Heang’s Home Office, Part 2 of 4: Thrifted Decor
Welcome back to Heang’s home office! Today, I want to talk to you about how I thrifted decor items to make her home office look very chic and luxurious without spending a ton of money. You don’t need a massive budget to create a space that feels stylish, personal, and inspiring. In fact, some of the most stunning rooms are built not with high-end furniture, but with a creative eye and a little treasure hunting. When I designed Heang’s home office, we focused on mixing beauty with budget, and the result is a space that’s full of charm and personality.
What in the Thrift are You Looking For?
One of the best ways to make a thrifted room look intentional and elevated is by mixing secondhand treasures with a few carefully chosen store-bought items. This blend keeps the space feeling fresh and balanced, never too dated or too trendy. When I’m thrifting for a client’s home, there are a few key pieces I always look for. Certain pieces can truly transform a room. Here are my top go-to thrift finds.
Occasional Tables
Occasional furniture refers to small, versatile pieces like side tables or accent chairs that enhance a room. For Heang’s home office, I thrifted this very cool, round table. You can see it in the picture below between the two chairs with the blue lamp on it.
I love all the drawers and imagine her kids sneaking in to hide their treasures in them. This table isn’t meant to be the star of the show. But it adds texture, personality, and masculinity that is in perfect balance with all the feminine elements in the room.
Lamps, lamps, and more lamps
I always thrift lamps because they’re one of those home essentials that can be surprisingly expensive when bought new, and honestly, most of the ones in stores all look the same. Thrift stores, on the other hand, are full of unique, character-filled options that you can’t find at big-box retailers. One thing to note about thrifted lamps is that you can often buy them without shades. This is a great option because it’s so easy to head to Amazon and find the perfect shade. You can’t beat a classic white drum shade!
In this next photo, you can see two lamps that I thrifted for this space. The blue lamp on the thrifted occasional table and the desk lamp. I love that the desk lamp has a glass base which allows it to fade into the glass desk top.
THE Desk!
Can we please have a moment of silence for this stunning desk that I got at a thrift store? Most people think it’s brand new when they see it. It didn’t always look this glamorous—I gave the base a fresh coat of gold paint, and now it absolutely shines in the room. It’s a perfect example of how a little vision and effort can completely transform a piece.
The real lesson here is that if you stick with it and keep looking, you can thrift truly special pieces that make a big impact without a big price tag. Make a habit of visiting various thrift stores in your area on a regular basis to up your chances of finding a special piece.
Unique Thrifted Decor Items
Thrift stores are hands-down the best place to find unique home décor that you can’t get anywhere else. Some of my favorite things to collect from thrift stores are crystal items, candlesticks, anything brass, vintage art, and baskets. These pieces add character and charm that is difficult to find in mass-produced items.
Every time you step into a thrift store, it’s like going on a treasure hunt—you never know what gem you’ll discover. And when you bring those finds into your home, they tell a story and make your space feel truly personal.
For example, I found this magazine rack that reminds me of my childhood. The natural wood tones help ground what is otherwise a very light and airy room. I’m not sure how Heang will use this piece, but I think it adds a lot to the personality of the space.
The other place I snuck in some special thrifted items was on this bookshelf. I can’t wait to share more about it in a future blog post, but for now, here’s a sneak peek. Notice how the thrifted decor items add depth and personality to this special area of the room.
Thrifted decor is not just a budget-friendly design element. It’s a fun, creative process that brings so much personality into a space. It’s a great feeling to look around your home and feel proud of what you’ve collected.
Over the years, I’ve amassed an entire basement full of thrifted treasures, all waiting for the perfect spot in one of my clients’ homes. I’m not saying you need to collect as much furniture as I do (trust me, it’s a lot!), but starting a small collection of your own can be a great way to add unique, meaningful touches to your space. You never know when that perfect little piece will turn up—and when it does, you’ll be glad you grabbed it.
