It will very much depend on your background, available funds and whether you are interested as a hobbyist only or you have some more serious plans for it.
What I have found is that having a dedicated space for your hobby is probably the best way to help.
Having a dedicated desk it means that all my stuff is immediately ready when I have few minutes of time to do something, test an idea, etc. No amount of hardware will help you if you will have to set it up on your desk and then clean up every day. At least that's what is working for me.
I live in an apartment but I rent a garage from a friend. it really is liberating to have a dedicated space for projects instead of trying to make it work in a 20 x 30 box.
What I have found is that having a dedicated space for your hobby is probably the best way to help.
Having a dedicated desk it means that all my stuff is immediately ready when I have few minutes of time to do something, test an idea, etc. No amount of hardware will help you if you will have to set it up on your desk and then clean up every day. At least that's what is working for me.