Do you ever feel like your office could use a little something extra? While some may believe that work spaces should be borderline institutional to be functional, spending the better part of your day cooped up in a boring, stuffy environment can’t be good for your psyche.
Though you may not have control over how your whole office looks, you can add some flair to your own work area to make your days go by faster or even to make you more productive. Here are some office gadgets that can help:
Projection Keyboard
While a keyboard made of lasers isn’t exactly a necessity, you can’t deny its cool factor. Pair it with your tablet to make typing a futuristic breeze. Tablets like the iPad Air are revolutionizing technology. Keyboards like this one are perfect matches, adding no extra bulk to your briefcase.
It’s especially handy if you find yourself using your tablet for the bulk of your daily tasks (responding to emails, typing up documents, etc.) but struggling to type accurately on its smaller keyboard. Some laser keyboards even emit that familiar clacking sound to ease the transition.
Solar USB Charger
In the interest of going green, you can choose to charge anything that uses a USB connection with a solar USB charger. Set it up in a windowsill, and plug your device in if outlets are sparse or if you cringe while watching your coworker make a hundred trips a day to the copy machine. Solar USB chargers conserve electricity and save you from having to remember to grab your wall chargers before you leave the house.
Smartpen
Now it’s time for something truly useful. Smartpens are amazing little gadgets that you’ll love having around, especially during meetings. They can record audio, which is already helpful, but that’s not all. As you write, the pens digitize your notes so you can upload them to a computer later for fast, searchable access. You can pair up the pen with your tablet or smartphone as well as a PC.
Privacy Filters
Do you have nosy coworkers? If you’re concerned about people peeking over your shoulder at your work (or social media creeping), you can pick up some privacy filters that fit over your monitor. As you look directly at the display, it appears unchanged. However, the screen becomes tinted when viewed from an angle, making it impossible to spy on what you’re doing.
Posture Alert Reminder
If you spend the majority of your time sitting down at the office, you understand the importance of good posture. However, we’re all guilty of slouching from time to time. To improve your posture, consider checking out a posture alert reminder. These small USB devices plug into your computer and perch on your monitor so they can keep an eye on your position in relation to the display. If it senses that you’re slouching or leaning too far forward, it will let you know.
Self-Stirring Mug
Spoons and stirrers aren’t always on hand, and you can’t possibly be expected to stir hot coffee with your finger, can you? A self-stirring mug is a fun novelty to have around even if you have a thousand spoons at your disposal. The mug creates a tiny, delicious whirlpool at the push of a button, ensuring that your beverage is perfectly suited to your tastes.
Cable Clips
Cable clips for your many cords and wires will work wonders in preserving your sanity whether you’re hyper-organized already or constantly battling tangled messes of cables. The clips hold your cords firmly in place so you can keep your desk tidy and free of unsightly cable clutter.
Inflatable Seat Cushion
Office chairs come in all shapes and sizes, and some of them are less than comfortable. We’ve already discussed the importance of good posture, but the proper support is just as important to back health. Unfortunately, posture-correcting chairs tend to be expensive. An inflatable seat cushion makes it easy and affordable to maintain correct posture and stay comfy.
Improve Your Attitude and Productivity
Stress balls are great, but these office gadgets and accessories do much more to brighten your day. Work is work, but that doesn’t mean that you should subject yourself to a boring, potentially harmful environment. Personalize your workspace with items such as these to improve your attitude and productivity.
About the Author
Lucy Collins is a business and finance writer and editor. Her articles have been published on some of the most popular blogs and websites.
