Desk Accessories for Cubicle Hell

If you, like me, are trapped in daily beige cubicle hell at work, desk accessories are a great way to bring some color and personality into a workspace you might not have a lot of aethetic control over otherwise. The easiest items to add to your space are a personally chosen pencil cup(s), stapler and/or tape dispenser, a paper tray, file folders and items for decor like photographs, artwork or a desk calendar.

I believe in collecting desk items that are both functional and appeal to you aesthetically. For pen cups, you could purchase an assortment of drinking glasses or coffee mugs that appeal to you.

If you are a fan of vintage products, scour your local antique malls and thrift shops (or check out The Desk shop) for classic tape dispensers, staplers and desk trays. Estate sales and yard sales are also great opportunities to find old office supplies. Many retirees bring home their box of old drafting tools and desk items that languish for years. I’ve scored great metal rulers, staplers and bags of old pencils this way. I found a set of vintage coffee mugs that, while being slender, are perfect for sorting out my various pens and pencils: gel pens in one cup, pencils in another, etc.

If you are looking for something clean and modern, Poppin’s coordinated desk items may be just the ticket for you. Container Store also sells lots of clear acrylic and colored plastic containers that might be just right for your desk.

There are also lots of options to use found objects and apply some DIY craftiness to them. I posted about a shoebox converted to a large pen holder when filled with cut paper tubes of various sizes.

I think its important to make your workspace appealing to you whether its a small desk tucked in the corner of an industrial warehouse or a vintage Herman Miller AO2 cubicle. In the same way that its worth it to spend a few extra dollars on a pen or a notebook you like, finding desk items you like will make your work surroundings feel more appealing and conducive to those big ideas.

Good places to look for desk accessories:

• Poppin
• Russell + Hazel
• Modcloth Office Supply section
• Knock Knock
• The Container Store

(for inspiration, visit my Pinterest board Desk Accessories or skim through previous posts tagged Desk Accessory)