My Work From Home Desk Setup: The Essentials I Use Every Day

My Work From Home Desk Setup: The Essentials I Use Every Day

I’ve learned that having the right work from home desk setup helps me stay organised, comfortable and focused when I’m working as a Virtual Assistant. In this blog, I’m sharing the exact desk accessories for my home office that I use every day, from simple stationery and organisation to the little things that make long days at my desk more comfortable.

You don’t need an expensive or perfectly styled office. Over the years, I’ve worked out which work from home desk essentials genuinely make a difference to my day and which things I use daily.

I’ve listed all my favourite desk essentials and home office products in the table at the end, so you can easily find everything in one place.

How Do I Remember To Stay Hydrated While Working From Home?

I always keep a large drink on my desk. In fact, I rotate between two insulated water bottles with straws, so one can go in the dishwasher while I use the other. They keep my cordial water ice-cold, which I love even in the middle of winter.

The bottles are dishwasher safe, easy to take apart and the straw detaches for cleaning. The secure lid also means no spills on my desk, which is a lifesaver when you’re working next to a laptop.

I’m not a fan of plain water, so I add cordial to help me drink more throughout the day. I also notice that my eye strain feels worse when I haven’t had enough to drink, so keeping my bottle right beside me reminds me to keep sipping while I work.

I like my drinks ice cold, so I also use a silicone ice cube tray. If you’ve ever fought with old plastic trays that crack when you twist them, you’ll know why I switched. The silicone makes the ice cubes easy to pop out, and they’re large enough to keep my drink cold until I finish it. I usually get through at least two bottles minimum like this a day.

Image description: Insulated water bottles and Robinsons cordial ready to mix a refreshing drink with ice. Perfect for staying hydrated while working from home.

What Is My Morning Routine When Working From Home?

I usually start my morning with water and cordial and wait a little while before having my first coffee. Drinking coffee too early can upset my stomach, so this routine works better for me.

When I do finally sit down with a coffee, it’s always a highlight of my morning. I use a tall glass coffee cup because it feels a little fancy and why not start your working day feeling fancy! Instead of sugar, I add a few drops of 100% natural stevia sweetener. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, so this gives me the sweetness I like without adding sugar to my coffee. It’s a very simple routine, but having a drink I enjoy beside me is one of those little things that makes my work from home desk setup feel like my own.

Image description: My morning coffee with 100% natural stevia sweetener on my home office desk, part of my work-from-home routine.

How Do I Stay Focused Working From Home?

One of the hardest things about working from home is avoiding distractions. To limit mine, I keep my phone on a stand next to me. It’s always on silent, but I can still see if the school or a client calls. That way, I don’t miss anything important, but I’m not constantly being distracted by notifications on my phone.

My phone stand is extra special because my daughter made it in her woodwork class. It’s sturdy, simple and personal. If you’re looking for one yourself, I’ve linked to a bamboo phone stand that’s similar in style. I’d choose one with a slightly wider shelf so it can comfortably hold both your phone and its case.

Image description: My handmade wooden phone stand with a floral design sits on my tidy home office desk. A practical desk accessory so I don’t miss calls from clients or the school. My phone is always on silent to limit distractions.

Another tool I like is my Pomodoro timer cube. In the mornings, I work in one-hour blocks and then switch to 30-minute blocks in the afternoon when my energy dips. The timer reminds me to stop, rest my eyes and move around. I might take a short walk, refill my water or simply stand outside in the garden for five minutes.

I now make regular screen breaks part of my working day because of the eye strain I’ve experienced from working at a computer. If your eyes also feel tired or uncomfortable after a day at your desk, read my blog about the changes I made to help with eye strain. Read my blog: How to Reduce Eye Strain From Computer Use. 

It’s such a simple tool. I just twist the cube, set my timer and concentrate on my work until it goes off. Then I get a break before starting again.

You can watch my short video below to see how I use my Pomodoro timer cube.

What Helps Me Stay Focused When Working From Home?

Spending long hours at a desk can get uncomfortable, so I keep a few simple things within easy reach.

I switch between my blue light glasses for computer use and my normal glasses depending on how my eyes feel. I also keep lubricating eye drops on my desk for when my eyes feel dry or tired after spending a long time looking at a screen.

Image description: Blue light blocking glasses resting on my desk. A must-have accessory for reducing eye strain when working from home.

For my skin, I keep Carmex lip balm and E45 cream nearby. They’re small things, but having everything on my desk means I don’t need to keep getting up to find them in the middle of the working day.

I also use a pill box to keep track of my vitamins, along with a daily reminder on my phone, although I’ll admit I still miss the odd day! As mums, we’re often remembering everything for everyone else, from school and appointments to meals and work. Keeping the pill box where I can see it gives me one less thing to remember.

Finally, I keep chewing gum on my desk. It helps stop me wandering into the kitchen looking for biscuits after lunch, one of the dangers of working a few steps away from your own kitchen! These little things help make my working day more comfortable.

Image description: Daily desk essentials including E45 cream, Carmex lip balm, lubricated eye drops, vitamins and chewing gum. Perfect for staying comfortable and focused while working from home.

What Desk Accessories Do I Use In My Home Office?

Some of my most useful desk accessories for my home office are also the simplest. I use a large desk paper clip to hold my daily to-do list and it never leaves my desk.

Throughout the day, I jot down tasks and random thoughts I need to action. Anything unfinished gets carried over to tomorrow’s list, which I prepare the night before so I know exactly what I’m working on when I sit down in the morning.

Image description: My handwritten daily to-do-list held upright in a paper memo clip beside my computer and lamp. A simple way to stay focused and manage daily tasks while working from home.

I also use white metal paper trays to stop paperwork piling up. One holds current work and the other stores information I might need later. I’d love to be completely paper-free, but the truth is my brain works better when I can write things down. Notes from client calls often stay on paper until I’ve actioned them, then they go straight into the recycling bin or shredder.  I make sure I use both sides of the paper first!

For information I need to keep for longer, I use plastic wallets and a large binder. Some client tasks only come up once a month, so I keep printed instructions in the folder for easy reference. It’s a simple system, but it works for me.

Image description: Metal paper trays keep paperwork and documents tidy on my office desk. Simple desk organisers that helps maintain a clutter-free and productive workspace.

My whole office has a tropical theme, which I love. It makes me smile and often gets comments from clients on video calls. Even in the middle of winter, it gives the room a warm, tropical feel.

I think the best desk accessories for a home office are the ones that make your working day easier and help you enjoy the space you work in. Your office doesn’t need to look like everyone else’s, create a workspace that works for you.

Image description: A tropical themed binder, notebook and plastic wallets used to organise paperwork. Bright, practical desk accessories that keep documents tidy and add a vibrant touch to my workspace.

How To Keep Cables Tidy Under My Home Office Desk?

I use a 10 socket tower extension because I have quite a few things that need plugging in around my desk. The vertical design takes up very little floor space and helps keep my work from home desk setup looking much less cluttered.

It’s a simple addition, but definitely one of those practical home office purchases I use every day.

Image description: My compact tower socket extension used to power office devices, including my doorbell. A smart space-saving solution for keeping cables out of the way in my home office setup.

What Simple Stationery Do I Actually Use?

I keep my stationery simple. I don’t have drawers full of supplies, just the basics I reach for every day, a hole punch, stapler, a few pens, a calculator with a percentage button and a ruler. That’s really all I need and it helps keep my work from home desk setup clutter-free.

Image description: Essential desk accessories including a calculator, ruler, stapler and pen. My simple tools that keep daily admin tasks organised and efficient in my home office.

One thing I couldn’t work without is my desk lamp. Mine clips onto the desk, so it doesn’t take up much space and I can move it around when I need to. On gloomy days, I use it for a soft background glow. At night, I angle it towards the top of my screen to give me more light without it reflecting off my glasses. It’s a simple addition, but definitely one of my home office desk must haves.

Image description: A flexible clip-on desk lamp adds warm lighting to my home office desk. Ideal for evening work sessions and reducing eye strain while working from home.

I also keep a shredder under my desk for sensitive paperwork. It means I can quickly dispose of anything containing client or personal information instead of leaving paperwork lying around. Protecting client information is just as important when you work from home as it is in an office.

If you’d like to know more about keeping client information secure, read my blog: Password Security for Virtual Assistants.

Image description: A compact paper shredder sits neatly beside my desk. A practical tool for securely disposing of documents.

What Printer Do I Use in My Home Office?

I’ve had my Epson XP-322 printer for years and it’s never let me down. It’s wireless, which means everyone in the house can connect to it. My kids often send their homework straight from their laptops, which saves a lot of running back and forth.

Now that it’s out of warranty, I use compatible ink cartridges instead of Epson’s own. They’re much cheaper and still work perfectly well for what I need.

One thing I’ve learnt from buying printers over the years is to always check the cost of replacement ink before you buy one. I once picked up a bargain printer only to discover that the ink cost more than the printer itself!

My particular model is no longer available, so I’ve linked to the Epson XP-4200 in my product list below, which is the model that replaced mine.

See the image above with the metal paper trays to see my reliable printer.

Easy to Care for Office Plants

To match my tropical theme, I’ve filled my office with plants. They’re all low maintenance indoor plants that are easy to care for and bring so much life into the space.

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia): It likes bright, indirect sunlight and soil that’s kept slightly moist. One thing to note, the leaves can be toxic if eaten, so keep it out of reach of kids and pets. Mine sits safely on a high shelf.

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides): This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and usually only needs watering once a week. Its round, coin-shaped leaves are said to symbolise wealth, prosperity and luck and I’ll happily take some of that! It’s also one of the best indoor plants for beginners, thanks to how forgiving it is.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Spider plants love bright, indirect light but will also tolerate lower light levels, making them very forgiving. Perfect for busy mums, they don’t mind if you forget to water them now and then.

I love having indoor plants for my home office, they make me feel calm and grounded. The best part is that both spider plants and Chinese money plants duplicate, so you’ll soon have extras to spread around your home or gift to friends.

Image description: A mix of my indoor plants sitting on my desk in my home office. Easy-to-care-for greenery that adds a calm, natural touch to my workspace.

Final Thoughts on My Work From Home Desk Essentials

For me, comfort and organisation are just as important as software and technology when it comes to working from home. Having the right work from home desk essentials around me helps me stay focused and comfortable throughout the day.

Your work from home desk setup doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. What matters is creating a space that works for you, keeps distractions at bay and makes your working day easier.

Over time, I’ve added things to my desk as I’ve discovered what I actually need. Some are practical, some help me stay organised and others make my office a nicer place to spend time.

I’ve added links to the exact products I use below, so you can easily find anything you’ve spotted throughout the blog and start building a desk setup that works for you.

If you’re working hard to earn money and support your family, I think it’s important to treat yourself well while you’re doing it. Create a workspace you enjoy spending time in. Buy the nice coffee cup, add a plant, make yourself comfortable and surround yourself with things that make your working day a little better. Your home office is where you’re building your business and earning an income, so you deserve to make it a nice place to be.

FAQS

Q. What do I need for a good work from home desk setup?

Your work from home desk setup doesn’t need to be expensive. Start with the things that make your working day more comfortable and organised. I use simple desk accessories such as a desk lamp, paper organisers, a Pomodoro timer, a phone stand and plenty of storage, then add personal touches like plants to make my office somewhere I enjoy working.

Q. What are the best desk accessories for a home office?

The best desk accessories for a home office are the ones you’ll actually use. Some of my everyday essentials include a clip-on desk lamp, paper trays, a phone stand, a Pomodoro timer cube and a tower extension. I also keep a shredder nearby for disposing of sensitive paperwork.

Q. How do I stay focused when working from home?

I keep my phone on silent but visible on a stand and use a Pomodoro timer cube to break my working day into focused blocks. I also take regular breaks, move around and keep a drink on my desk.

Q. What are some easy plants for a home office?

I have a Dumb Cane, Chinese Money Plant and Spider Plant in my office. I chose low maintenance indoor plants because I want greenery in my workspace without having plants that need lots of attention.

You might also like:

How I Upgraded My Work From Home Desk Setup for Under £50

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