Office Products People Swear By

Posted By OfficeCrave
Friday July 29th, 2022
Office Products

A Large Planner to House Your Full Schedule

Our Planner must-have is the At-A-Glance Signature Academic Large Planner, and for good reason. This planner seems to have it all. It features high quality paper so you can count on clear notes without the worry of ink bleeding through the pages. A well-made cover, bound together with classy and durable gold color double binding, allows the planner to flat and open on your desk. You are always ready for any last-minute scheduling or a quick addition in the notes section when inspiration strikes.

We love the two-page weekly calendar layout and the addition of a storage pocket in the front. Use it to stash the inspired lyrics jotted hastily on the subway, your parent-teacher conference reminder slip, or that grocery list ripped from the fridge just before you ran out the door. This little pocket quickly becomes a valuable piece of real estate in your planner.

While this version is large at 8 1/2” x 11”, we appreciate how the format allows extra space for your busy schedule and other miscellaneous lists and reminders. If you prefer a smaller version, we recommend the At-A-Glance Signature Academic Weekly/Monthly Planner sized at 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”.

Anything-But-Boring Sticky Notes

Maybe you have a drawer full of canary yellow sticky notes and they work well for you. But if you are looking for a tiny change in your life to include a splash of color and variety, consider updating your sticky notes to our favorite Redi-Tag Divider Sticky Notes with Tabs. While the name seems canary-yellow-boring, these sticky notes are bright and inviting. They are lined for neatness and each note has a tab so you can flip to the color that best suits your needs.

If you happen to need a specific color sticky note that isn’t on top of the note pad, Redi-Tag uses a special binding that allows you to flip to the color you need and easily remove for your organizing needs. They are perfect for organizing at work and school, for at home budgeting, and many other projects. You can write, reposition and reuse again without leaving a sticky residue.

What Is Your Favorite Pen?

Whether we will admit it or not, we all have a favorite pen. It is the pen we refuse to loan out and keep hidden in our desk or bag. While choosing your favorite pen is subjective and it seems there are as many types of pens as there are types of people, we love Pentel R.S.V.P. Stick Ballpoint Pens for all our writing needs. This set comes in a multi-color pack of eight, but if you prefer more traditional and office appropriate black and blue pens, those are available as well.

A 1.0 mm medium point allows for a smooth glide feel, and a comfortable rubber grip provides control and minimal slippage for ultimate comfort while writing. We also love the clear barrel that allows us to easily keep track of ink levels. Pentel has a refill option, which means we can keep our favorite pen even longer and be eco-friendly in the process. Pentel claims each pen houses nearly a mile of ink. While you might take their word for it, we think a challenge might be in order…

Wall Organizer – You Just Might Need Smead

The Smead Cascading Wall Organizer easily made our list with its simple and colorful design. This easy to use and easy to store file system with removable folders and a clear front pocket, makes it easy to keep track of projects through its efficient use of space. Each of the six pocket folders holds up to 50 letter-sized sheets and comes in a different color allowing you to create an organizational system that fits your specific needs. The Smead Cascading Wall Organizer is great for teachers, busy work settings, construction trailers, cubicles, home organizational needs, and any other traditional office spaces. Consider outside-of-the-box uses for this versatile item. As a gardener, you may need a way to classify, sort and store various packs of seeds. Perhaps you like to keep extra greeting cards on hand and have been looking for a new way to store them. Maybe the carpenter within you needs a way to store varying types of sandpaper. The piano teacher you always dreamed of being will need separate music for each of your students, and of course each of your children deserves their own space for storing their precious artwork.

Save valuable desktop or counter space by utilizing often overlooked wall areas. Convenient three-part hangers enable you to hang the Smead Cascading Wall Organizer in the smallest of spaces, while a secure elastic band closure allows for easy removal and transport. Made from durable poly material that is tear and water resistant, as well as Acid and PVC free, this product will keep your important documents safe and secure.

Office Chair Contender

With so many options to choose from, the Lorell Soho High-Back Leather Executive Chair is high on our list of favorites. The simple, padded design is the perfect addition to any office space. Black bonded leather material offers timeless style, while keeping functionality a priority. A full 360-degree swivel rotation allows you to easily multi-task at your desk or conference table. The Lorell Soho High-Back Leather Executive Chair has all the essential features, including adjustable height, center-tilt control, upright lock and assembly is quick and simple.

Purchasing this chair in multiples has the added benefit of an affordable price tag. Having a consistency of style throughout your office creates a clean and pleasing esthetic. Additionally, rumor has it that this chair makes a great contender when taking part in an office contest to crown the winner of the most rotations spun in a minute…

Lorell hits all the key features when looking for an ergonomic option, which includes comfort, adjustability, back support, and arm supports. If working from a recliner is not an acceptable option for your work environment, we think the next best choice is the Lorell Soho High-Back Leather Executive Chair.

Take A Stand Or Stay Seated

A desk needs to fit its user and environment in functionality and design. The Alera Double Pedestal Steel Desk made the list for several reasons. Durability in a busy setting is a must and it comes in two scratch resistant, powder coated color options: an off-white/putty-colored base with a cherry laminate desktop or a black base with a mocha laminate desktop. The durable steel frame has an option of a double pedestal on each side or a smaller version with a single pedestal option. Chrome-plated one inch tubular steel legs create a stable workspace with adjustable levelers, allowing for the removal of any wobble that may occur.

A keyboard drawer and two box drawers on either side provide space to keep all the odds and ends off your desk and clutter free. Full extension file drawers with telescoping ball bearing slides accommodate hanging file folders and the desk includes a back panel for privacy.

The addition of a sit-to-stand workstation has been a beneficial inclusion for many. According to occupational therapist Michael Milicia “Some research suggests that people who sit excessively have increased risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Even if you’re actively working, usually your lower body is relatively static, and there is decreased circulation. Also, less movement throughout your day means more aches and pains.” We recommend the Fellowes Lotus DX Sit-Stand Workstation to combat long days in the office chair.

This workstation features a built-in charging station with wireless charging stand, patent-pending smooth-lift technology; featuring 22 different height settings and 17” of vertical adjustment so you can work in a comfortable position. The Fellowes Lotus DX Sit-Stand Workstation contains Microban antimicrobial technology for continuous protection against bacteria and arrives fully assembled.

Finish And File Away

An office is incomplete without the addition of a good filing cabinet. It’s true that as a society we use less paper and more and more data is stored digitally, but we still have use for these big rectangular metal boxes for now. We like the Alera Two-Drawer Metal Pedestal File that can fit under a desk (space permitting) or in a corner with a plant or paper organizer atop to put documents waiting to be filed. This lockable, smooth gliding file is a perfect addition to a work or school environment. It comes in multiple colors to match a desk or décor already in place.

You Can Never Have Too Many Labels

While this may not seem like an office must have, we hope to convince you otherwise. Brother is at the top of the market in the printer game and label makers are no exception. If your office storage closet looks a bit more like a junk drawer, we recommend some simple containers and a label maker. Perhaps your file folders need some sprucing, or the need to print a barcode for a retail item arises. Brother has you covered with the Brother PTD600 Label Maker.

The option to use just the keyboard on the label maker or alternately connect and print directly from a computer; makes it an easy first choice. Label users require a wide variety of applications and while you may have specific functions that need a label maker to fulfill, this Brother label printer stands out as the most versatile and easy to use option.

A large clear screen allows a preview before a label is printed. It is equipped with eight font sizes, six different tape widths, and this label maker can print almost double the number of lines per label as other label printers. Purchase this Brother PTD600 Label Maker with a carrying case or the standard version without the case. Features also include but are not limited to:

Print laminated labels up to 24mm wide
Hold up to 99 user-created label designs so you can reprint custom labels
Print a label with up to seven lines of text including barcodes, logos, and address labels
Print labels directly from an excel document with the ability to connect to a PC

Be Creative With Command Strips

A list of must-have office items is not complete without the addition of Command strips. Hanging required documentation or artwork is a breeze with Command’s sticky magic. There are so many ways to creatively use them. Place a quick Command strip on the bottom of a table lamp to hold it steady or on the inside of your desk drawer to keep the drawer organizer from sliding. Consider a couple of Command hooks in the entryway to hang a hat or a jacket, or on the front door of your office to hang a holiday wreath. If you have a mess of wires in your station you might love the Command Cable Bundler and Command wire hooks. These are a dream for threading cord along the back of a desk or wall, serving to gather those messy cords and keeping them tidy.