Once you have the big pieces — monitor, chair, desk — the accessories are what transform a functional workspace into a great one. The right monitor arm frees up six inches of desk space. A good USB hub eliminates the cable juggling act every time you plug something in. A desk mat pulls the whole setup together. None of these are expensive, and all of them make a real difference.
Every item on this list is under $100, and most are under $50. If you have leftover home office stipend to spend, this is exactly what it's designed for.
Monitor Arm — Biggest Upgrade for the Money
Recommended: Ergotron LX Arm ($50–$75)
A monitor arm replaces your monitor's built-in stand, freeing up the footprint that stand occupied and letting you position your screen at exactly the right height, angle, and distance. The Ergotron LX is the standard recommendation — smooth, well-built, holds its position, and handles monitors up to 34" and 25 lbs. At under $75, it's one of the best value purchases in this entire guide.
If you're adding a second monitor, the Ergotron LX Dual ($120) handles two screens from a single desk clamp.
USB Hub — Eliminate Dongle Frustration
Recommended: Anker 10-in-1 USB-C Hub ($45–$60)
Modern laptops have two or three ports. A 10-in-1 USB hub gives you HDMI, USB-A, SD card slots, Ethernet, and USB-C passthrough charging from a single connection. Anker makes the most reliable hubs at this price point — their build quality and driver compatibility are significantly better than generic alternatives. Keep one plugged in at your desk and you can connect your laptop to everything with a single cable.
For a cleaner setup, consider a USB-C docking station ($80–$150) that sits on your desk rather than dangling from your laptop port.
Desk Mat — Underrated Upgrade
Recommended: Large Leather Desk Mat ($25–$45)
A desk mat covers most of your desk surface, protects it from scratches, gives your mouse a consistent glide surface, and makes the whole setup look intentional. Extended mouse pads and leather desk mats accomplish the same thing — the choice is aesthetic. Large sizes (35"×17" or bigger) are worth it; they look better and you'll use the whole surface.
Laptop Stand — Essential if Your Laptop Is Your Main Computer
Recommended: Nexstand K2 ($30–$40)
If you work from your laptop and add an external keyboard and mouse, a laptop stand raises the screen to eye level and turns your laptop into a proper desktop setup. The Nexstand K2 is lightweight, folds flat, and is genuinely one of the best $35 purchases for laptop users. Pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and your posture will thank you immediately.
Cable Management — Clean Desk, Clear Mind
Recommended: Under-Desk Cable Tray ($20–$35)
Cable chaos is the most common complaint about home office setups, and it's entirely fixable for under $30. An under-desk cable management tray holds your power strip and routes cables out of sight. Combined with velcro cable ties ($8 for a pack of 20) to bundle cables together, you can go from cable disaster to clean desk in an afternoon.
Webcam — If Your Laptop Camera Isn't Cutting It
Recommended: Logitech C920 ($70–$90)
Modern laptop cameras have improved significantly, but a dedicated 1080p webcam still produces noticeably better image quality — particularly in lower light. The Logitech C920 has been the standard recommendation for years because it simply works: autofocus, good low-light performance, and reliable plug-and-play. If your video calls feel grainy, this is the fix.
Headphone Stand — Small But Worth It
Recommended: Desk Headphone Stand ($15–$25)
If you have over-ear headphones that live on your desk, a stand keeps them accessible without taking up a pile of space or getting knocked around. Not essential, but at $15–$20 it's the kind of small upgrade that makes your desk feel organized.
Wireless Charging Pad — Fewer Cables to Deal With
Recommended: Anker Wireless Charging Pad ($15–$25)
Set your phone face-up on a wireless pad at the corner of your desk and it charges throughout the day without plugging anything in. Small convenience, but it removes friction from an action you do a dozen times daily.
How to Prioritize Your Remaining Stipend Budget
If you have a limited remaining budget after the big purchases, here's the order we'd recommend:
- Monitor arm ($50–$75) — biggest ergonomic and desk-space improvement per dollar
- USB-C hub ($45–$60) — eliminates daily frustration
- Webcam ($70–$90) — noticeably improves how you appear on calls
- Desk mat ($25–$45) — ties the setup together visually
- Cable management ($20–$35) — turns a chaotic desk into a clean one
Frequently Asked Questions
Are desk accessories covered by remote work stipends?
Yes — peripheral equipment and office accessories are standard eligible expenses under most remote work and home office stipend policies. Individual items under $100 rarely need approval; larger items may require prior authorization depending on your company's policy.
Will a monitor arm work with my monitor?
Check that your monitor has a VESA mount pattern (most do — it's four holes in a square pattern on the back). Look for "VESA 75x75" or "VESA 100x100" in your monitor's specs. Avoid ultra-thin monitors that explicitly state "no VESA mount." The Ergotron LX handles most monitor sizes up to 34".
See our complete home office guides for the bigger purchases: best standing desks, best monitors, and best ergonomic chairs.