Must-Have Office Supplies

Must-Have Office Supplies

Whether you’re the manager of a busy office, a freelancer or a small business owner, having the right office supplies means you and your team can be more productive. However, when faced with such an astounding choice of supplies, where do you start? This article will detail some must-have items you shouldn't leave off your office supplies shopping list.

Basic Writing Tools

Writing tools are available in a wide range of colours, sizes, styles and functionalities. However, it's best to stick with the basics, or else you'll end up with a drawer full of writing implements that are only used on the odd occasion. Basic ballpoint pens are a must for taking notes in writing pads. Get them in blue, black and red to cover all eventualities. A mechanical pencil is another must-have item, preferably one with lead that doesn't break every time you use it. The last item in this category to put on your list is a pack of permanent markers. You don’t need fancy colours, but a pack of five black markers can come in handy.

Paper Supplies

The paperless office is a great idea, but most offices still aren’t quite there. This means paper is still an essential part of any office supplies list. What paper you need will depend on your business’ needs. Here are some examples:

• Printer and fax paper
• Writing pads
• Sticky notes
• Graph paper
• Envelopes
• Shipping labels
• Calendars
• Pocket and file folders
• Index tabs and dividers

Supplies for the Desk and Reception

When you provide all essential desk items, your employees won't have to spend their days wandering around looking for the right equipment. Items to stock up on include:

• A stapler and staples
• Pens
• Erasers
• Paperclips
• Rubber bands
• Assorted tape
• Writing pads

Emergency Supplies

A first-aid kit is essential in an office environment. While some businesses might be more dangerous than others, there are some items every first-aid box should contain, including:

• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Latex gloves
• Adhesive bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Wound-cleaning towels
• Roller bandage
• Blanket

Office Equipment Supplies

Most offices have equipment such as fax machines, copiers and computers. For an office to run smoothly, certain supplies should always be kept on hand. Items such as printer ink or toner cartridges, spare monitors, keyboards and mouse pads are essential. Screen wipes, USBs, adapters and hubs are also useful supplies to have around.

Personality Items

You might think there’s no place for personal items in an office environment. However, an office with a personality can be inspiring, not just for workers, but for visitors and clients too. You can add character by including artwork, floral arrangements and plants, lamps, wall-decal quotes or murals, rugs and clocks.

Furniture and Other Large Items

At the very least, you're going to need a desk and a chair for each employee. But not just any chair and desk will do. If your employees are sitting at their desks for much of the day, your office furniture must be comfortable and ergonomic. Other furniture items you might want to consider include office partition panels, storage modules, whiteboards, filing cabinets, and office kitchen furniture.