24 IKEA Essentials To Make Working From Home Simple And More Organized

While working from home has been an attractive setup for a long time, it wasn't until 2020 that many people began to get the opportunity to test it out. Now, nearly six years later, studies show that working from home isn't just highly desirable; it can also directly impact how happy we are. While working from home means that you can sleep in a little more, have a more lax dress code, and, in some cases, set your own hours, not going into an office means that you have to recreate your own working environment in the same place you live. Though some individuals may already have a decent home office, others might still be trying to crack the code for creating a home office that is simple and organized.

If you fall into the latter category, IKEA could be your one-stop-shop for almost everything you need, from large desks with plenty of storage to office decor that makes you excited to sit down to work. IKEA's inventory includes some attractive essentials that could improve your work-from-home setup. We gathered 24 stylish essentials that'll keep it streamlined for productivity.

Unless you've adopted a standing desk, a good office chair is non-negotiable for your home office. The simple lines of the MARKUS office chair  ($299.99) aren't too jarring and should provide you with the comfort you need to be productive during your workday. Customers have given it a 4.5-star average rating, praising it for its comfort and quality in terms of back support. If you're not sold on spending hundreds of dollars on a chair, you might be interested to learn how the right desk chair can add good feng shui to your home office.

If you don't have a large budget for your office chair but still want something comfortable and stylish, the LOBERGET / MALSKÄR swivel chair ($59.99) could be a better option. It's one of IKEA's "Best Seller" products, having received 4.6 stars across hundreds of reviews. While many reviews mention that the wheels don't work, this chair has a clever built-in feature that only activates the wheels when the chair is in use — saving you the trouble of a chair that rolls around your office.

If you've been used to working at the kitchen table, a new desk can make all the difference in a simple and organized home office. Instead of having to find a place to store your planners, chargers, and other office accessories, a home office desk provides you with sufficient storage and an appropriate-height work surface. IKEA's ALEX desk ($249.99) comes in a variety of colors and presents a minimalist visual; it has two elongated drawers that won't get in your way but are there when you need them. Customers have given it an average rating of 4.4 stars.

Few things will help your office feel more organized than a dedicated storage unit, such as the ALEX drawer unit ($95). It's available in several colors and can be paired with a desk or left on its own in another corner or spot in your office if you prefer. Fill it with papers, files, office supplies, and whatever else is cluttering your desk. For an extra clear mind and improved boundaries, research suggests you should be clearing your desk — or at least tidying it — periodically. Customers give the ALEX 4.5 stars from nearly 3,000 reviews.

While this product is marketed to children more than adults, it can provide some good storage in your office if you like things stored in the open. The ÖVNING utility cart ($79.99) is equipped with casters, so you can roll it from place to place, and it comes with some cleverly placed metal storage spaces, as well as a hook, which could be used to hang headphones, charging cables, or other small items you need on hand. Customers have given this cart a 4.5-star average rating, with adults noting that its size provides compact storage.

Sometimes your current desk doesn't have quite enough storage, but instead of purchasing an entirely new desk, why not just track down something that adds more space to your current setup? The ELLOVEN monitor stand with drawer ($29.99) is a best-selling option from IKEA, which comes in white and anthracite (black). It presents a streamlined visual, allowing you to tuck your everyday essentials out of sight or store extra accessories that you need on occasion. Customers appreciate its aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Whether you have a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer, it's undeniable that cables and cords can get out of hand in a home office. Instead of simply putting up with a mess of electrical cables, you can pick up a FÖRSÄSONG cable management tray ($9.99) to attach to the side of your work surface. It comes in bright green and white and can be attached to any piece of furniture with appropriate clearance on the side. Customers have given this product a 4.6-star average rating, praising its usefulness and easy installation.

It's entirely understandable if your desk is a mess; in the same breath, however, you definitely don't have to leave it like that. A small, affordable desktop organizer for items like notepads, pens, sticky notes, and other odds and ends could quickly revolutionize your space. The RISATORP desk organizer ($19.99) is simple in its design but can help corral your disheveled mess of a desk. Customers say that it's functional and sturdy, keeping things within easy reach.

Simple though it may be, sometimes you just need a basic pencil cup to help keep your desk inventory under control. The DRÖNJÖNS pencil cup ($2.99) is just such a product. Made from metal mesh, it will securely hold your various writing tools until you need them. Customers who have purchased the DRÖNJÖNS have given it a nearly perfect average rating of 4.8 stars.

In the same vein of keeping your desk free from clutter, this product can help you achieve the same goal. The BERGENES holder for mobile phone or tablet ($4.99) is simple in its design but can help you work more efficiently (it's also useful when you have phone calls or video chats, as it can hold your device perfectly still and stable). Customers appreciate how it allows you to position your device at a variety of angles (just make sure that it's compatible with your device's width).

There are times when keeping your desk organized isn't quite enough. If you've already utilized most of the space on your work surface, you can go vertical by installing a pegboard like the SKÅDIS pegboard ($29.99). This pegboard comes in three colors and offers ample space for whatever items you need to hang from it: calendars, pencil cups, and other accessories. A variety of hanging accessories can be paired with the pegboard, too, making it as useful if you value customizability. Customers have given it an average 4.6-star rating.

If you've committed to the pegboard system, you can easily pair yours with the compatible SKÅDIS storage baskets ($11). The set comes with three baskets: very small (ideal for a small container of paperclips, rolls of tape, or other small items), medium (useful as a hanging pencil cup), and large (suitable for notebooks or other medium-to-large items). Customers have given this set a 4.6-star rating, saying they are useful and sturdy.

For some extra desktop organization, the RISATORP basket with compartments ($19.99) provides a streamlined and compact package. It has a visually pleasing wooden handle that doesn't jut out past the confines of the basket itself, which means that it can easily fit inside a drawer. You can fill this basket with charging cables or desktop essentials like staplers, rolls of tape, paper clips, and more. Customers have high praise for this product, giving it a 4.7-star average in the ratings.

If you're finding yourself overwhelmed with papers or other small items cluttering your desk, the FJÄDERHARV mini chest with 2 drawers ($17.99) could help you bring some order to the mess. Since it's a newer product, fewer customers have provided feedback, but those who have say that it is sturdy and useful, despite being made from paperboard. The chest is available in anthracite and white, depending on your needs and preferences.

Whatever your work-from-home life looks like, the DRÖNA box set of 3 ($7.99) can help you organize for a simple and efficient space. Use them to organize office supplies, blank notecards, tech gear, or anything else that fits in them. An additional benefit is that the set has three differently colored boxes, which can help you differentiate between the containers. A 4.8-star average from customers goes to show how useful these boxes truly can be.

The NÄVLINGE LED work lamp ($24.99) brings some illumination for your workspace at a reasonable price. The lamp's pliable arm and head can be moved however you want, delivering a stream of light wherever you need it. Customers who have purchased this lamp say that it is great for use on a desk since it takes up a small amount of space while offering a good amount of light. It comes in black, white, and a fun yellow-white color scheme.

While you're getting your office under control, the last thing you want to do is inadvertently forget your trash production. Whether you like it or not, working at home will require that you have a dedicated wastebasket — whether that's for throwing away papers, napkins, or snack wrappers. Keeping trash where it belongs can ensure that your office is organized. The DRÖNJÖNS wastepaper basket ($9.99) is a good size for a home office, and customers who have rated the bin have given it 4.7 stars on average.

The right desk organizer can go a long way towards keeping your home office operating smoothly. The DRÖNJÖNS desk organizer ($17.99) has three open compartments, as well as a small wire drawer, each of which can help you file away office supplies, papers, and the like. Numerous customers believe this organizer to be truly perfect for their desks, giving it a 4.7-star average.

If you work from a laptop some or all of the time, having a good stand for the computer can be a useful resource. The DRÖNJÖNS laptop support ($7.99) is designed from mesh metal and should help keep your laptop cool and running smoothly on long days, while also providing an optimal angle for engaging with the screen. Customers who have purchased this stand give it a 4.4-star average rating.

A good letter tray can go a long way towards improving daily operations in your home office. Use the various slots on the HARVMATTA letter tray ($27.99) to organize fresh paper for your printer, paperwork that has to be filled out, bills, or other important documents that might otherwise be displaced. Customers who have purchased this letter tray say that it is sturdy and useful, giving it a 4.5-star average rating. 

Sometimes your home office needs a little extra storage, but maybe you don't want to commit to a new piece of storage furniture. In situations like these, a utility cart is a fantastic solution, as it can be rolled away into a closet when you no longer need it. The RÅSKOG utility cart ($29.99) is a customer favorite (with a 4.6-star average) and is available in three colors: white, gray-green, and beige-yellow. Reviews mention that the cart is sturdy and useful for organizing a variety of items. 

One of the ways to keep an office running smoothly is with effective storage solutions. This means more than just drawers and shelves; it might include hooks and containers to place odds and ends in, too. The SUNNERSTA rail with 4 hooks and 2 containers ($4.99) is a workhorse for items like scissors, small bags with a hanging loop, writing utensils, and other small office tools. Customers love this product, having given it a 4.8-star average for its organizational usefulness.

Sometimes your home office requires a special place to store important papers and documents. A locking cabinet is a great solution to this need. The TROTTEN cabinet with sliding doors ($219) is spacious enough to hold whatever items you need. It can also double as a printing station, thanks to its roomy top space. It's available in white and black, and customers are generally positive about the piece, saying that it looks nice and works well.

Customers love this simple desk organizer caddy system, giving it a 4.9-star average. The STACKSTOD desk organizer is only $4.99 but offers the user sturdy performance and plenty of spots to store their belongings in. Whether you keep it on the top of your desk (a fine option if you like its light green shade) or opt for storing it inside a cabinet, it's ready to go whenever you need to retrieve it. It's a clever desk hack that will give you a focused workspace at home.