My two-part desk setup

Fatih Arslan

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Nov 18, 2025

My two-part desk setup

How I turned a single long desk into a digital side for work and an analog side for reading, writing, and building LEGO with the kids.

For years, my desk was pushed against the wall. I would sit in front of it, look at the wall, and work. It was fine, and I never really questioned it.After a recent trip to Hamburg, visiting various museums and exhibitions, something struck me. I hadn’t seen a single desk that was facing the wall. Almost every single desk was in the middle of the room, and facing the room itself. Once I was back from my trip, I rotated the whole setup for my desk, and flipped it. Now my desk is facing the room. My back is against the wall, I can see the door, and I have the rest of the room in my field of view. It is a small change, but the space feels very different. I should have done this earlier.From time to time people still message me of my desk photos that appeared on Instagram or X. Those photos are old now, and I actually changed my room setup quite a bit. The room looks different, and the desk has changed as well. Over the last months I started to think more carefully about what I want from a desk and how I spend time around it.Rethinking the deskInstead of having a single, tech only desk, I now use one large desk that is split into two parts: a digital side and an analog side.For a long time my idea of a desk was simple: a place for a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and some accessories. It was a work surface for technical tasks. Everything else had to adapt to that. Here is an old photo:The problem is that this pulls every activity into the same mode. If you sit down, you are in front of screens. Even if you only want to read, think, plan, or write something by hand, the computer is right there and competes for your attention. This also means that I always had to push away my keyboard if I wanted to have more space for writing or sketching. I did not want to maintain two separate desks in the same room, but I also did not want the computer to dominate everything. A single, long surface with two clearly defined areas turned out to be a good compromise. So I researched and ended up with the one in the pictures, which is a 200x75cm long desk from USM Haller. The idea is that, on one side I keep the digital tools. On the other side I keep the analog tools. They share the same piece of furniture, but they serve different purposes.The digital sideThe digital side is the part of the desk by the windows. It has the Studio Display, the Mac and my split keyboard (It's the Elora Halcyon with my own custom design) This is where I spend most of my day writing, coding, and being on calls, so I try to keep it as empty as possible.This area is intentionally minimal. Everything on this side is directly related to my day to day work. When I sit in the chair and slide over to this half of the desk, I know I am there to write, code, review something, or join a call.This also changed how I think about adding new items. If something wants to live on the digital side, it has to be used regularly. If not, it moves to the other half of the desk or leaves the desk entirely.The analog sideThe other half of the desk is reserved for everything that does not need a screen. On a typical day, this part of the desk has:A notebook or plannerA couple of fountain pensBooks I am currently readingLoose sheets with sketches or diagramsA desk lamp that nicely illuminates the surface (It's the Artemides Tolomeo Mini, with my custom designed adaptor)This is where I read, write in a journal, plan projects, or outline ideas. Sometimes I use it for small DIY projects. Sometimes it turns into a shared space with my kids, where we build LEGO or sit together and draw.The analog side does not need to look minimal. It needs to be functional and inviting. It is a place where things can stay out for a while so I can return to them without having to pack everything away.People following me for a long time know that I really like clean and minimalist design, but with time I realized that minimalism also kills creativity, or the passion to work on new things. Maybe it’s best to enjoy a mix of both, minimalism and maximalism, and adapt according to your needs. Living with the setupI have been using this two-part desk layout for about nine to ten months and I am very happy with it.Facing the room instead of the wall makes the office feel more open and comfortable. There is now some sort of depth in front of my eyes, that was lacking previously. Also, having the door in front of me, instead of my back, feels also safer somehow.Splitting the desk into a digital and an analog side creates a clear mental boundary. And moving the chair from one side to the other is enough to change the context.I do not see myself going back to a tech only desk. This setup gives me a place to work, a place to think, and a place to spend time with my kids, all on a single surface.

Fatih Arslan © 2026.

Published with
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& Kyoto

Fatih Arslan describes a transformation of his workspace, moving from a conventional setup to a hybrid, two-part desk configuration. This shift was prompted by an observation made during a trip to Hamburg, where he recognized that most functional desks are oriented toward the room rather than against a wall, which altered his perception of the physical space. He began to reevaluate the purpose and experience of his desk, moving away from a configuration that was solely dedicated to technical work.

The central concept of his redesign is splitting a single, long desk into distinct digital and analog zones. This approach addresses the limitation of a conventional, single-mode desk, which forces all activities—technical work and reflective tasks—into the same context, causing the digital elements to dominate and competing for attention. Arslan realized that separating these functions was necessary because having a computer constantly present inhibits other modes of thought, such as reading, planning, or handwriting. He utilized a piece of furniture, a 200 by 75 centimeter desk from USM Haller, to achieve this division, serving as a compromise between wanting separate workspaces and avoiding the visual clutter of multiple separate desks.

The digital side of the desk is strategically positioned by the windows and dedicated to active, screen-based tasks. This area houses the necessary technological tools, including the Studio Display, the Mac, and a custom split keyboard, intended for concentrated work such as writing, coding, and communication. Arslan maintains a minimalist aesthetic here, ensuring that only items directly related to his primary workday reside in this space, establishing a clear boundary for focused digital output. He posits that anything placed on this side should be something used regularly, otherwise, it should reside on the analog side or be removed entirely.

Conversely, the analog side is reserved for activities that do not require a screen. This section is designed to be functional, inviting, and non-minimalist, acting as a space for contemplation and creation. It is allocated for physical tools like notebooks, planners, books, and sketches or diagrams. This area is also equipped with a desk lamp to provide adequate illumination. This physical segregation allows for immersive activities like reading, journaling, planning projects, and engaging in hands-on creative endeavors, such as building with children, without the constant distraction of digital interfaces.

Arslan reflected that while he historically favored clean and minimalist design, he came to understand that minimalism can impede creativity. Therefore, he advocates for a synthesis of minimalism and maximalism, suggesting that the optimal workspace should adapt to individual needs. The physical placement of the desk also contributed to psychological benefits; facing the room instead of the wall created a sense of openness and depth. Furthermore, having the door visible provides a feeling of safety, and the division between the digital and analog zones establishes a clear mental demarcation. Ultimately, this two-part setup provides a holistic environment where work, reflection, and family interaction can coexist effectively on a single surface.