Most home office gifts end up in a drawer. The novelty mug. The motivational desk sign. The third set of wireless earbuds. If you're buying for someone who works from home, you're competing against years of well-meaning presents that missed the mark.
The gifts that actually get used share something in common: they solve a small daily frustration. Not the glamorous problems, but the ones that quietly drain energy. Cold coffee. An aching back. The tangle of cables that somehow breeds overnight.
How to choose well
Before you buy, consider these principles:
Think daily use over occasional delight. A laptop stand gets used every single day. A desk toy gets picked up twice and forgotten. Frequency of use is the best predictor of whether a gift was worth giving.
Comfort beats novelty. After a few years of working from home, most people have figured out what they need. They're not looking for clever. They're looking for better versions of what they already use.
Consider what they can't justify buying themselves. Most remote workers have already bought the basics. What they haven't done is upgrade. A nicer version of something they already own often lands better than something entirely new.
The recommendations
For physical comfort
Adjustable laptop stand (£25-£60)
Raises the screen to eye level, which makes a genuine difference to neck strain over a full working day. Look for one that adjusts height and angle. Roost and Nexstand make good portable options; for desk-permanent setups, Rain Design or Twelve South are worth the premium.
Best for: Anyone who hasn't yet sorted their screen height, which is most people.
Memory foam seat cushion (£30-£50)
Transforms an average chair into something more bearable. Not as good as buying a proper office chair, but far cheaper and actually giftable. Purple and Cushion Lab make decent options that hold their shape.
Best for: Someone working from a dining chair or a home office chair that's past its best.
Under-desk footrest (£20-£40)
One of those things nobody thinks to buy but genuinely helps with posture and circulation. Particularly useful if their desk is slightly too high for their chair.
Best for: Shorter people or anyone whose feet don't sit flat on the floor.
For daily rituals
Mug warmer (£15-£30)
Keeps coffee or tea at drinking temperature through back-to-back video calls. Simple technology, but it solves a real problem. Ember makes a premium smart mug version if budget allows; otherwise, a basic electric warmer plate does the job.
Best for: Anyone who regularly abandons half-drunk cups of cold coffee.
Specialty coffee subscription (from £10/month)
A few months of good coffee delivered is more useful than another piece of desk equipment. Pact, HasBean, or Square Mile are reliable UK options. Choose based on whether they prefer filter or espresso.
Best for: Coffee drinkers who are still buying supermarket beans.
For the workspace itself
Desk mat (£20-£50)
A large felt or leather desk mat tidies up a workspace instantly, protects the surface, and makes the whole setup feel more intentional. Grovemade makes beautiful leather options; Oakywood and Harber London offer good mid-range choices.
Best for: Anyone whose desk is a jumble of items with no visual cohesion.
Cable management kit (£15-£25)
Nobody buys this for themselves, but everyone needs it. A set of cable clips, sleeves, and under-desk trays can transform a tangled mess into something manageable. Not glamorous, but genuinely appreciated.
Best for: Anyone with more than two things plugged in.
Desk lamp with adjustable colour temperature (£40-£80)
Good lighting matters more than most people realise, especially for video calls. A lamp that shifts from cool daylight to warm evening light helps both productivity and winding down. BenQ makes excellent monitor-mounted options; otherwise, look for any lamp with temperature adjustment.
Best for: Anyone working in a room with poor natural light.
For focus and wellbeing
Noise-cancelling headphones (£80-£300)
A bigger investment, but one that genuinely changes the remote working experience. Good for focus, good for calls, and essential if they share their space with family or housemates. Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort remain the standards; Anker Soundcore offers decent budget alternatives.
Best for: Anyone who complains about background noise or struggles to concentrate.
Small desk plant (£10-£30)
Something green in the eyeline makes a workspace feel less clinical. Choose low-maintenance options: pothos, snake plant, or a small succulent. Avoid anything that needs constant attention.
Best for: Anyone whose desk is entirely beige and grey.
What to avoid
A few things that seem like good ideas but rarely land well:
Motivational wall art or desk signs (too personal, often ends up hidden away)
Novelty mugs or stationery (they already have mugs and pens they prefer)
Desk toys or fidget gadgets (fun for a day, then clutter)
Cheap versions of things they already own (a downgrade isn't a gift)
One more thought
If you're unsure what they actually need, the best approach is to ask. A wish list takes the guesswork out of it. Giftwhale lets people add items from any store, so you can see exactly what they'd find useful rather than hoping your guess lands. Sometimes the most thoughtful gift is the one they chose themselves.
