Study with eclectic furnishings and fixtures
This is an example of a large traditional home office in Chicago with a library, brown walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Mid-West Ranch

Yellowstone Traditions

Dave Lyon Architects // Gordon Gregory Photography
Inspiration for a large country home office in Other with a library, white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

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.

Mozart Street

Phillip Harrison Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary home office in Chicago with a library, green walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and wallpaper.

Timeless Colonial Restoration

Jennifer A. Emmer/Feng Shui Style

We Feng Shui'ed and designed this transitional space for our homeowner. We stayed true to the period of this 1930s Colonial with appropriate period wallpapers and such, but brought it up to date with exciting colors, and a good dose of current furnishings. I decided to go a bit more modern in this home office. Our client's favorite color is coral, which we featured prominently here.

Elegant Library

Jane Antonacci Interior Design

Black painted shelves created a dramatic library for rare books. Rose gold sconces and chandelier add elegance. Wallpaper in a Moorish design accents the ceiling. Black shelves and white furniture make the room striking and luxurious.

Tudor Revival Estate

Sarah Barnard Design LLC

Steven Dewall
Inspiration for a large traditional home office in Los Angeles with a library, brown walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Barnes Family Home: 'House of Colour'

LEIVARS

We are delighted to reveal our recent ‘House of Colour’ Barnes project. We had such fun designing a space that’s not just aesthetically playful and vibrant, but also functional and comfortable for a young family. We loved incorporating lively hues, bold patterns and luxurious textures. What a pleasure to have creative freedom designing interiors that reflect our client’s personality.

Edmonds Waterfront

Debbie Cahill Turner Design, LLC

Photo of a mid-sized transitional home office in Seattle with a library.

Assorted custom millwork

Star Renovations NY

Design ideas for an expansive transitional home office in New York with a library, beige walls, a built-in desk, brown floor and dark hardwood floors.

Cove Property

C.E.I.

Design ideas for an expansive traditional home office in DC Metro with a library, black walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Bloomfield Hills II renovation

Tutto Interiors

Large transitional home office in Detroit with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and brown floor.

Stylish Town House Makeover

Simpson & Voyle

Discover a tranquil home office that blends bespoke design with touches of vintage charm, designed to inspire and invigorate. This space is defined by its custom-built cabinetry, meticulously crafted with a sleek, modern finish that provides ample storage and an organized work environment. The desk extends gracefully into the room, offering a generous workspace complemented by a contemporary office chair in a deep teal hue, poised for productivity. The room’s pièce de résistance is the expansive picture window that frames the lush outdoor greenery, inviting nature into the workspace and ensuring a serene view during work hours. The herringbone patterned floor in light wood continues the blend of traditional and modern, adding warmth and texture underfoot. Adding a delightful contrast to the room’s clean lines is a vintage armchair, reupholstered in a vibrant, floral fabric that introduces a burst of color and personality. It creates a cozy reading nook or contemplative space, with its plush upholstery and classic turned legs. A large, framed vintage poster on the wall echoes the chair's charm and adds a touch of nostalgic elegance, completing a room that's not just a place for work, but a sanctuary for thought and creativity

Home Office

Rose & Lily Interiors

Mid-sized modern home office in Atlanta with a library, black walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor, wood and wallpaper.

Arcadia Lights

AFT Construction

This is an example of a large transitional home office in Phoenix with a library, black walls, light hardwood floors, a built-in desk, beige floor and panelled walls.

European Elegance

Kritsonis Lindor

Inspiration for an expansive home office in Seattle with a library, grey walls, marble floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and multi-coloured floor.

Woodside House

Mark English Architects, AIA

Bruce Damonte
Small modern home office in San Francisco with a library, white walls, porcelain floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

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.

Residence in West Tisbury Mass

Martha's Vineyard Construction Co., Inc.

This is an example of a large home office in Boston with a library, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround.

Beverly Hills Modern

Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography

This is an example of a large modern home office in Los Angeles with a library and a freestanding desk.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Library

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.