Office Supply Trends of 2025: What’s Hot and What’s Not – Insights Success

The world of office supplies is having a quiet glow-up. As hybrid work becomes the new norm and remote setups get more sophisticated, the stationery we choose is evolving. It’s no longer just about function, it’s about sustainability, smart design, and tools that genuinely improve the way we work.

So what’s in, and what’s on the way out? Here’s a look at the biggest office supply trends of 2025 , the must-haves making waves, and the once-loved items falling out of favour.

What’s Hot

1. Eco-friendly everything

Sustainability is no longer optional. People are more conscious than ever about their environmental footprint, and it shows in the office stationery they’re choosing. Eco-friendly has moved from niche to mainstream.

We’re seeing everything from biodegradable pens and refillable markers to paper-based folders and plastic-free packaging. Brands are putting sustainable materials like bamboo, cork, jute, and recycled aluminium front and centre.

Hot right now:

• Refillable gel pens with replaceable ink cartridges
• Cork folders and clipboards
• Recycled cardboard organisers in natural tones
• Compostable mailers and envelopes
• Staple-free staplers (yes, really)

This shift isn’t just for show. Consumers are looking for office tools that last longer, reduce waste, and align with their values. The feel-good factor counts for a lot.

2. Minimalist desk aesthetics

Think clean lines, neutral tones, and multifunctional designs. Today’s office favours simple layouts with a calming colour palette. Beige, soft grey, sage, and off-white are especially popular.

Must-haves:

3. Digital-analogue hybrids

Despite the digital age, paper’s not going anywhere. But it’s evolving. Smart notebooks that sync with your phone, e-ink sticky notes, and QR code labelling systems are trending among those who like the feel of pen-on-paper with the power of digital organisation.

What’s in:

• Reusable smart notebooks (like Rocketbook)
• Bluetooth label makers for organising files and folders
• Digitised index cards for flashcard-style learning or planning
• E-ink sticky notes that connect to your productivity apps

The result? You get the flexibility and feel of analogue tools with the efficiency of digital backup. A perfect balance.

4. Mood-based work tools

This year, it’s not just about what gets the job done, it’s about how your tools make you feel while doing it. Mood-based stationery taps into wellness trends and gives your workspace a more personal, human edge.

Colour-coded pens for mood tracking, scented notebooks designed to boost focus, and aesthetic productivity tools like dice for setting work sprints are being welcomed by those who want their setup to support mental clarity as much as output.

Currently popular:

• Pens in soft, calming tones like lavender, mint or warm blush
• Scented stationery infused with essential oils
• Mood-based desk sets designed for personality types (think introvert focus kits or creativity bundles)
• Productivity cards or dice to help you reset and refocus

These little touches help people feel more connected to their workspace, even if it’s just the corner of the kitchen table.

5. Compact & portable work kits

As more professionals shift between home, co-working spaces, and the office, portable stationery is booming. People want tools that move with them easily. No more lugging around a bulky pencil case or jamming supplies into your laptop bag.

Compact, curated kits are the solution. Whether it’s a zipped pouch with essentials, a roll-up pen wrap, or a foldable laptop stand that tucks neatly away, versatility is the name of the game.

Items flying off the shelves:

• Travel tech organisers with cable and charger compartments
• Mini stationery kits that include scissors, tape, and pens
• Foldable laptop risers
• Slimline USB hubs and portable keyboards
• Compact planners or pocket notebooks

For anyone working on the go, these practical picks keep things neat without weighing you down.

What’s not in 2025

1. Bulk plastic stationery

Bright plastic office supplies, once a staple in every high street shop, are on the way out. Shiny neon staplers, chunky highlighters, and single-use pens are being phased out in favour of durable, low-waste alternatives.

Falling out of favour:

• Bright plastic desk organisers
• Single-use gel pens and markers
• Excessively packaged pen sets
• Disposable tape

Consumers are no longer just looking for value, they want quality, longevity, and lower environmental impact

2. Sticky note overload

While sticky notes are still around, the excessive use of dozens plastered all over monitors is becoming passé. Instead, people are shifting to digital note tools or reusable whiteboard tabs for planning and reminders.

Fading out:

• Neon sticky note walls
• Sticky calendars
• Disposable reminder flags

3. Oversized desk calendars

Those huge paper calendars that dominated the desk are now seen as space wasters. While planning tools are still key, the trend has shifted toward modular, movable solutions.

Losing popularity:

• Large spiral-bound desk calendars
• Laminated full-year wall planners
• Overly bulky planning books

Now we’re seeing more flexible setups like weekly tear-off pads, magnetic whiteboards, or simply syncing a compact planner with a phone app.

4. Themed stationery sets

Cartoon-themed or novelty stationery, once wildly popular, is losing traction in professional and hybrid setups. While there’s always room for fun, 2025 is leaning toward aesthetic and mature designs that blend style with function.

Going out:

• Unicorn pen holders
• Cactus-shaped sticky notes
• Cartoon erasers and paper clips

5. Clutter for clutter’s sake

Office desk drawers are great until they become the clutter themselves. The trend now is less but better. A single pen pot that holds everything, one smart tray instead of five fiddly ones, and pinboards with purpose, not just decoration.

On the way out:

• Multiple mismatched pen holders
• Desk trays stacked three high
• Over-pinned corkboards with no real system

This new wave of workspace curation favours functionality and flow. It’s about creating a space that supports you, not overwhelms you.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re kitting out a home study, revamping the office, or simply freshening up your daily desk essentials, these trends show a clear shift: workspaces that are calm, conscious, and cleverly designed.

Looking to shop the latest stationery and desk essentials? Browse the newest arrivals for eco-friendly tools, minimal desk accessories, and smart stationery sets designed to help you work better, wherever you are.