Top 10 Must-Have Items for a Functional Home Office

Create a functional home office with these 10 must-have items! Discover how to design a productive workspace and get 7 affiliate product recommendations to enhance both your home and travel life.

Working from home has become more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle. And for many North Americans, creating a home office that’s both functional and inspiring has become a priority. But what exactly makes a workspace work for you?

It’s not just about a fancy chair or having a big desk. It’s about the small details: lighting that doesn’t strain your eyes, organization that clears mental clutter, and tools that keep you focused whether you’re jumping on Zoom or planning your next solo getaway.

This guide walks through the top 10 must-have items for a functional home office—with real-life examples and 7 affiliate product recommendations that also double up as great travel companions for digital nomads and remote-working parents.

Let’s turn your space into a powerhouse of productivity.

1. Ergonomic Chair That Has Your Back (Literally)

Story moment: After a week of backaches while editing travel vlogs from her couch, Laura finally invested in an ergonomic office chair. It felt like a hug for her spine—and her productivity soared.

When you sit for hours, posture matters. A supportive chair can be the difference between crushing deadlines and nursing neck pain. Look for adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and breathable fabric.

Affiliate Recommendation:
🪑 Hbada Ergonomic Office Chair (Amazon) – Adjustable, supportive, and stylish enough to blend with any home decor.

2. Desk with Storage and Space to Breathe

Your desk is mission control. It should be spacious enough to handle your laptop, notes, and maybe even a plant without feeling like a cluttered battlefield.

Story moment: When working from her tiny New York apartment, Nora added a wall-mounted folding desk. It opened up during work hours, then vanished—giving her back her living room.

Look for desks with built-in shelves or drawers. A minimalist design can help you focus and stay organized.

Affiliate Recommendation:
🖥️ SHW Home Office 48-Inch Computer Desk (Amazon) – Sleek, sturdy, and includes enough space for dual monitors.

3. Good Lighting for Zoom Calls and Focus

Natural light is the gold standard, but when that’s not enough, your office lighting should prevent eye strain and make you look human on video calls.

Story moment: Max used to look like a ghost on Zoom until he bought a ring light. Now, even his boss complimented his “glow-up.”

Soft LED desk lamps or daylight-simulating lights are a great investment.

Affiliate Recommendation:
💡 BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp (Amazon) – Flexible, dimmable, and ideal for long reading or work sessions.

4. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Whether you’re working alongside a toddler’s Peppa Pig marathon or noisy neighbors, headphones are your sanctuary.

Story moment: Traveling solo in Spain, Chloe booked a last-minute hostel room beside a nightclub. Her noise-canceling headphones made it possible to take meetings from anywhere—even with reggaeton in the background.

Look for models that are lightweight for long wear and ideal for both work and travel.

Affiliate Recommendation:
🎧 Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Headphones (Amazon) – Crystal clear sound and unbeatable noise reduction.

5. Cable Management and Organization Tools

Few things are more distracting than a nest of cables under your desk. Wrangle the chaos and reclaim mental clarity.

Story moment: When James tripped over his laptop cord again, he installed a cable management sleeve and hasn’t had a close call since.

Cable clips, cord covers, and under-desk trays are small changes that make a big difference.

Affiliate Recommendation:
🧰 JOTO Cable Management Sleeve (Amazon) – Flexible neoprene sleeve to tidy up your tech tangle.

6. Travel-Ready Laptop Stand for Flexibility

Whether you work from home or take your job on the road, posture matters. A portable laptop stand helps keep your screen at eye level and your back straight.

Story moment: Savannah, a mom of two and part-time travel blogger, used her foldable laptop stand everywhere—from coffee shops in Montreal to hotel rooms in Orlando.

Look for lightweight and adjustable designs that work both at home and on-the-go.

Affiliate Recommendation:
💻 Nulaxy Laptop Stand (Amazon) – Foldable, portable, and great for digital nomads and parents who multitask.

7. Storage Bins and Desk Organizers

A cluttered desk can make your mind feel equally chaotic. The solution? Easy-access storage that doesn’t cramp your style.

Story moment: After losing one too many chargers and pens, Ryan labeled his desktop bins and hasn’t had a panic search since.

Choose stackable options or vertical organizers to save space.

Affiliate Recommendation:
📦 SimpleHouseware Mesh Desk Organizer (Amazon) – Compact and ideal for papers, pens, and travel receipts.

8. Whiteboard or Task Planner for Visual Thinking

Out of sight, out of mind. Visual task management helps you keep goals in view and to-dos top of mind.

Story moment: Nina found herself drowning in sticky notes—until she installed a whiteboard above her desk. Her days suddenly had structure.

Whiteboards or magnetic task boards make it easy to plan your week or track project timelines.

9. Plants for a Breath of Fresh Air

Nature boosts productivity and lowers stress—even in the smallest doses. Houseplants bring life into your workspace and purify the air.

Story moment: Inspired by a trip to Costa Rica, Ava filled her home office with greenery. Her snake plant now has its own Instagram account.

Low-maintenance plants like pothos, peace lilies, or succulents are great for beginners.

10. Portable Tech Kit for Work & Travel

A compact pouch filled with travel adapters, chargers, and power banks is essential for anyone who splits time between their home office and the road.

Story moment: When Liam missed an important client call because his devices were dead in an airport lounge, he vowed never to leave home without his travel tech kit.

This kit keeps everything in one place and ready for action.

Final Thoughts: Create Your Productive Sanctuary

A home office isn’t just a desk in a spare room. It’s where ideas are born, projects are completed, and, sometimes, dreams take shape. Whether you’re a parent balancing work and home life, a solo traveler working from hostels, or just someone trying to get stuff done in a noisy house, a functional setup makes all the difference.

And remember—these aren’t just investments in productivity. They’re tools that travel with you, supporting both your work and your wanderlust.

Click here to view these home office must-haves on Amazon and start building a space that works for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe add value to your home, travels, and daily life.