51 Easy Home Office Upgrades If You're Always Working

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2 days ago

A slim laptop stand to raise your laptop and bring it closer to eye level, especially handy if you use it with a desktop monitor. This is better for the overall ergonomics of your setup, but it also ensures your laptop gets ventilation and doesn't overheat.
This stand fits any laptop from 10–15.6 inches and can be easily disassembled into three parts for easy transportation. Promising review: "This has helped my neck pain and workflow. I'm used to working in an office with monitors, and this made a big difference in my work-from-home experience by putting my screen at a comfortable eye level. The material is good quality, feels sturdy, and was simple to assemble. It comes in three pieces and is intuitive to put together without looking at directions. There are pads on the top to keep your laptop from sliding. I'm using it with a 15-inch laptop, and it's a good fit. I did get a wireless keyboard to use with it, which I would recommend. If you were to try to type on your laptop keyboard with this, it would be uncomfortable. I bought it for the ergonomics, but as a bonus, I am liking how it helps me keep my desk organized with the extra space beneath. Great product!" —MGet it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 10 colors).
A desktop whiteboard that fits in that lil' space between your monitor and keyboard for writing quick notes, ideas, or even motivational messages for yourself. A little pull-out drawer holds your dry-erase markers and other small accessories!
This whiteboard also comes with a dry-erase marker, accessory channel (to hold the marker), and a storage drawer.Promising review: "Never thought something analog would be SO useful in my daily routine. I work from home and am constantly project managing a number of complex strategic projects. Having pertinent information directly in front of me and top of mind has done incredible things for my productivity. Never would have imagined it would make such a difference. For a nominal investment, I highly recommend it if you have trouble keeping up with things." —Captainflapjax Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in five styles).
A 24-inch budget-friendly monitor in case working off just your laptop isn't cutting it anymore. It'll give you a much larger workspace and the ability to drag windows seamlessly between your connected laptop and monitor. Being able to reference several pages at once can have a major (positive) impact on your productivity — and it's much more comfortable than crouching over your MacBook every day.
A sleek monitor riser with four USB ports, because there's no such thing as having too many USB ports on hand. If you've ever scrambled to find a free slot to charge your phone, Bluetooth headphones, microphone, desk fan, and other WFH gadgets, this'll give you significantly more options.
Other things to keep in mind: Raising your laptop or monitor up to eye level makes for better ergonomics (i.e. reduced eye and neck strain), PLUS by lifting your screen up, you make more room on your desk for storage underneath the stand. Promising review: "This was just the thing I needed for my desk. Super convenient to have the wireless charger and the USB hub too. Very good for cable management. I really love having a stand that provides additional functionality. It's a clean design, maybe the logo is a bit large and white on black so it's quite noticeable (a shade of gray on black would be nicer), but that's OK. Great stand!" —T Get it from Amazon for $66.49+ (available in two sizes).
Or a dual-monitor riser with a walnut wood top giving you even more space to work with, whether you have a two-screen setup or just want to surround your monitor with quirky collectibles and knick-knacks (I support either). It even has a built-in shelf underneath for stashing your laptop, perfect if you like to close it and only look at your monitor.
A Bluetooth speakerphone if you're still relying on your laptop speakers for video calls. This'll noticeably improve your audio by reducing background noise and enhancing your speech, and you'll hear your colleagues more clearly as well, making it an improvement for everyone involved.
An adjustable standing desk converter, because we all know sitting for hours straight is terrible for our health. With this, you can easily take standing breaks throughout the day while still working, and when you're sitting, it functions as a regular monitor stand so you can set your screen at eye level.
Or a sleek and beautiful electric standing desk if you're ready to go all-in on the sit-to-stand office life. With just the tap of a button, it'll raise itself up in a matter of seconds, and you can save up to four height presets so you're not having to readjust each time! It also has a child lock feature to avoid accidental activation *and* integrated USB charging ports on the side.
I personally use the FlexiSpot Comhar EG8 standing desk, and I really can't recommend it enough if you're ready to invest in a high-quality standing desk. I have the white desk with a glass top (pictured on the right above), and it looks super modern and elegant in my living room. There's a thin drawer in the front — you won't be storing anything super thick in there, but it's great for putting papers, sticky notes, and other small items out of the way. The actual standing desk feature works like a charm — since it's just me using this desk, I only use two of the four height presets: one for my sitting position, and one for my standing position. An anti-collision feature is also built in, meaning the desk will stop moving if it detects an obstacle in its way. I've found this feature can be a little hit or miss, so it's best to keep the area clear and just be attentive as it moves up and down. The child lock is *particularly* handy — I don't have kids around, but it's easy to bump into the control panel and accidentally activate the desk if you don't have this lock turned on.Promising review: "LOVE this desk. Super easy to assemble, and the built-in drawer keeps things so tidy. I like the child safety lock, too. It took a few weeks to arrive but was very well-packaged. The quality blows me away. Before the pandemic, I worked at various offices with all different kinds of stand-up desks, and this one by far is the most versatile and well made. This is a must-have upgrade if you're working from home. Beautiful, functional and the child lock feature makes it safe if kids are around. Can't recommend enough." —BrieGet it from Amazon for $259.99+ (available in six colors, with a glass or wood top, and three sizes).
A memory foam gel pad to provide ergonomic support for your wrists and avoid the aches and pains that come with typing at a computer all day. Seriously, once you get wrist pads, there's no going back.
Or a cushy cloud wrist rest you've probably seen all over TikTok if you're remotely interested in ~desk aesthetic~. It'll give your setup such a dreamy vibe, and your wrists will thank you for the cloud-like support!
An ergonomic mouse pad with built-in wrist support, adding both comfort and flair to your desk setup. It comes in over 40 different styles!
Promising review: "This mouse pad is tacky on the backside which I didn't realize, but really like. It keeps it from sliding around. Overall this is a great product for the money and keeps my hand/wrist from hurting throughout the day." —Julie DunfeeGet it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 38 different styles).
Or! An adjustable heated mousepad if your home office runs chilly (and you're trying to keep energy bills down). Even if you've got a space heater and a blanket at your desk, the targeted heat this applies to your mouse-using hand can improve circulation and leave your icy fingers toasty warm.
A sweet lil' USB desk fan with a wood grain base, here to cool you down if the room starts to feel a little stuffy — or when you get hit with a last-minute project and start to sweat.
A charging station that'll be a one-stop shop for organizing your devices so they're not scattered all across your desk or cluttering a drawer. It has six USB charging ports (with overcharge protection) and illuminated LED dividers that show you at a glance whether a device is still charging or all juiced up.
An adhesive monitor clip for holding larger papers and keeping them organized. This handy clip can hold up to 30 sheets at once so you can easily reference while typing, especially handy for note-taking and data entry.
Promising review: "I love this product. I always buy one when I move into a new office. It's basic, but it works. Clip adheres very well to my computer monitor when both services are clean and dry. Use some rubbing alcohol to clean both services before trying to adhere it. I like this document clip because it helps me be more productive. I also use it to hold papers that need my immediate attention if I am not doing data entry. In summary, I've purchased this product many times for a reason. It does the job with no frills and it's a great value!" —CassidyGet it from Amazon for $10.39.
A transparent monitor attachment if sticky notes are currently taking over your desk — with this, you can keep them organized and neatly visible next to your monitor for easy reference! It has a built-in stand at the bottom for holding your phone with a hole for a charger to pass through.
Each of the attachments has a sticky film that's strong enough to adhere to your monitor, but easy enough to remove that it won't damage it. Promising review: "I have 568 stickies on any given day and this is exactly what I needed to keep myself organized. They came packaged nicely, no cracks or scratches, and was easy to adhere. The adhesive is awesome. It's not going anywhere!!! I recommend this to anyone like me who needs a cool place for their notes. You will be the envy of your coworkers!" —Mason's MomGet it from Amazon for $7.97.
A set of stackable clear drawer organizers to organize the chaos inside your desk drawers and keep your pens separate from your sticky notes. Because digging around to find the specific thing you're looking for only makes things messier!
In the six-piece set, you'll get two 3"x3" bins, two 6"x3" bins, and two 9"x3" bins. Promising review: "Great product! I bought these to put in my nightstand drawer to store small things, as the drawer is very deep. I've got ChapStick, hand lotions, a small flashlight, and other bedside items in them so they're not just rolling around the drawer. I just bought some more for my bathroom vanity. They fit together nicely but also lift right out of each other. The plastic is sturdy, and they came individually wrapped to keep them from scratching." —SparkyjGet a six-piece set from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in larger sets).
A colorful desk mat that's waterproof so your desk will be protected when you accidentally knock over your drink or spill some cereal while working (oops). It doubles as a mousepad *and* helps tie your entire aesthetic together if you have a color scheme!
A cordless Logitech vertical ergonomic mouse reviewers with carpal tunnel, arthritis, and other kinds of hand pain or mobility issues say has brought them relief while working at the computer. The vertical design helps relax your wrist and promotes a more natural hand position while you work.
A game-changing hanging wall organizer you can hang just to the side of your desk for organizing all your papers into color-coded sections — the colored folders are slightly transparent so you can see what's inside.
An under-desk file organizer if your desk's drawer space is ✨ nonexistent ✨ so you need to make room for all your files and papers without taking up space on top. The flat hanging plate means you can still place other things on top of it for maximum space usage!
A six-outlet wall charger and surge protector, which doubles as a night-light with a dusk-to-dawn sensor — it automatically turns on when ambient light in the area isn't enough to see. It's designed to handle those annoyingly bulky chargers, PLUS it has two USB fast-charging ports, meaning you can finally put an end to your daily routine of plugging and unplugging things underneath your desk.
Promising review: "These things are amazing. I have one in almost every room of my house. The light is just enough to be able to see at night to use the restroom or navigate the house without turning every light on. I love that the USB ports are built-in — no more looking for an adapter. AND the plugs are set far enough apart you can plug some of the bigger things like Google assistant or large AC adapters and still have plenty of room!!! These are a must-have in a tech or smart home." —SeiranCrowGet it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors and an option with a USB-C port).
Or an ultra-thin socket cover with an attached power strip. The cover lays flat against the wall so you can avoid awkwardly bumping into it and actually push your desk up against the wall. It also looks *much* cleaner and is easier to hide while still giving you access to different outlets for your devices!
Sleek Socket is a small biz focused on sleek power outlet solutions for the home!Promising review: "This product is awesome! We bought one in the office to stop a nearby chair from continuously hitting the outlet plugs. It solved the problem right away. So we ordered three more to use anywhere there is bulk on the wall. It saves space, makes arranging furniture and desks easy, it's clean looking. Someone is a genius. Thanks so much!" —Jay Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in four lengths and a style for inverted outlets).
Brilliant cable raceways that attach adhesively behind your desk so you don't have a bunch of cords just hanging down beneath — these slim raceways allow you to direct the cables toward your power source while completely hidden from view so you can basically forget they're there when you sit down to work.
A sleek (but ventilated!) box made to hide your power strip and the mess of cords currently occupying it — this keeps everything neat and tidy *plus* keeps kids and pets from meddling with the cords. You may have seen the plastic kind before, but this one's made of real wood to add some rustic texture to your space.
And a faux book display crafted from reclaimed books and sustainable wood. It features a sneaky hollow interior so you can conceal messy cords, outlets, routers, or valuables, instantly making your desk area look cleaner and more organized.
Covogoods is a Utah-based, woman-founded small business that specializes in storage solutions crafted from up-cycled books.Promising review: "This is perfect for hiding our router and accessories in our bookcase. Love it!" —supergirlGet it from Covogoods on Amazon Handmade for $29+ (you'll choose your customizations before adding to your cart!).
A memory foam lumbar pillow you can strap onto practically any chair for instant lower back support, simply a MUST if you work long hours at a desk. The mesh cover also keeps this pillow breathable so it doesn't get hot over time.
I've had this exact lumbar support pillow since 2018, back when I was still working in an office, and I can't express enough how much it's improved my posture and reduced back pain after long hours of sitting. I initially got it because I was stuck working in one of those awful office chairs with zero lower back support, and years later, I still use it at home, even though I have one of those fancy gaming chairs with built-in adjustable lumbar support, simply because I prefer how soft and comfortable this pillow is. It fills the curve of your spine *perfectly*, and you can adjust the positioning as needed, with straps that go around the back of your chair to hold it steady. I personally use it in conjunction with an ErgoFoam footrest (see #21 below), and I never have back pain after working anymore. Promising review: "Both my fiancé and I work from home. He has a proper office and office chair and I work at our dining room table. I figured it was time to invest in something to help my back while sitting all day. Works really well! I should have done this months ago." —Emily RacioppiGet it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four colors, a gel-infused version, and various sets).
And a memory foam chair cushion (yup, from the same brand) designed to relieve pressure on your tailbone, hips, and lower back while sitting for long periods of time — reviewers say it's worked wonders for their aches and pains. Basically, it's the best thing you'll do for your tushy all year.
The cover is removable and washable!Promising review: "I have a cute but not great desk chair that I sit in all day in my home office, and my back was KILLING ME — it was making an old tailbone injury worse, and my spine was hurting a lot. I didn't want to spend $$$ on a new desk chair, and I figured this pillow was a good way to bridge the gap. I've been using it 8 hours a day for two months, and it's fantastic. I have zero back pain at all anymore, and it's sturdy and hasn't worn out or gotten less cushy. Highly recommended, and much better than getting a fancy new ergonomic desk chair that costs hundreds of dollars." —Bee_87Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in four colors and a gel-infused style).
An adjustable foam footrest for placing under your desk, giving your feet a soft yet firm support. It essentially brings the floor to you, extremely helpful if you're on the shorter side and your feet don't easily lay flat on the floor! And if you tend to get restless throughout the day, you can flip it over and rock back and forth.
I've been using this particular footrest for years, and I can say I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was while sitting until I had this. I'm 5'3" and use the full height of this footrest to ensure my feet are completely supported, but you can remove the bottom part to adjust the height if needed. The velvety cover also comes off and can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning.Promising review: "GAME changer. I have slowly built up my perfect ergonomic setup at home and this was the last piece! It has helped my circulation and relieved pressure on my lower back." —Brian KimGet it from Amazon for $41.95+ (available in three colors and velvet or mesh styles).
A new-and-improved Govee neon rope light to incorporate super customizable lighting that doubles as unique wall decor. Its bendable design lets you twist it into all sorts of neat shapes (though the squiggle is classic), and by using an app, you can program it to all sorts of color combos and lighting effects! It'll give your office the coziest glow at night, or if you don't get much natural light.
Plus, a sunset lamp that'll drench your office in rosy warm light. Not only is it a mood-booster, but it'll add to the ~ambiance~ of your space so you don't dread being in one spot for 8+ hours.
A TikTok-famous armless desk chair beloved for how comfortable it is, especially if you like to sit cross-legged, thanks to its lack of restricting armrests and a wider seat that accommodates your legs and knees. It allows you to recline up to 120 degrees and adjust the height, and the PU leather is waterproof and easy to clean, so you won't have to fret about about staining the white material with your messy lunch.
A wall-mounted shelf desk that's easily assembled to give you a beautiful, space-efficient work space with room for storage or decor — perfect for a smaller home office or multipurpose room.
Promising review: "I had this blank corner in my living room and I just knew this ladder desk would be a gorgeous addition to the area. I don't have an extra room for an office or even the kind of space in our small home to designate to a bulky desk. It was very easy to assemble, it took maybe 25 minutes to put together. I love having my own spot to get my work done on my MacBook. Plus, this spot is perfect to work on any crafts/DIYs. I added a pouf seat instead of a chair just to save even more space since it easily slides underneath the desk. Anyway, I'm so stoked about this purchase! I highly recommend it." —Heather NicholsonGet it from Amazon for $137.99 (available in three colors and two-packs).
Prismatic window film to cover the windows by your desk and let the sun cast gorgeous rainbows across your workspace and around the room, because surrounding yourself with a bit of natural beauty can be inspiring. Plus, it adds a lil' extra privacy as well.
A soundproofing strip if the walls in your apartment building are paper-thin and you'd really rather not hear car horns or your neighbor's loud music while you're trying to focus. There's another big benefit as well: These can prevent heat from escaping under your door, saving you $$$ on energy!
A set of adjustable desk shelves made of natural wood for storing your books, pens, photos, and other office items or decor without taking up valuable work space.
The shelves come in two separate parts that can be arranged close together or spread further apart, depending on what you need!Promising review: "Excellent product! I have been searching for an organizer to put on the top of my dresser, and I could never find anything unique, functional and not too big. I came across this organizer and took a chance since I wasn't seeing it in person. I am so glad I did! The product arrived overnight (instead of two days) and was super easy to put together... just follow the pictures exactly as shown. They even included a screwdriver, so you don't need anything extra to put it together. It is super cute, fun and fits perfectly. I definitely recommend." —lmeglinGet them from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in six colors).
A vibrant wireless keyboard and mouse set that'll make you a little happier every time you sit down to work. It adds an eye-catching pop of color to your workspace, minus any bothersome cords to clutter up your desk.
An electric mug warmer in case you, like me, get distracted while working and sip your morning coffee so slowly, it ends up going cold before you finish it. With this electric warmer, you can happily enjoy your hot, caffeinated drink for hours.
Some waterproof, stain-resistant faux marble adhesive paper to update that old office desk you've been using forever without shelling out for an entirely new one. It peels off easily without leaving any damage!
Psst — If you pick this up, check out this reviewer's great installation tips for applying it to a desk!Promising review: "I purchased this for the sit-to-stand desk that I recently got to dress it up a bit and couldn't be happier with how it turned out! The contact paper is thick and great quality. It does not easily tear and easy to install! Adhesion is amazing! Easy peel, yet would stick again with no problem! Glossy finish and seamless look!" —NotSoChillMomGet it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in 10 sizes).
A clip-on ring light, because the light from your screen simply isn't sufficient! It attaches easily to the top of your monitor or laptop to brighten up your entire picture so your coworkers can finally see your face clearly.
A super lightweight ergonomic lap desk for when you need to move the "office" to your couch or bed, because it's just one of those days. That said, it also works great at a desk, with an anti-slip wrist pad for comfort and to prevent your laptop from sliding down. Plus, a handy storage slot in the back is designed to prop up your phone or tablet.
Promising review: "I just invested in a new custom-built laptop for my job and was seeking a lap desk that was comfortable to use while laying in bed (I work from home, for the most part). I'm generally on my computer for at least 10 hours a day, so it was important to me that I selected the right lap desk that fit my needs. This product was the answer! It is lightweight and comfortable on the legs (and stomach) due to the foam padding on the bottom. It also provides the perfect elevation for typing. Highly recommend! —KikiGet it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in six colors and two sizes).
A handy under-the-desk headphone mount to declutter your workspace while keeping your trusty headphones close at hand. Plus, you get three more USB ports for powering your devices, freeing up precious slots on your laptop.
Promising review: "Simple straightforward product. Easy to mount and run wires to a power source. Works awesome under my standing desk and adds additional USB support for my gear." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $8.99.
A custom laptop holder so you can stash your computer when the workday is over and free up your desk for personal projects and other activities.
You can also work with your MacBook store below by putting it in closed-display mode — this holder is designed so that USB, HDMI, and power cables can be plugged in while the laptop is stored and closed, and it provides ample ventilation as well. Beyond 3D Creations is a Boston-based Etsy shop that specializes in 3D design and electronic accessories. Promising review: "Excellent! I use a second monitor as my primary screen when using my laptop, and this device has been amazing for two reasons: 1) It saves valuable desk space, and 2) the laptop tucked under the desk still allows air to flow through the laptop vents, which helps prevent it from overheating. This clever little gadget has solved so many problems and I'm loving how clean my desk setup is. 10/10 would recommend." —Emma AyauGet it from Beyond 3D Creations on Etsy for $15.88+ (available in three colors and two sizes, or a custom size).
And while we're hanging things, an adhesive under-desk phone holder to keep that little distractor out of sight and (hopefully) out of mind — at least until your next break. Hello, productivity.
Or a sturdy phone holder that sits on *top* of your desk, making it so much easier if you take video calls for work on your phone — or for taking those midday breaks to scroll TikTok. You can prop your phone up vertically or horizontally and keep it charging at the same time!
Or an adjustable tablet stand stable enough to hold a large tablet (up to 12.9 inches), even with a case on, yet compact enough to sit on your desk without taking up much space. Made of aluminum alloy with protective silicone pads at the bottom, it's cleverly designed to stay upright and in one place, with room for airflow and a charging cable to pass through.
A low-impact (and low-profile) under-the-desk elliptical that can help you work movement into your daily routine to keep you loose — because productivity takes a nose dive when you're distracted with aches and pains.
It also comes with a digital display that tracks time, speed, and distance, as well as eight different modes of resistance, so you can tailor it exactly to your needs. Promising review: "No assembly required! Took right out of the box and put it under my desk. Spend long hours on the computer and suffer from hip and leg pain. Use the exerciser on and off all day especially first thing in the morning to loosen up joints. Felt the different in just a couple of days. Just what I needed." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $109.99+ (available in five styles).
Or a compact under-desk electric treadmill made for the multitasking mavens who want to incorporate *even more* movement into their sedentary WFH schedule. It has an LED display that shows basic metrics like time, speed, and distance; a quiet motor (so you can focus on the work in front of you); and Bluetooth capability so you could even play music or a podcast through it.