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Mar 30, 2024

43 Simple Home Office Upgrades That Make A Huge Difference

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

A swap here, some tidying there... and suddenly your sad desk area is looking like a fancy new workspace.

BuzzFeed Staff

This stand fits any laptop from 10 to 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!" —M

Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in 10 colors).

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 lip balm, 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." —Sparkyj

Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in an 18-piece set).

Promising review: "Fixes a problem I didn't know how to fix! Keeps cords where I want them and prevents them from falling behind my nightstand. Especially helpful with working from home. Get them! You won't be disappointed." —Ally

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $6.96.

Promising review: "A must-buy product for your messy home or office. Exactly what I was looking for to help save space and hide my cable cords." —Andrew Olson

Get it from Amazon for $17.99. Plus, check out an option that'll blend in with wood floors.

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 multiple 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 $23.65+ (available in five styles).

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 Nicholson

Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in three colors).

Psst — For even *more* support, you can snag that lumbar pillow pictured on the right here.

Promising review: "I got spoiled by a Herman Miller chair at work. I've been putting up with some cheap cloth and foam computer desk chair for years. Now that I'm a bit older, and do some work at home, I needed more comfort and support, and this chair works for what I need and it didn't cost me $800. Granted this one isn't as adjustable, and the lumbar support isn't pronounced, but it is soooo much better than what I had. It might be difficult for some to put together, as it can be a bit heavy for one person, but the weight also contributes to the 'well-made' feeling once put together. The best thing about this chair is the size of the seat, which fully supports my butt, and back of my thighs, all the way to the back of my knees. The neck support is nice too, but I could see some being irritated with the limited positioning — it can be removed." —Christopher L. Dulawan

Get it from Amazon for $215.50 (available in two colors).

It's recommended for people ranging from 5' to 5'11" tall. If you have a tall desk that isn't adjustable and you find this chair a bit too low to the ground, you can pick up leg extenders to add extra height.

Promising review: "I have issues with my lower back and have struggled for years to find the right office chair for my home office. I sit and work about eight to 10 hours a day. Never thought about a ball chair until my doctor said maybe I should try it. Oh my goodness. Why didn’t he suggest this sooner?!! It works fantastic. Because it forces you to sit in an upright position and not slouch it relieves the pressure on the lower back and shoulder blades. While my pain is not completely gone it has gotten better and will probably continue to improve the longer I use the chair. While everyone has different issues and different pain who knows if it will work for you but it did for me. Try it! You might just be amazed." –Katy

Get it from Amazon for $69.98 (available in six colors).

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." —lmeglin

Get them from Amazon for $25.99 (available in six colors).

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!" —supergirl

Get it from Covogoods on Amazon Handmade for $29+ (you'll choose your customizations before adding to your cart!).

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." —SeiranCrow

Get it from Amazon for $17.97.

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 $23.95+ (available in two lengths and multiple styles, including surge protectors and dual power strips).

It also has a touch sensor and memory function to store your preferred brightness/color settings in between uses, that way it'll automatically return to your custom setting when turned on!

Promising review: "This lamp is great, and such a great price. Like many, I'm ramping up my home office since I've been working from home almost all of 2020. I feel claustrophobic and wanted to streamline a bit. This lamp does not take a lot of space, the light settings are awesome, brightness perfect for working at your desk, reading, crafts, etc. My husband saw it and said, 'Why do YOU get all the cool stuff, this would be perfect for me too!' So, I ordered him one as well. My 24-year-old son liked it too, so there may be a third on the way soon." —AmazonAddict

Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in four styles).

Each strip comes with 3M adhesive backing and a USB for easy plug-in, and you can toggle between nine colors and different brightness settings.

Promising review: "Super easy to install (easier than the longer LED strips I bought from other sellers). I love the colorful options, too. It also ended up being the exact length I needed for both of my computer monitors I use to work from home. Sweet upgrade to the work station. Thanks!" —A.L.M.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Reviewers say the Verilux HappyLight has had noticeable positive effects on their mood, sleep, and energy levels!

Promising review: "I decided to get this product once I changed roles at my work and moved to an area of my building with no windows. The lack of natural light was really starting to impact how I felt during the day and my general mood. Right out of the box it is so simple to set up and start using! The light quality is awesome and improved my feeling of well being immediately. I use it for 30 minutes every morning and can't believe the positive comments I get from my coworkers too. My boss said seeing the Happy Light on makes her happy too — LOL! Thinking of getting a second one as my husband is always asking me to bring the Happy Light home for him to use. Very happy with my purchase!" —Jennifer Brumlow

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

I've been using this particular footrest for a long time now, 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 Kim

Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "On a long and uncomfortable flight to Hawaii, I managed to mess up my back and tailbone really bad. I even paid to have a professional massage done because seating was impossibly painful and I work either driving around all day or in my home office. Nothing seemed to help. That’s how I ended up here, looking for some relief. This stuff is magical, like sitting on the back of a unicorn while coming down a rainbow. I sat down on it and the pressure points were not giving me any issues; I was able to drive out of state the next day NO PROBLEM. Outstanding quality, doesn’t just squish down when you sit on it. The one issue is, you’ll be pretty high up if you plan on using it in the car, but not a deal breaker compared to my coccyx not killing me and having shooting pain up my leg and back. BUY IT! The cover is also removable and washable." —Mrs. J

Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in five colors).

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 the ErgoFoam footrest above, and I never have back pain after working anymore.

Another 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 Racioppi

Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in five colors).

Get a close-up look at it in this TikTok!

Promising review: "Love all the little features of this clock! To be honest, I thought it was just to display the time, but it comes with much more! It does well in my office and is large enough to see! Love that I can adjust the brightness as well! 10/10 would recommend!" —Nelly

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes, two colors, and other styles).

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!" —NotSoChillMom

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in five sizes).

The set includes a wireless keyboard and mouse with a USB receiver. Pick up some AA batteries — both will need them!

Promising review: "Every time I walk into my red office and see this beautiful keyboard it makes me happy. It looks just like it does in the photo. It's such a jolt of color and with its cool circular retro buttons, it's just a pleasure to use. If you need a pick me up (and who doesn't this year?), I can't recommend this highly enough." —CA-girl

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in 11 styles).

It comes in two pieces — one you can prop in front of your keyboard, and the other in front of your mouse.

Promising review: "I've been working from home due to COVID and began experiencing wrist pain. The soft cushion from both items provided the relief I needed. Great products and price!" —Gaga15

Get it from Amazon for $13.96+ (available in 19 styles, including a shorter version for tenkeyless keyboards, and other bundles).

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 Dunfee

Get it from Amazon for $11.98+ (available in 31 different styles).

As an added bonus, all the colors are reversible, so you can change your desk vibe with the season. And of course, if you already have a mouse pad you like, you could just use it on top of this mat.

Promising review: "It's a really beautiful desk pad. I love that the colors are reversible. Right now loving the purple for winter, but will switch to the pink side in the summer. Makes my work desk look more colorful and pretty! It feels like a good quality mat. The stitches surrounding the border are sewn on evenly and not cheap-looking. The feel is soft but durable. When I unrolled the mat, it flattened out easily and nicely without any creases or having to put heavy weights on the corners to flatten it out (unlike another similar desk pad brand that I bought for my home desk). As for function, I like that it also acts as a mouse pad for my mouse. Writing on paper with it underneath is not a problem, writing still feels smooth. Overall I love this beautiful mat." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $12.19+ (available in six color combinations and three sizes).

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! —Kiki

Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four colors).

I've had this cooling pad since 2018, though I mainly use it with my personal laptop when I'm playing PC games. The pad itself is super quiet and not distracting, and it does a fantastic job of actively cooling down my now-older laptop while it's working hard to run games, so I can vouch for its effectiveness. It's also *fantastic* to use while you're working with your laptop on the couch, keeping your legs away from the heat without feeling bulky or heavy. If you're using a MacBook, be sure to pick up a USB-C hub to connect this (I've used this one for years and like it!).

Promising review: "Best purchase I have made in years. Only had it two days, but the first words out of my mouth to my wife were, 'I can work for hours like this.' If you work from home and like to work on the couch, recliner, breakfast nook, patio, etc, and you have your computer in your lap, this is an absolute must-have. Not only does it keep your legs and lap cool, but it also keeps your computer cool and able to process much more efficiently." —Trent Thiel

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in three colors).

It features a 75Hz refresh rate with 1080p resolution, making it suitable for casual gaming too. It has two HDMI ports — be sure to pick up a USB-C hub if you're planning to connect a MacBook.

Promising reviews: "If you work from home, you must have this in your life! Super easy to set up, great packaging, great quality, great price. I absolutely LOVE this!" —RundownwithRachel

"Just set this monitor up, and so far it’s earned all 5 stars! It was easy to assemble, it’s compatible with my MacBook Pro (with a USB-C adapter), and the picture is great! I just wanted another monitor for when I work from home, so having something available that was affordable like this was perfect for what I needed." —Allison H.

Get it from Amazon for $100.96+ (available in two styles).

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 Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors).

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 Ayau

Get it from Beyond 3D Creations on Etsy for $15.88+ (available in three colors and three sizes, including custom).

Promising review: "This is definitely a hit! I installed it horizontal because my desk has a square frame under it that I couldn’t put it on as the instruction, but it still do its job. Now I’m so used to reaching my phone from this holder without looking down at my desk, and my screentime has decreased a lot during day time. I work remotely from home, this really helps in terms of being more efficient so that I can finish my work early and get more me time back at the end of the day. Highly recommend it if you want to be less distracted while working!" —Shelby Cedrone

Get it from Beyond 3D Creations on Etsy for $11.88+ (available in six colors, custom sizing available).

Promising review: "This product works really well! I needed a quick fix to my home office situation. I live in an apartment in Manhattan and never noticed how much sound comes in and out until I had to be on conference calls working from home! This little tape made a big difference, took me a couple of minutes to install." —Sandra Revueltas

Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in four colors and two lengths).

This holder also has grippy pads on the bottom so it doesn't slide around or scratch your desk!

Promising review: "I bought this for all of the Zoom meetings I was conducting at home. It works great! It’s very sturdy and allows me a good angle when speaking to clients. Would recommend." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in eight colors).

You can also use this as a regular speaker for music and podcasts and the like, and hook it up using an AUX cord or an included dongle. Conveniently, it also has a button to mute and unmute yourself, so if you're using different video platforms (or your kid is online learning) it's easy to just mute yourself manually if you can't find the button right away on the screen.

Promising review: "I've found this speakerphone to be useful for a variety of circumstances. Like many of us, I've found myself working from home a lot during the pandemic. It was difficult to even find a webcam for awhile, and when I finally did, people on the line could not hear me through it. That was why I decided to buy this product. Once I started using it as my microphone during cam sessions on Zoom and other platforms, coworkers immediately noticed how much clearer it was to hear me. The speaker on this product sounds nice, making it more enjoyable to listen to conference calls. You can also play music through it, so it can quickly become a way to get a nice little stereo wherever you may be in your home or office when paired with your phone. This is a well-thought-out product with a lot of versatility. I can connect to it quickly through a variety of ways, such as Bluetooth, the included auxiliary sound cord, or the included dongle. It also comes with a USB cable which can charge this device up quickly. I also like that it's all black with a slick design that looks good in my office. It has a slight weight to it, which helps to keep you from accidentally knocking it to the floor yet is light enough that I can easily throw in my briefcase." —J

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in five styles) — and clip the coupon for 20% off.

I've been using the FlexiSpot Comhar EG8 standing desk for years now, 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, 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.

Another 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." —Brie

Get it from Amazon for $399.99+ (available in 10 colors and five material types) — and clip the coupon for up to $50 off, depending on the model!

Promising review: "I just moved into a house with a boring view of the side of the neighbor's garage from my home office, and I spend WAY too much time in my office. This stuff makes a rainbow migrate throughout the day from the floor to the wall and makes my long work day a lot more tolerable! It also blocks my boring view of the neighbor's garage and their view in my window. It looks cool at night too." —Ariel Dutton

Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 15 sizes).

Tip: Reviewers suggest turning the heat down from high to medium once your drink gets down to about the halfway point so it stays a comfortable temperature!

Promising review: "This is a game-changer. I, like many people, have ended up working from home... every day. A full-time job and a side business keeps me busy, and my ADHD makes it so that I bounce from one thing to another. This little device makes sure that whenever I reach for my mug, I'm met with warm tea no matter what! I was VERY skeptical because I have a lot of handmade mugs, but they fit perfectly and stay warm. When things open up, I will buy another one for the office." —Ashley Mcelf

Get it from Amazon for $24.29+ (available in eight styles).

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 $116.97+ (also available with a motorized model).

Each of the attachments has a sticky film that's strong enough to adhere it to your monitor, but easy enough to remove that it won't damage it.

Promising review: "I have 568 stickies on any given 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 Mom

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "My new work-from-home must-have. I am a big fan of handwriting notes. I have tried a few digital note taking solutions with the Apple Pencil, but it never felt 100%. This notebook bridges that gap. This notebook has been perfect to keep aside my keyboard to jot notes, to-dos, and reminders that I can then easily import to apps to track if I haven’t completed them by the end of the day. If you are a note-taker, I highly recommend you pick one up. I am already eyeing up the planner version." —Jonathan B. Fischer

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two styles and 16 colors and patterns).

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!" —Cassidy

Get it from Amazon for $10.03.

This clipboard stand is handmade from thick maple plywood, sanded down with a chestnut brown finish. The included binder clip is removable, and you can choose from a variety of finishes, like antique brass or rubbed bronze.

The Salvage Co. is a Minnesota-based Etsy shop specializing in handmade clipboards.

Promising review: “Well made, well packaged, and perfect for my needs. Especially love that the clip can be moved so the board can be used in landscape or portrait mode.” —Dani Dayton

Get it from The Salvage Co. on Etsy for $22.95+ (available in several paper sizes and clip colors).

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 $69.99.

This USB-powered ring light has three light colors and 10 different brightness levels, with an anti-scratch metal clamp.

Promising review: "Being new to the tech world I was concerned about being able to use this light to best effect, but turns out it is so simple to set up and has made all the difference in how I look and how people can see items I want to show them on Zoom calls. I did find the clamp to be too tight for my older hands to manage but found it works quite well sitting on the desktop." —me

Get it from Amazon for $19.79.

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.