Modern-day remote work is not a luxury that all of us are lucky enough to have. I commute to work every day. If this was ten years ago, it’s unlikely that the idea of working from my living room would consume my daydreams. However, during the lockdown, all of us tasted the sweet fruit of clocking into work from the comfort of our homes. Because of this, the transition back into the routine of commuting has become a tougher pill to swallow.

Nonetheless, someone’s gotta do it. So, rather than playing the grass is greener on the other side (where my remote friends are still snug in bed during our lunchtime phone calls), I’ve decided to take some control of the situation. My fellow Gen X colleagues may find my productivity techniques a bit unconventional. However, at the end of the day, their coworker with the over-the-top workspace setup and the make-yourself-at-home professional persona manages to get their tasks done, done well, and with a smile on their face— no harm, no foul. If you’re looking to bring a sense of home to your office cubicle, as well, here are ten workspace accessories to get you started.

10. Desktop drawers

These desktop drawers add a sense of home to the workspace and are the perfect personal storage solution for keeping essentials accessible at work. I’ve noticed that staying organized makes a positive difference in the daily routine of unpacking in the morning and packing up thereafter, and these drawers have helped immensely by eliminating the seemingly random, miscellaneous items at the bottom of my backpack (pens, tissue packs, oil wipes, glasses cleaner, etc.). They also add a clean aesthetic touch and a pop of color to my cubicle at the same time.

9. Mini fan

This rechargeable, minimalistic fan allows for me to have some temperature control in my working environment. Personally, I’ve found that I work best when I’m dressed in cozy clothes and am set up in a cool, comfortable area. I’m able to create this setting for myself by having a desktop fan with a few different settings. Additionally, it provides some subtle white noise to mask the chewing, tummy grumbles, and other awkward noises emitted to and from surrounding desk neighbors.

8. Wall décor

After hanging a colorful wall calendar in my cubicle, the images of flowers for every month completely transformed the feel of my workspace. Fun stickers (hung with tape) and art prints (printed from Etsy at home) also fill the walls around my cubicle. It makes my work area more personal to my hobbies, interests, and artistic taste, making it a more aesthetically pleasing environment and an overall more enjoyable place to work. It also reminds me of the things that make me happy outside of work, which helps keep me motivated and inspired.

7. Reusable water bottle

Whether it’s a huge water bottle with the capacity to keep you hydrated for days in a desert or a minimal canteen that prompts you to get up every now and then for a refill, quenching your thirst throughout the day can make a big difference in our mood, wellbeing, and productivity. Not everyone is keen on having to take more frequent trips to the restroom when working; however, we all should anyways— brain (and eye) breaks are essential, after all.

6. Quality headphones

Good quality headphones are a must. I’ve used AirPods all throughout college and to date. Why fix what isn’t broken? They’re my old reliable. If you’re not into Apple products, however, there are plenty of other options when exploring quality headphones. The only recommendation I have is to go with a pair that offers wireless connection. Since switching from the generic, USB-plugin telesales headset I was offered upon employment, converting to bluetooth has made a huge positive impact on my workflow. The days of playing detangle with my headphone’s unnecessarily long wire, and constantly unwrapping it from my keyboard’s cable, are gone— it’s game-changing. I can also stretch during long meetings without the fear of viciously ripping my sound buds out of my laptop on accident. It’s great.

5. Your favorite mug

Having a cute mug to sip from when working in a new and improved workspace is the perfect touch to making it an enjoyable (and cozy) place to work. I’ll keep my coffee hot in a thermos until I’m ready for a cup. Then, I fill my favorite mug from the thermos reserve before sipping my cup of satisfaction. It truly is the little things.

4. Succulents

I’m going to be totally transparent here: I don’t have any succulents at my desk. This has been one of those items living at the bottom of my wishlist that I haven’t taken the initiative on purchasing yet. HOWEVER, an intern at my office recently renovated her cubicle, and the succulents she has symmetrically placed underneath her monitor stands are so pleasing to catch a glimpse of when passing by. She ordered a set of 6 mini artificial plants from Amazon, and I highly recommend.

3. Daily planner

Papier has a wide variety of customizable daily/weekly/monthly planners, and so much more, that are both artistically pleasing and organizationally helpful. Of course, there are also less expensive options on Amazon or at your local Walmart. All of them serve the same key purpose. By keeping a planner at my desk, I’m able to effectively record the intrusive grocery items, chores, bills, and any other items needing action that aren’t (or are) related to work. I carry it in my backpack to and from work, so I’m able to review whatever was documented throughout the days.

2. Oversized sweater

A staple at my workspace is a soft, oversized crewneck that I got from Target years ago. It’s plain and simple, but it makes me happy. When it’s cold in the office, I throw that crewneck over whatever I’m wearing, and I’m instantly more comfortable. Because it’s oversized, it’s easy to take on and off.

1. Lacrosse ball

If you’re an antsy worker (or have planter fasciitis) , this may be just the trick. I keep a lacrosse ball under my desk to give my feet something to do if I’m struggling to stay seated. If I’m feeling stiff, have a headache, or simply just feel like it, I’ll utilize the standing desk function at my cubicle and roll out the soles of my feet while working. It works wonders.