Mid-sized transitional home office in Dallas with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Antico e moderno nel cuore della città - Progetto in corso

Liadesign

Liadesign
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary home office in Milan with a library, multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Rénovation d'une Maison Parisienne

Lagom architectes

This is an example of a large contemporary home office in Paris with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Earthy Modern Custom Home

Charleston Building and Development

Inspiration for a mid-sized home office in Chicago with a library, beige walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Bainbridge Library

MAPLE & PLUM

Maple & Plum
This is an example of a transitional home office in Seattle with a library, beige walls, carpet, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Industrial Farm House

Christopher Simmonds Architect

The client’s brief was to create a space reminiscent of their beloved downtown Chicago industrial loft, in a rural farm setting, while incorporating their unique collection of vintage and architectural salvage. The result is a custom designed space that blends life on the farm with an industrial sensibility. The new house is located on approximately the same footprint as the original farm house on the property. Barely visible from the road due to the protection of conifer trees and a long driveway, the house sits on the edge of a field with views of the neighbouring 60 acre farm and creek that runs along the length of the property. The main level open living space is conceived as a transparent social hub for viewing the landscape. Large sliding glass doors create strong visual connections with an adjacent barn on one end and a mature black walnut tree on the other. The house is situated to optimize views, while at the same time protecting occupants from blazing summer sun and stiff winter winds. The wall to wall sliding doors on the south side of the main living space provide expansive views to the creek, and allow for breezes to flow throughout. The wrap around aluminum louvered sun shade tempers the sun. The subdued exterior material palette is defined by horizontal wood siding, standing seam metal roofing and large format polished concrete blocks. The interiors were driven by the owners’ desire to have a home that would properly feature their unique vintage collection, and yet have a modern open layout. Polished concrete floors and steel beams on the main level set the industrial tone and are paired with a stainless steel island counter top, backsplash and industrial range hood in the kitchen. An old drinking fountain is built-in to the mudroom millwork, carefully restored bi-parting doors frame the library entrance, and a vibrant antique stained glass panel is set into the foyer wall allowing diffused coloured light to spill into the hallway. Upstairs, refurbished claw foot tubs are situated to view the landscape. The double height library with mezzanine serves as a prominent feature and quiet retreat for the residents. The white oak millwork exquisitely displays the homeowners’ vast collection of books and manuscripts. The material palette is complemented by steel counter tops, stainless steel ladder hardware and matte black metal mezzanine guards. The stairs carry the same language, with white oak open risers and stainless steel woven wire mesh panels set into a matte black steel frame. The overall effect is a truly sublime blend of an industrial modern aesthetic punctuated by personal elements of the owners’ storied life. Photography: James Brittain

Laguna Beach

Passione

Design ideas for a large contemporary home office in Orange County with a library and a built-in desk.

Harvest Hills Remodel

Kurmak Builders

Design ideas for a small traditional home office in Calgary with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace and a built-in desk.

Walnut Home Office/Library

Custom Kitchens Inc

Cabinetry by Crystal Cabinet Works Inc., Country Classic door finished in Wheaton on walnut. Antique Brown Extra granite tops. Designer, Douglas Leake, CKD. John Magor Photography

Monticello

Young Construction

Design ideas for an expansive traditional home office in Santa Barbara with a library, medium hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

Rookwood - Traditional Estate

Visbeen Architects

Builder: J. Peterson Homes Interior Designer: Francesca Owens Photographers: Ashley Avila Photography, Bill Hebert, & FulView Capped by a picturesque double chimney and distinguished by its distinctive roof lines and patterned brick, stone and siding, Rookwood draws inspiration from Tudor and Shingle styles, two of the world’s most enduring architectural forms. Popular from about 1890 through 1940, Tudor is characterized by steeply pitched roofs, massive chimneys, tall narrow casement windows and decorative half-timbering. Shingle’s hallmarks include shingled walls, an asymmetrical façade, intersecting cross gables and extensive porches. A masterpiece of wood and stone, there is nothing ordinary about Rookwood, which combines the best of both worlds. Once inside the foyer, the 3,500-square foot main level opens with a 27-foot central living room with natural fireplace. Nearby is a large kitchen featuring an extended island, hearth room and butler’s pantry with an adjacent formal dining space near the front of the house. Also featured is a sun room and spacious study, both perfect for relaxing, as well as two nearby garages that add up to almost 1,500 square foot of space. A large master suite with bath and walk-in closet which dominates the 2,700-square foot second level which also includes three additional family bedrooms, a convenient laundry and a flexible 580-square-foot bonus space. Downstairs, the lower level boasts approximately 1,000 more square feet of finished space, including a recreation room, guest suite and additional storage.

2014 Built-In Bookcase

Oliver Construction LLC

Photos by Jennifer Oliver and Phil Dhom
Mid-sized traditional home office in Chicago with a library, beige walls, carpet and a built-in desk.

Crescent H

EK Reedy Interiors, Inc.

Custom Home in Jackson Hole, WY Paul Warchol Photography
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary home office in Other with dark hardwood floors, a built-in desk, black floor, a library, brown walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace surround.

Sunroom makeover

Diskin Designs

In this 1920s jumbo bungalow, the back door area doesn't allow for any storage, so the adjoining sunroom is the obvious choice. We combined the room's use as both a mudroom and office space--now there's a spot for everything, plenty of storage, and still a comfy reading area.

Period Property Surrey

Home Interior Design

Photo of a traditional home office in Surrey with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Calistoga Barn

Paul Kelley Architecture

This is an example of a mid-sized country home office in San Francisco with brown walls, concrete floors, a built-in desk, no fireplace, a library and grey floor.

Dell Avenue

The Lexington Group, LLC

Large traditional home office in DC Metro with a library, brown walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk and beige floor.

¡Bienvenido a Sant Joan Despi: Transformando Lo Nuevo en un Hogar Vivo!

Estudio de Interiorismo Laura Martínez, S.L.

This is an example of a mid-sized scandinavian home office in Other with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors and a built-in desk.

A Home Office Red with Envy

MOTIF Design Solutions, LLC

Grab a book and get settled into this cozy reading nook. An otherwise unused attic space was converted into a reading room and home office for the owner. Although collected and eclectic, this room became a fast favorite for relaxing on a lazy afternoon.

Cozy Library

LBT Interior Design

Mid-sized eclectic home office in Dallas with a library, white walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and brown floor.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Library and a Built-in 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.