Whether you’re working from home, or in a corporate office, the one thing that’s pretty much consistent in both these scenarios is a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, it’s really important that your desk be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! The desk accessories you place on your desk are an integral part of your home/corporate office. From a desk lamp that doubles up as a bookend to a mechanical keyboard made from recyclable materials – these ingenious desk accessories are all you need to achieve your desk setup goals!
1. The Altar 1
Electronic Materials Office recently unveiled its first product made from sustainable materials! Called the Altar I, the keyboard is made from post-consumer waste-derived plastic, and has a unibody aluminum framed peripheral in US and UK layouts with 78 key and 77 key layouts.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Altar I’s keycaps are also forged out of recycled polymers, thereby making it a sensible accessory that doesn’t harm Planet Earth. The accessory is designed for touch typing and can be utilized on two devices simultaneously, which is suitable for those who switch between their laptop and tablet frequently.
What we like
- Crisp and minimalist font
- Built using recyclable and earth-friendly materials
What we dislike
- No info on the pricing and availability for now
- It seems to be available only in black, no other color options
2. The Everlasting Metal Pencil
This innovative pencil is called the Everlasting Metal Pencil is like a Wacom stylus with a tip that never needs to be replaced or sharpened. The pencil allows you to focus completely on your creative process, and on the lead less.
Why is it noteworthy?
The octagonal shaft is made of aluminum and houses a special alloy core. Knowing that, you might think that all it will do is leave heavy grooves on your paper, but your mind might be blown away when it draws like a real pencil without seeing the tip wear down even after dozens of marks.
What we like
- It has a metal core instead of clay or charcoal, so it wears down slowly, and may actually outlive you
What we dislike
- It doesn’t smudge or smear the way normal graphite does. That might be not very reassuring for those who use smudging techniques while sketching.
3. The Stair Table Lamp
Designed by Notchi Architects for Oblure, the Stair Table Lamp is inspired by a playful and whimsical approach to geometry and gravity. The lamp brings to mind the image of a sphere balanced delicately on the edge of a staircase.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is an adorable yet functional product that can be slipped into the various nooks and crannies of your home, illuminating them while also keeping your books in check.
What we like
- Doubles up as a bookend and a table lamp
What we dislike
- The bulb could be easily damaged or broken
4. The Note-Taking Kit
The Note-Taking Kit is designed with an agenda to keep your workdesk neat and tidy, allowing you to declutter your workspace, and work in an efficient and organized manner.
Why is it noteworthy?
Grovemade’s Note-Taking Kit is essentially a refillable notepad with dot grid paper and a solid metal base, accompanied by a display rail to hold and accommodate your notes and devices, as well as a vertical organizer that will store your notes until you’re ready to use them.
What we like
- Designed to capture, store, and process your notes in an efficient and effortless manner
What we dislike
- The entire collection can occupy a substantial amount of space on your desk
5. Mouro Lamp
Designed by Patricia Perez for Case Furniture, the Mouro Lamp is a pretty minimalist lamp defined by simple geometric shapes.
Why is it noteworthy?
The playful and portable Mouro Lamp is named after a lighthouse in Perez’s hometown. The lamp is made up of a disc-shaped LED light and a rectangular frame that holds it, while also doubling up as a handle.
What we like
- Unique yet simple structure and form that make it super easy to use and carry around
What we dislike
- Need to take precautions so that it doesn’t get damaged when you carry it around
6. The Forest Tidy
This neat and cute-looking set of containers is called the Forest Tidy, and it has been carved from rosewood. These containers bring a whole new level of organization and tidiness to your workdesk while maintaining a connection to the wooden nature of furniture in your home.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Forest Tidy kit splits and divides your workdesk into different categories. It provides space for stationery, tech, EDC, and cables, and also has a dedicated stand for your monitor, with nifty stowaway space for your keyboard and mouse.
What we like
- The containers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, tailor-made to your tabletop belongings
- Features a dedicated phone stand that allows you to dock your phone either in portrait or landscape
What we dislike
- The phone stand doesn’t come with a channel for a cable pass-through, which means it won’t function as a charging stand
7. The Nod Lamp
Designed by French furniture brand Tiptoe, the Nod Lamp is a cheerful and playful lamp with a tiltable head and a dimmable light. The Nod Lamp is Tiptoe’s first lamp, and it is named after its articulate head.
Why is it noteworthy?
The head has an interesting rounded shape, that can rotate up to 35 degrees on each side to direct and guide light in various directions.
What we like
- Features a dimmable light that makes it pretty useful for both moments of concentration and relaxation
- Built from recyclable aluminum
What we dislike
- Not sure if it is strong enough for long durations of work
8. Japanese Drawing Pads
These Japanese drawing pads are simple yet stunning and will help you get those amazing ideas flowing from your mind. The blank canvas pulls out the ideas from your mind, while the physicality and texture of the paper function as an anchor for your brain.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is perfect for sketching art, creating designs, and any other creative pursuit, accepting your ideas and your mistakes with the serenity and openness of a blank page.
What we like
- Utilizes high-quality Japanese paper that is preferred by stationery connoisseurs
What we dislike
- It does seem like an ordinary notepad from the looks of it
9. The Gravity Pen
The Gravity Pen is pretty intriguing since it puts the center of gravity closer to where your fingers are, making it easier to make agile strokes. The pen does that by having a grip that’s larger than the barrel, expanding the area of the grip for a more comfy hold.
Why is it noteworthy?
The faceted form of that grip also makes it easier to grip the pen, allowing for a more stable grip as well. It’s the ultimate ergonomic pen design, thanks to a smart application of physics and minimalist design principles.
What we like
- Extremely ergonomic to hold and use
- Durable and lightweight
What we dislike
- Not available in different color options
10. Reck_Cone
Called the Reck_Cone, this concept design merges different products into one single piece. It functions as a handy headphone holder, although it doesn’t look like one at first glance, owing to its innovative shape.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Reck_Cone isn’t like traditional typical holders, it hangs the headphones down and allows them to wrap around its almost conical form. It looks as if the headphones are hanging from a person’s neck, allowing it to have a more natural appearance.
What we like
- The Reck_Cone’s form is eye-catching, and even without the headphones, it displays an unusual shape that looks like a vase with a “wing” on its back
What we dislike
- The form is bulky and not effective on a small desk setup
