5 Home Office Upgrades on a Budget

Having a home office has become incredibly important in light of the recent pandemic and stay-at-home switch. With remote work becoming more common, and being likely to stick around even after things are back to normal, having a nice home office is even more important.

While upgrading your home office can require some forethought and planning, do you want to know what the best thing is? You don’t need a lot of money! There are plenty of home office upgrades you can do for cheap, or on a smaller budget.

Here at Office Upgraded, through research and observation of our own, we have come up with a list of great changes and purchases for your home office that are sure to help improve your space.

Whether you are staying in your house for the next ten years, or planning a move, check out our article on “How to Make Your Home Office a HUGE Selling Point.” Regardless of your future plans, having a nice home office is sure to make you happier and more productive at work.

Here are our best suggestions for home office upgrades on a budget. From the best purchases to the easiest décor upgrades, Office Upgraded has the right suggestion for you.

First, a comfy desk chair is a functional and fashionable upgrade. Our best office chair upgrade is the Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Multifunction Chair. Available with or without expert assembly, at only $166.38, this chair is comfortable, allows for seating adjustments, and relieves pressure on your legs with a waterfall edge.

Not only that, its standard black, mesh fabric is cool and breathable, and easy to match to any other office decor.

A desk chair is a great home office purchase, and buying a smaller size allows you to hide it away under your desk. Saving space and adding style is easy!

If you would rather browse for your own favorite chair, check out our article on “The Top-Rated Home Office Chairs for 2021.” We include a number of different options, including chairs that are best for your budget, best for small spaces, and best for gaming.

If you’ve got your chair covered and are looking for another functional piece to add to your home office, a filing cabinet is a great purchase. Not only does this make your space look significantly more organized for only a little bit of effort, it will also help you add storage in a small room.

One great, and fairly inexpensive item, is the Lorell Deep 2-Drawer File Cabinet. Available in multiple colors, for only $76.19, this is a cheap, easy, and functional addition to your home office. Plus, with expert assembly available for this as well, if you tend to have a little trouble following booklet instructions, there is no need to worry!

Another great (and cheap) home office upgrade is a rug. While this nuLoom Tammara Braided Rug is a little on the expensive side, it is so cute and comfy for your home office.

For only $145.49, this rug offers a cute striped pattern that is easy to clean. We recommend purchasing a rug pad for a non-slip surface and extra comfortable padding.

While we know trash cans are a bore, they are a cheap and easy way to keep your home office clean. Does anyone else have a stack of recyclable paper, or a collection of old to-go coffee cups? Rather than having those take up space on your desk, a great option is to grab a small trash can, like this Umbra Woodrow Indoor Trash Can from Target.

While this may not be a super interesting or exciting home office upgrade, it is an easy, functionable, and durable purchase.

As one reviewer says,

I love this trash can! Brightens the room; stays clean! I am going to buy them for my friends and family.

Target.com

Finally, a little lighting never hurts. Check out this article on the Spruce for 5 Tips for Better Home Office Lighting!

Otherwise, check out this simple AFROG Multifunctional LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger for a great light with added benefits. With a wireless charger, a USB charging port, 5 lighting modes, 5 brightness settings, and a 30/60 minute auto timer, this light has it all.

If you are concerned about saving desk space, not only is this a small lamp, it also combines with a charging port, allowing you to avoid having cords strewn about the desk.

Plus, with no flicker lighting, you can avoid headaches and eye stress while working.

For a more concise list of our recommendations, take a peek below: 

1. Get a comfortable desk chair
2. Buy a filing cabinet
3. Get a soft rug
4. Buy a trash can
5. Add a light to your office

If you need a few more suggestions, check out our articles on “How to Design a Zoom-Friendly Home Office” and “Organization is Hard for Everyone.”