Thrift Design Challenge

The $100 Office Glow-Up: Two Friends, Two Offices, One Thrift Challenge!

What happens when you take two empty, nearly identical office spaces, two talented volunteer friends with unique design eyes, and give them each a thrift budget? Absolute decor magic!

“Two empty offices. Two friends, each with a thrift store budget. Only one winner.”

Welcome to Family Pathways Thrift Stores’ first-ever Thrift Design Challenge! We recently decided to breathe fresh, creative life into two unoccupied administration offices. To kick off what we hope will be an ongoing series of fun thrifting contests—ranging from fashion to home decor and DIY upcycling—we invited two of our wonderful volunteers and close friends, Shannon and Melissa, to go head-to-head.

The Rules of the Challenge

To keep things fair and exciting, both participants had to follow a few simple ground rules:

• The Budget: Each designer received a $100 Family Pathways Thrift Stores gift card.
• Free Finds: They were encouraged to hunt on free and buy-nothing community sites for additional treasures.
• No Permanent Changes: They could upcycle and restyle freely, but absolute rules applied to the space—no painting walls or making permanent alterations!
• The Timeline: One week to thrift, salvage, and complete home DIY upcycling projects, followed by just one day to assemble and style their office space.

Meet the Designers & Watch the Makeovers

1. Shannon’s Cozy Homey Vibes Office

Shannon designed her office for anyone transitioning from working at home back into an office environment, creating a warm, comforting retreat. Her space features a functional drop station equipped with a bench and upcycled decorative wall hooks—giving the occupant a dedicated spot to hang their coat and switch out of winter boots into office footwear. She added a cozy blanket (perfect for covering the bench or snuggling up during colder months), alongside a large mirror and lush greenery to make the space feel inviting.

• 🎬 Watch the Prep & Hunt: Video: Shannon’s Thrifting & Design Journey
• ✨ Watch the Reveal: Video: Shannon’s 1-Day Office Glow-Up

Shannon’s Top Design Tip: Vary your heights and textures: Incorporate decor items of different heights across surfaces and wall displays to draw the eye up and make a space visually appealing and dynamic. Look for pieces with different textures to bring warmth and depth into your room without adding visual clutter.

2. Melissa’s Black & White Minimalistic Office

Melissa went with a sleek yet warm design anchored by deep black tones. She cleverly solved a non-removable fixture issue by hanging a neutral patterned curtain to cover unused wall tracking for desk cabinetry. To balance the dark, modern elements, she layered in bold abstract art, vibrant greenery, and a strategically placed mirror.

• 🎬 Watch the Prep & Hunt: Video: Melissa’s Thrifting Adventures
• ✨ Watch the Reveal: Video: Melissa’s 1-Day Office Glow-Up

Melissa’s Top Design Tips: Open up small spaces: Use a mirror to catch and reflect light, instantly adding openness and airiness to compact rooms. Thrift with a mission: Melissa checked out Pinterest for inspriation and made a few lists — what to buy and what is off limits.

Cast Your Vote! 🗳️

Both Shannon and Melissa did an astounding job turning stark office rooms into stylish, functional workspaces using thrifted gems and DIY creativity. But who took home the ultimate victory? That’s up to you!

👉 HEAD TO INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE OFFICE MAKEOVER

Want to Be Our Next Thrift Champion or a secret shopper?

Did watching Shannon and Melissa get your creative juices flowing? We’re just getting started! Family Pathways Thrift Stores is looking for thrifters, upcyclers, fashionistas, and DIY enthusiasts to participate in future challenges—whether it’s fashion flips, interior decorating, or holiday decor challenges.

If you’ve got an eye for thrifted treasure and love a good project:

👉 SIGN UP HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE THRIFT CONTESTS