What the 10 Most-Saved Home Offices This Year Tell Us
Meet the most-popular home offices on Houzz this year. See them here and find out why we love them
Julia Fairley
7 August 2021
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture that is thoughtful, sophisticated and champions an element of the unexpected. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts at UNSW and becoming a journalist, I studied interior architecture. For over a decade I have interviewed inspiring creative minds from around the world to write about design in its many different forms. Recently, I have also become an accidental gardener, to everyone's surprise.
Chief Sub-Editor and Writer, Houzz Australia and New Zealand. I love design and architecture... More
With working from home the new norm for many, there are no medals awarded for guessing that ‘home office’ ranked among Houzz’s top-10 search terms from January to June in 2021. So which 10 home offices were your favourites? Scroll down to see the photos that you, our Australian Houzz users, saved most in the first six months of 2021.
You chose from project images uploaded by design professionals around the world between July 2020 and July 2021. But interestingly, all top-10 images are Australian, proving just how singular our style ethos is – and how tuned in to it our local designers are.
You chose from project images uploaded by design professionals around the world between July 2020 and July 2021. But interestingly, all top-10 images are Australian, proving just how singular our style ethos is – and how tuned in to it our local designers are.
1. In the frame
What’s especially interesting in this mostly symmetrical home office are the glazed doors separating the work space from the rest of the home. Interior glazing is often seen in European homes yet it also works beautifully in this Brisbane space by Paradigm New. The glazed divide respects the separation between business and pleasure in the home while maintaining a visual connection between the spaces.
This is also the only home-office space in our top-10 collection that has a freestanding desk. It’s a flame of hope that the longstanding design icon still has life in it.
What’s especially interesting in this mostly symmetrical home office are the glazed doors separating the work space from the rest of the home. Interior glazing is often seen in European homes yet it also works beautifully in this Brisbane space by Paradigm New. The glazed divide respects the separation between business and pleasure in the home while maintaining a visual connection between the spaces.
This is also the only home-office space in our top-10 collection that has a freestanding desk. It’s a flame of hope that the longstanding design icon still has life in it.
2. Batten the hatches
If there’s one thing Australian design connoisseurs are not afraid of, it’s dark finishes. Gone are the days of whitewashing an interior from floor to ceiling, as this Adelaide, SA, home, by Build Theory, shows. And if there was any question whether light, bright elements could share the space with bold, black features, this home office is the answer.
The use of a light and dark palette, tempered by the white ceiling, is striking. Add to that the linearity of the panelled wall and the visually permeable timber battens, and we have ourselves a marvel.
If there’s one thing Australian design connoisseurs are not afraid of, it’s dark finishes. Gone are the days of whitewashing an interior from floor to ceiling, as this Adelaide, SA, home, by Build Theory, shows. And if there was any question whether light, bright elements could share the space with bold, black features, this home office is the answer.
The use of a light and dark palette, tempered by the white ceiling, is striking. Add to that the linearity of the panelled wall and the visually permeable timber battens, and we have ourselves a marvel.
3. Two-toned timber
Not for the first time in this collection of home offices, we see a trio of shades, including two complementary timbers. This area in Geelong, Victoria, by Dylan Barber Building Design, combines raw timber finishes with dark joinery for a dramatic effect.
This home office works against the notion that working spaces in residential settings should be secreted away in concealed joinery. Black fittings also stand loud and proud, proving overhead fans must no longer fade into the ceiling.
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Not for the first time in this collection of home offices, we see a trio of shades, including two complementary timbers. This area in Geelong, Victoria, by Dylan Barber Building Design, combines raw timber finishes with dark joinery for a dramatic effect.
This home office works against the notion that working spaces in residential settings should be secreted away in concealed joinery. Black fittings also stand loud and proud, proving overhead fans must no longer fade into the ceiling.
Redesigning your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
4. Texture and tone
Dark and dramatic home offices may be on the rise, but the language of ‘soft and subtle’ is still favoured by many. This space in Sydney, NSW, by Hall & Hart Homes, is a study in texture and tone, rather than bold contrasts.
The working space here has a bedroom-style quality with its soft furnishings. And the timber finish in the joinery? Its prevalence makes us wonder if timber-veneer joinery will overtake the popularity of polyurethane finishes in the near future.
Dark and dramatic home offices may be on the rise, but the language of ‘soft and subtle’ is still favoured by many. This space in Sydney, NSW, by Hall & Hart Homes, is a study in texture and tone, rather than bold contrasts.
The working space here has a bedroom-style quality with its soft furnishings. And the timber finish in the joinery? Its prevalence makes us wonder if timber-veneer joinery will overtake the popularity of polyurethane finishes in the near future.
5. Popularity of office nooks
This home office in Perth, WA, by Limitless Building, is less a separate study space and more an office nook. Tucked away in a corner of the dining space, it reflects Australians’ growing love of ‘the nook’ – a portion of a room (rather than an entire room itself) dedicated to a particular activity.
Reading nooks, dining nooks and home-office nooks have been on the rise in recent years. Our bet is that office or study nooks will prove an enduring trend to support adults working from home as well as kids doing their homework.
This home office in Perth, WA, by Limitless Building, is less a separate study space and more an office nook. Tucked away in a corner of the dining space, it reflects Australians’ growing love of ‘the nook’ – a portion of a room (rather than an entire room itself) dedicated to a particular activity.
Reading nooks, dining nooks and home-office nooks have been on the rise in recent years. Our bet is that office or study nooks will prove an enduring trend to support adults working from home as well as kids doing their homework.
6. Built-in beauty
It appears the days of plonking a desk, chair and storage unit in a room are behind us.
Even in relatively straightforward set-ups, such as this Brisbane office by Plot Architecture, the joinery serves as both form and function. So if you’re redesigning your home and keen to future-proof it with enduring trends, perhaps consider allocating some of your joinery budget to a study space.
Browse more stunning Australian home offices
It appears the days of plonking a desk, chair and storage unit in a room are behind us.
Even in relatively straightforward set-ups, such as this Brisbane office by Plot Architecture, the joinery serves as both form and function. So if you’re redesigning your home and keen to future-proof it with enduring trends, perhaps consider allocating some of your joinery budget to a study space.
Browse more stunning Australian home offices
7. Panelling poise
If there’s one insight about materials that the home offices in this collection have taught us, it’s that wall panelling is here to stay. Decorative trends come and go, but the permanence of a cladding material, such as shiplap, suggests we’ll be seeing it for a long time to come.
This Melbourne office in Victoria by Lume Architecture displays it in many forms. And what’s inspiring is how well it blends with contemporary country style, emphasised by the bold barn door.
If there’s one insight about materials that the home offices in this collection have taught us, it’s that wall panelling is here to stay. Decorative trends come and go, but the permanence of a cladding material, such as shiplap, suggests we’ll be seeing it for a long time to come.
This Melbourne office in Victoria by Lume Architecture displays it in many forms. And what’s inspiring is how well it blends with contemporary country style, emphasised by the bold barn door.
8. Our love of the linear
The appearance of a (second!) barn door in the top-10 most-saved home offices was definitely a surprise. In this Brisbane study by Highgate House, the door in question also speaks to our love of lines in interior design. See the lined wallpaper? We rest our case. And the splash of deep blue below the desk? Interestingly, it’s the only strong non-monotone colour in this entire image collection.
The appearance of a (second!) barn door in the top-10 most-saved home offices was definitely a surprise. In this Brisbane study by Highgate House, the door in question also speaks to our love of lines in interior design. See the lined wallpaper? We rest our case. And the splash of deep blue below the desk? Interestingly, it’s the only strong non-monotone colour in this entire image collection.
9. Colour code
Speaking of colour, this gentle wash of pale-blue cabinetry is about as much colour as you’re going to get in this story. Ponder these images and it’s clear that mostly monochrome palettes of white, black (or almost black) and timber are the current reigning queens of design. This echoes our findings in this year’s most-popular kitchens so far, which display distinctly similar colour schemes.
Another feature of this Melbourne office nook by Demardi is that it can be almost entirely concealed behind the joinery. Notably, it is the only home office in this collection that can be – all others are either sequestered in separate rooms or maintain a visual link with an adjacent interior.
Speaking of colour, this gentle wash of pale-blue cabinetry is about as much colour as you’re going to get in this story. Ponder these images and it’s clear that mostly monochrome palettes of white, black (or almost black) and timber are the current reigning queens of design. This echoes our findings in this year’s most-popular kitchens so far, which display distinctly similar colour schemes.
Another feature of this Melbourne office nook by Demardi is that it can be almost entirely concealed behind the joinery. Notably, it is the only home office in this collection that can be – all others are either sequestered in separate rooms or maintain a visual link with an adjacent interior.
10. Timeless meets trending
All 10 of these home offices are different, yet the similarities are also striking. Timber-and-white colour palettes, joinery instead of freestanding furniture, and generous storage.
It’s the storage that’s the star of the show in this home office in Adelaide, SA, by Active Building Developments. Trimmed with timber tones that frame the cabinets, it’s a great reminder that ample, functional storage is a non-negotiable for anyone dreaming of a redesigned home office.
Your turn
Which of these 10 home offices are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save these images and more for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Curious to see the most-popular bathrooms for 2021 so far? Read up on What the 10 Most-Saved Bathrooms This Year Tell Us
All 10 of these home offices are different, yet the similarities are also striking. Timber-and-white colour palettes, joinery instead of freestanding furniture, and generous storage.
It’s the storage that’s the star of the show in this home office in Adelaide, SA, by Active Building Developments. Trimmed with timber tones that frame the cabinets, it’s a great reminder that ample, functional storage is a non-negotiable for anyone dreaming of a redesigned home office.
Your turn
Which of these 10 home offices are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save these images and more for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Curious to see the most-popular bathrooms for 2021 so far? Read up on What the 10 Most-Saved Bathrooms This Year Tell Us
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I’d like to see some standing desk options.They are a healthier option but unfortunately most of them look horrible. Challenge anyone? ;)
One of my designs with a sit / stand desk converter. Much healthier than sitting all day long
These home-offices look wonderful but where are all the inevitable cables, charging point etc? I’d like too see some more really practical and stylish examples.