Traditional home studio in Los Angeles with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Kenwood Residence

Petersen Design Associates, LLC

This is an example of a large contemporary home office in San Francisco with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

5" Solid Hickory W/ Character Hand Scraped Hand-Hewn Hand-Rubbed Finish

Quality Floor Co.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Traditional Residence - Fairview Farms

Jim Quigley Custom Homes LLC

Large traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Winnett Residence

Level Studio

Our Winnett Residence Project had a long, narrow and open concept living space that our client’s wanted to function both as a living room and permanent work space. Inspired by a lighthouse from needlework our client crafted, we decided to go with a low peninsula gas fireplace that functions as a beautiful room divider, acts as an island when entertaining and is transparent on 3 sides to allow light to filter in the space. A large sectional and coffee table opposite custom millwork increases seating and storage allowing this space to be used for the family and when guests visit. Paired with a collection of Canadiana prints all featuring water play off the white and blue colour scheme with touches of plants everywhere.

Office Cabinetry

Kitchens by Hastings, Inc.

Mid-sized traditional home office in Boston with a library, blue walls, brick floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

As Seen in Redbook - Cape Cod Inspired

Viscusi Elson Interior Design - Gina Viscusi Elson

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in San Francisco with green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Serene Design Vacabulary, Richmond

Yoko Kloeden Design

Photography: YAYOI
This is an example of a traditional home office in London with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and black floor.

Victorian Family Home in South West London

Ruth Noble Interiors

Photo of a traditional study room in London with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Contemporary Home Office

Large contemporary study room in Phoenix with brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Nottinghill

Frahm Interiors - Burlington ON

Mid-sized contemporary home office in Toronto with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Writer's Retreat - Pasadena Showcase 2012

Haustech

For the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House, we created a first of a kind 60" touch screen television that operates much like an iPad. Surf the web, check email, watch television, work on documents - all with the touch of a finger. The Writer's retreat features in ceiling surround speakers and state-of-the-art controls. The Writer's Retreat at the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, part of the large Spanish Colonial Revival estate. CBA Technology created a first of a kind 60" touch screen television that operates much like an iPad. Surf the web, check email, watch television, work on documents - all with the touch of a finger. The Writer's retreat features in ceiling surround speakers and state-of-the-art controls. (Design & Build by Cynthia Bennett & Associates) © Tom Queally

Traditional Home in Tesuque

Pink Dwelling

Design ideas for a mid-sized home office in Other with a library, yellow walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Création d'un bureau à domicile pour télétravail

PK intérieur

Création d'un espace bureau à domicile pour télétravail avec rangements et bibliothèque.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary study room in Lyon with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and a freestanding desk.

Harringay Victorian Flat

Emilie Fournet Interiors

Kasia Fiszer
Inspiration for a large eclectic study room in London with purple walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and white floor.

Bright and open home in Houston

By Design Interiors, Inc.

One of the first rooms you see through the front entry is this beautiful study mixed with traditional and contemporary furnishings. Brightly colored abstract artwork pops against the neutral walls and metallic groin vaulted ceiling. Photographer: Daniel Angulo

The Sandpiper

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional study room in Vancouver with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and coffered.

Whiteacres House

Create Perfect

This large victorian home office is great for relaxing as well as working. With leather furniture and wooden side tables, this room is perfect for meetings with a wall-mounted TV. The bookcase is full wall - floor to ceiling and painted the same colour as the walls. Brass elements throughout give a warm touch to the cooler colour scheme.

Hill Side Modern

Pink Door Designs

Inspiration for a large modern study room in Houston with grey walls, ceramic floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Aménagement intérieur d'espace musique et de bureau à domicile pour télétravail

PK intérieur

Aménagement d'un espace musique avec piano et d'un espace bureau à domicile avec bibliothèque pour télétravail.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary study room in Lyon with grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, beige floor and a freestanding desk.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Plaster Fireplace Surround and a Freestanding Desk

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.