Accessories

Home office accessories worth buying

Small add-ons often fix the problems people notice first: a chair that won't roll, feet that don't reach the floor, or a sore lower back by mid-afternoon.

A chair mat protects the floor and makes your chair roll smoothly. Choose by floor type. Hard floors need a smooth-backed mat, while carpet needs a mat with small grips, called cleats, underneath. The thicker the carpet, the thicker and stiffer the mat should be. Polycarbonate mats cost more than PVC but stay flat and clear for longer, and they don't give off the vinyl smell some PVC mats do. A lip on one edge covers the floor under your desk.

A foot rest helps if your feet don't rest flat once your chair is at the right height for your desk. Look for adjustable height or tilt, and a surface that won't slide on the floor.

Lumbar cushions and seat cushions can improve a basic chair. If your chair has no lumbar adjustment at all, though, an ergonomic chair may be the better fix.