Home Office Design Ideas

A home office has many uses and isn’t a mere luxury anymore. You might work from home, or bring work home, or you might just need a place to go through bills, mail or store important paperwork. Kids can use a home office to do their homework, or quietly play a game online. Browse the photos on Houzz for home office ideas and inspiration, and strike up a conversation with the architect or designer or your favourite picks. For more home office ideas, check out the Stories section.

How much office storage do I need?

To ensure your home office or study room isn’t buried under a deluge of paperwork, books and supplies, incorporate plenty of shelves, cabinets and drawers. Floating or built-in shelves with cubbies can stock books and magazine holders; or for a more traditional look, make room for a large bookcase that fits in with the decor of your home. Invest in a filing cabinet to store paperwork, and opt for a lockable filing cabinet if you have sensitive documents. A tray organiser can store incoming mail and will help prioritise bills.

The type of desk you choose is also key to keeping things organised. Look for desks with deep drawers and plenty of surface space, and add tray organisers to the drawers to keep track of staples like pens, pencils, highlighters and sticky tape. If you want a streamlined look, find a way to conceal any computer cables or wires, too. One solution is to install a false back on your desk, if it doesn’t already have one.

How do I choose an office desk and chair?

If you spend long hours hunched over your work desk at home, invest in ergonomic office chairs with wheels for better back health and comfort. Consider optimal lumbar support with flexibility in adjusting handles and back angle. Most rolling office chairs come upholstered, typically in leather, but that’s no reason why you can’t have one custom-made to suit your home decor.

When picking out your work desk, be sure to consider its overall function. If you work from home and hold meetings, pick an oversized, sturdy desk that is double-sided (can be accessed from both sides). You’ll want it to look professional, so opt for dark timbers over high-shine finishes. It’s also a good idea to create a separate study desk for the kids, so homework doesn’t go missing among your files. If your home office is for the whole family a two-person desk or built-in long work bench are more suitable. Where space is tight, look for a retractable computer desk, or utilise an awkward corner with a corner desk.

What home office decor will encourage productivity?

Use your walls for to-do lists: hang a pegboard and paint it in your favourite colour or be adventurous with chalkboard paint and whiteboard panels. Bulletin boards that keep the whole family in order are an extra feature that always come in handy. Use your stationery and office accessories – think pencil cups, paper trays and magazine holders – to add colour and pattern, and desk lamps, clocks, maps and calendars to personalise the space. Above all else, aim for ease of use.

Design ideas for a beach style home office in Geelong with white walls, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Bluebird Townhouses

By Altereco Design

Nikole Ramsay
Design ideas for a beach style home office in Geelong with white walls, a built-in desk and grey floor.
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Inspiration for a country study room in Brisbane with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

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Inspiration for a country study room in Brisbane with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.
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Mid-sized scandinavian study room in Melbourne with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, white walls and dark hardwood floors.

The Corner House

By Poly Studio

View within the study showing the addition of contemporary bookshelves. photography: Tatjana Plitt
Mid-sized scandinavian study room in Melbourne with a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, white walls and dark hardwood floors.
Like the way the bookshelves in office utilise space above heaters - kayjwa

Inspiration for a scandinavian home office in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

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By Porter Architects

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Inspiration for a scandinavian home office in Other with blue walls, light hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.
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Photo of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Gold Coast - Tweed with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

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By Donna Guyler Design

Interior Design by Donna Guyler Design
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Gold Coast - Tweed with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.
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Inspiration for a transitional study room in Sydney with beige walls, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

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The study space over the garage is conceived as a cave for a modern man, with walls lined in limed hoop pine boards with matching bookshelf and flooring. © Justin Alexander
good use of roof space and light - webuser_9254349

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Contemporary study room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.

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www.tesskelly.net http://sisalla.com.au/
Contemporary study room in Melbourne with white walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.
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Inspiration for a scandinavian home office in Brisbane.
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Inspiration for a transitional study room in Melbourne with grey walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.

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By Sarah Wood Designs

Inspiration for a transitional study room in Melbourne with grey walls, carpet and a freestanding desk.
Artwork on the wall a peaceful, creative - ella_walter

Photo of a contemporary study room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

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Photo of a contemporary study room in Sydney with white walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and beige floor.
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Mid-sized beach style study room in Sydney with white walls, a freestanding desk, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

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Mid-sized beach style study room in Sydney with white walls, a freestanding desk, light hardwood floors and beige floor.
cupboards and fixings - colour - nicole_brownlee

Inspiration for a small contemporary home office in Sydney with white walls, linoleum floors, brown floor and a built-in desk.

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By Minosa | Design Life Better

Alexandria Warehouse Conversion by Minosa . Concelled study desk for to is hidden behind the large sliding door Design Life Better. Design by Minosa Image by Nicole England
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Design ideas for a contemporary study room in Sydney with white walls, carpet and a built-in desk.

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By Kat Lucas Photography

Kat Lucas Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary study room in Sydney with white walls, carpet and a built-in desk.
i like the curve around the corner and the windows. - eliza_schoenmaker

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style study room in Other with white walls, a freestanding desk, beige floor and carpet.

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This is an example of a mid-sized beach style study room in Other with white walls, a freestanding desk, beige floor and carpet.
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Modern home office in Melbourne with brown walls, a built-in desk and white floor.

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Modern home office in Melbourne with brown walls, a built-in desk and white floor.
curved ceiling / lighting air conditioning - dana_shreeve10