We’ve previously hunted out cheap but expensive-looking accents for your bedroom and your nursery, and now it’s time to look at the office. We’ve scoured Amazon to find the best cheap (but expensive-looking) accents whether you work from home, have your own start-up or just have a desk you want to personalise. Below, everything from an arty concrete planter to a charming memo pad.
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Stop storing your pens in a Sports Direct mug and opt for something stylish.
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Speaking of mugs: a cosmic take on enamelware that’s strong enough to withstand clumsy co-workers.
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Space pens can write upside down and on vertical surfaces (plus they just look cool).
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Or how about a classic Parker pen for a heavy dose of corner-office energy.
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If your pens have a habit of being pinched by colleagues, stick to a multipack (that are still more upscale than a Bic).
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Do offices still print stuff out? Either way, this hefty-looking stapler has a sort of designer appeal to it.
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Our favourite XL charger in a jolly, fire-engine red.
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A brutalist-inspired way to keep your desk tidy, featuring hard-to-kill plants.
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Or how about this neater one, if you’re short on space?
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An office plant will cheer things up. This spiky aloe is low-maintenance enough to handle sporadic watering.
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If you have a shared office, or a bit more space, how about some bigger (more unusual) plants?
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This mister looks like something you’d find in a flea market and will keep your plants happy.
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Or for something a bit camp, how about this 1930s Kit-Cat clock, whose eyes and tail move every second.
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Contributor Sirin Kale told us about this espresso-maker which she uses daily. She said, “The whole process takes around four minutes: approximately the same amount of time as an Aeropress but more hands-on than a cafetière.” [Editor’s note: There is low availability in the black model but plenty of red in stock.]
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If you don’t have De’Longhi money, this was the best-rated (less expensive) option in our look at the best coffee machines on Amazon, according to hyperenthusiastic reviewers.
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Nobody likes pulling a late one, but you can at least pick a playful light to cheer you up.
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This lemon-bright notebook will wake you up more than a cup of coffee during those 8 a.m. conference calls.
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This stand folds flat, so you can stash it away if you’re not using it.
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The bottle synonymous with keeping the Guardian staff hydrated is an essential thing to have by your side.
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Blast some Charli XCX during your 4 p.m. slump with one of our expert recommended speakers.
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This stand comes with eight pegs which look substantial enough to hold big coats and umbrellas.
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A charming to-scale model of the eight planets (RIP Pluto).
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Washi tape is so handy to have around, and this pack comes in an assortment of delightful hues.
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If you’re your own boss, then you might need to actually get a desk. This one looks like it’s made from reclaimed wood.
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This fold-out aluminium frame is a much cheaper way to get the benefits of a standing desk — and it’s easier to store, too.
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Trinkets, oddments, and knickknacks would look nice on these industrial-style shelves.
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You’ll want some artsy books for that open shelving. We like this Taschen publication which examines the intersection of corporate identities and modern identity.
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Or this book (with a foreword by Pharrell Williams) which celebrates the minimalist Adidas trainer that shows up in most shared offices.
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This book chronicling the impact of the Bauhaus on fine art and design looks appropriately striking too.
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These foldable crates look like the (pricier) ones from Hay — and would look great left out or tucked under your desk.
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A nicer alternative to keeping them in your drawer.
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If you have back-to-back Zoom calls, this hidden device will help you sneak some exercise in.
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Even run-of-the-mill office stuff can look nice. Case in point: this coral-coloured extension lead which also has USB slots.
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This massager used by chiropractors was the best rated we found on Amazon. One reviewer likened it to a “magic wand” after it alleviated 20 years of their back pain.
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This retro handset comes in a range of colours (and feels quite kitschy) — Strategist U.S. staffer Anthony Rotunno is a fan.
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These clips don’t scratch the paper, so they’d even make good bookmarks.
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A pair of scissors that looks like something from Hackney Flea Market.
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This set of a folio (which can fit a MacBook, a Surface Pro, and several other laptops) and pouch comes in a variety of colours, but we like the sea-foam shade.
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Swiss manufacturer Caran d’Ache makes the kind of design-y pens you’d expect to see in an East London architect’s office. We particularly like this colourful set made in collaboration with Paul Smith.
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These pastel-coloured highlighters feel more refined than the neon ones from school.
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Skip the pass-agg Slack messages and take your anger out on this pleasing sand garden with a rake.
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And finally, something comfortable to sit in. We spotted this on Amazon, where 78 percent of its reviews are five stars.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.