10 things you NEED on your computer desk

If you spend your working day chained to a computer desk, typing away, you’ll want to make your desk as good a place to be as any. Chances are, you’ll spend more time at your computer desk than you will in your own bedroom. Check out our guide to the top ten things your computer desk should have to help make your working day that little bit brighter.

Photos
It’s nice to be reminded that there is life outside the office. Even if you love your job, it’s still worth sticking up some photos of the people and things you love. Stick a photo of your daughter to the top of your monitor, or have a little framed picture of Fido next to your phone. Lovely.

Stress ball
Not every day at the office can be a good day. When things get on top of you, it’s good to have something on your computer desk to take it out on. Keep your calm, don’t shout, and reach for that handy stress ball you’ve got next to the in and out tray. Deep breaths now!

Health and safety equipment
Alright, so you might not be handling heavy machinery or using dangerous tools. But you have to think about your health too. There’s all sorts of health and safety equipment out there for people at computer desks, like wrist pads to help prevent RSI and monitor stands to keep your computer screen at the right level. Make sure your chair is right too – bad posture can ruin your back when you get older.

Drawers
A stack of desk drawers is vital to keeping the clutter levels down on your computer desk. Depending on how much paper you like to throw about, you could get a stack that sit under your computer desk, or a small tray-like version to sit on top of your desk.

Bin
Why keep stuff you don’t need? Get rid of waste easily by placing a handy bin next to your desk. Using lots of paper? Think of the planet and make sure your office has an easily-accessible recycling bin – and that it gets used.

Pens
You may be type, type, typing away all day but nothing beats a traditional to-do-list. Get those pens out and start scribbling. Pens also come in handy for comical post-its, not to mention paper aeroplane memos.

Tissues
No one likes a snotty worker. Keep your germs to yourself with a handy box of tissues. Once used, place the tissue in the aforementioned bin. Tissues also come in handy for inevitable spillages, or when someone in the office is dishing out the birthday cake.

Hand cream
A lot of offices are air conditioned and this can be a nightmare for those of us with delicate hands. Help stave off the wrinkles for a few more years with some handy hand cream. Dry skin on your hands can be really sore and irritating, so get moisturising.

Diary
Make it easier to keep track of your days with a diary. An advanced form of the to-do-list, diaries make it a lot easier for you to know where you should be when, and easier to know what deadlines you’ve got to meet. Pair together with the pens mentioned beforehand and you’ve got an organisational dream team.

Mug and coaster
The best part of a day at a computer desk? The tea break. Make sure you’ve got an easily accessible coffee mug or tea cup. That way, whenever the need arises, you know you can get your caffeine fix nice and easy. A coaster will help prevent those nasty cup rings on your beautiful computer desk too.