Nate Berkus' vintage finds are the perfect desk accessory – here's how to use second-hand items to make your workspace feel more characterful

It can be hard to find the motivation to get back to working life in January, but updating your workspace can make all the difference. Your working environment can really affect your mood, and when you come to your desk every morning, you want to feel uplifted and inspired.

The easiest way to do that? Style your desk as you would any other space, curate it like you would a shelf, treat it as you do your kitchen countertops. Put some thought into sourcing unique pieces that will bring you joy as soon as your walk in your home office.

Decorating with vintage pieces is a surefire way to elevate even the most bland of desks and inject some instant personality into these practical spaces. And our favorite antique guru, designer Nate Berkus, recently shared with Instagram how he sources unique second-hand finds decor to do just that.

It's no secret that Nate loves a good vintage find. He makes blending the old and new look easy with vintage pieces scattered throughout his one-of-a-kind design projects. He's a master of curated eclecticism as he can take beautiful, old pieces and give them meaning in an entirely new context.

While Nate loves all kinds of vintage finds we've noticed that he's loving the classic European midcentury look as of late. To our delight (and envy) he's been purchasing all types of luxurious pieces and unboxing them on Instagram. Most recently Nate showed off another new purchase – a vintage Italian ashtray and box, made to sit on at-home desk.

Nate talks through his latest finds and how he intends to use them in the office of his current project.

Nate clearly loves scanning the internet and hunting for vintage pieces as he starts by telling us how often he buys second-hand items for himself and his clients. 'This is something I do in the office basically every other day. A box arrived from an auction and as always, I have no memory of what I bought. Is it for me or is it for a client?' he begins.

Nate starts by pulling out his first mystery object – an antique box. 'This is a series of items from an Italian designer in the 1970s – Tommaso Barbi.' The designer is known for his instantly recognizable style that feels both opulent and contemporary.

Shop Mid-century desk supplies

You can typically spot a Barbi piece from its distinct curved shape or the presence of a luxury material or a sleek finish. Referring to the box, Nate explains 'As you can see it's made from burl wood. But the thing that I love about the design is that it has these corners with beautifully done hinging and hardware. It’s super minimal and very 70s with the curved corners and chrome burl wood.'

Nate moves on to the ashtray which he intends to use as a change tray for his client's desk. It perfectly matches the box, with its metal accents and burl wood making them a great pair. There are many ways to organize a desk but coordinating your desk decor can make the overall look feel sophisticated and considered.

Desk supplies are hardly the most exciting of purchases, and while there are some boring essentials, you probably need to buy new. Shopping for special antique and vintage pieces will elevate your workspace and give it character. Match these pieces with the right home office paint colors and you will have an inspiring, timeless workspace.

Shop the Mid-century home office style

If you want to add some Mid-century flair to your home office, there are plenty of stores that stock replica pieces that might be better suited to your budget and lifestyle. You could mix and match old and new for a characterful but practical space.

Nate has proven that secondhand pieces can make any space feel curated and modern despite their age. It's fair to say that we've been inspired to incorporate vintage pieces on our desks at home and give our office space a dose of luxury and character.