10 Wall-Mounted Desks To Buy Or DIY

1. Shoulder pads

Once a power-dressing staple of the 1980s, oversized shoulder pads are no longer considered chic, and we rarely see them on anyone these days.

The exaggerated look that shoulder pads gave may have been stylish in decades past, but nowadays, blazers and jackets with subtle shoulder structuring (or even a baggy fit) are more flattering and appropriate for the office.

2. Bell bottoms

Bell bottoms are awesome, but there’s truly a time and place for them if you’re going to be sporting them in the present day – and it’s not during work hours! Popular in the ‘70s, bell bottom pants created a dramatic flare that isn’t always practical or professional.

Their exaggerated shape can feel too retro or even too casual for modern work settings. Perhaps save your flares for a friendly happy hour or disco-themed party!

3. Pleated trousers

Pleatedtrousersare another “outdated” workwear trend we’re happy aren’t popular anymore. Many older trouser styles were excessively baggy and did nothing to flatter your silhouette. Plus, the dramatic pleat was just so extra.

4. Frilly tie-front blouses

Frilly tie-front blouses could be seen at just about every woman’s desk back in the day, but these ultra-femme tops are simply too busy and overly decorative for today's workwear trends. While cute, they’re not necessarily streamlined for the professional look.

Instead, workers are wearing elevated basics and layering them with tailored blazers or cardigans!

5. Pencil skirts

We definitely favor any kind of skirt over a pencil skirt, mostly because they can be extremely tight and restrict any movement.

Too short (or too long) pencil skirts might have been poppin’ in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but now they’re downright inappropriate for a professional setting. Try a midi slip skirt or maxi pleated style to stay chic these days!

6. Oversized glasses

Oversized glasses are iconic if you’re making a modern fashion statement – but that’s not exactly warranted in the office. While large, chunky glasses were trendy in the ‘70s, they can drown out your face and appear outdated, especially in a corporate setting.

1. Bad Lighting

2. Clutter Everywhere

A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, IMO. Reduce the stress that comes with a disorganized and cluttered desk by bringing in shelves and organizers; finding sleek cable-management solutions; and removing any unnecessary items to reduce visual distractions.

3. Uncomfortable Furniture

If you're sitting most of the day, it's so important to invest in a good desk chair. An unsupportive chair or poorly sized desk can be uncomfortable, making it harder to stay focused for long periods of time. Your back will thank you!

4. No Boundaries Between Work and Home

Distractions at home like kids and partners can kill your productivity. Avoid blurring the line between work and home life by designating a private space, separate from high-traffic spaces, for your work hours if you can. Use rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to reduce noise too.

5. Lack of Storage

I get it, they're not the best-looking pieces in your home, but without proper filing systems you’ll waste time hunting for important documents or supplies. Invest in modern storage options that look good too from Mustard Made and The Container Store.

6. Unoptimized Tech Setup

Slow Internet or outdated tech tools can make you feel totally frustrated and can slow down your productivity. Upgrade your Internet to a faster connection, and refresh your tech gadgets and programs to make sure you work more efficiently.

7. Awkward Desk Placement

Placing your desk in a spot with too much noise, traffic, or distractions — like facing a TV — will guarantee to disrupt your concentration. Find a more zen spot where you can focus on the tasks of the day.

8. Ignoring Ergonomics

Check your monitor height, keyboard positioning, and add a wrist rest so you don't lead to feeling uncomfortable and fatigued, cutting your workday short.

9. Lack of Personalization

A sterile, uninspiring office design does your motivation and creativity no favors. Make work feel less like a chore by adding personal touches through artwork, personal photos, candles, some fresh flowers or plants. Greenery can improve air quality and actually reduce work stress. Add a little snack station for quick energy boosts and keep water handy. Also, your Zoom backgrounds should reflect your personality!

10. No Inspiration

No matter what you do — whether it's a creative work or something more analytical — you want to feel inspired. Personalization can help, but dive into vision boards, books, magazines, quotes that inspire your work and help you bring fresh ideas to your workday. Color psychology can help too: blues and greens encourage focus and reduce stress while pops of yellow or orange can spark creativity! Break out the paint if needed!

1. Pond's Cold Cream

Forget the makeup wipes, and forget the micellar water! Operating as both a makeup remover and cleanser, the Pond's Cold Cream has been around for ages – and for good reason. Per Pond's, it "melts away all traces of your toughest makeup, while infusing skin with vital hydration."

This product has a cult following and around 3,000 5-star ratings on Amazon alone, even though you may think it's too "old school." Here's what Redditors had to say about it (it was mentioned over 20 times in the thread!):

• “I have been a nurse for 15 years and I promise you every single woman over her '90s with great looking skin. I always ask what products they use.... Every single time it's Pond's."
• “My grandmother started spending her pocket money on it as a young girl in the 1930’s and had beautiful skin until she died in her 90’s.”
• “My grandmother lived to be 100. In her assisted living the staff asked me how her skin looked so good...what was her secret? I told them Pond's. She always swore by Pond's cold cream.”

2. Pond's Dry Skin Cream

Another Pond's product was touted for its approachable cost and effectiveness: the Dry Skin Cream. While the Pond's Cold Cream works as a makeup remover and cleanser, you can think of this product as a simple moisturizer to follow up with.

“I always come back to Pond's," one Redditor wrote. "It is affordable and one jar lasts MONTHS because the cream is so thick you don't need a lot to put on your face.” Talk about value!

I was using this product as a moisturizer both morning and night and found it to be super thick, but quick-absorbing. My skin always felt supple and hydrated after every use. Suddenly, I'm convinced to drop my current skincare routine in favor of this simple tub!

One 6.5-ounce container goes for just $6 at Target.

3. Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream

One skincare enthusiast noted that the Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream is an “even more frugal” version of the cult classic Pond’s Cold Cream.

Meant to provide a deep cleanse and soften your skin just like the ever-popular Pond's option, a little goes a long way when it comes to this cream. You can currently find a 15-ounce tub on Amazon for $15, which will last you forever.

4. Pears Face & Body Soap

I had never heard of this soap before discovering it via Reddit. After seeing it described as a "great, mild, glycerine soap," I might just have to give it a go because mildness is the top quality I look for in a soap or cleanser – I never want my skin's natural moisture to be washed away.

In fact, the official product description says the formula is designed to "attract long-lasting moisture to your skin."

The Redditor that brought this $9 (for a 2-pack on Amazon) soap up also said it's easy to find at the dollar store. BRB, headed there right now.

5. Nivea Tinned Creme

Already being a big fan of Nivea's lip balm, I need to try this cream that comes in a convenient $10 13.5-ounce tin. Its provitamin B5-infused formula seems like a perfect fit for healing dry skin, which is especially helpful because I live in a cold climate.

While I might have overlooked this product if I was shopping by myself, it was these Reddit reviews that really flipped a switch in my mind:

• “This is what I use on my face and it's been amazing. I've noticed some of the finer lines on my forehead and neck have been less noticeable and the Nivea is the only thing that's changed about my skincare recently so it's definitely doing something!”
• “I had been traveling recently and ran out of my night time moisturizer so, bought a tin of old fashioned Nivea and have been using that at night. It is a revelation. It could be just wishful thinking but it really looks as if it has made a difference to some of the lines on my face and neck."

6. Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Cream

When it comes to body lotion, I've found success with both cheap and expensive formulas alike. My go-to is the Palmer's Coconut Oil Body Lotion, and this "old school" pick looks like a great, similar option! Knowing that the formula is very simple (includes natural cocoa butter and pure lanolin) encourages me to try it out even more.

“I swear by Queen Helene Cocoa Butter lotion," one Redditor wrote. "A huge bottle is about four bucks at WalMart. I love it because it is on the thinner side and doesn't make me feel slimy and greasy. It's so old school, I don't think they've changed the logo or packaging in decades.”

A 3-pack of 15-ounce tubs goes for $29 on Amazon, putting each one roughly under $10.

7. Albolene Cleansing Balm

Like Pond's Cold Cream and the Jergens All-Purpose Face Cream, Abolene is another reliable makeup remover and cleanser that comes in a creamy balm form. It gets the job done gently, thanks to its sulfate-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free qualities. It's also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which is friendly for sensitive or acne-prone skin types!

“I love Albolene for makeup removal, cleansing, and moisturizing!" one Redditor wrote. "My grandmother always swore by it.”

“When I was doing theater, Albolene was the very best for removing tough stage makeup," someone else responded. "Way better than other cold creams, so I would sure recommend it for waterproof or long-wear makeup.”

One 6-ounce tub goes for $8 on Amazon!

8. Bag Balm Skin Moisturizer

Dry skin-havers will adore this $9 tin. It's made with only a handful of simple hydrating ingredients to nourish dry spots in all sorts of places: cracked hands, chapped lips, split heels, calluses, sunburns, cuticles, tattoos, and "much, much more," per the brand.

“Bag Balm is a favorite of mine!" one Redditor said. "Good for rough patches of skin like elbows and heels. Cheap, too!”

“Bag balm is absolutely amazing for everything!!" another person noted. "It also works great for hot spots on dogs. That green tin is worth its weight in gold!”