Disclosure: This guide contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You don't pay more for using them. This is a buying guide. One pick, the wrist rest set, is something I own and use, and it is marked hands-on. The rest are chosen for what they do and are not products tested on this desk. See the disclosure for details.
Make your home office inviting: 12 desk setup upgrades for work and play
Making your home office inviting is what it's all about. You'll be spending untold hours in that space, so why not make it enjoyable? These 12 upgrades work whether the desk is for client calls, late-night building or a few rounds of a game once the work is done.
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Start with light, then surface, then tidy: a strip of LED lighting behind the desk, a large desk mat, and a cable management kit. Those three change how the space feels more than anything else here, and none of them depends on what computer you own.
Light it well
Lighting changes how a desk feels more than anything else on this list, and it is the heart of the glowing setups all over Pinterest right now.
1. LED strip lights behind the desk
A strip along the back of the desk or monitor throws a soft glow on the wall. It makes the room feel finished in the evening and takes the harsh edge off a bright screen in a dark room. Look for: a strip long enough for your desk, a remote or app for colour and brightness, and adhesive backing.
For the back of a desk: the Govee RGBIC LED strip lights, work with Alexa and Google Assistant (16.4 ft, longer rolls on the same page) on Amazon →
For the whole room, at a lower cost: the KSIPZE colour-changing LED strip lights with remote and app (100 ft) on Amazon →
Or browse all LED strip lights →
2. A monitor light bar
Sits on top of the screen and lights the desk without glare on the display or a lamp taking up space. One of the tidiest lighting upgrades for a small desk. Look for: adjustable brightness and colour temperature, and a clip that fits your monitor's thickness.
One to look at: the Quntis monitor light bar with backlight and remote (stepless brightness and colour temperature) on Amazon →
For a curved or ultrawide monitor (34 in and up): the Quntis curved monitor light bar with RGB backlight and stepless dimming on Amazon →
Or browse all monitor light bars →
3. A warm, dimmable desk lamp
Overhead lights make a workspace feel like an office. A small lamp with a warm bulb makes it feel like a room you chose to be in. Lamps set the mood of the whole room, so it is worth having one to work by and one just for the glow. Look for: a dimmer and a warm setting. Keep it small if your desk is.
Light to work by:
One to look at: the Dott Arts LED desk lamp (warm-to-cool light modes, three brightness levels, folds flat) on Amazon →
A warm shaded lamp that charges your phone: the Fenmzee touch table lamp (cream fabric shade, wood-grain base, USB-A, USB-C and an outlet) on Amazon →
Light for mood:
For a soft glow: the ZBOLE folding book lamp (rechargeable, three light modes, opens like a book) on Amazon →
A warm vintage glow: the ONEWISH glass mushroom lamp (dark brown and black glass, dimmer dial, bulb included) on Amazon →
To wash the whole wall in colour: the Govee RGBIC corner floor lamp (53.7 in, app and voice control, takes no desk space) on Amazon →
Colour on the desk itself: the Govee RGBIC Smart Table Lamp 2 (small, touch control, 64 preset scenes) on Amazon →
Or browse all desk lamps →
Make the surface nice to use
The things your hands touch all day.
4. A large desk mat
Ties the keyboard and mouse together, protects the surface and softens the look of the whole desk. The same pick as in the gift guide, because it works that well. Look for: a size that covers keyboard and mouse together, and a colour that suits the room.
One to look at: the YSAGi leather desk mat in black (31.5 x 15.8 in, many plain colors and sizes) on Amazon →
Smaller and lower-cost: the Aothia leather desk pad in black (23.6 x 13.7 in, larger sizes on the same page) on Amazon →
For a pattern: the Qiyi marble-print desk mat (31.5 x 15.7 in) on Amazon →
Or browse all desk mats →
5. A monitor arm
Lifts the screen off the desk, frees the space underneath and lets you set the height and distance to suit you. It is also what gives those clean setups their floating-screen look. Look for: check your monitor's weight and that it has VESA mounting holes on the back before you buy.
One to look at: the NB SmooVex single monitor arm (fits screens up to 32 in, VESA 75/100, clamps to the desk) on Amazon →
For two screens: the HUANUO FlowLift dual monitor arm (gas spring, 13 to 32 in screens, clamp or grommet base) on Amazon →
Or browse all monitor arms →
6. A keyboard wrist rest
A small strip of cushioning in front of the keyboard. Cheap, and you notice it from the first hour. Look for: one that matches your keyboard's width, with a non-slip base.
Hands-on: I used the QOMOLAMA floral set (mouse pad with wrist rest, keyboard wrist rest and coaster) while building forgealone.com, and I am using it right now. It helps keep my wrists steady and comfortable while typing and using the mouse. The gel is firm enough to support your wrists yet soft enough to keep going. Highly recommended.
The one I use: the QOMOLAMA floral 3-in-1 set (mouse pad with wrist rest, keyboard wrist rest and coaster) on Amazon →
A plain black option: the Vaydeer memory foam wrist rest set for keyboard and mouse (large) on Amazon →
Or browse all wrist rests →
Be comfortable for the long haul
If you are going to sit there for hours, small comforts add up.
7. An under-desk footrest
Gives your feet somewhere to be other than dangling or tucked under the chair. Especially good if your desk or chair is a little too high. Look for: an adjustable angle and a non-slip surface.
One to look at: the Everlasting Comfort memory foam footrest (large) on Amazon →
With adjustable height: the ComfiLife memory foam footrest on Amazon →
A wooden rocker, for feet that like to move: the StrongTek rocking footrest on Amazon →
Or browse all footrests →
8. A lumbar cushion
Makes an ordinary chair more pleasant to sit in without buying a new one. Look for: a strap to hold it in place and a washable cover.
One to look at: the Everlasting Comfort lumbar support pillow with straps on Amazon →
A taller option: the QUTOOL lumbar support pillow (memory foam, washable mesh cover, two adjustable straps) on Amazon →
Or browse all lumbar cushions →
9. A headphone stand
Gives headphones a home instead of the corner of the desk, and looks good doing it. Some include extra USB ports. Look for: a weighted base so it doesn't tip. A hook that clamps under the desk is the space-saving alternative.
One to look at: the NEETTO HS906 2-in-1 headphone stand and under-desk hanger (clamps on, height adjustable) on Amazon →
For the play side of the desk: the CoolGift Mart light-up headphone stand (16 colours with a remote, USB and Type-C charging ports) on Amazon →
Or browse all headphone stands →
Keep it tidy and make it yours
A desk you enjoy is one that is clear of clutter and has a few things on show that you like.
10. A cable management kit
Nothing ruins a nice setup faster than a nest of cables. A box for the power strip, a tray under the desk and a handful of clips sort it out in an afternoon. Look for: an under-desk tray if you have a monitor arm or standing desk, and clips in more than one size.
One to look at: the N NOROCME 192-piece cable management kit (sleeves, clips, ties and straps) on Amazon →
To hide the power strip: the Naeety large cable management box (with ties and clips) on Amazon →
For under the desk: the fansto stick-on cable straps (20 pairs) on Amazon →
Or browse all cable management kits →
11. A pegboard for the wall
Gets headphones, controllers, cables and small tools off the desk and onto the wall, where they become part of the look. Look for: a kit that includes hooks, shelves and mounting hardware.
One to look at: the EVDBOBO pegboard wall organizer kit (4 black panels with shelves, cups, hooks and photo clips) on Amazon →
For more wall and heavier things: the Spampur metal pegboard panels (4 black 16 x 12 in panels with 50 hooks) on Amazon →
An add-on for standard round-hole pegboards: the INCLY 120-piece hook and bin kit on Amazon →
Or browse all pegboards →
12. A small display shelf
For the plant, the figures, the things you collect. Trinket shelves are having a moment, and a desk wall is a good place for one. Look for: floating shelves sized to the wall above your desk, with hardware included.
One to look at: the BAYKA floating shelves (set of 3, 15.7 in, black wood) on Amazon →
If you would rather not drill the wall: the HOOBRO 3-tier small bookshelf (rustic brown and black, stands on the floor beside the desk) on Amazon →
Or browse all display shelves →
Worth it if
- You spend most of your working day, and some of your evenings, at the same desk
- Your workspace still feels like a spare corner rather than a room you chose
- You want one setup that suits both focused work and time off
Skip or wait if
- You are about to move or change desks. Measure the new space first
- Your monitor has no mounting holes on the back. Skip the arm and use a stand
- You are tempted to buy all twelve at once. Start with light, surface and tidy
More for the workspace
Add a coffee corner with the desk-side coffee station: 12 picks, or see 15 gifts for people who work from home.
Prices and availability on Amazon change often, so check the current listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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