Create a More Comfortable, Ergonomic Work-from-Home Desk with These Essentials

One of the many perks of a home office (other than the relaxed dress code) is your ability to personalize your space to fit your specific needs. This might mean boosting the ergonomics of your workstation with a standing desk or cozy chair—one that is much more comfortable than the seat in your cubicle—or upgrading the space's décor to inspire you throughout the day. But before you begin purchasing any items for you office, you'll first want to ensure that the area truly works well as one. It needs to feel separate from your living area, otherwise you may fall into the trap of feeling like you're always at work. Creating a definitive workspace that you can walk away from when you're done for the day can make that much easier to avoid. The next most important step? Setting up a workspace that's comfortable and ergonomic. The fastest way to make work feel like a drag is to be uncomfortable. 

As you organize your home office, make sure you're choosing pieces that put your overall comfort first. Even though you're on the clock, you're still at home—and being able to make your workspace the type of spot you look forward to spending eight hours a day in is key. Choose ergonomic upgrades that will keep your neck and your wrists from seizing up; items like wrist supports (which keep your arms at a 90-degree angle) and monitor or laptop risers (they adjust your screen to eye level) can keep your body in the proper positions throughout the day. Sick of squinting at a tiny laptop screen? It's time to invest in a monitor, which will help minimize eye strain and make it far easier to complete daily tasks efficiently.

And if you've noticed that you feel sore at the end of the day, there's a good chance your desk and chair just aren't the optimal choices for you. Standing desks and more ergonomic types of seating can help alleviate much of the strain that results in back and neck pain.

Here, we've culled a collection of office essentials that help emphasize comfort—all will make working from home a better experience.

Raise your monitor to a more ergonomic level with this acrylic riser. The clear design will make sure that the riser goes with just about any office décor.

Shop Now: NIUBEE Acrylic Monitor Stand Riser, $35.99, amazon.com.

If you already have a desk you love but want the option to stand during a portion of your day, you can't go wrong with this convertible option. Thanks to a spring-assisted lift, it couldn't easier to go from sitting to standing (and then back again) whenever the mood strikes.

Shop Now: VariDesk Pro Plus 36 Standing Desk, $395, vari.com.

This sleek desk lamp is adjustable and trimmed in gold. Standing at 21 inches, it's the perfect addition to a work area, and comes in handy if you're staying online after hours. Best of all, the base, equipped with USB power outlets, doubles as a charging station.

Shop Now: Wrought Studio "Markey" Black Desk Lamp, $57.99, wayfair.com.

If you've been sitting in a repurposed dining room chair day in and day out, chances are you're ready for more support. Consider this mid-back leather seat, which comes in several colorways and finishes—pick the combination that best suits your space.

Shop Now: Joss & Main Leaman Ergonomic Executive Chair, $168, jossandmain.com.

Starting from scratch and on the market for a new desk? Select an adjustable standing iteration, like this top-rated electric one from Fully.

Shop Now: Fully "Remi" Standing Desk, $449, fully.com.

Never lose track of your glasses again—though, we can't help you if you frequently forget that they are pushed up on your head!—with this handy holder. It's the office essential you didn't know you needed: It suspends your frames by the arms, keeping the glass free from smudges and scratches.

Shop Now: Craighill Eyewear Stand, $48, craighill.com.

Take back some real estate underneath your monitor with this riser, which lifts your screen up to a more comfortable position.

Shop Now: Poppin "The High Rise" White Monitor Riser, $40, poppin.com.

It's time to give your your track pad (and your wrists) a rest. Apple's signature wireless mouse is completely rechargeable, which means you don't need to worry about having batteries on hand. Plus, the multi-touch design allows for unique gestures, like flipping through pages sans clicking.

Shop Now: Apple Magic Mouse 2, $79, apple.com.

This breathtaking wooden stand is designed to hold your MacBook or MacBook Pro, and provides a more ergonomic way to use your laptop. Choose from walnut or oak.

Shop Now: Yohann MacBook and MacBook Pro Stand, $179, yohann.com.

It's best to keep your wrists slightly elevated when typing, which is what makes these linen wrist rests such a necessity. Handmade by LinenSpace, the cloth rests are lightweight and mobile—feel free to take them with you on the go.

Shop Now: LinenSpace Wrist Rest, $12.99, etsy.com.

Is your tiny laptop screen causing eye strain and a sore back? It's time to expand your horizons. A larger monitor improved productivity and alleviates discomfort. This iteration from HP is a best-seller; it's also razor-thin, which means it won't bulk up your desk.

Shop Now: HP 31.5" IPS LED FHD Monitor in Black, $249.99, bestbuy.com.

Working at a standing desk has a myriad of benefits—but those benefits are moot if you don't also take some time to rest your legs. This stool helps you do just that, and also allows you to alternate between sitting and standing without adjusting your desk up and down.

Shop Now: Fully "Luna" Standing Desk Stool, $199, fully.com.

Speaking of standing desks: Support your legs when you're vertical with an anti-fatigue mat—preferably one that looks more like a rug than an ergonomic tool.

Shop Now: The House of Noa "Namamat" Anti-Fatigue Mat in Carnelian, $69, little-nomad.com.