19 knickknacks and accessories we keep on our desks to promote productivity or personalize our spaces

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19 knickknacks and accessories we keep on our desks to promote productivity or personalize our spaces

Quartet Glass Whiteboard Desktop Pad with Storage Drawer

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  • While work isn't your whole life, it's hard to ignore the fact that you spend 40+ hours a week doing it.
  • While regular pencil containers and notebooks are not uncommon to see on desks, livening up your desk with a quirky Lego organizational container and an erasable notebook can add personality and promote productivity.
  • I asked my teammates to share what knickknacks and products we keep on our desk at all times - some even help them stay focused and energized throughout the workday.

Work shouldn't dictate your life, but it's hard to ignore the fact that you spend 40+ hours of your week there. Keeping fun knickknacks and products at your desk can not only spark conversation with your coworkers, but can make your workspace feel more personalized and unique to your character.

If you walk through your office and look at your coworkers' desks, you'll probably see pencil holders, notebooks, and sparsely watered plants. Occasionally, you'll walk by that one "cool" coworker's desk and see Lego organizational containers, a reusable electronic notebook, and a crazy-haired Chia Pet.

Insider Picks is far from lacking in quirky desk accessories, so I asked my teammates to share what knickknacks and products they keep at their desk that help them personalize and organize their workspace - some items on this list even help them stay focused and productive throughout the workday.

Here are 19 knickknacks and products we keep on our desk at all times:

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

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Lego Pencil Pot

Lego Pencil Pot
Lego Pencil Pot, available at Lego for $12.99

Director of content strategy Ellen Hoffman uses this Lego garage and garden set to hold her pens, pencils, and other office supplies on her desk.

Emoji Chia Pet

Emoji Chia Pet
Emoji Chia Pet, available on Amazon for $16.99

I somehow inherited my boss' emoji Chia Pet. (Or, was it that I stole it during a recent desk move?) The little guy failed to sprout its head of chia hair, but the tears of joy still bring a smile to my face. It's as if he's saying, "It's all good." —Les Shu, guides editor Insider Picks

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Speks Original Nickel Set

Speks Original Nickel Set
Speks Original Nickel Set, available on Amazon for $24.95

I never caught onto the fidget spinner trend, but Speks have my heart. These things are so fun. I often find myself smushing, mashing, and molding the Speks in one of my hands while typing with the other. If I really need a creative reset, I'll play with Speks for a bit, maybe make some designs out of the magnetic balls. Speks are fun desk decor but also really helpful for giving your mind a break when you're feeling fidgety. —Remi Rosmarin, reporter Insider Picks

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Mini Notebook

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Mini Notebook
Rocketbook Smart Reusable Mini Notebook, available on Amazon for $16

Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton uses this reusable notebook to send her notes directly to her email, smart device, and cloud storage. After her thoughts are saved, she can erase it and reuse the same page.

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Zanzibar Gem plant

Zanzibar Gem plant
Zanzibar Gem plant, available from Léon & George for $79

I rarely water this plant, and that's why it's such a great match for me. While it prefers medium-bright, indirect light, it can thrive in all light levels — yup, even dreaded office lighting. Being in the presence of green plants is believed to make you happier, and I fully believe it. After more than a year of seeing this plant sitting on the corner of my desk, it's still one of my favorite office possessions. —Connie Chen, reporter Insider Picks

Lafco Rosemary Eucalyptus Office Candle

Lafco Rosemary Eucalyptus Office Candle
Lafco Rosemary Eucalyptus Office Candle, available from Bloomingdale's for $65

Insider Picks editor Sally Kaplan keeps Lafco candles on her desk because they smell so nice — even when they're not lit. This one specifically has a rosemary and eucalyptus scent designed to bring relaxation into your office space.

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Vintage Cat Calendar

Vintage Cat Calendar
Vintage Cat Calendar, available on Amazon for $16.24

Director of content strategy Ellen Hoffman is an avid lover of cats, so it's no surprise that she keeps a cat calender on her desk to admire her feline friends.

Privé Revaux blue-light glasses

Privé Revaux blue-light glasses
Privé Revaux blue-light glasses, available on Privé Revaux for $29.95+

I always have blue-light blocker glasses around. Spending eight hours a day staring at a screen could hurt my eyes long-term, so I love wearing these glasses to protect them. —Shalom Goodman, SEO fellow Insider Picks

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Post-it Pop-up Note Dispenser

Post-it Pop-up Note Dispenser
Post-it Pop-up Note Dispenser, available on Amazon for $11.06

This cat Post-it Note dispenser has been with me at my desk for about five years. Not only is it an adorable conversation starter, it also feeds my Post-it addiction, keeps me organized, and brings a smile to my face. —Malarie Gokey, senior editor Insider Picks

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

Mario Badescu Facial Spray
Mario Badescu Facial Spray, available at Sephora for $7

Occasionally, if I'm having a particularly rough morning, I'll stumble over to the desk of one of our editors, Jada Wong, and steal a few spritzes of her Mario Badescu Rose Water spray. —Owen Burke, senior reporter Insider Picks

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Encased Wireless Charging Stand

Encased Wireless Charging Stand
Encased Wireless Charging Stand, available on Amazon for $15.99

I enjoy having my iPhone on prominent display at my desk, and I've been using this affordable Encased Wireless charging stand dock to do the job. —Shalom Goodman, SEO fellow Insider Picks

Speks Super Gunmetal

Speks Super Gunmetal
Speks Super Gunmetal, available on Amazon for $14.95

I've tried a few of Speks' toys including the original magnetic balls and the blocks, but the Super Magnetic Balls are my favorite. Consisting of three balls and a base, they're a lot easier to keep track of compared to the others, and they're very satisfying to play with. Whenever I'm not typing or I need a moment to think, I often find myself spinning them or playing with the strong magnetic pull they create. —Amir Ismael, reporter Insider Picks

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CHH Ckicken Markers for Chicken Dominoes

CHH Ckicken Markers for Chicken Dominoes
CHH Chicken Markers for Chicken Dominoes, available on Amazon for $4.65

In a fiction writing class my senior year of college, my professor gave each student a small, plastic chicken figurine. Our chickens were supposed to be tokens of inspiration to help us push through writer's block and brain fog. Also, they're miniature and pretty adorable. I truthfully forgot I still had my chicken, but upon finding it, I decided to bring it to the office to leave perched on my desk. It's a funky, unique piece of decor for sure, and I definitely wouldn't have it if it wasn't for the story behind it, but I look to it when I'm feeling uninspired. —Remi Rosmarin, reporter Insider Picks

Sugarfina Candy Boxes

Sugarfina Candy Boxes
Sugarfina Candy Boxes, available at Nordstrom for $20+

I have a terrible sweet tooth and always have candy on my desk or in my drawers. Sugarfina's candy cubes are the only ones I'll actually keep in plain sight because they're so pretty and cute. The creatively flavored gummies and chocolates come in clear plastic boxes, and while they're pricey, they're the perfect mid-afternoon treat and indulgence. The limited-edition, themed collections (I'm currently snacking on the Super Mario Bros. one) feature even more fun packaging. —Connie Chen, reporter Insider Picks

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Nomad Leather Mouse Pad

Nomad Leather Mouse Pad
Nomad Leather Mouse Pad, available from Nomad for $59.95

I'm a sucker for anything made out of high-quality leather, and that's not limited to shoes, wallets, and backpacks. My editor Sally gave me this Horween leather mouse pad from Nomad and it's been the perfect addition to my desk. It looks far better than my old mouse pad, which collected more dust and crumbs than you could imagine — and my mouse glides on top of it with ease. —Amir Ismael, reporter Insider Picks

Felix Gray Sleep Glasses

Felix Gray Sleep Glasses
Sleep Glasses, available from Felix Gray for $95

I'd rather self-administer a cayenne pepper solution into my eyes than bear the brunt of fluorescent lighting. After I leave the office at night, I have to find a dark place to ease my eyes back into the outside world and its natural light, but Felix Gray's tinted blue-light-blocking "Sleep" glasses, which are designed for screen-gazing at night before bed, really take the edge off in the office during the day (without impairing my vision). —Owen Burke, senior reporter Insider Picks

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Pusheen Memo Sheets

Pusheen Memo Sheets
Pusheen Memo Sheets, available on Amazon for $6.28

My best friend got me these Pusheen memo sheets as a present a few years ago, and I love them. They are almost too precious to use, so I use them sparingly to create "welcome" notes for our new hires. #BestManagerEver, right? —Malarie Gokey, senior editor Insider Picks

Quartet Glass Whiteboard Desktop Pad with Storage Drawer

Quartet Glass Whiteboard Desktop Pad with Storage Drawer
Quartet Glass Whiteboard Desktop Pad with Storage Drawer, available on Amazon for $26.95

I used to have a paper desk planner, but I was always crossing things out as my plans and assignments changed. This small whiteboard is small enough to fit on a desk, it's angled perfectly so I can see it, and when plans change, I can wipe them away and make new ones. It comes with one dry erase marker. —Malarie Gokey, senior editor Insider Picks

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Undated Weekly Sticky Note Calendar

Undated Weekly Sticky Note Calendar
Undated Weekly Sticky Note Calendar , available on Amazon for $10.99

Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton uses these undated sticky notes to keep track of various assignments and errands she needs to complete throughout the week — all while sticking it right to her desk.