Walnut bookshelves with sliding library ladders and archive storage drawers.
Design ideas for a large traditional home office in London with a library, beige walls, light hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace and a plaster fireplace surround.

Bright and open home in Houston

By Design Interiors, Inc.

One of the first rooms you see through the front entry is this beautiful study mixed with traditional and contemporary furnishings. Brightly colored abstract artwork pops against the neutral walls and metallic groin vaulted ceiling. Photographer: Daniel Angulo

5" Solid Hickory W/ Character Hand Scraped Hand-Hewn Hand-Rubbed Finish

Quality Floor Co.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Traditional Residence - Fairview Farms

Jim Quigley Custom Homes LLC

Design ideas for a large traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Home Offices

Portfolio Kitchens

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in DC Metro with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in desk and beige floor.

Living by K Two Designs

K Two Designs, Inc.

Authentic French Country Estate in one of Houston's most exclusive neighborhoods - Hunters Creek Village. Custom designed and fabricated iron railing featuring Gothic circles. Multistep hand applied alder wood along walls.

Taylor

Bluestone Building, LLC

Inspiration for a large traditional study room in Birmingham with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and brown floor.

Laurelhurst Storybook Residence

Board & Vellum

The muted blue accents give this cozy parlor a relaxed and inviting feel.
Mid-sized transitional home office in Seattle with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, brown floor and vaulted.

Writer's Retreat - Pasadena Showcase 2012

Haustech

For the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House, we created a first of a kind 60" touch screen television that operates much like an iPad. Surf the web, check email, watch television, work on documents - all with the touch of a finger. The Writer's retreat features in ceiling surround speakers and state-of-the-art controls. The Writer's Retreat at the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, part of the large Spanish Colonial Revival estate. CBA Technology created a first of a kind 60" touch screen television that operates much like an iPad. Surf the web, check email, watch television, work on documents - all with the touch of a finger. The Writer's retreat features in ceiling surround speakers and state-of-the-art controls. (Design & Build by Cynthia Bennett & Associates) © Tom Queally

Mediterranean Home Remodel

RiverCity Cabinets

Expansive mediterranean study room in Austin with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Ambler Modern Rooms

Stimmel Consulting Group

Design ideas for a large modern study room in Philadelphia with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Rancho Los Olivos

Tom Meaney Architect, AIA

Design ideas for a mediterranean home studio in Santa Barbara with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and exposed beam.

2016 Parade Of Homes

Northern Construction Homes

Mid-sized country home office in Orange County with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Meadow (Preston Hollow)

Nixon Custom Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional study room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Meadow (Preston Hollow)

Nixon Custom Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional study room in Dallas with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Eclectic Elegance - Mississauga

Idevoks Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary study room with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, a standard fireplace and brown floor.

Fall Features

Elements for Design

Inspiration for a large contemporary home office in Denver with beige walls, porcelain floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Connell Residence Denver

Ecological Architecture P.A.

addition to a corner bedroom on the house and conversion to home office. new door and custom window to patio/courtyard
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern study room in Denver with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a built-in desk and grey floor.

5" Solid Hickory W/ Character Hand Scraped Hand-Hewn Hand-Rubbed Finish

Quality Floor Co.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Traditional Residence - Fairview Farms

Jim Quigley Custom Homes LLC

This is an example of a large traditional study room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Home Office Design Ideas with Beige Walls and a Plaster 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.