In 2020 our lives changed completely, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed what was considered the ‘norm’, and created new norms that molded the way we lived. One of these new norms is the work-from-home culture, and it has continued well into 2022. We’ve been working from our homes for almost a year now, and although we have adapted to it, it can be quite a bore at times. I, for one, am always looking out for options and ways to spice up my work-from-home routine. And I’ve found that adding new products to my desk setup can amp my productivity immensely! The desk accessories you place on your desk are an integral part of your home office. From a multifunctional desk lamp that doubles up as a book holder to a modular hanging desk rack that frees up space – here’s a collection of interesting, super functional, and productivity-enhancing desk accessories that promise to be the best work-from-home investments of 2022!
1. Comm
COMM offers a touchscreen display that shows the different functions. The main functions are as follows: sharing information, reporting, expression of emotions, mutual understanding, and idea suggestions. Your home work environment can “feel” more like a real office with this simple device designed by South Korean designed Eunjeong with Fountain Studio.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can update your computer or maybe by a more comfortable and ergonomic workspace. The goal should always be speed and efficiency when it comes to working so in the area of communication, you must find a better way how to send messages across to a different party. The COMM is a concept device that can help people communicate from home. It’s a simpler way to send and receive messages, give feedback, and deliver what needs to be done. The result is increased work efficiency, especially with the angled screen for more comfortable viewing when sitting down.
What we like
- Helps improve creativity and productivity by showing the information you need sans any distraction
- Better than a smartphone or tablet, as it eliminates the temptation to check other apps
What we dislike
- Limited compared to face-to-face communication, but still not too bad!
What do you think?
2. Blazo
Many people try to be smart by buying multi-functional products or modular furniture that can be arranged and used as needed. Sometimes, the combinations make sense, but other times you can also be left scratching your head. This desk fan, for example, looks almost ordinary, that is until you flip the switch on to shed some light on matters, literally.
Why is it noteworthy?
At first glance, Blazo looks like an electric fan attached to a camera gimbal. The design for this unconventional arm and the stand was apparently an educational globe. The Blazo’s fan can swivel up and down 360 degrees, and it can also rotate 360 degrees so that no direction is left unreached. That does mean that the lamp can also point in the same direction, though you’ll probably want to keep the fan steady in that case unless you were aiming for a makeshift light show.
What we like
- Blazo runs on a rechargeable battery, and using the lamp alone can make it last for 8 hours
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. The Hanging Desk Organizer set
Many productivity gurus advocate having a proper place on your desk, even for more “transient” objects that come and go. Some have a tray, a literal inbox, or even a basket, but those often take up precious space that could be used for more permanent things. They’re also a “one size fits all” kind of thing, so you can’t really use them for anything else or even arrange their parts unless you opted for a modular bin. The Hanging Desk Organizer Set solves all those problems by hanging over the edge of your desk and giving you the freedom to rearrange it to suit your needs.
Why is it noteworthy?
As with many seemingly magical modular systems, the secret to the rack’s trick is magnets, very strong magnets. The rack itself is made from sturdy steel and doesn’t actually have any distinct markings on its own. It looks like a square root or radical symbol, where its short flap sticks to the edge of your desk without screws or magnets. The V-shaped space is where you can place things like magazines, letters, files and folders, and more. You can even hang your book over the highest edge as a makeshift bookmark in case you need to quickly pause what you were reading.
What we like
- Intuitive organizing
- Magnetic cable holder
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The HMM Scissors
Our workspaces are often littered with two kinds of things. On the one hand, you have tools designed to accomplish a task. On the other hand, you have decorative items designed to please the senses. Of course, there are now stationary and desk tools that are designed to hit two birds with one stone, especially those that embrace minimalist aesthetics that fit well in almost any situation. These scissors from popular brand HMM are designed to bridge those two worlds together, offering a tool that not only creates a sense of wonder but also inspires confidence in every snip.
Why is it noteworthy?
Just as with the tools mentioned above, scissors often come in two classes. One type is clearly designed for cutting away at your problems, while another type almost looks too pretty to be used. The HMM Scissors is definitely not the latter, with an aesthetic that clearly exudes its power. The wide and flat blades are almost reminiscent of industrial tools, and its black Japanese steel body gives off an aura of strength and durability.
What we like
- Flip the scissors and hold it by the blades, and you instantly have a box cutter
- A custom-made magnet lets the scissors stand upright with its sharp tip safely hidden inside the base
What we dislike
No complaints!
5. Madang
Madang is a collection of desk accessories that take inspiration from Korea’s forgotten traditional games, bringing an element of fun to some serious productivity tools.
Why is it noteworthy?
Some of the associations are almost direct, like Juldaligi, a wrist-stretching tool that is like a miniature form of a traditional Korean tug of war. A multipurpose tray’s dividers and containers make it look like a Sabang chigi playground that children would use in yards. A magnetic clip holder that looks both like a UFO and a hat is a nod to the Jeonlip hats used in a whimsical game of Sangmodoligi. And what better way to embody a see-saw-like game than with a clip that mimics that movement.
What we like
- The Madang set brings a tie to Korean culture
- These desk accessories bring to mind some popular Korean dishes, especially those that use egg as a core ingredient
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The Stilform AEON
The Stilform AEON is a pencil that literally lasts eons! Designed by the company that won the World’s Best Pen award for the Stilform Pen back in 2016, the AEON is the result of a nifty material innovation that turns the pencil immortal. The intriguing pen features a special tip pen that oxidizes the paper, and leaves a grey streak just the way a pencil would!
Why is it noteworthy?
Unlike graphite pencils, AEON’s lines are smudge-proof and waterproof. Besides, since this tip’s made of metal rather than graphite, you can easily put it in your pocket without worrying about it leaving any marks.
What we like
- Machined entirely from a single piece of metal
- Lined with beautiful FSC-certified wood veneers that provide a great contrast against the pencil’s all-metal design
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. The Curva Pen
You can say goodbye to the common old pens, and bring your love for writing back to life with the Curva pen! The unique Curva pen features an unconventional hook-shaped nib, which allows you to angle the pen in whichever direction you like, giving you the freedom to write to the left, to the right, or even downward. This one especially sounds like a boon for all the lefties out there (like me)!
Why is it noteworthy?
The moment you take off its cap, it is immediately evident that Curva Pen isn’t your typical ink pen and that it has an interesting story to tell. The unconventional hook-like shape of its nib might raise eyebrows, but its patented design was carefully thought out to solve two of the biggest problems with pens. More often than not, your fingers and hands block what you’re writing, especially if you’re a leftie that has to push the pen rather than pull like what right-handed people do. This makes not just writing but also drawing more cumbersome and more frustrating for some people, denying them the pleasure and the liberating experience of putting their thoughts down on paper clearly.
What we like
- Renews our love for writing
- Provides left-handed individuals with enhanced visibility and accuracy
What we dislike
- No complaints!
8. The Wooden Pen Holder
There’s something almost poetic about the act of picking up a brush or a fountain pen from an inkwell, drawing your strokes, and dipping it back in to be ready for when the next inspiration strikes, a feeling that’s almost lost even with the most elaborate and extravagant pens today. Not unless you have a pen holder that brings back that atmosphere, like a block of wood that could be the most Zen pen holder to ever adorn your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
This wooden block is both unassuming and, at the same time, beautiful in its simplicity, as many minimalist products are wont to be. Made from genuine maple wood, each piece has grains and patterns that make it unique and special. Without saying explicitly, it’s an assurance that each black will be one of a kind, giving you the feeling that this pen holder was crafted just for you. Together with an equally stylish pen, this block transforms any desk into a thinker’s workbench, where the tools of the trade are just at an arm’s reach.
What we like
- The Wooden Pen Holder has a gently curving depression that can accommodate any pen with a standard size
- When you pick the pen up, you almost believe that the ink will also follow it up from an invisible well of ideas
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The Quick-Access Organizer
More often than not, the reason why we lose keys, glasses, or even wallets, is because we misplace them by just placing them anywhere when we take them out of our pockets. We develop that bad habit because it sometimes takes too much work to actually drop them in proper storage, like a desk or shelf organizer, partly because the storage box itself doesn’t make it easy to use it. Having to think which item goes where can be a mental burden when it has to be done multiple times a day, and the seconds you lose opening and closing most boxes add up over time.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Quick-Access Organizer tries to smooth out by making the act of organizing your everyday carry tools as effortless as possible. The lid has sections that can fit only some kinds of objects. This makes it easier to know what to put there, so you won’t have to waste precious time making that decision every time. Pretty soon, it will be second nature to put your glasses, AirPods case, or keys in those sections, so they won’t have to end up lost in uncharted territory ever again.
What we like
- The box’s real special talent is how that lid quickly and effortlessly swivels out of the way, revealing the spacious cavern inside
- This storage box is a minimalist beauty of contrasting and complementing elements
What we dislike
- No complaints!
10. The Holder Desk Lamp
How about sporting a cool desk lamp that performs double duty as a book/document holder and a magnetic pin-up board to keep all your important reminders within your peripheral view?
Why is it noteworthy?
As I explored more renders of this design it started to grow on me – thanks to its useful functionality, sans any complicated design blueprints that seem infeasible to craft in real life. The idea of this desk lamp is to extend the usability of the good old desk lamp just beyond beaming soft light onto the desk’s work area. That’s because, you won’t be using the desk light at all times, and to make better use of the accessory, a book holder and a rotating magnetic pin-up board are incorporated into the product.
What we like
- Holds all your books, journals, and important files in an organized manner
- The inside lining of the book holder section has a dotted texture to keep all the important stuff in place
What we dislike
- No complaints!
