Alise O'Brian Photography
Photo of a large traditional home office in St Louis with a library, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Copper Bay

Glas Associates

A multifunctional space serves as a den and home office with library shelving and dark wood throughout Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
Large traditional home office in Grand Rapids with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Weston Residence

Design Complements

Deep blue and coral vivid tones for this amazing library. In this room you will find a blue velvet sofa and two ottomans with orange tray tables, coral reef decorations and orange pillows, along with a colorful chair.

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.

Advantage Residential Designs

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

Formal Round Hill Compound

S. B. Long Interiors

Masculine home office. Photographed by Don Freeman
Inspiration for a large traditional home office in Dallas with a library, blue walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Shirley Master Suite with Private Library

Kevin McManamon Interior Design

The master suite includes a private library freshly paneled in crotch mahogany. Heavy draperies are 19th-century French tapestry panels. The formal fringed sofa is Stark's Old World line and is upholstered in Stark fabric. The desk, purchased at auction, is chinoiserie on buried walnut.

Waterfront Shingle Style in Old Greenwich

Thompson Raissis Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional home office in New York with a library, medium hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, brown walls and brown floor.

Commercial Woodwork in New Jersey

WL Kitchen & Home

Custom library living room.
Photo of a large traditional home office in New York with a library, brown walls, a wood stove, a wood fireplace surround, black floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Hill

Ross Builders, Inc.

Library
Photo of a large transitional home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Home Office - Mike Ford Custom Homes - Witherspoon Parade Model

Marty Paoletta Photography

Photographer - Marty Paoletta
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean home office in Nashville with a library, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Lakeforest Library

HCI Cabinetry

Photo of an expansive traditional home office in Chicago with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Gentleman's Study

Reed & Acanthus Interior Design

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in New Orleans with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Wetherell Home Exterior

Sheffield Construction Company, Inc

Design ideas for a large traditional home office in Atlanta with a library, green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Modern Home Office

Large modern home office in Other with a library, white walls, concrete floors, a two-sided fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Hill

Ross Builders, Inc.

Library
Large transitional home office in Chicago with a library, grey walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Rye Beach Shingle

VanderHorn Architects

A bright but neutral tone permeates through the library’s American Cherry paneling, built-in cases, French doors, double-hung windows and beam ceilings with v-groove board coffers. James Merrell Photography

Laurel Hollow Library

Debbie Clarke Lifestyle

A 100 year old Persian rug with several colors of blues, reds, greens, and creams cover mahogany hardwood floors.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional home office in New York with a library, brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and multi-coloured floor.

Lakeforest Library

HCI Cabinetry

Photo of an expansive traditional home office in Chicago with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Modern Gas Insert Fireplace

Dovetail Group LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional home office in Philadelphia with a library, green walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, orange floor, coffered and panelled walls.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Library and a Wood Fireplace Surround

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.