David Duncan Livingston
Photo of a transitional home office in San Francisco with a library and multi-coloured walls.

Сергей Красюк
This is an example of a contemporary home office in Moscow with grey walls, a built-in desk, a library, no fireplace and dark hardwood floors.

Nikki & David's Prairie Style Home

Arciform

The refinished paneling now matches the house’s stained woodwork. Behind this built in desk is a refurbished, original pull-out metal bed with solid oak wheels. - photo by Blackstone Edge

Virginia

Threshold Design Lab

This is an example of a small midcentury home office in Chicago with a built-in desk, multi-coloured walls, light hardwood floors, a library, no fireplace and white floor.

Washington Park Residence

Tawney Waldo

Emily Minton Redfield
Photo of a traditional home office in Denver with a library, red walls, carpet and beige floor.

Hancock Park Project

Architexture Interior Design

The dramatic citron yellow cabinetry in the owner's home office is custom made by Architexture. It plays off the turquoise walls and fucshia sofa to create it's own space. By leaving the cabinets backless it allows the turquoise to act as an accent.

An Extension with Traditional Interior Design

Nic Antony Architects

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional home office in Essex with light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, beige floor, multi-coloured walls, a standard fireplace and a library.

Lafayette Bungalow

Ericka Catanzaro

Photo of a transitional home office in San Francisco with a library and multi-coloured walls.

Bluff Road Statham GA

Cassy Young Decorating Den Interiors Athens GA

Scott Johnson
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional home office in Atlanta with medium hardwood floors, a two-sided fireplace, a built-in desk, a library and grey walls.

Boerum Hill Whimsy

The Brooklyn Studio

Photography by Rachael Stollar
Design ideas for a transitional home office in New York with purple walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and a library.

Office reading zone

Brooke Copp-Barton Interiors

Leading off from the kitchen is the office space, complete with reading area, storage space, plenty of book shelves and tactile soft furnishings. Photography: Megan Taylor

Dulwich

Aflux Designs

adam butler
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic home office in London with a library, green walls, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Ekopark

Soma Architekci

Inspiration for a contemporary home office in Other with a library, multi-coloured walls, medium hardwood floors, a built-in desk and yellow floor.

Mountain Retreat

Solving Spaces

Photo of a contemporary home office in Other with a library, grey walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Whimsical Wallpaper 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.