Whether you have a large office building for your team or a simple home office, you need to stock it with all the supplies and equipment necessary to run the day-to-day operations of your business. The exact items may vary from business to business. But there are some general categories you should at least consider as you stock your shelves and supply closets. Here’s a full office supplies list of items you may want to purchase.
Office Supplies List
| General Office Supplies | Technology | Furniture | Storage | Mail and Shipping Supplies | Collaboration Tools | Cleaning and Janitorial Supplies | Kitchen Supplies | Safety Equipment | Decor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pens | Computers | Desks | Filing cabinets | Envelopes | Whiteboard | All purpose cleaner | Coffee maker | First aid kit | Plants |
| Pencils | Laptops | Rolling chairs | Files | Stationery | Dry erase markers | Handsoap | Teapot | Fire extinguishers | Wall art |
| Folders | Smartphones | Room dividers | Shelves | Padded envelopes | Chalkboard | Toilet paper | Mugs | Flashlights | Picture frames |
| Binders | Tablets | Meeting table | Bins | Boxes | Chalk | Trash cans | Cups | Traffic cones | Area rugs |
| Printer paper | Wireless router | Lamps | Drawer dividers | Packing tape | Chalk eraser | Trash bags | Water cooler | Smoke detectors | Curtains |
| Notebooks | Printer | Standing desk | Mailing labels | Bulletin board | Recycling bins | Refrigerator | Carbon monoxide detectors | Nameplates | |
| Planners | Copier | Bubble wrap | Thumbtacks | Microwave | Bookends | ||||
| Calendar | Scanner | Stamps | Easel | Desk trays | |||||
| Staplers | Shredder | Presentation projector | Vases | ||||||
| Staples | External hard drives | Phone conferencing system | |||||||
| Scissors | Thumb drives | ||||||||
| Calculator | Surge protectors | ||||||||
| Paperclips | Phone system | ||||||||
| Post-It notes | |||||||||
| Markers | |||||||||
| Binder clips | |||||||||
| Highlighters | |||||||||
| Glue | |||||||||
| Rubber bands | |||||||||
| Desk organizer | |||||||||
| Tape | |||||||||
| Printer ink |
General Office Supplies
Every office, regardless of its size or industry, necessitates the basic supplies. Even as the digital era pervades our workspaces, there remains an undeniable necessity for traditional tools.
From jotting spontaneous ideas on a notepad to keeping tangible records, these rudimentary supplies prove invaluable. Generally affordable, these office essentials can be conveniently procured from local stores or with a click of a button online.
Having them readily available is a practical strategy, preempting any disruption in workflow that could arise from a sudden lack of staples like tape or notebooks. This preparedness will ensure smooth operations and productivity, negating the need for frantic last-minute shopping.
- Pens
- Pencils
- Folders
- Binders
- Printer paper
- Notebooks
- Planners
- Calendar
- Staplers
- Staples
- Scissors
- Calculator
- Paperclips
- Post-It notes
- Markers
- Binder clips
- Highlighters
- Glue
- Rubber bands
- Desk organizer
- Tape
- Printer ink
Technology
Businesses are virtually paralyzed without the pulse of technology driving their operations. The digital devices and software constitute a significant financial commitment, yet the return on investment is astounding. The versatility and efficiency they bring are simply unparalleled.
Entering a new office? A strategic selection of tech items could lay a robust foundation for your endeavors. Essential gadgets such as laptops, printers, and smartphones, complemented by collaborative software, can create a thriving, connected workspace. Also, considering innovations like AI-powered tools could potentially turbocharge your productivity.
Remember, though these items represent an upfront cost, they underpin the seamless integration of workflows and scalability for your venture.
- Computers
- Laptops
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Wireless router
- Printer
- Copier
- Scanner
- Shredder
- External hard drives
- Thumb drives
- Surge protectors
- Phone system
Furniture
Furnishing your office, be it a cozy home workspace or a sprawling corporate hub, is essential in creating a conducive environment for productivity. You require not just a place to sit and work, but a comfortable, ergonomic setup that enhances efficiency.
Office furniture is available in a vast array of styles, be it minimalist, modern, vintage, or luxe, catering to every aesthetic preference. This allows you to personalize your workspace, reflecting your unique tastes or the desired ambiance of your team’s environment.
Moreover, thoughtful selection of furniture — desks that promote good posture, chairs that provide proper support, and storage solutions that keep clutter at bay — can significantly contribute to employee wellbeing and productivity. Your office furniture is not just functional, but also instrumental in crafting your office’s overall mood and culture.
- Desks
- Rolling chairs
- Room dividers
- Meeting table
- Lamps
- Standing desk
Storage
To keep your office organized, you need some basic storage equipment. These items can help you sort through documents so you always know where to find the items you need. They can also give you a place to keep all of those basic office supplies so your desk isn’t constantly cluttered.
Mail and Shipping Supplies
If you run a business that sells products online, then shipping supplies are a must. However, even a standard office with no ties to the ecommerce world is likely to have some documents or items to mail every now and again. Here are some of the most essential items to have on hand when it comes to mailing and shipping.
- Envelopes
- Stationery
- Padded envelopes
- Boxes
- Packing tape
- Mailing labels
- Bubble wrap
- Stamps
Collaboration Tools
For those times when you’re hosting meetings or brainstorming sessions with your team or want to share ideas, you may benefit from some presentation or collaboration supplies.
- Whiteboard
- Dry erase markers
- Chalkboard
- Chalk
- Chalk eraser
- Bulletin board
- Thumbtacks
- Easel
- Presentation projector
- Phone conferencing system
Cleaning and Janitorial Supplies
No matter what type of office space you’re working with, it’s essential that you keep it clean and tidy. Even if you have a cleaning crew, it could help to have some basic cleaning supplies on hand just in case there are spills or messes that need to be cleaned up quickly. It’s also necessary to have some basic supplies to replenish your office bathroom.
- All purpose cleaner
- Handsoap
- Toilet paper
- Trash cans
- Trash bags
- Recycling bins
Kitchen Supplies
Then there’s the office kitchen. This is often popular place for lunch breaks or an extra jolt of caffeine in the middle of the workday. You don’t necessarily need to provide all the food and dishes for your whole team, but you can make sure the basics are in place.
- Coffee maker
- Teapot
- Mugs
- Cups
- Water cooler
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Safety Equipment
Safety should be your top priority at all times. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to have some basic supplies on hand in case of injury or accident. Some of these items may even be required by code.
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguishers
- Flashlights
- Traffic cones
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Decor
Finally, office supplies don’t have to just be for function. Decorating your office can help to increase productivity and create a more pleasant environment for you and your team.
- Plants
- Wall art
- Picture frames
- Area rugs
- Curtains
- Nameplates
- Bookends
- Desk trays
- Vases
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This article, "The Definitive Office Supplies List for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends