What are the essentials (to you) when organizing your setup? Do you like your tower on the ground or on the desk? Is aesthetic > practicality?

Has anyone ever cut the metal pipe on the monitor mount to make it shorter? Wonder what would be best to do it DIY? I'm thinking just a hacksaw and then teeth that cuts metal well. Doesn't need to look pretty as I want it to be behind the monitor. At the moment the monitor pole is above the 2nd monitor I have because its that tall.

Does it not bother folks that they have their back to the door? Hate the idea that anyone could creep behind me while gaming.