Office? Commute? Coworkers? Unless you mean the living room, five steps from the bedroom and the family dog, it’s been quite a while since we used any of those words.
We can’t believe it either, but next month marks one year since the pandemic forced many people to transition from the office to working from home. Most non-essential workers packed up their desks and scrambled to find an office space in their homes to get work done, despite roommates and spouses doing the same, children participating in Zoom school and the family pet making unannounced appearances on work calls.
Now that you’ve had some time to settle, it’s time to do some Feng Shui for your office furniture and revamp your work-from-home setup.
Whether you need to fix your posture with a standing desk or ergonomic office chair, or just need a pop of productivity in the form of binders or books, take a look below for how to upgrade your WFH space in 2021.
Best work-from-home desks
Flexispot Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk, $249.99
If you’ve been sitting all of 2020, it’s time to take a stand in 2021.
This standing desk from FlexiSpot is fully adjustable with just a touch of a button. Now on sale for $60 off the original price, the desk comes in four different colors including black, white and two tones of brown wood. It is also available in two different desktop sizes; a 48-by-30 inch table and a smaller 48-by-24.
Crank Adjustable Sit to Stand Up Computer Desk, $439
It’s time to crank up the productivity with this convertible standing desk.
This desk easily changes from a sit-down desk to a standing version with a side crank handle. It comes in a variety of sleek color combinations including black and silver, black and teak wood, silver and maple wood and white and walnut wood. It comes in two sizes as well: 48 inches for one computer or 60 inches that can fit two monitors or other office essentials. The desk is sold on Amazon and qualifies for free shipping.
Syrna Ladder Desk, $196.99
Maximize all the space your small home office has to offer with this ladder desk and ample shelving.
The desk doubles as a shelving unit, providing more space and storage for all your office needs. The desk unit has a pull-out drawer as well as a cubby space for books and paperwork, while the two other shelves above the desk provide room for a lamp, decorations and whatever else puts you in a productive mood. The unit comes in a variety of colors including gray, black, light brown and white oak.
Large Bed Multifunction Lazy Tray Table, $30.99
Want to work from your couch or even your bed? No one has to know with this tray built to bring the desk to you.
The large tray from Wayfair moves with you no matter where you choose to work for the day. It has plenty of room for a laptop or tablet, as well as a cup holder for your morning coffee and folds flat to use on a desk or to store away. The tray comes in both a light brown wood color and a fun bright pink to add a pop of color to your WFH station.
LifeSpan Treadmill Desk, $1,299
Get a move on, even while taking notes or on a conference call.
This treadmill desk from LifeSpan may extend yours, providing much-needed exercise and blood flow during an otherwise stagnate workday. The set up comes with both the flat treadmill and the desk, which comes in white, black or silver to match your home office decor. The desk ships for free, with delivery in one to two weeks.
Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine, $249
Put the pedal to the metal while you work with an under-desk elliptical.
From Cubii and sold on Amazon, the small elliptical packs a big punch when it comes to getting your steps in on the job. Simply place the small machine under your desk or near your chair and pedal at your own pace, adjusting the resistance as you see fit. It also features an LED display that shows tracking calories burned, strides pedaled, distance traveled and more with just a peek under the desk.
Standing Desk Balance Board, $150
Finding a good work-life balance is always a challenge, but finding balance at work just got a whole lot easier.
This balance board from Uncommon Goods is a great way to tone your core while practicing balance during the workday. Combine this balance board with a standing desk or find a countertop to work on while you engage your whole body in this easy workout. The board can withstand heels and won’t damage floors, making it perfect for both your home office and to bring with you once the real office opens up again.
Best work-from-home chairs
Ergonomic Executivechair Chair, $239.99
Take a seat, boss, you deserve it.
Give your office chair an executive upgrade with this chair from Wayfair that is both stylish and good for your back and posture. The ergonomic design has lumbar support for your tired back and extra-soft padding to make sure you stay comfortable during the entire nine-to-five day. The black chair is on sale now, down from the original $289 to just $239 while supplies last.
Humanscale Diffrient World Chair, $719.20
What may look like an ordinary office chair is actually so much more.
From Humanscale, this sleek black chair is actually designed with your unique back in mind, with a weight-sensitive recline that automatically supports your body no matter your position. The chair itself is lightweight — only 30 pounds — and can be easily rolled from the home office to the living room and back depending on where you want to set up shop. The mesh back also provides lumbar support to relieve any extra tension you and your back may carry after a long day at work.
Union & Scale MidMod Fabric Manager Chair, $129.99
Give the home office a stylish upgrade with a sleek new chair with a pop of gold for added flair.
This cream-colored chair from Staples gives off boss vibes, with a high back and sculpted armrests. The seat has an adjustable height and tilt tension, as well as a tilt lock to keep you locked in the perfect posture while you work. The gold hardware and wheels give it an added element of style, perfect for both your home office during the day and your living room after hours.
Hbada Office Task Desk Chair With Flip-up Arms, $168.24
Working from home should be as comfortable as possible, and this chair is here to help.
Soothe that tired back and correct bad posture with this ergonomic chair from Walmart. The swivel design and adjustable height work wonderfully with any desk, and the armrests can be moved up and out of the way or pushed down to give arms and typing wrists a break with a simple push. The mesh back paneling is also great for breathability, avoiding a sweaty back even in a small home office with the heat on in the winter.
Tempur-Pedic Seat Cushion, $89
Bring the comfort of your Tempur-Pedic bed to your home office chair, with a seat cushion with the same cushy technology.
This seat cushion fits most office chairs and can be easily switched throughout the house as you move from the kitchen table to the office chair. Check out this padded seat cushion and then take a look at the lumbar cushion as well, pairing nicely for the best posture and a comfortable seat no matter where you work.
Give your booty a break with this kneeling chair from Staples.
The ergonomic design keeps your spine straight, even while seated at a traditional desk, by using a kneeling position as opposed to a hunched-over traditional seat. The plush back support and knee pad take the pressure off of hips and knees for a comfortable seat without adding any strain to your back.
Mind Reader Adjustable Height Ergonomic Foot Rest, $20.01
Kick up your feet in 2021, and take some pressure off with this footrest for any home office set up.
From Mind Reader, let the ergonomic design read your body’s mind and relieve some pressure from bad posture. The footrest is fully adjustable to make sure your body is aligned properly, helping your circulation, posture and providing pain relief after a long day at the home office. It is also easy to move from the desk to the couch or wherever you find yourself slouching, as it is lightweight and transportable.
Best work-from-home desk accessories
Video Conference Lighting Selfie Ring Light with Clamp Mount, $23.99
Never turn your Zoom camera off for fear of bad lighting again, with a clip-on solution from Amazon.
Ring lights aren’t only for YouTubers and beauty gurus, as they provide much-needed light to anyone working or video conferencing from home. The light itself has three different modes, providing a warm light for a natural glow, warm white for a bit brighter light and white light to illuminate even the darkest of rooms. The lamp is USB powered and clips right onto your computer or desk for easy access and a great angle every time.
Halo One Bluetooth Speaker, $185
Turn up the volume on your work-from-home space with a speaker that is as powerful as it is stylish.
Sold at Anthropologie, this round speaker works over Bluetooth and can be paired with any compatible device. The silver base and speaker are aluminum, but turn it around and find beautiful beech wood on the back, adding an element of style to your speaker. It comes with a rechargeable battery as well as a USB input for non-Bluetooth devices and easy charging.
The Inside Custom Room Dividers, $329
If you share a space with housemates-turned-coworkers or just need to separate your workspace from your living area, these custom room dividers are your new WFH BFF.
From The Inside, the dividers come in sets of three panels, in either a rounded shape or a rectangular panel. There are over 100 unique patterns to choose from, from floral-inspired vines and nature scenes to simple black and white designs or solid colors every shade of the rainbow. Each panel is handmade in the USA for exceptional quality and a unique design you won’t find in many other home offices.
Magis 360 Degree Container, 5 Drawer, $595
Never lose your office supplies again, especially now that you can’t just borrow a pen or staples from a coworker one cubicle over.
This five-drawer desk is a great way to stay organized while working from home, and an easy one, too. The drawers swivel out 360 degrees, making sure the back-of-the-drawer clutter stays at a minimum, as there really isn’t a front or back to each compartment. The unit comes on wheels to be easily installed under a desk or moved around the room as your change up your WFH area.
Blossom Task Lamp, $248
This is the year to blossom and achieve personal growth, at home and in the home office.
This flower lamp from Anthropologie adds a beautiful brightness to any desk, and not just from the lightbulb inside. The frosted glass flower shade emits soft yet bright light to illuminate your workspace day or night. The store recommends using type G / E12 bulbs for this lamp, with a maximum of 25 watts.
Rifle Paper Co. Clipfolio, $28
Everything is more official with a clipboard.
This floral board is more than just that, combining a clipboard with a legal-sized notepad inside. From Rifle Paper Co., the clip folio is perfect for taking notes during Zoom meetings, or serving as a flat workspace when working from the couch or from the bed. It has an interior pocket for storing papers and comes in five different patterns, all featuring different flowers in many colors and styles.
All in One Organization Vault, $50
Stay organized and sane while working from home, no matter how small your desk or home filing system is.
From Uncommon Goods, this all-in-one set has built-in shelves for papers, documents and stationery, room for files with dividers and tabs and pull-out drawers for everything else you could need. The vault is made of recycled paperboard with a fabric binding for a sustainable but durable organizational system for any desk.
Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, $119
Breathe in and let out a sigh of relief during your stressful workday, with some help from Vitruvi and essential oils.
The stone diffuser is small enough to fit on most desks or in the home office space but diffuses a steady stream of essential oils to fill your office with a calming scent all day long. The diffuser comes in an array of colors like stone gray, black, white, terracotta and blush pink. Make sure to check back for limited edition colors like honey, rose and sea green, as well as to see their oil offerings.
Rock Dock, $40
Make working from home rock, while keeping your essential devices fully charged right at your desk.
This charger from Uncommon Goods serves as a docking station and a display for your phone, while also being a decorative desk element, with a dock made of found rocks in beautiful patterns. The dock itself comes in two forms, one with a lightning cable for Apple devices and one with a USB-C output for Samsung devices. There is also a USB cord to allow for attachment to a computer port.
Working From Home With A Cat, $12.95
This year we traded our human coworkers for our furry ones, and this book is a perfect gift or desk accessory to help with that transition.
Sold at Paper Source, this funny picture book showcases a day in author Heidi Moreno’s life, working from home with her cat, Peanut. Watch Peanut prance across her keyboard, swat at full glasses of water and coffee and provide much-needed purrs during the day. The relatable book is a great coffee table addition, just make sure your kitten doesn’t knock it off said table.