If I were a creative student today, this is the complete home desktop setup I’d get. From a Bob Ross desk mat to the ultimate budget ergonomic chair, pick and choose from my ultimate 9-piece setup. The Logitech G305 Lightspeed mouse is now down from $50 to $30 – check out this article on why this is basically the best deal that I’ve come across for a long while.

I’ve been working on my personal WFH desk set up for around six years. That’s plenty of time to make plenty of mistakes, buying over-priced kit and fancy units that don’t do a better job than the budget options available. And that got me thinking. As it’s Back to School season, why not put that experience to good use and choose the best work set up for students – pick the best budget options in a host of areas that all creative students need.

Below is my list of the nine most essential things that will elevate your work space, but won’t break the bank. They include my all-time favourite budget ergonomic chair, the Sihoo M18, as well as the recently discovered $30 Bob Ross desk mat, which brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. When it comes to the best budget monitor, the AOC Q27G3XMN wins because it offers the best combination of picture quality for price. This 27-inch display uses mini-LED lighting and though it lacks in ports, its 180Hz refresh makes it a no-brainer for students who want a beautiful screen, who also game.

Talking of gaming, not all consoles have to break the bank, and the Evercade EXP-R is Creative Bloq’s top pick of the best retro gaming consoles. This is ideal for breaks from work and also taking on the train for commutes to class. I was turned on to standing desks in 2020, and Flexispot was the best entry-level brand then, and remains the go-to brand today. For just over $100 you get a good-looking, real wood desk, with four memory settings (though why you would need more than one for standing and one for sitting is beyond me!) This budget laptop offers a sharp full HD IPS display, a capable Ryzen processor for smooth daily tasks, and a versatile USB-C port that supports charging and external displays. True there are ultra-budget options for around $170 on Amazon, but I think that’s a false saving. You won’t get the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage that you do here. Talk about beautiful design! Although a gaming keyboard, I think the F75 would look great amongst any style of decor. I love the 75% size of it, and it sounds great. Perhaps best of all is the array of colour ways that you can choose. Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless and USB wired connection comes as standard.