Just 1 clever little item doubled the storage space on my small WFH desk and helps with daily neck pain

This ergonomic tweak has made a big difference to my home office

A bright home office with large windows, a wooden desk and a plush red armchair with patterned cushion. On the desk are piles of books and a table lamp. Behind it is a wheelie grey chair. On the wall are three framed artworks. On the opposite wall is a large bookshelf and white cabinet. The floor is wooden, with a patterned rug in the center.
(Image credit: Future)

After being rear-ended at speed three years ago, I’ve had constant, intense neck and shoulder pain. That’s why I’m so grateful I tried this brilliant riser, as it really helps me get through the day.

Not has an Amazon bamboo monitor riser doubled the storage space on my tiny work desk, but it’s also allowed me to continue working full time despite the infuriating level of neck pain I now live with as a result of the crash.

If you need a neat but easily accessible space to store your office tidbits, love having a tidy desk at the end of the day, and want to ease the strain on your neck, this small home office idea is a triple winner in my book.

Why a monitor riser is so handy

Using one of these has been so helpful for me, I cannot imagine ever doing away with it.

It’s given me vertical storage in the shape of a tidy drawer and cubby directly in front of me, and under my large computer monitor, which is vital. My affordable desk, much like the budget-friendly marble look desk from Wayfair, is compact, but doesn’t have any built-in drawers.

Meanwhile, the two stands on either side of my monitor riser drawer riser means that despite having a laptop on one side and a small rechargeable desk fan available at Walmart on the other, I still have space underneath in the back half of my desk.

This leaves the front half of my small desk, pictured below, free for my notebook, to-do pad, and drinks, without knocking everything over all the time.

Terracotta colored painted walls in small home office with white marble effect desk, bamboo monitor riser and family pictures on the wall behind the monitor

This is my small home office, with my bamboo monitor and matching stands for extra storage and comfort

(Image credit: Punteha van Terheyden)

Working full time from home in my small home office, which I share with my husband, means I have to make smart use of every inch of space to stop clutter before it starts, and keep it functional.

Monitor riser styles

If you’re in the UK, the ROCDEER bamboo riser from Amazon is the exact one I bought (pictured in my office above). Otherwise for US delivery, here are my top three picks for functionality, depending on what your storage needs and aesthetic tastes are.


Now you have an item to ease your neck pain whilst working, try adaptive pacing when cleaning to avoid pain flares, excess fatigue, or injury. It’s what I swear by as a person with chronic illnesses and severe pain.

Having one of the best office chairs also helps keep you comfortable for long stints of sitting.

TOPICS
Punteha van Terheyden
Head of Solved

Punteha was editor of Real Homes before joining Homes and Gardens as Head of Solved. Previously, she wrote and edited lifestyle and consumer pieces for the national press for 16 years, working across print and digital newspapers and magazines. She’s a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter, BBC Good Food columnist and founding editor of independent magazine, lacunavoices.com. Punteha loves keeping her home clean, has tested and reviewed the latest robot vacuums, enjoys cooking, DIY, and spending weekends personalizing her newly-built home, tackling everything from plumbing to tiling and weatherproofing.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.