The accessories that make the most difference to how your desk functions and how focused you feel. This is not a list of things to buy — it is a curated selection of the accessories with genuine impact.
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The Accessories That Actually Matter
There are two categories of desk accessories: things that improve how your workspace functions, and things that occupy space without adding value.
This guide covers only the former. Each item listed here has a clear, demonstrable impact on ergonomics, focus, or the practical function of the workspace.
Monitor Arm
The most impactful single accessory for most desk setups.
A monitor arm removes the monitor stand entirely, freeing 4–6 inches of desk depth. It allows you to position the screen at precisely the right height, distance, and angle — which is almost never achievable with a built-in stand. It also allows you to push the monitor back to create space for writing, or fold it away entirely.
Recommended: Ergotron LX (~£120). Smooth gas-spring adjustment, solid build quality, and compatibility with most monitors up to 34 inches. For a detailed guide, see our monitor arm buying guide.
Desk Pad
A large desk pad unifies the visual aesthetic of the workspace, protects the desk surface, and provides a consistent surface for writing and mouse movement.
The material matters: leather pads look premium and clean easily. Felt pads are quieter and softer. Extended mouse pads are functional but look basic.
Recommended: Grovemade Leather Desk Pad (~£85) for premium setups, or a large extended mousepad (~£15–25) for budget builds.
Cable Management
Visible cables are visual noise. They make a clean setup look cluttered and — per research on environmental distraction — genuinely impair the ability to focus.
A complete cable management setup requires:
- Under-desk cable tray (~£15–25): Holds power strips and cable excess out of sight
- Cable clips (~£10): Route cables along desk legs or back edges
- Velcro cable ties (~£8): Keep cable bundles tidy without permanent commitment
The single best cable management upgrade: a USB-C monitor that connects laptop to display with a single cable. One cable replaces five.
Laptop Stand
If you use a laptop with an external keyboard and mouse, a laptop stand positions the device off the desk surface (improving airflow) and stores it vertically when the external monitor is primary.
Recommended: Rain Design mStand (~£40, horizontal) or Twelve South BookArc (~£50, vertical). Both position the laptop out of the way while keeping it accessible.
Document Holder
For those who work with physical reference materials, a document holder positions them adjacent to the monitor at roughly the same viewing distance and angle. This eliminates the repeated neck movement between desk surface and monitor that causes neck strain during document-heavy work.
Recommended: Kensington SmartFit (~£20) — functional and inexpensive.
Anti-Fatigue Mat (for Standing Desks)
If you have a sit-stand desk, an anti-fatigue mat is essential — not optional.
Standing on a hard floor for 30 minutes causes foot and joint fatigue. The Topo by Ergodriven (~£80) is the standard recommendation: the irregular terrain encourages micro-movements that reduce fatigue significantly compared to a flat mat.
The Rule of One
Every item on your desk should earn its place by being used every day:
- One notebook
- One pen
- One plant (optional but beneficial)
- One water bottle or glass
Everything else belongs in a drawer or off the desk. A desk with the right accessories and nothing else is significantly more effective than a desk with every interesting product available. Restraint is the most underrated desk accessory.
For the full ergonomic picture, read our ergonomic home office setup guide.
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