Design ideas for a contemporary home office in Sydney with blue walls and a freestanding desk.

Thomas Kuoh Photography
Transitional home office in San Francisco with a library, blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Modern Farmhouse

Karen Kempf Interiors

A farmhouse style was achieved in this new construction home by keeping the details clean and simple. Shaker style cabinets and square stair parts moldings set the backdrop for incorporating our clients’ love of Asian antiques. We had fun re-purposing the different pieces she already had: two were made into bathroom vanities; and the turquoise console became the star of the house, welcoming visitors as they walk through the front door.

Victorian House S. East London

Alison Hammond Photography

Photo of an eclectic study room in London with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Franklin Park Residence

Purple Cherry Architects

A moody monochromatic office with custom built-ins and millwork.
Inspiration for a mid-sized study room in DC Metro with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a freestanding desk, brown floor, timber and panelled walls.

Posthaste in a Shirtwaist: Home Office

Tamara Day Design

Study room in Kansas City with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and decorative wall panelling.

Transitional Transformation

Bohannon Design Team

Design ideas for a large transitional home office in Dallas with a library, blue walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, coffered and panelled walls.

Unlock Your Mind

House of L

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional home office in Cleveland with a library, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor, wallpaper and wood walls.

Modern California Casual

Kimberley Kay Interiors

THis home office/Guest room is a small but mighty space....being able to get in a trundle bed for those visitors all while you have a home office space for the other days those guests aren't here....is premier!

Home Office

Tim Barber Architects

Traditional home studio in Los Angeles with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace surround, a freestanding desk, brown floor and panelled walls.

Home Office/Bedroom

Gold Beech Construction

Mid-sized traditional study room in Boston with blue walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

Quarry Lake Home

Du Interiors - Dulce Roberto

Home Office
Inspiration for a small transitional home office in Portland with a library, blue walls, slate floors, a freestanding desk and multi-coloured floor.

A Study transformed

Tina Dann-Fenwick Interiors

This custom designed bookcase replaced an old murphy bed in a small first floor room which we converted into a cozy study
Design ideas for a small transitional study room in Chicago with blue walls, medium hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

London home office

Sarah Chambers Interiors

Large contemporary study room in London with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Espace Bureau sur mesure - Papier peint bleu LINES

Jean-Christophe Peyrieux

Luminaire sur-mesure: Atelier Moderniste
Large contemporary study room in Paris with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Custom Home - Retreat

cJem Designs, PLLC

Design ideas for a country home office in Other with a library, blue walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Waxhaw/Marvin, Colorful Interiors -Mixing antiques with new furniture

Leslie Williams Interior Design

This is a feminine ladies study and sitting room. It is filled with our clients favorite colors and antiques. We just added new chairs, pillows and a rug.

Essex Federal

Sapia Builders Corp.

Design ideas for a traditional home office in Bridgeport with a library, blue walls, a standard fireplace and a freestanding desk.

Sandalwood transitional

Jamestown Estate Homes

Starlight Images Inc.
Photo of an expansive transitional study room in Houston with blue walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a freestanding desk and beige floor.

Modern Tudor

Wyrick Residential Design

Large traditional study room in Houston with blue walls, light hardwood floors, a freestanding desk and brown floor.

Home Office Design Ideas with Blue Walls and a Freestanding Desk

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.