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For most of us, desk space is at a premium. Between the computer, keyboard, speakers, and maybe a few photos of your family or a mesh Wi-Fi node, things can quickly feel a little cramped. Desk-mounted accessories make your workspace look and feel better. Mounted office accessories are perfect for standing desks because everything stays firmly in place when you lift and lower your position. Even if you stay seated, these devices can clear some of the clutter off your desktop—and maybe clear your mind a bit by giving yourself some space to focus. As a dedicated clamper, closing in on three decades at a desk, I’ve tried every desk-mounted accessory I could get my hands on. I have a few favorite devices which I'll share below.

Before you buy any desk-mounted accessory, make sure that you measure your desk and scope out a suitable spot for the clamp. Don’t assume it will fit, since they all have a thickness range, and some desks don’t play nicely with clamps. There’s also a risk that the clamp will discolor or mark your desktop over time, especially if it’s softwood or in direct sunlight.

Monitor Arms

Number one on my list of desk-mounted accessories is monitor arms. With no need for a stand, you can free up a lot of space, and monitor arms enable you to fix your screen at the ideal height and position, making it easy to adjust the angle should you need to. I’m a fan of the dual-monitor setup with a wide-screen in landscape orientation and a portrait monitor on the left because it’s perfect for my workflow.

Photograph: Simon Hill

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Ergotron

LX Pro Monitor Arm

$199 Amazon

I like Ergotron’s monitor mounts because they are seriously sturdy, yet allow for a wide range of movement to get your screen into the sweet spot (the top of the screen should be at eye level and your monitor should be roughly at arm’s length). I use the LX Pro alongside the older Ergotron LX ($189), which has a wider base and can handle more weight. What I like best, compared to other monitor arms I’ve tried, is that my monitors stay properly still once positioned. With some arms, the slightest bump on your desk has your screen vibrating.

Pet Perch

While a dog might be content to curl up at your feet, cats like to be up high. My cats are always jumping on my desk, walking in front of the monitor, and scratching the back of my chair. They also love nothing more than to steal my warm seat when I get up for a coffee. But there is a clamping solution to the pet problem.

Photograph: Simon Hill

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Desk Nest

Cat Bed

$199 Amazon (White Oak)

$199 Amazon (Walnut)

If you want to work in peace, you must cater to your cat, and one way to discourage them from sitting on your desk or keyboard is to snag an irresistible perch. Clamped to the back of my desk, the Desk Nest Cat Bed affords my cat Rocket a perfect view out of the window, but lets him stay close, and so he uses it frequently. The only problem is, his route to climb in and out is over my keyboard and under my monitor.

Desk Lamp

A nice lamp can reduce your risk of eye strain and create a warm atmosphere, or help you focus. It’s the perfect foil to the harsh glare of your monitor screen.

Photograph: Simon Hill

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Anglepoise

Original 1227 Desk Lamp Jet Black

$320 Anglepoise

This iconic design, first released in 1935 and brought to life in Pixar’s animated logo, is an absolute classic. It’s the perfect blend of form and function, with a beautiful angular design, contrasting silver springs with metallic black, and it is highly adjustable, making it easy for you to get light where you need it. Yes, you can get far cheaper lamps, and you have to buy the clamp ($50) accessory separately, but Anglepoise lamps are timeless and built to last.

Photograph: Simon Hill

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LED Edge Desk Light 2.0

$140 Lume Cube

$150 Amazon

If you want something more modern that can double as a task light and a light for video calls or streaming, the Lume Cube Edge Light 2.0 has you covered. What I like about this lamp is that it has controls for brightness and color temperature. It works well-fixed to the back of your desk, and even has USB-C and USB-A ports for charging phones or plugging in other small gadgets.

Headphone Hooks

After running over or standing on several sets of headphones, I got into the habit of placing them on a stand, but I found most stands weren’t very sturdy and took up too much space on my desktop. There’s a better way: hooks that clamp onto your desk.

Photograph: Simon Hill

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Oakywood

Desk-Mounted Headphone Hook

$54 Oakywood

If you want to

I Clamp Every Accessory I Can to My Desk To Avoid Clutter, and You Should, Too | WIRED