Dwell Picks: 8 of Our Favorite Home Office Essentials That Do Work

After more than a year of the WFH life, it’s safe to say that we’ve spent a lot of time curating our setups to be productive, comfortable, and inspiring. From comfy desk chairs that won’t make your lower back ache, to a set of drawers perfect for decluttering all your papers—and even a cute kitchen timer to lean into your Pomodoro Technique—these are the home office products that team Dwell can’t stop recommending.

Brandon Dorn, Senior Product Designer:

All of my developer friends have mechanical keyboards, so I wanted to get in on the fun. There are plenty of interesting custom setups out there—the rabbit hole goes deep—but I wanted something understated, low profile, and not too expensive. Of all the Keychron models, I went for the K3 with brown switches and am way more into it than I should be.

Jenny Xie, Executive Editor:

I may be working out of a "cloffice" (that’s closet-office), but the Generation chair by Knoll emphasizes the latter half of the portmanteau. I have it in a banana-yellow color that punches things up, and it’s so comfortable that I sometimes roll myself around the apartment instead of getting up.

Sam Daly, Associate Editor:

Lately, all plant life breaks me out in a fit of sneezing that even my trusty WalZyr cannot help. This cover pretties up unused desk space by simply snapping on to your tissue box of choice.

These were out of stock at my local Ikea for months, and now that I have a few in my possession, I can see why. They’re fairly easy to assemble, have a ton of storage space, and hit that under $100 sweet spot. I think they’re pretty cute, if a storage cabinet can be called that.

Erin V. Mahoney, Senior Marketing Manager:

Something I miss about the office is how, whether through moving about the space or impromptu conversations with colleagues, I would take brain breaks throughout the day. Walking to a conference room; grabbing a coffee midmorning; relocating to a different area; stepping out for lunch with the team. These opportunities, though seemingly small, often sparked creativity and connection. I’ve had to be more purposeful in carving out those breaks throughout the day while working remotely. Enter the Pomodoro Technique, a method of time management where I break up my day with timed intervals of work and rest. I use this Alessi kitchen timer all day, everyday and it’s become an indispensable addition to my desk. Plus, it’s absolutely adorable.

Duncan Nielsen, Assistant Editor:

In a ritual that borders on superstition, I keep a Vitruvi diffuser quietly churning through the morning and at the end of my day. Its comforting gurgle keeps you company—this WFH thing can be isolating—and it spews pillowy whispers of your favorite essential oils. I usually kick things off with something bright like a citrus blend, and for a soft landing, lavender or eucalyptus. Remember: Patchouli is a crime.

Maris Berkowitz, Sales Production Manager:

We had these Sayl chairs at our office prior to moving to a remote work model, and I fell in love with how comfortable and aesthetically pleasing they are. The cushion and body are both able to be customized by color to blend in with your home’s aesthetic. While the price tag is on the higher end, it has been without a doubt the most used chair in my house this past year. The quality is excellent, so I plan to have this for years to come—even when we return to office.

Ian Zunt, Digital Marketing Associate:

I recently got a few more of these Rollbahn notebooks that I really love—they’re heavy duty and easy to take wherever I’m working, whether that’s the dining room, the roof of my building, a cafe, or elsewhere.

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