David Lauer Photo
Photo of a mid-sized modern study room in Denver with white walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Smith-Corderilla Mountain Modern

Patti Dixon Design

"River runs through" custom desk for two which hides computer cords. Custom bookshelf combines steel, wood with geometric design surround gas fireplace.

North Glenmore (Custom)

Elle Peters Design

Traditional-industrial custom bungalow in Calgary.
Transitional home office in Calgary with a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and wallpaper.

Edwardian Seaside Home Revamp!

Holly Christian | PLUCKED + STUFF LTD

Now for the ultimate GIRL BOSS home office and reading room. My super cool client wanted to create an edgy home working environment (complete with dedicated Zoom background) that she not only a worked in, but a room that was hers to read in, exercise in and feel inspired by… and we also have another #chairgoals moment in this room too! ??Designed and Furniture Sourced by @plucked_interiors

Transitional Home Redesign

Distinctive Interiors

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional home office in Boston with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in desk, brown floor and grey walls.

Gig Harbor Golf Course Contemporary

User

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional study room in Seattle with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a built-in desk and grey floor.

Penthouse with a View

Wiedemann Architects LLC

A modern oak-paneled library accommodates their extensive book collection. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC
Large contemporary study room in DC Metro with dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a freestanding desk, brown walls, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Woodside

Nicola Hicks Designs

Design ideas for a traditional home studio in London with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and grey floor.

Greenwich, CT

Karen Houghton Interiors

Marco Ricca Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional study room in New York with white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Dark Green and Orange - Boiserie moderne e pareti attrezzate

Silvio Maglione architetti

Design ideas for a large contemporary home office in Milan with a library, green walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Cow Hollow House

Mark English Architects, AIA

Joe Fletcher
Contemporary home office in San Francisco with a library, white walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and black floor.

My House

Design Soda

Mid-sized transitional study room in London with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Residence with a Garden Wall

Kate Cleveland Architect

Large traditional study room in Philadelphia with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, grey floor, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

San Juan Cliffside

Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Photographer: Jay Goodrich
Design ideas for a contemporary study room in Seattle with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Old World Charm

Groom Construction Co., Inc.

Mid-sized traditional home office in Boston with medium hardwood floors, brown floor, a library, brown walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Eliza House

WALA

This is an example of a small modern study room in Melbourne with light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a built-in desk.

Glenwood School Drive Design Studio

Claire Jefford, Inc.

Stephani Buchman
Photo of a small transitional home office in Toronto with white walls, laminate floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and brown floor.

Mad Valley Remodel

goCstudio

Built-in desks for the family to have an organized work zone adjacent to their kitchen and living space. Flush panel upper cabinet doors with concealed door pulls kept the expression very simple.

SANFELICE DUPLEX APT.

Tommaso Giunchi Architetti

Il progetto ha previsto la cucina come locale centrale divisa dal un alto con una tenda Dooor a separazione con lo studio e dall'altro due grandi vetrate scorrevoli a separazione della zona pranzo. Libreria a tutta parete per lo studio Tutti gli arredi compresi quelli dalla cucina sono disegnati su misura e realizzati in fenix e legno

New Cullasaja Home

Black Rock Design | Build

Design ideas for a large craft room in Other with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, beige floor and exposed beam.

Home Office Design Ideas with a Standard Fireplace and a Metal 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.