If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that working from home is way harder than it looks. 

Sure, I love having the flexibility to wake up late, work in my jammies, and take breaks to cuddle with my dog but surrounding yourself with items that will help you increase productivity and make the most of your work time is super important. 

You all know I’m a big fan of Amazon home goods, so I decided to share my favorite home office items. Whether you’re working in a home office or you’re studying in a dorm for the first time, here are 8 office essentials that have jump-started my productivity and totally changed my work from home routine. 

Takeya Actives Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle 

Hydrate or die-drate. For some reason, I always forget to drink water when I’m working at home. This stainless steel, BPA-free water bottle from Takeya will help you stay hydrated no matter where you work. This bottle is awesome because it is so customizable. You can choose from 2 different styles (spout vs. straw), 5 sizes, and 27 unique colors. This bottle is really well-insulated so it will keep your beverages hot or cold for up to 12 hours, and the mouth is wide enough that you can add ice cubes!

Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt

I bought this planner recently and I absolutely love it. I used to rely on online calendars to plan my days, but over time it got harder to keep track of all of my responsibilities. This planner lets me record my appointments and plan my days to the hour, which helps ease my anxiety and accomplish more in the day. It also has sections for you to track your long-term goals in 90-day periods and chart your progress! This planner is great if you’re balancing priorities like work, school, and family, or if you’re focusing on getting a big project off the ground. 

Big Pilot G-2 .07 Pens 

Not gonna lie, this might be my favorite pen ever. Bic’s Pilot G-2 .07 Pen is a super stylish gel pen that will make your handwriting look amazing. I normally scratched notes down with whatever pen I could find. Now I make sure these pens are stashed in my apartment, car, and bag. Whether you’re taking notes for a big meeting or penning a journal entry, your handwriting will look flawless. 

Post-It Super Sticky Notes

I’ve been making an effort to be more organized, but the truth is I’m a total Type B, go-with-the-flow kind of person. Writing my thoughts down on Post-It notes helps me keep track of my random thoughts and ideas throughout the day. I stick reminders in my planner, meal prep ideas on my fridge, and even self-love notes on my bathroom mirror. I like the Post-It brand because they are super sticky and won’t fall off if you need to re-stick them somewhere else. This pack has multiple sizes to choose from, and the vibrant colors will always grab your attention. 

Wood Grain Power Strip with Surge Protector

I don’t know about you, but I never seem to have enough outlets in my apartment. I spend a lot of time working from my couch so I need easy access for multiple device chargers. This power strip is a total lifesaver. First, it has six outlets that accommodate three-prong chargers so you won’t have to hunt for a two-prong adapter. Second, it has four USB chargers which are perfect for me because I always seem to lose my phone charger plugs. It also has surge protection which protects your devices from overheating and overcharging. Combine all of that with a 10-foot (!!!) cord and five cute faux-wood designs so you can basically put this power strip anywhere and still guarantee that it will look great in your apartment. 

Honeywell Fire Resistant Safe Box

Real talk – having a safe place to store your valuables is really important, especially if you live in a shared space like a dorm or apartment building. I recommend this Fire Resistant Safe Box from Honeywell because it’s the perfect size for storing important documents, spare keys, loose cash, and prescription medications. It’s made with double steel walls and fire-resistant insulation. This safe is small enough to fit under a bed or in a closet if space is limited. Investing in a safe isn’t the most glamorous way to spend your money, but it’s an important investment in your security. 

LED Ring Light with Tripod Stand

I am a firm believer in the power of Ring Lights. They’re popular among bloggers and YouTubers, but I think anyone can benefit from having one. If you’ve been spending a ton of time Facetiming your friends and taking work calls on Zoom, this light is perfect for you. You can attach your phone in the tripod stand, so no more awkwardly holding your phone or adjusting your computer screen during a call. The adjustable light has three settings to illuminate your face even in dark rooms. This light is a total steal at about $25, so snag one if you can!

LapGear Designer Lap Desk

Obviously laptops are convenient because you can work from anywhere. But sitting your laptop on a pillow, blanket, or even your lap can actually damage the hardware. Who knew?! I like this lap desk because it has a comfy cushion underneath, with a hard surface on top that fits most laptops. The smooth surface lets your laptop vent properly and reduces overheating. As a bonus, this has an elastic band to hold papers and pens, and a small horizontal slot so your phone doesn’t slide off. This is a great item for anyone who spends a lot of time working on portable devices!

I’ve spent a lot of time working from home this year, and I can tell you firsthand that investing in quality home office products can boost your productivity and ease overwhelm. I work better knowing that I’m prepared to handle whatever the day throws at me. 

If you have a favorite home office item that you can’t live without, let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for recommendations.