Maybe it’s the creative in me, but I find my productivity skyrockets when I’m working in a space that inspires me. That’s why I’ve been intentional about curating my home office (aka Scorpio Rising Media HQ) to feel both functional and creatively energizing. In this post, I’m sharing my cozy boho home office setup, inspired by southwest landscapes, earthy colors, and tools that help me stay focused and creative. Whether you’re redesigning your space or just looking for aesthetic desk ideas, I’ve included an entire breakdown of my setup with links to my favorite tools and decor.

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The Vibe: Cozy, Boho, & Southwest-Inspired

When choosing a direction for my workspace, I naturally leaned into my brand’s signature scorpion energy with desert landscapes, moody tones, and earthy textures. As much as I appreciate the clean white-and-beige home office aesthetic that’s all over Pinterest, I craved something with more contrast; a space that felt grounded, warm, and a little bold.

Luckily, my office gets great natural light, so I kept the walls white and neutral to brighten the space, then added black IKEA ALEX drawer units and warm, light wood accents through the desk tabletop and monitor stand for depth and balance. For a pop of color, I gravitate toward greens, sienna reds, and desert-inspired browns, helping to evoke that grounded, sun-soaked southwest vibe.

One of my favorite features is the work-in-progress gallery wall showcasing my own photography from a trip to Joshua Tree. Over time, I plan to fill this space with illustrations and photos from other artists, making it a growing source of inspiration and creativity.

My DIY Ikea Desk Hack

When choosing a desk, I knew I needed plenty of tabletop space since I often use the surface to shoot client content. I also wanted lots of drawer storage to keep all my gear and supplies tucked away but easy to reach. Unfortunately, most desks cap out around 55–60 inches, which felt too cramped for my needs. So I decided to DIY my own.

I used two IKEA drawer units and topped them with the 74-inch SÄLJAN countertop in the oak finish. It gives me the spacious surface I wanted with a minimal, custom-built look — and because the countertop is heavy, I didn’t need to attach it to the drawers at all.

Eventually, I’d love to add a standing desk frame so I can easily switch things up when I want to work on my feet.

Boho Home Office Setup: The Desk Details

On top of my desk, I like to keep things minimal with just the essentials and the tools I actually use every day. For my main computer, I use the Apple Mac mini M2 Pro (10-Core CPU 16-Core GPU 16GB RAM 1TB), which gives me the power I need for editing video and photo content without taking up much space.

Because color accuracy matters for my work, I use the ASUS ProArt Display (PA279CRV 27″ IPS) as my monitor. It’s a fantastic and much more affordable alternative to the Apple Studio Display. The image quality is sharp and true-to-color, which is key for photo and video editing.

The monitor sits on a bamboo monitor stand that adds a bit of warmth to the desk and doubles as hidden storage — perfect for tucking away my Mac Mini and random chargers. I also use a Dual Light Monitor Bar with adjustable color temperatures (and 15 color mode settings), which lets me easily shift the mood of my workspace throughout the day.

For my keyboard, I recently ventured into the world of mechanical keyboards and landed on the Royalaxe R108 model. I was drawn to its soft beige and brown color palette, which fits perfectly with the boho vibe. My desk mat is a muted, martini olive green that I’m completely obsessed with, and I still use the classic Apple Magic Mouse for simplicity.

My speakers are the Creative Pebble 2.0 USB-Powered Desktop Speakers. They’re not the best sound quality-wise, but if you’re using a Mac Mini and want an affordable external speaker option, they definitely do the job.

Lastly, I keep my boho home office setup organized with a natural marble decorative tray (the color reminds me of Sienna red rock) where I toss in daily-use items like my rattan pen holder, rectangle blue light glasses, and hand sanitizer to keep everything feeling intentional and clutter-free.

Tools That Help Me Stay Productive

When it comes to the MVPs of my productivity and keeping my workflow running smoothly, there are a few essentials I always keep close.

One that’s always on my desk is my Common Planner by Sterling Ink. It’s where I zoom in on my daily schedule, write out weekly tasks, and keep track of appointments. I like having a physical space to map things out, even though most of my long-term planning lives online.

For client work and internal organization, I rely on Notion. It’s the hub for everything from content calendars to project outlines. You can check out how I use Notion here or how I keep it looking clean and aesthetic here.

When I’m planning bigger goals and deadlines, I use a quarterly wall calendar that I designed myself. I couldn’t find a layout that worked for me, so I made one that’s minimal, visual, and actually helpful at a glance.

Another favorite tool is my Stream Deck. I’ve programmed it with shortcuts for editing in Premiere and Lightroom, and also set it up to open client folders and tabs with one click. It saves me time and brain space every single day.

And of course, I wouldn’t get anything done without my Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones. Something about turning on a focus playlist on Spotify helps me stay locked in and power through my to-do list.

My Favorite Ergonomic Finds

As someone who spends hours in front of a screen, I’ve learned how important it is to invest in ergonomic tools that actually support my body. My first and most essential upgrade was this ergonomic mesh computer chair with adjustable lumbar support. I specifically chose one with foldable armrests so I could sit cross-legged when I feel like it — which, let’s be honest, is often.

The second game-changer was a footrest. I went with one made from natural fibers to tie in with the boho southwest vibe of the rest of the space. It helps keep my posture in check and makes sitting for long periods way more comfortable.

When I’m using my laptop as a second monitor, I always reach for my laptop stand. It keeps the screen at eye level so I’m not straining my neck, and it also helps keep my desk clutter-free.

Shop My Amazon Picks from My Boho Home Office Setup

Designing this space has been such a fun mix of functionality and creativity, and honestly, it’s made a huge difference in how I feel throughout the workday. Whether you’re building out your own home office or just looking to upgrade a few pieces, I’ve linked all of my favorite tools, decor, and tech from this post in one place:

And if you end up creating your own setup, I’d love to see it! Tag me or drop a comment so we can swap ideas, because a workspace should actually work for you.