Joe Purvis
This is an example of a transitional home office in Charlotte with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Rustic Home Office

Design ideas for a country home office in Other with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Old World Manor Library

Carolyn Rand Interior Design, Ltd.

Traditional study room in Columbus with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Orchid Island

Harry Gandy Howle & Associates PA

Traditional study room with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Study

Milton Development

Photo of a transitional home office in New York with a library, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Den

Windstone Partners

Inspiration for a large traditional study room in Houston with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Conyers Colonial

Significant Homes LLC

This is an example of a large traditional study room in New York with carpet, a corner fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown walls, a metal fireplace surround and beige floor.

Historic Renovation

Designs by Aaron Olson, Inc.

New mahogany library. The fluted Corinthian pilasters and cornice were designed to match the existing front door surround. A 13" thick brick bearing wall was removed in order to recess the bookcase. The size and placement of the bookshelves spring from the exterior windows on the opposite wall, and the pilaster/ coffer ceiling design was used to tie the room together. Mako Builders and Clark Robins Design/ Build Trademark Woodworking Sheila Gunst- design consultant Photography by Ansel Olson

Tudor Revival Estate

Sarah Barnard Design LLC

Steven Dewall
Inspiration for a large traditional home office in Los Angeles with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Modern Ski Home

Locati Architects

Photo of a country home office in Other with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Dorchester Staging

BA Staging & Interiors

Transitional home office in New York with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown floor and beige walls.

Dallas Edlen Residence

L. Lumpkins Architect, Inc.

Stephen Reed Photography
This is an example of a large mediterranean study room in Dallas with brown walls, a freestanding desk, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Aspen Lundy House

Robyn Scott Interiors, Ltd.

Mid Century Modern, Aspen, Landmark property Renovation, Chad Oppenheim, 1Friday architects, Vesel Brand, Kaegebein Fine Homebuilding
Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Denver with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

French Classical House in Highland Park, Texas

Richard Drummond Davis Architects

This is an example of a mediterranean study room in Dallas with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Barton Creek French Country Estate

Wilde Custom Homes

Photo of a traditional study room in Austin with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Revere

Carlton Edwards

Designer, Jeff Edwards uses walnut paneling with brass accents to counterbalance the steel and leathered graystone hearth. A custom walnut desk and vintage chairs for this library offer a place to absorb literary works.

Avenue of Two Rivers - Rumson

Milano Bros Builders Incorporated

Photo of a traditional home office in New York with medium hardwood floors, a library, brown walls, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

2017 Portfolio

PWR Designs

Stephen Reed
Design ideas for a traditional home office in Dallas with brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Crystal Cove

Richard Krantz Architecture Inc

Large mediterranean study room in Orange County with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Rocky River

Paskevich & Associates

Scott Pease Photography
Design ideas for a country study room in Cleveland with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

All Fireplaces Stained Wood Walls 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.