Cringeworthy Desk Items in Tech: What’s on Your Workspace?

Image Credit: Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash

Let’s have a giggle about those quirky, sometimes questionable items cluttering desks in tech offices. You know the ones—they make you raise an eyebrow or stifle a laugh. Your desk is your tech sanctuary, whether you’re coding, managing projects, or sneaking a quick scroll. But some decorations scream “cringe” louder than a dial-up modem. 😄

Why Your Desk Vibe Matters

Your workspace is where tech magic happens. It’s for brainstorming, debugging, and maybe a sneaky scroll. However, certain desk items can make colleagues double-take. From outdated to over-the-top, these goodies might need a rethink.

Like, adding a splash of colour with fire engine red from Belkin.

Check out these cool Belkin cables in RED to add a splash of colour to your work desk.

Cringe Desk Items to Ditch

Take a look at these desk decorations that might be past their prime:

Solo award photo: A single framed snap of you shaking hands with the mayor after an award. No other photos, just that one stiff moment. Awkward.
Framed IT mission statement: A printed, framed copy of your department’s mission statement. It’s like your desk joined a corporate cult.
Carlton AFL mouse pad and cup: A worn-out Carlton mouse pad with a matching coffee-stained cup. Mad footy fan? We respect it. But this combo’s stuck in the 2010s.
Novelty USB drives: USB sticks shaped like pizzas or minions. Cute a decade ago, now they’re just clutter.
Mini desk zen garden: A tiny sandbox with a plastic rake that’s never been touched. It’s less “zen” and more “dust collector.”
Branded swag overload: A pile of logoed pens, stress balls, and lanyards from every tech conference since 2008. Time for a clear-out!
Fidget spinner collection: A pile of dusty fidget spinners from their 2017 heyday. They’re not spinning anymore – just collecting cobwebs.
Old conference badge lanyards: A tangle of lanyards from every tech event since 2010, draped over your monitor. Time for a declutter.

Tips for a Cringe-Free Desk

Want a desk that’s cool, not cringe? Go for simple, personal touches. A small pot plant, a quirky mug, or a neat notebook from Kikki-K can show off your style without going overboard. Your desk should feel like you, not a shrine to outdated swag or a footy season long gone.

Got a Cringe-Worthy Desk Story?

Have you spotted something wild on a tech desk? Maybe a mate’s got a footy shrine or a collection of crusty conference swag? We want the goss. Share your stories in the comments or hit us up on socials with #TechDeskCringe.

Let’s keep the laughs coming and spark some desk makeovers.



Emma Crameri: Brisbane-based technology reviewer and writer, Emma Crameri is a regular contributor for Women Love Tech and the lifestyle site TheCarousel.com - where she reviews products. Passionate about all things tech, she has worked on ICT projects, online education and digital marketing. An early adopter, with both Android and Apple devices, Emma is also the Editor of the Brisbanista, and Game Set Tech websites.

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