise. *insert sad face* Usually right after the return period has closed.

What I look for in a silent clock

• Analog clocks without the third “seconds” hand (that is what makes the ticking noise)
• Digital options (not many that are my vibe)

I am not a fan of the sound of ticking, and I am not willing to take a risk on things that MAY NOT annoy me only to return it.

As a result, I bought these Newgate clocks, and only the styles without the third (seconds) hand just to be certain I will not have issues.

I am not linking the specific styles because the colours and/or styles may already be sold out, so these are just to give you an idea of what is out there and their minimalist yet modern mid-century and retro vibe.

I have pictured a couple of the ones I got (the top two), and another two I desperately coveted but had a third hands and I wasn’t willing to risk having it make noise (I may make an exception however, as it is so beautiful):

It is also a readability thing that I focused on clocks with a full set of Arabic numerals, but if you are not picky on that front, they have some really beautiful options that just have lines, or Roman numerals:

…but if you don’t care AT ALL about noise and are only focused on VIBES …. then have I got a range of clocks for you.

Here are all the clocks I have found that look pretty darn cute on a wall or a desk:

PART I:

• Pottery Barn Anton – I have not tried this one out yet, but I will, either the large or medium one because I work in multiple time zones and genuinely need multiple clocks.
• Wooden digital clock – there are plenty of options. They also come in cubes, and without the temperature option. Also in a pyramid form.
• Neon digital numerals – this looks very cool at night but the lack of darkness to hide the non-used parts of the numbers sort of bothers me a bit
• Sunrise clock – If you want a sunrise soft light, and discreet digital time

PART II:

• Flip clock on a stand
• Cloudnola Flip clock in a slim rectangle with the words, or with the Arabic numerals
• Gino Flip Clock – This one is so much fun, it FLIPS. So yes there is noise, but some people find it soothing.
• Cloudnola Flipping Out Clock – It is a wall or desk clock by the same brand that did the slim one above

PART III:

• The Author Clock – I own it and love it strictly for bookish, aesthetic reasons. I don’t really use it to tell time however.
• Divoom Ditoo Pixel – It also has other functions to show images and the temperature. Super fun for gamers.
• Retro alarm clock – comes in white, green (pictured above), this super tempting deep pink, and black
• Sharper Image Word Clock – This is SO DANG CUTE. Comes in this pretty rose gold (shown), copper or black.

PART IV:

• Nixie Walnut Wood Tube Clock – Many variations on this – here is another style of it with rounded candle jar style glass tops, but I like the glass one the best. Very steampunk.
• Sunrise alarm clocks – Many options. This one comes as a square shape instead, and has a phone charging dock.
• This one is a literal moon with a very futuristic white digital clock
• Egg-shaped sunrise clock – this one also has a charging station on top and is a bluetooth speaker

MY TAKE ON DESK CLOCKS

You already know it. I bought Newgate clocks in that bright orange Henry mantle style, and the Theatre mantle style in green.

They are fabulous.

I will also be checking out the Pottery Barn Anton clock in person as mentioned above because I like the simple look of it, the brass, the lack of a third hand, and the full Arabic numeral face. I also do need another clock for another time zone, so this one is ideal.

I was using my phone and this app called World Clock, but what was annoying was having to constantly tap on my phone to see the different timezones – even though I had it on display mode, it wasn’t big enough, or to have to go to my laptop to check the time.

It is much easier to have a clock to look at, and with the two shapes, I can tell which one is PRESENT LOCATION time, and which one is OTHER LOCATION time(s).

TIMERS

I debated throwing this under ‘Productivity’ with paper, but as they seemed to be in line with ‘clocks’ I figured I would add it to both sections.

A lot of people recommend using a timer to give themselves a 15-minute social media break in between working, or enough time to finish a task and then move on to another one.

Or simply, to remind themselves to get up and move around (“you should move every hour“, says the woman who has been sitting for two while blogging so far… DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO! lol)

PART A

• Cube Timer – super fun, functional and simple with purple, aqua and yellow colour ways. Even comes in pink!!
• Walnut Wood Bell Timer – This one is stunning, and doesn’t really look like a timer
• Hourglass timer – Going old-school. Don’t want noise? Use this instead
• Mod-style timer – this one is super cute and you can even mix and match the colour of the clock with the insides.

PART B

• Baseus Digital Timer – But if you want something cheaper, this black one should do the trick.
• A circle-shaped, colour + white minimalist timer that looks sleek. Comes in beige, red, pink, powder blue, navy blue and acqua.
• Divoom Times Gate – This is more than just a timer, so if you like the vibe…
• Retro Magnetic Timer – Comes in beige, red, mint and yellow

MY TAKE ON TIMERS

I got a productivity timer, and long story short, I liked it a lot, but hated the beeping noise. I am loathe to spend $100 on one that has a nice bell that dings, so perhaps I just stick to using my phone or an app on my phone instead, as that horrific beeping noise really bothers me.

That said, I liked it very much that it reminded me every half an hour to an hour, to get up, do a little yoga, stretch, put away dishes, etc.

CHAIRS

How can we talk about aesthetic spaces without touching on CHAIRS???

There are many, many chairs. I know. But here are the top 4 I found that have gone viral, are aesthetically pleasing and look super functional.

• Criss-Cross Chair – Named as such so you can sit in the chair cross-legged. I actually do this, so this would be the perfect chair for me if I needed one.
• Piperson Meditation Chair – This one lets you move and sit in MANY different configurations which may be more interesting for those of you who shift a lot
• Branch Softside Midcentury Chair – Has arm rests, looks very chic and comfy
• Top Job Napa Ergonomic Chair – this one is the most ergonomic out of all of them, and even has a fold-out footrest!

However if you want THE BEST chair, regardless of fancy aesthetics or whatever else, this Efomao chair is rated to be extremely comfortable and practical with a footrest. You can lean back in any angle, relax, and be super comfortable.

It also comes in a wide range of colours including sage green and pink.

MY TAKE ON CHAIRS

I actually have a mamasan couch that I use from time to time (it is a larger size or version of the papasan you are all familiar with). I switched out the cushion for something luxurious and thick, and I use that to flop into when I am sitting or standing for too long.

I try to switch up between sitting and standing, and flopping, so I am not constantly in one position all day.

Standing all day is FAR WORSE than sitting all day, FYI. The best thing to do would be to flip back and forth between each style every half hour to an hour, and if you can swing it, take a 15-minute walk every hour.

I like to do chores every hour if I can, or a yoga break, but I sometimes get so caught up in meetings and work that I end up never doing this. *sigh*

So… chairs?

I just sit on whatever I have for now, ergonomic or not. I don’t need a fancy chair to do this and that, or to sit cross-legged as my main goal is to stand or lie down, or move instead of sit the whole time.

That said, I would go for the simple Criss-Cross chair over the others that let you sit in odd positions and so on, because I am not someone who sits in strange positions but I do cross my legs a lot.

—–

WANT MORE?

This is the series that has all of the posts: Cosy + Minimalist Aesthetic Desk Setups.