To help make the work from home (WFH) sitch seem a lot less dire, we dug through the interweb and shortlisted some home office essentials from Taobao & Urban Outfitters. Some random, others ingenious – but all 100% useful for productivity.

Hands up if your dining table still doubles up as your work station! When it comes to work from home (WFH), it’s safe to say that many of us have developed a love-hate relationship. Sure, feels great taking calls in your PJs and snoozing your alarm for an extra hour. But eating, sleeping, working in the same spot all day, AND not being able to go for midday kopi runs with the colleagues (a.k.a. zero social interaction)? That can take a toll on your mental health!* 

So without further ado, here are our favourite work from home essentials from Taobao and Urban Outfitters that’ll add some pep to that 9 – 5 grind. 

*We’re no expert, but if you desperately need a brain break, check out our guide on some of the best virtual tours you can embark on. Take care, fam!

1. Ergonomic Laptop Stand: Elevate your desk game (literally)

Image credit: Taobao.com

Now that we’re spending most of our time glued to our screens, it’s more important than ever to make sure that our bodies don’t bear the brunt of our incessant typing done in less-than-optimal positions. 

Enter the ergonomic laptop stand. Designed to take the strain off our wrists, neck, and spine, this one from Taobao is made of aluminium alloy, lending it its sleek, futuristic design. 

This piece comes with 7 adjustable brackets and is also portable – allowing you to bring your good typing habits from Tampines to Tiong Bahru. With prices starting from just ¥27.90 (~S$5.80), it is comforting to know that it almost costs as much as a cup of boba, and is actually good for you.

Purchase it in RMB here.

2. Self-Watering Planter

Before you say “bUt I dOn’T wAnT tO KilL iT”, we want you to know that we are two steps ahead. 

Image credits: Urbanoutfitters.com

Meet the ingenious self-watering planter. While we should be encouraging you to be more responsible for the things you own, it doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan, right? This tiny ceramic cat / dog planter from Urban Outfitters comes with a felt tongue that mlems water in small amounts, so that your seeds (in this case, wild strawberry) get all the H2O they need. The pot is reusable too if you decide you want to switch things up in the plant department.

Purchase it here at a sweet price of US$14 (~S$18.70).

(Remember: make sure that your browser is on their US landing page so that you can enjoy favourable exchange rates!)

3. Smart Water Bottle: Reminds you to stay hydrated

Image credit: Urbanoutfitters.com

Gone are the days where you’d have to think back on how much water you drank in a day, because this bottle actually tracks it for you. Meet the Hidrate Spark 3 Smart Water Bottle from Urban Outfitters –physical proof that technology is truly amazing. Modestly priced at US$60 (~S$80), this Bluetooth-enabled bottle pairs with a mobile app that keeps track of how hydrated you are. Available in 4 fun colours, this BPA-free plastic bottle also contains a smart sensor that glows when it’s time for you to drink up!

Purchase yours in USD here. 

4. Memory Foam Support Chair Cushion: Remember to watch your back too

Image credit: Taobao.com

Working from home may have its benefits, but your back and neck will probably disagree. After all, the chairs you have at home are probably not as ergonomic as those back in the office. But instead of spending hundreds on a bulky office chair, you can turn your good ol’ dining chair into an ergonomic dream machine from just ¥228 (~S$47.30)! 

This memory foam lumbar support cushion from Taobao keeps your body in the optimal position, helping to minimise backaches and other posture-related issues.

Available in 3 lovely colours, get yours in RMB here.  

(Tip: if you’re gonna be purchasing bulky items, we recommend checking out our quick guide on how to get your goods without the crazy shipping fees!)

5. Mobile Portable Ring Light: Look your best for every Zoom meeting!

Image credit: Taobao.com

First thing’s first: no, it’s not just for influencers or those who want to nail their #OOTD. In fact, having the proper lighting during your Zoom calls can be crucial in maintaining some sense of professionalism with your colleagues. This piece from Taobao is portable and easy to use. Simply attach it to the top of your laptop, and you’re all set for a productive session of work!

Get your rig from just ¥19.90 (~S$4.10) here.

6. Tatami Chair: Get comfy in every and any corner of the house 

Image credit: Taobao.com

As you can tell, we’re all about that back support. And when you’re lying in awkward positions as you get work done, it can cause a lot of unnecessary strain on your back. What, then? Meet the best of both worlds – a comfortable and sturdy tatami chair! 

With a pliable yet sturdy backing, this chair from Taobao allows you to lounge however you like while enjoying decent back support. With prices starting from as low as ¥39 (~S$8.10) and with more than 10 colours to choose from, we think this is a pretty good deal!

Get it in RMB here.

Work from home like a pro: It’s all in the details

Making small but thoughtful changes to your home office set-up can do wonders for your headspace, especially if you’re staring at the same four walls (and your computer screen) every single day. And while you treat yourself to some of these recommendations, don’t forget to treat your wallet too by taking advantage of YouTrip’s wholesale exchange rates! 

Not on YouTrip yet? Get free $5 credit when you sign up for a new card with the promo code <TAOBAO5>!

For more great tips and guides like this, join our Telegram Community (@YouTripSquad) and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below!

^{*All listed price rates are accurate to the nearest dollar on 6 February 2021 SGT 12:00.}

Related Articles

8 Healthy Food For WFH: Grocery Shopping List

Muji-Style Furniture That Doesn’t Cost a Bomb

11 Best Online Grocery Shopping & Delivery in Singapore