The Ultimate List of Office Supplies for Business Owners 

Set your employees up for success

From basic paper goods to the technology that keeps offices running, having the right equipment and supplies on hand can make a world of difference in day-to-day productivity. Keeping a running office supplies checklist can help office managers and business owners stay on top of their team’s needs, but it’s all too easy for things to fall through the cracks. 

At Walmart Business, we understand the challenges of growing a company while trying to anticipate employees’ needs. To make this process easier, we’ve assembled a list of office supplies that covers everything from furniture to break room favorites. Here’s everything you should add to your checklist.

Invest in the right office furniture

Small and medium businesses typically have tight budgets, so it can be tempting to choose furniture based on cost rather than benefits. Ergonomic furniture, particularly the desks and chairs where your team spends most of their work days, might cost a little more upfront, but it’s worth investing in your employees’ comfort and well-being. Happier, healthier employees produce better work, and you could even save money in the long run by reducing lost work time and potential workers’ compensation claims.

Putting couches in break areas also sends the message that you support your employees’ overall wellness. Philosophies on screen time vary, but most experts agree that it’s a good idea for workers to step away from their computers at regular intervals. Sometimes a short break is exactly what one needs to brainstorm a solution to an ongoing challenge, so provide these spaces and encourage your team to take breathers as needed.

When it comes to meeting rooms and open spaces, there are a number of supplies that foster productivity:

• Writing surfaces: Whether you prefer whiteboards or oversized easels with pads of paper, it’s important to give your team a collaborative writing space for brainstorming and presentations.

• Conference room chairs: Make sure your meeting room seating is just as comfortable and accommodating as your desk chairs.

• Lighting: If your office doesn’t get a lot of natural light, look for solutions that mimic it, such as LED lighting.

• Plants: You can liven up your office with a bit of greenery. Look for low-maintenance plants that thrive without constant care.

• Artwork: Banish bare walls and choose decor that inspires employees while embodying your company values.

• Filing cabinets: Even in an increasingly digital world, chances are you still have some analog files on hand. Use filing cabinets to keep those documents organized.

Set up desks for success

Giving employees the right desk supplies will help with efficiency, cleanliness and organization. Keeping workspaces neat and tidy can increase productivity, so encourage your team to keep the clutter to a minimum and make cleanliness a priority with the following office desk supplies:

• Personal hand sanitizer

• Desk organizers

• Cleaning wipes and microfiber cloths

• Personal whiteboards and dry-erase markers

• Cork boards and push pins

• Calendars, notebooks and planners

• Paper clips, rubber bands, tape dispensers, staples and staplers

• Paper shredders

Choose tech that gets the job done 

In addition to desktop computers and laptops, there are a number of other electronic items to add to your list of office supplies. First, make sure all electronic equipment is protected with surge protector power strips. Without the right protection, power surges can be devastating, leading to lost work and damaged equipment.

If your business produces a large volume of paper documents on a daily basis, you’ll also need heavy-duty commercial printers to handle that workload. If your printing needs are more modest, personal printers might be more suitable. Either way, prioritize speed, ease of use and print quality, especially for client-facing documents—and be sure to pick up extra ink and toner so you don’t run out in the middle of a big printing job.

Make the break room an employee oasis

Whether you have a dedicated break room or more general multi-use areas throughout the office, it’s important to support your employees during their much-needed downtime. Start by keeping non-perishable snacks and plenty of water on hand. You should also supply a coffee maker and a variety of hot and iced beverages—sometimes a caffeine jolt or a cozy cup of tea is exactly what employees need to break through their mental blocks and finish their tasks. Naturally, you’ll need cups, mugs, plates and utensils, as well as cleaning supplies, whether that’s dish soap and sponges or dishwasher detergent.

Break areas are often in central locations, which makes them the ideal place for storing emergency supplies like flashlights and first aid kits. It also doesn’t hurt to keep a selection of party supplies like streamers and balloons on hand—you never know when an impromptu celebration might break out.

Find must-have office supplies at Walmart Business

You don’t need to run around to different stores in order to find everything on your list of office supplies; you just need the right retail partner. Walmart Business has an ever-expanding assortment of workplace must-haves from furniture to tech to the break room and beyond—all delivered right to your door.

If you already use Walmart Business to keep your office well-stocked, consider signing up for a Walmart Business+ subscription for free shipping with no order minimum.¹ You’ll also get free delivery from local stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards on orders of $250 or more.³ That could add up to over $500 in savings every year,⁴ allowing you to reinvest more money in your business. Click here to learn more.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply.

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).