Upgrading your home office starts with a laptop riser, monitor stand, or keyboard tray—the three accessories that fix posture fastest.
For the full breakdown, see our best Working From Home Accessories guide.
Setting up a home office means deciding which desk accessories earn their space. The truth about working from home desk accessories is that a few targeted buys beat a dozen impulse purchases. A monitor stand and a keyboard tray fix your posture; a cable tray and a footrest fix your comfort. Here’s what to buy, what to skip, and what each piece actually does—plus where current prices land.
What Are The Most Useful Desk Accessories?
The most useful work-from-home desk accessories raise your screen to eye level, support your arms, and keep your body comfortable through an eight-hour day. Monitor risers and arms lift your display to a comfortable viewing height, while laptop risers do the same for portable machines. Keyboard trays create a lower typing surface so your wrists stay straight, and footrests or anti-fatigue mats support your legs whether you’re sitting or standing.
The accessories that don’t get enough credit are the small ones: document holders keep reference papers at eye level instead of flat on the desk, task lamps cut screen glare, and cable-management trays eliminate the tangle under your desk. A wireless charger also keeps your phone within reach without a cord fight.
These pieces work together. Raise your monitor, lower your keyboard, and support your feet—that combination alone fixes the most common home-office aches.
What Should You Actually Buy First?
Start with a monitor stand or arm if you use an external display, then add a keyboard tray if your desk is too high for comfortable typing. Those two purchases deliver the biggest ergonomic return. A footrest is the next best value for shorter users whose feet don’t reach the floor, with current options like the Kensington SmartFit™ SoleMate™ Comfort Footrest priced around $57.99.
Here’s what the current market looks like for the essentials:
| Accessory | Example Models | Current Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor stand / arm | Kensington SmartFit™ Stand Plus (up to 24″), SmartFit™ Ergo Single Arm | $39.99–$114.99 |
| Laptop riser | Kensington Collapsible Aluminum Laptop Riser | ~$34.29 |
| Keyboard tray | StarTech.com adjustable under-desk tray | ~$102.99 |
| Footrest | Kensington SmartFit™ SoleMate™ | ~$57.99 |
| Document holder | Kensington FlexClip™ Copyholder | ~$12.59 |
| Device-specific stand | Kensington Elevated Stand for Surface | ~$53.99 |
Kensington’s ergonomic desk accessories page lists these current models and prices, and Office Depot’s desk-components category carries the StarTech keyboard tray. If you’re ready to compare full setups, our tested roundup of the best working-from-home accessories covers complete desk builds in one place.
Which Accessories Are Easy To Get Wrong?
Two categories cause the most buyer’s remorse: device-specific stands and under-desk hardware. The Kensington Elevated Stand for Surface is built for Microsoft Surface hardware only—it will not fit generic laptops. Likewise, an under-desk keyboard tray like the StarTech model requires enough desk clearance and compatible mounting space; a thin or glass desk may not support it.
Monitor arms and stands have their own limits. The Kensington SmartFit™ Monitor Stand Plus is rated for screens up to 24 inches, so a larger display needs the extended arm or a heavier-duty model. Check your monitor’s weight and VESA compatibility before ordering an arm.
FAQs
Do I need both a monitor riser and a keyboard tray?
Not necessarily. A monitor riser alone helps if your desk is already at a good typing height. You need a keyboard tray only when the desk surface sits too high, forcing your wrists to bend upward while typing. Fix the screen first, then assess your wrist angle.
Are anti-fatigue mats worth it for a standing desk?
Yes, for most people standing more than an hour at a time. Anti-fatigue mats cushion your joints and encourage subtle leg movement that keeps blood flowing. They matter most on hard flooring; carpeted rooms get less benefit.
What is a TAA-compliant footrest?
TAA stands for the Trade Agreements Act, and a TAA-labeled product meets US government procurement standards. For home users, a TAA-compliant footrest works exactly like a consumer model—the label only matters for institutional or government buyers.
References & Sources
- Kensington. “Ergonomic Desk Accessories.” Lists current models, prices, and screen-size limits for monitor stands and arms.
- Office Depot. “Ergonomic Desk Components.” Carries the adjustable under-desk keyboard tray from StarTech.com.
- Online Ergonomics. “Desk Accessories.” Provides broader context on desk accessory categories and use patterns.