It's no secret that many of us spend a lot of our time in the office, so why not add a personal touch to these environments and make them feel more like ourselves? A little comfort goes a long way in terms of creativity. 

Here are seven things you can thrift on the cheap to add some oomph to your office, whether at home or in an external work location.

*These finds were spotted at the Goodwill of Greater Washington locations in Gaithersburg, MD, and Rockville, MD.

Mugs & Cups: Stay sustainable and chic with a fun vessel that reflects your style. For under $2 a piece at Goodwill, you can start a conversation with the cup that holds your favorite morning beverage.

Conversation-Starters: Need a way to spice up your office conversation? Out goes that typical weather chat, and in with, "What is that?!" Break up the monotony with some desk decor that invites more engaging and memorable interactions.

PS - I loved these desk knobs. A DIYed desk at home or work with these beauties would make people talk! 

Wall Art: Did you know that unique art made by local artists can be thrifted for a fraction of the original price? Create a one-of-a-kind space free of mass-produced art with beautiful pieces kept out of local landfills. 

This Open/Closed sign could make colleagues laugh. Need to minimize disruptions to optimize productivity? Use this tool to tell others that your desk is open or closed for conversation!

Funky Frames: That family photo needs to go somewhere! For under $5, you can thrift unused name-brand frames with vibrant patterns and textures. Here's an idea - Put some of your child's art in a secondhand frame too!

Vases & Planters: Bring refreshing, stress-reducing elements of nature to your office with plants in reused planters that help Protect Mother Earth! An excellent gift for a colleague is a bouquet in a Goodwill vase. It's inexpensive and from the heart! 

Dishes & Organizers: I can trick-or-treat as an adult year-round by stopping at a colleague's desk for mints and hard candies (sorry if it becomes disruptive!). You can become that fun candy-giving coworker by adding a dish to your desk that evokes fantastic conversation. 

Additionally, we all need organizers for our various office supplies and stationery - which you can thrift too (pictured). Before stopping at a big-box store, try thrifting first. You can find name-brand organizers (like this Umbra beauty!) for a few bucks each! 

Book Ends (and Books!): I love showcasing work-related books at my desk for inspiration, and I want to display them with pizzazz. That's when Goodwill gave me the idea to find vintage bookends for my desk. Many of my books are thrifted too. 

Whether you need to spruce up your new desk at your new job or want to reinvigorate your space for the new season, I invite you to use these thrifty thought-starters as inspiration.

Creating an environment with secondhand finds that gets the creative juices flowing can help improve your mental health while supporting critical nonprofit community efforts! Mother Earth will thank you as well.