If you want your office desk to be the envy of all your co-workers, these fun and cool office supplies are sure to brighten up your workday and leave your co-workers wanting. Of course, we’ve got cool versions of the basics like staplers and storage options but we know for sure there are some cool office supplies below that you’ve never even considered. (Did you know desk pads could be heated?)
So whether you’re here just to find cooler versions of the things you need or looking for the cool office supplies you never knew you needed, check out some of our favorite office items below. More than one of them will transform your desk from a place of productive drudgery to your preferred place to do your work.
1. Target Project 62 Paper Drawers
Nothing destroys the appearance of tidiness faster than loose papers strewn about. These modern Project 62 Paper Drawers from Target can easily fit on your desk, on the floor or on another nearby piece of furniture to get your occasional pieces of paper organized.
2. Target Project 62 Hanging File Holder
If you’re looking for another level of organization, the Target Project 62 Hanging File Holder will add a stylish pop of black and gold to your desk or nearby shelf. The hanging design makes sifting through your papers a lot easier.
3. Veelink Bamboo Wireless Charger Organizer
No desk is complete without a basic organizer, but why go for something utterly basic when you can get the Veelink Bamboo Wireless Charger Organizer? Yes, you can organize your pens, but you can also wirelessly charge your Qi-enabled phone while you work. Plus, the charging dock is deep enough to handle cases and the docking angle means you can easily check your phone for any notifications without picking it up. As far as cool office supplies go, it doesn’t get much more practical and cool than this. We promise your co-workers will be envious.
Buy: Veelink Bamboo Wireless Charger Organizer $34.99
4. Lamicall Phone Holder Gooseneck Mount
Speaking of being able to easily see your phone from your desk, nothing makes that easier than the Lamicall Phone Holder Gooseneck Mount. The mount attaches to the desk with a strong base clamp and the sturdy bendable snake arm doesn’t droop when holding your phone, perfect to watch shows, record a video or join a meeting.
Buy: Lamicall Phone Holder Gooseneck Mount $19.99
5. iVict Clip-on LED Light
My wife bought this iVict Clip-on LED Light for our mutual pandemic desk and it worked wonderfully well. It has a flexible gooseneck for the perfect position, three color temperatures and 10 brightness settings.
Sure, I didn’t suddenly look like George Clooney when I used it, but I was way better lit and came across much clearer during my meetings with the light on.
Buy: iVict Clip-on LED Light $16.99
6. Olidik Warm Desk Pad
While we would recommend a standard desk pad for anyone looking to make their space look more organized, we suggest going one step farther and picking up the Olidik Warm Desk Pad. Whether you’re in an office whose temperature is set to nuclear winter or simply just looking for a little extra warmth when you set your hands down, this heated desk pad is among the best cool office supplies you hadn’t even thought of.
Buy: Olidik Warm Desk Pad $29.99
7. Aluratek 7-Inch LCD Digital Photo Frame
Photos on desks aren’t for everyone, but if you like to keep your close ones in mind during the workday, you might appreciate the Aluratek 7-Inch LCD Digital Photo Frame to avoid figuring out who makes the cut.
We like this digital frame because it’s extremely simple. Simply put whatever photos you want on a flash drive and plug the flash drive into the frame. When you power it on, your photos will appear as a slideshow.
Buy: Aluratek 7-Inch LCD Digital Photo Frame $34.47
8. BESTINNKITS Smart Coffee Warmer
Coffee and tea are the real lifeblood of the American economy and nothing’s more frustrating than going for those last few sips and finding lukewarm or even cold coffee. Enter the BESTINNKITS Smart Coffee Warmer. This induction mug warmer activates (and deactivates) automatically when any mug is placed (or removed) from it. It’s also sleek, compact and does a decent job of keeping your beverage warm, even if it can’t make your drink hot again.
Buy: BESTINNKITS Smart Coffee Warmer $28.60
9. ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion
Screw back and tailbone pain with the ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion. Though there are a lot of great office seat cushions out there, we like the value the ComfiLife cushion brings to the table.
A non-slip rubber bottom ensures the cushion stays put and the gel memory foam cushion provides all the support your tailbone needs and then some. Just make sure you hide it away before your co-workers swipe it right out from under you.
Buy: ComfiLife Gel Enhanced Seat Cushion $37.95
10. Renawe Luxury Wooden Ballpoint Pen
Nothing says cool office supplies like a fancy pen. Because pens are so commonplace and yet used increasingly less in much white collar work, a really rad pen stands out and just might give you some much-needed master-of-the-universe vibes. The Renawe Luxury Wooden Ballpoint Pen is made from maple and rosewood for a classy appearance. It also comes with a desk stand for when it’s not in use, so you can flex on your co-workers even when you’re not using it.
Buy: Renawe Luxury Wooden Ballpoint Pen $16.99
11. Sirmedal Acrylic Matte Gold Stapler
A stapler feels so passé, that is until you need one. Don’t be the person running around the office or tearing up your apartment to find “that one stapler.” Pick up the Sirmedal Acrylic Matte Gold Stapler. An acrylic body houses the gold parts for an elegant take on the humble stapler that looks as good as it staples.
Buy: Sirmedal Acrylic Matte Gold Stapler $13.59
12. Swingline Speed Stapler #3
You only need one stapler (if you need one at all), but we have a soft spot for cool vintage office supplies such as this Swingline Speed Stapler #3 from the ‘50s being sold on Etsy. Not only is it a throwback to a time when commodities were made to last, it’s also just a damn good stapler. After all, they don’t call it the speed stapler for nothing.
13. Rain Design iLevel2 Adjustable Height Laptop Stand
A sleek laptop stand doesn’t have to just be functional, it can look cool too. The Rain Design iLevel2 Adjustable Height Laptop Stand does both.
The sturdy aluminum stand will give your computer the extra height it needs for more comfortable typing angles or to improve your appearance during virtual meetings. Plus, rubber pads keep the stand from sliding and you can easily adjust the elevation height with the front slider knob.
Buy: Rain Design iLevel2 Adjustable Height Laptop Stand $47.35
14. Modern Wood Standing Desk Converter
Standing desks are apparently all the rage, but if you’re not ready to hop on that expensive bandwagon yet (raises hand), try this Modern Wood Standing Desk Converter sold on Etsy. It’s essentially just a classy, wood desk that goes on your regular desk so you can get out of the chair for a change of pace without committing $300 to a proper standing desk. It’s easy to put together at a moment’s notice and breaks apart for easy storage when you’d rather sit.
15. Holmes Heritage 4-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan
Depending on where you live, it’s been hot for months now or the mercury is finally starting to rise and stay put. Whatever the case may be, it’s never a bad time for a cool desk fan like the Holmes Heritage 4-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan. It’s stable, draws power via USB, delivers a pleasant desk breeze and looks pretty dang good in brushed copper.
Buy: Holmes Heritage 4-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan $12.99
16. JBYAMUS 4 Pack Cable Organizers
When you think of cool office supplies, we doubt cable organizers come to mind. But we’re here to tell you that, after pens and paper, cables are the most likely culprit to cause disarray on your desk. The JBYAMUS 4 Pack Cable Organizers will start to rein the mess in and encourage you to actually think about how you can best organize your technology to keep your desk clutter-free. Just peel the tape off the back of these silicone organizers and stick them wherever you need them to wrangle those pesky cables. Just be warned that anything that sticks can be difficult to cleanly remove.
Buy: JBYAMUS 4 Pack Cable Organizers $2.99
17. Nature’s Mark Mini Zen Garden
Let’s face it: Work is stressful no matter what job you’re doing. That’s why every worker should have something peaceful or relaxing ready at hand for when the going just gets a little too rough. Though they might seem a little hokey, mini zen gardens like the Nature’s Mark Mini Zen Garden can offer a much-needed respite during a hectic day. When you let your imagination place the rocks and do a little sand raking, you’d be surprised at how much the garden can lighten your mood.
Buy: Nature’s Mark Mini Zen Garden $17.99
18. Golf Club Pen Set Desk Game
If zen isn’t your way to relaxation then perhaps the Golf Club Pen Set Desk Game will be more up your alley. The game comes with three “clubs” to putt the balls into one of two holes, and when you’re not golfing, each club is a different colored pen — red, black and blue — to jot down whatever you need.
Buy: Golf Club Pen Set Desk Game $12.99
19. DjuiinoStar Low Temperature Stirling Engine
In terms of cool office supplies, we saved the best for last. The DjuiinoStar Low Temperature Stirling Engine is absolutely useless for any work purpose, but it’s sure to entertain you and everyone around you. It’s literally a mini Stirling engine, that is, an engine that uses heat to produce mechanical energy. If you place this little engine on a hot cup of water (or say a hot cup of coffee or tea) and give the wheel a spin to kickstart it, it won’t stop spinning until the difference in temperatures between the top and bottom of the base isn’t enough to drive the mechanisms. Science, why are you so awesome?
Buy: DjuiinoStar Low Temperature Stirling Engine $39.99