Home offices are set up by people who work from home, whether self-employed or telecommuting for an employer. Essentials within a home office often include a desk, chair, computer or laptop, internet capability, and adequate software like Zoom to connect with co-workers who are also working remotely.

Appartamento privato-Roma

FM Atelier

This is an example of a contemporary home office in Rome with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Cozy Industrial Office Space

Jas D. Decor

We wanted to create a cozy and productive atmosphere for this fun couple. To maximize the limited space, we opted to mount the larger pieces on the wall. The design we chose was a blend of simplistic style and neutral tones, with a touch of color added in throughout.

Victorian property in East London

JLV Design Ltd

The beautiful wallpaper creates an amazing background for any Zoom meeting
Design ideas for a small contemporary study room in London with purple walls, carpet, a freestanding desk, grey floor and wallpaper.

Tunbridge Wells Attic Conversion

Nicky Percival Limited

Glorious sunny work place with view to garden
Inspiration for a large scandinavian study room in Sussex with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Union Street

ballonSTUDIO interiors & remodeling

Our San Francisco studio designed this beautiful four-story home for a young newlywed couple to create a warm, welcoming haven for entertaining family and friends. In the living spaces, we chose a beautiful neutral palette with light beige and added comfortable furnishings in soft materials. The kitchen is designed to look elegant and functional, and the breakfast nook with beautiful rust-toned chairs adds a pop of fun, breaking the neutrality of the space. In the game room, we added a gorgeous fireplace which creates a stunning focal point, and the elegant furniture provides a classy appeal. On the second floor, we went with elegant, sophisticated decor for the couple's bedroom and a charming, playful vibe in the baby's room. The third floor has a sky lounge and wine bar, where hospitality-grade, stylish furniture provides the perfect ambiance to host a fun party night with friends. In the basement, we designed a stunning wine cellar with glass walls and concealed lights which create a beautiful aura in the space. The outdoor garden got a putting green making it a fun space to share with friends. --- Project designed by ballonSTUDIO. They discreetly tend to the interior design needs of their high-net-worth individuals in the greater Bay Area and to their second home locations. For more about ballonSTUDIO, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/

Architecture intérieure sur mesure d'un appartement

Studio Catoir

Architecture intérieure d'un appartement situé au dernier étage d'un bâtiment neuf dans un quartier résidentiel. Le Studio Catoir a créé un espace élégant et représentatif avec un soin tout particulier porté aux choix des différents matériaux naturels, marbre, bois, onyx et à leur mise en oeuvre par des artisans chevronnés italiens. La cuisine ouverte avec son étagère monumentale en marbre et son ilôt en miroir sont les pièces centrales autour desquelles s'articulent l'espace de vie. La lumière, la fluidité des espaces, les grandes ouvertures vers la terrasse, les jeux de reflets et les couleurs délicates donnent vie à un intérieur sensoriel, aérien et serein.

Comfortably Classic Family Home

Coddington Design

This Piedmont family wanted a home design that would be welcoming, kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and fit their busy lifestyle. They tasked us with coming in (virtually) to source all the furnishings, lighting, textiles, finishes, paint colors, and more for the entire home.

Ocean Township Blues

Evenflow Interiors

Large transitional home office in New York with beige walls, carpet, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, beige floor and wallpaper.

Young Rd Residence

Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors

Design ideas for a transitional study room in Boston with grey walls, carpet, a freestanding desk and decorative wall panelling.

Modern Loft Bungalow Guest Bedroom/Office

John McClain Design

The idea for this space came from two key elements: functionality and design. Being a multi-purpose space, this room presents a beautiful workstation with black and rattan desk atop a hair on hide zebra print rug. The credenza behind the desk allows for ample storage for office supplies and linens for the stylish and comfortable white sleeper sofa. Stunning geometric wall covering, custom drapes and a black and gold light fixture add to the collected mid-century modern and contemporary feel. Photo: Zeke Ruelas

Style King

User

Design ideas for a contemporary home office in Chicago with blue walls, carpet, a freestanding desk, brown floor, wallpaper and panelled walls.

Twin Hollows

Remedy Design Firm

Inspiration for a transitional home office in Salt Lake City with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor and exposed beam.

Winterberry

DESiGN iNKREDiBLE LLC

Formal sitting area turned into luxury home office.
This is an example of a large transitional study room in Raleigh with grey walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk, beige floor and wallpaper.

Stunning Nassau County Redesign

Jacqueline Rose Interiors, LLC

Photo of a traditional home office in New York with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, wallpaper, panelled walls and wallpaper.

High Style in San Antonio

BRADSHAW DESIGNS LLC

Warm and inviting this new construction home, by New Orleans Architect Al Jones, and interior design by Bradshaw Designs, lives as if it's been there for decades. Charming details provide a rich patina. The old Chicago brick walls, the white slurried brick walls, old ceiling beams, and deep green paint colors, all add up to a house filled with comfort and charm for this dear family. Lead Designer: Crystal Romero; Designer: Morgan McCabe; Photographer: Stephen Karlisch; Photo Stylist: Melanie McKinley.

Portland Contemporary Home

User

The original small 2 bedroom dwelling was deconstructed piece by piece, with every element recycled/re-used. The larger, newly built home + studio uses much less energy than the original. In fact, the home and office combined are net zero (the home’s blower door test came in at Passive House levels, though certification was not procured). The transformed home boasts a better functioning layout, increased square footage, and bold accent colors to boot. The multiple level patios book-end the home’s front and rear facades. The added outdoor living with the nearly 13’ sliding doors allows ample natural light into the home. The transom windows create an increased openness with the floor to ceiling glazing. The larger tilt-turn windows throughout the home provide ventilation and open views for the 3-level contemporary home. In addition, the larger overhangs provide increased passive thermal protection from the scattered sunny days. The conglomeration of exterior materials is diverse and playful with dark stained wood, concrete, natural wood finish, and teal horizontal siding. A fearless selection of a bright orange window brings a bold accent to the street-side composition. These elements combined create a dynamic modern design to the inclusive Portland backdrop.

ЖК Розмарин

Anastasia Kovalchuk

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary study room in Moscow with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Verano Home Office

Jamie Naugle Interiors

This is an example of a mid-sized country study room in Austin with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, exposed beam and panelled walls.

Appartement N

Pascale Bensoussan

Design ideas for a contemporary home office in Paris with beige walls, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Home Office Design Ideas with 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.