Headed Back to the Office? Here’s How to Make Your Cubicle Feel More Like Home

Back to Work

Many employers are in the process of instituting back-to-work plans that require either full-time or part-time in-office attendance. Heading back to the office may be a rude awakening for some of us who have gotten used to working from home since March 2020. Whether you’re eager to get back to the office or are mourning the end of your time working from home, these 10 products will make the return to the office more comfortable and enjoyable.

Cloud Slides

If you’ve gone more than a year without having to wear heels or dress shoes, the transition to office-appropriate footwear may be an uncomfortable one. Ease into wearing formal shoes by getting a pair of comfortable slides to slip on under your desk while you’re working. These EQUICK slippers (available on Amazon) are designed to make you feel like you’re walking on a cloud and come in a range of colors and sizes for both men and women.

An Upgraded Desk Chair

An ergonomic desk chair is essential for reducing back pain and ensuring good posture, but you may have gotten used to occasionally curling up on the couch while working from home. Luckily, there are a few great options on the market for comfortable desk chairs that feel more luxurious than utilitarian. Consider upgrading to something like the Monson Task Chair (available from All Modern), which blends comfort and practicality.

Houseplants

At home, we’re surrounded by living things, be it our pets, family members, or houseplants. Liven up your office by purchasing an easy-care plant or two to place on your desk. Even if your office lacks natural light, some options, like this snake plant (available on Amazon), can even survive under artificial lights.

An Insulated Water Bottle

It’s easy to stay hydrated at home when your desk is just feet away from the kitchen sink, but at the office, a task as simple as getting a glass of water can come with major distractions. An insulated water bottle is a must for keeping water cold at your desk. The Hydro Flask (available on Amazon) is totally leak-proof, so you can throw it in your bag or briefcase without worrying about damaging your other items. It comes in four sizes (20-ounce, 32-ounce, 40-ounce, and 64-ounce) and is available in a variety of bright and neutral colors.

Comfortable Dress Pants

Without a doubt, one of the biggest perks of working from home is being able to wear more comfortable clothes. Now that many of us are headed back to the office, the idea of wearing traditional dress pants is pretty unappealing. Thankfully, there are many options on the market for work-appropriate pants that feel as comfortable as leggings. Lululemon’s Commission Pants (available at Lululemon) and Everlane’s Easy Pant (available at Everlane) are both great picks.

An Adult Bento Box

One of the big perks of working from home is saving money on takeout lunch because it’s easy to whip up a salad or sandwich in our own kitchens. When packing a lunch to eat at work, however, you might need a chic adult lunchbox. This option from Bentgo (available on Amazon) features two stackable containers with multiple compartments, so you have room to store your lunch as well as morning and afternoon snacks.

A Throw Blanket

Many air-conditioned offices tend to get chilly from time to time, so in order to stay comfortable, consider purchasing a cozy throw blanket to keep draped over your office chair. This one (available on Amazon) comes in three sizes and a wide range of colors to best suit your taste.

Ember Mug

When working from home, it’s easy to run to the kitchen to reheat your cup of coffee as needed. At the office, however, it’s often an inconvenience to head to the communal kitchen. The Ember Mug (available on Amazon) keeps your coffee or tea warm for up to 80 minutes and comes with a charging pad that you can keep on your desk to keep your warm beverages at the perfect temperature for even longer.

Framed Photos

Spending more time with family was one upside to working from home, so it might feel like a stark change to be away from your partner, pets, or kids for 8 or more hours a day. Keep them close in your heart by displaying framed photos of your loved ones. These delicate gold picture frames (available on Amazon) come in three sizes and will look great on your desk.

Upgraded Lighting

Overhead fluorescent lighting is common in many office spaces, but it isn’t exactly the most comfortable or flattering. In fact, fluorescent lighting can even cause headaches and migraines. If you have a private office, consider upgrading to either floor or desk lamps with warm LED bulbs that create a more pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. JOLY JOY’s swing arm LED desk lamp is dimmable, has a timer, and can be set to one of six color modes (available on Amazon).