Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional home office in San Francisco with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

New Rochelle Westchester Modern

D. Wang Photo

Inspiration for a transitional home office in New York with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Chevy Chase MD

Annie Elliott Design

Inspiration for a traditional home office in DC Metro with a library, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

New home office

Ellsworth Design Build

The clients loved the concept of bringing the colors of nature from outside their windows into the space, so different shades of green, blue and natural wood tones were used throughout.

Sleek Riverside Family Home

Elizabeth Krueger Design

Design ideas for a large transitional home office in Chicago with a library, beige walls, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Home Office

J. Lawrence Design

This is an example of a large traditional home office in Little Rock with a library, blue walls, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Ohio Timber Frame Home

Riverbend Timber Framing

A large and elegant study is complemented with a full wall of custom shelving and clever storage. Photo by: JE Evans
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in Columbus with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Indian Hill Estate

Newgard Custom Homes

This is an example of a large transitional home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Memorial Riad

Marion Interior Design

Photo of an expansive mediterranean home office in Houston with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Ridge Road Project

Kara Theresa LLC

Inspiration for a small modern home office in New York with a library, black walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Fireplace Built-Ins

PSI Tops | Plastic Specialties Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional home office in Salt Lake City with a library, beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Objectivity

Soucie Horner, Ltd.

An outstanding collection of Art Deco furnishings, lighting, artwork, and accessories imbues this full-floor, Lake Shore Drive condominium with uncommon presence. Tailored in style and masculine in hue, it cocoons even as it welcomes light and views. Macassar ebony millwork and travertine floors evince its luxurious architectural side; sumptuous materials including silk velvet, cashmere, and shagreen articulate exquisite decorative elegance – as do pashmina draperies and parchment-covered walls. Also climbing walls: poetry, in this case written by the owner’s son and artistically hand-lettered by a local artisan. Layered in the extreme and collected over time, interiors exemplify the owner’s vocation as a jewelry designer, avocation as a world traveler, and passion for detail in measures both large and small. Embellished by a wide-ranging collection of sophisticated artworks – think everything from vintage New Yorker covers to a graphic Lichtenstein – it is a testament to the decorative power of self-assurance. Photo: Werner Straube

Classic New Build Home

GRAYSON DE VERE

Inspiration for a large transitional home office in Other with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Larchmont Harbor Residence

Amanda Kirkpatrick Photography

Design ideas for a large beach style home office in New York with a library, yellow walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and blue floor.

CHERRY CREEK CONDO

Dado Interior Design

Location: Denver, CO, USA Dado designed this 4,000 SF condo from top to bottom. A full-scale buildout was required, with custom fittings throughout. The brief called for design solutions that catered to both the client’s desire for comfort and easy functionality, along with a modern aesthetic that could support their bold and colorful art collection. The name of the game - calm modernism. Neutral colors and natural materials were used throughout. "After a couple of failed attempts with other design firms we were fortunate to find Megan Moore. We were looking for a modern, somewhat minimalist design for our newly built condo in Cherry Creek North. We especially liked Megan’s approach to design: specifically to look at the entire space and consider its flow from every perspective. Megan is a gifted designer who understands the needs of her clients. She spent considerable time talking to us to fully understand what we wanted. Our work together felt like a collaboration and partnership. We always felt engaged and informed. We also appreciated the transparency with product selection and pricing. Megan brought together a talented team of artisans and skilled craftsmen to complete the design vision. From wall coverings to custom furniture pieces we were always impressed with the quality of the workmanship. And, we were never surprised about costs or timing. We’ve gone back to Megan several times since our first project together. Our condo is now a Zen-like place of calm and beauty that we enjoy every day. We highly recommend Megan as a designer." Dado Interior Design

Coronado Country Club

Bungalow 56

Samantha Goh Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional home office in San Diego with a library, green walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Sympathetic Addition | Washington, Crossing, PA

Period Architecture Ltd.

Photography by Angle Eye Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in Philadelphia with a library, grey walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Riverside Charmer

Eileen Deschapelles Interior Design

Photographer, Jane Beiles
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional home office in New York with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Beverly Hills Residence

lauri morrison studio

Photo of a large transitional home office in Los Angeles with a library, green walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Long Island House - Home Office

Indecor Professional Inc.

Mid-sized contemporary home office in New York with a library, black walls, dark hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Library 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.