8 Office Desk Must-Haves for an Efficient Workspace

No matter how organized you think you are, it’s tough to be productive at work without the right tools. Here are 8 office desk must-haves for an efficient workspace.

1. Office Supplies

You’ll need all the basic office supplies within arm’s reach in order to make your workspace an efficient place to be. What constitutes basic supplies may differ from person to person, but this generally includes pens, sticky notes, a stapler, scissors, tape, paper clips, and thumbtacks.

2. Dry Erase and Bulletin Boards

A dry erase board is a great place to jot down all your thoughts and to-do lists. A bulletin board is ideal for tacking up important notes and lists. The size of your board will depend on the size of your workspace, but there are boards for everyone, whether you work in a little cubicle or a large corner office.

3. File Organizers and Letter Trays

Whether you use a wall-mounted option or a letter tray on top of your desk, these little organizers will keep all your most important documents in order. With these handy tools to help, you’ll always know where your notes from the last meeting are and what you did with that mail from last week.

4. Desk and Drawer Organizers

Desktop organizers sit on top of your desk and serve a similar purpose as file organizers and letter trays. The only difference here is that desk organizers keep your office supplies together instead of keeping your paperwork together. This way, you’ll be able to reach for a pair of scissors or sticky note in a split second. Add one organizer to the top of your desk for your most used items and another to your nearest desk drawer for items you want to conceal or may not use quite as much.

5. Calendar

You probably have a calendar or two on your computer to keep track of meetings and other work events, but it’s a good idea to keep a physical calendar posted at your desk as well. You’ll be able to see what your day, week, or month looks like at a glance, which can make a huge difference in your productivity.

6. File Cabinet

Whether you have a lot of paperwork to keep at your desk or not, it’s a good idea to keep at least one small filing cabinet nearby. This will help you stay organized and on task and ensure you can always find that one piece of paper when you really need it.

7. Healthy Snacks

Everyone needs a good snack drawer! Keep a stockpile of your favorite snacks nearby so that you can get that boost of energy you need throughout the day. Healthy snacks are ideal, but just make sure it’s something you enjoy. You’ll find that you’re much happier and more productive at work if you can get in a snack break or 2.

8. Personal Touches

It may not be the first to come to mind when you’re trying to create a productive workspace, but bringing personal touches such as family photos and inspirational quotes onto your desk will keep you motivated and inspired on a daily basis, and that’s certainly a must.

Employee Wellness

Private Offices & Workstations

Different Types of Standing Desks

While research points to all standing desks offering long-term health benefits, it’s important to know that there are still many different kinds, each offering various design aspects and functions.

Often, the first image that comes to mind when we think of a standing desk is an entirely separate unit with a preset height you cannot change. While this is certainly an option, others are available that may better suit your working needs and your office environment.

One such option is an adjustable-height standing desk. Unlike standing-height desks, the desktop can be raised or lowered to whatever level is desired. This makes sitting and standing possible with one unit without buying a counter-height stool or chair. One of the distinguishing features of adjustable standing desks is how they are lifted or operated.

Gas Lifts

Adjustable desks with a gas lift mechanism typically feature a lever control, allowing you to easily raise or lower the desk's surface. Gas lifts may also be called pneumatic lifts. Some adjustable height gas lift tables also feature rolling casters for a high level of mobility, making them ideal for the on-the-go worker.

Manual Lifts

As the name implies, these desks require manual effort when it comes to both lifting and lowering the surface of the desk or table. Many manual lifts feature a clip or screw clamp that you must fasten to hold the unit securely in place. Some may even feature a hand crank. While manual effort is required, these desks and tables are still easy to move up and down, as they feature a lightweight design.

Electronic Lifts

Adjustable desks that feature an electronic lift are perhaps the utmost in convenience, as the surface moves up and down via the touch of a button. It’s an incredibly easy-to-use feature that still allows maximum flexibility in your working environment. Due to their simple use and electrical components, this type of adjustable height desk tends to be more of an investment than the other options.

Our Top School Desks

It’s almost back-to-school time! Do you have desks and chairs ready for your students and staff? If you’re having a little trouble narrowing the playing field, take a look at our top picks for school desks.

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