A great desk and chair get most of the attention, but it's the smaller accessories that often make the biggest difference to daily comfort and productivity. A foot rest that takes pressure off your lower back. A cable tray that stops your desk looking like a rat's nest. A simple organiser that keeps your essentials within reach.
We've rounded up the best desk accessories available in the UK, covering the upgrades that deliver the most impact for the least spend. None of these will break the bank, but together they can transform a basic desk setup into something genuinely comfortable and well-organised.
What to Look For
- Ergonomic support — Foot rests reduce lower back strain by keeping your feet at the right angle. Worth it if your chair doesn't adjust low enough or your feet don't rest flat on the floor.
- Cable management — Under-desk trays and clips keep power cables, chargers, and peripherals tidy. A clean desk is easier to work at and looks more professional on video calls.
- Organisation — Desk organisers, trays, and holders keep small items accessible without cluttering your workspace.
- Connectivity — Adapters and hubs ensure your monitors, peripherals, and devices connect reliably without cable tangles.
- Durability — Metal and mesh accessories outlast plastic alternatives and tend to look better over time.
Our Top Picks
Best Budget Buy — BENFEI DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter — from £5.97
A small but essential accessory if your laptop or PC has a DisplayPort output but your monitor uses HDMI. The gold-plated connector provides a reliable, high-speed connection, and the compact design doesn't block neighbouring ports.
At under six pounds, this is one of those accessories you buy once and forget about. It just works. Keep a spare in your bag if you use different monitors at home and in the office.
Best for: Anyone connecting a DisplayPort device to an HDMI monitor.
Best Budget Foot Rest — Bryze Adjustable Under Desk Foot Rest — from £13.99
If your feet don't comfortably reach the floor when your chair is at the right height, a foot rest makes an immediate difference. The Bryze rest is adjustable, letting you find the right angle and height to support your feet and reduce strain on your lower back and legs.
Simple, affordable, and effective. A worthwhile addition to any desk setup where chair height doesn't quite match desk height.
Best for: Shorter users, desks that are slightly too high, reducing lower back fatigue.
Best Desk Organiser — Amazon Basics Mesh Desk Organiser — from £14.99
The Amazon Basics mesh organiser is a straightforward way to tidy up pens, sticky notes, paper clips, and other small desk items. The mesh construction is durable, looks clean, and the multiple compartments keep everything separated and easy to find.
Nothing revolutionary here, just a solid, well-priced organiser that does exactly what it says. The mesh design prevents dust build-up compared to solid containers.
Best for: Keeping small desk items organised, reducing desktop clutter.
Best Chair Upgrade — Lifelong Office Chair Wheels — from £22.08
One of the most underrated desk upgrades you can make. Replacing your chair's stock plastic casters with these heavy-duty rubber wheels transforms how your chair moves — quieter, smoother, and no more scratching hardwood or laminate floors. They fit standard office chair stems and take about two minutes to swap.
If your current chair wheels are noisy, stiff, or leaving marks on your floor, this is a cheap fix that makes a noticeable daily difference.
Best for: Protecting hard floors, quieter chair movement, replacing worn casters.
Best Cable Management — VIVO Under Desk Cable Tray (2 Pack) — from £23.29
Cable management is one of those things you don't appreciate until you have it. The VIVO tray mounts underneath your desk and holds power strips, adapters, and cables out of sight. The two-pack means you can run separate trays for power and data cables, or use them at different points along the desk.
The metal mesh construction is sturdy and provides ventilation for power adapters that generate heat. Screws are included for mounting.
Best for: Hiding cables and power strips, maintaining a clean desk appearance.
Best Premium Foot Rest — Mintoz Adjustable Foot Rest — from £37.49
The Mintoz foot rest is a step up from the Bryze in terms of adjustability, cushioning, and build quality. The ergonomic design supports your feet at a comfortable angle, and the adjustable height and tilt let you fine-tune the position. The textured, non-slip surface keeps your feet in place.
If you spend long hours at your desk and find that basic foot rests don't quite provide enough support, the Mintoz is worth the extra spend.
Best for: All-day desk workers, those who want more adjustability and comfort from their foot rest.
How They Compare
| Product | Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENFEI DP to HDMI Adapter | Connectivity | from £5.97 | Monitor connections |
| Bryze Foot Rest | Ergonomic | from £13.99 | Budget foot support |
| Amazon Basics Desk Organiser | Organisation | from £14.99 | Desktop tidiness |
| Lifelong Chair Wheels | Chair Upgrade | from £22.08 | Floor protection |
| VIVO Cable Tray (2 Pack) | Cable Management | from £23.29 | Hiding cables |
| Mintoz Foot Rest | Ergonomic | from £37.49 | Premium foot support |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a foot rest?
If your feet don't rest flat on the floor when your chair is at the correct height for your desk, yes. Dangling feet cause poor circulation and put extra strain on your lower back. A foot rest is a simple, cheap fix.
How do I manage cables under a standing desk?
An under-desk cable tray keeps cables contained. For standing desks that move up and down, use a cable management spine or flexible conduit so cables can extend and retract with the desk movement.
Are rubber chair wheels better than plastic?
For hard floors, absolutely. Rubber wheels are quieter, smoother, and won't scratch wood, laminate, or tile. On carpet, the difference is less noticeable, but rubber still tends to roll more smoothly.
What's the best way to organise a small desk?
Start with a mesh organiser for small items, a cable tray to get cords off the surface, and a monitor riser or arm to free up space underneath. Vertical storage (shelves, wall organisers) helps when desk surface area is limited.
Prices shown are correct at time of writing and may vary. All products featured are available via Amazon UK.